Choosing the right Z61m for me...

[fergusf]

Hi folks!

I am new here on this forum. I read the rules and I know I am not supposed to name names of shops or prices.
So here it goes:

I would like to buy my first laptop! And I think a thinkpad
will be ok for me, since I am looking for a laptop that I can use for many years as a desktop!
I must say I am not a gamer; I'll just use the Thinkpad Z61m for Office, Windows (Vista) and Internet. Maybe in time, when I'm done with university, I'll have time to game. That would be nice...
And I love music!!! Very important...

So I can choose from 4 kinds of laptops. My budget is 1000 euro, but I willing to make some debts for a good and longlasting Thinkpad!
Here are my choices:

1. UA04BNI | LENOVO THINKPAD Z61M T2300E/512/80GB/15.4/DVDRW/XPP UK [censored] TS (++)

2. IBM ThinkPad Z61m UA04BGE / 9450-4BG
T2300E(1.66GHz), 512MB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HD, 15.4in 1280x800 LCD, Intel 950, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, IEEE 1394, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro, Titan-Cover

3. UA03HNI | LENOVO THINKPAD Z61M T2500/1024/100GB/15.4/DVDRW/XPP UK [censored] TS (+++)

4. IBM ThinkPad Z61m UB128GE-M / 9452-128
T7200(2GHz), 512MB RAM, 100GB 5400rpm HD, 15.4in 1680x1050 LCD, 128MB ATI Radeon X1400, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, IEEE 1394, Fingerprint reader, 9c Li-Ion batt, WinXP Pro
Multimedia Edition


Well...? Which one would you choose, or which one should meet my wishes? Unfortunelately I am not aloud to put prices in here...
Thanks for your advice!

[philnicholas]

It depends on what you're going to use it for. The biggest issue I see up there is that 512MB of RAM is just not sufficient -- in my opinion -- to run apps on a system like this. Here you have a nice system with a good processor, but the memory just doesn't match; about as useful as a Lamborghini with a 3 liter gas tank. The net effect is that the processor will wait constantly as the operating system juggles between virtual RAM and system RAM. It's my understanding that you could back off the processor speed a bit (get the T2300 1.6GHz processor instead of the T2700 2GHz) and instead use that savings toward substantially better performance by reducing the memory bottleneck.

Also, I got the 1680x1050 resolution screen. I have good eyes and I hate it. Anything text is almost impossible to read at a distance beyond arm's length. Text (as in the text on this page) appears less than 2mm high, like reading the ultra-small print on a legal form. Unfortunately I didn't see any other way to get the superior graphics of the ATI X1400 without getting the 1680x1050 resolution display. On the other hand, the Intel 950 integrated graphics has MAJOR performance and feature limitation that are really out of place in this caliber of laptop.

Finally, a note on quality: Go with ThinkPad. I researched laptops for months before buying this. I even made the mistake of buying an HP (which was so loaded with bloatware, adware, crapware and other try-to-buy crap that it took two hours to "clean" the machine, but it was still almost totally unusable). I took it back and will never buy another one again. Other top brands have abysmal failure rates, service, or both. You know who to trust? The technicians. They know what breaks, what break again, and what keep breaking. I read posts/messages from many many technicians regarding different brands. The clear consensus was the ThinkPad is a gem among today’s craptops (most of which are poorly built by the same handful of asian OEM manufacturers but sold under different brand names).

[fergusf]

Well... I am REALLY sorry I read your reply today (Saturday Noverber 25 in the morning). Yesterday I orderd this Thinkpad from Germany:

ThinkPad Z61m Modell 9452-128 [UB128GE] inkl. Headset
Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2GHz, 512 MB RAM, 100GB HDD, 15.4" TFT WSXGA (1680x1050), ATI Mobility Radeon X1400, Super Multiburner Plus, Intel WLan 3945 a/b/g, Bluetooth, Firewire, FingerPrint, 4-1Card Reader, Win XP Pro., 3 Jahre Bring-In Garantie


And I will use it mainly as a desktop and now I'm sorry I bought it already And I transferred the money as well, there is nothing I can do...

Isn't there a way to change the resolution in the laptop? And if I buy later (because now I have absolute NO money) another 512 mb of memory would that be a possibility to let the processor work more rapidly? Or would this not work at all?

I hope you (or somebody else) can answer me as soon as possible, because maybe can stop the company from sending the laptop to me on Monday!

Another thing is, that they promised to send me some recovery cd's, as I can not understand German. I know Windows can be translated, but what about the Thinkvantage system? Will the recovery cd change this language as well?

Thank you for your information!!!

[philnicholas]

Isn't there a way to change the resolution in the laptop?

No. The intended resolution is set for each LCD (this goes for regular LCD monitors as well as laptop screens).

And if I buy later (because now I have absolute NO money) another 512 mb of memory would that be a possibility to let the processor work more rapidly? Or would this not work at all?

You could get more memory and it would be the same as if you'd ordered it with the memory. The only thing I'd point out is that your machine only has two SO-DIMM memory slots. Your system may have one or both used (meaning, did they put in 2x256MB or 1x512MB memory). If they used both slots, you’ll probably replace them both with 1GB in the form of two 512MB modules. If you got lucky and they only used one slot, then you can just drop another 512MB module in there (be sure to match specs) and you’ll be set.

Another thing is, that they promised to send me some recovery cd's, as I can not understand German. I know Windows can be translated, but what about the Thinkvantage system? Will the recovery cd change this language as well?

I’m American, does that get me out of answering the question? Actually, I have no idea what type recovery CD's they’ll be shipping (I didn't get those!!!) but I assume it's whatever the system is shipped with. I know that if I want a recovery CD (DVD?) I've got to burn one myself. No biggie.

[rek]

I wouldn't be bummed about the screen resolution just yet... it's a subjective thing. If I were in your situation, with those options, I would buy the same one you did. (While saving my pennies for an additional 1GB RAM module down the track, when Vista drivers are finalised... it will love 1.5GB! )

I really liked the 15.4", 1680x1050 resolution my Z61m had.. I found it gave me heaps of screen real estate in XP, while not crossing the border of being too small for me; and was simply beautiful when running Vista.

[fergusf]

Well... I haven't read your comments this weekend. This morning I cancelled the order. Once I have my money back (I had payed already) I will buy a laptop here in Holland. Then I'm sure I won't be having any language problems!

I will have to make another decission: I will either buy this one:
UA03HNI | LENOVO THINKPAD Z61M T2500/1024/100GB/15.4/DVDRW/XPP UK [censored] TS (high resolution)

or this one:
UA0H9NI
LENOVO THINKPAD Z61M T5500/2X512MB/80GB/15.4/DVDRW/XPP [censored] UK TS (++) (low resolution)

It will be a though decision. I will have to go to computershops and see if I would be able to work with a high resolution screen. I suppose that for Vista it will be great...

You now what I hate about the new Z series here in Holland? Most of them are in silver... why do they do that?
What's wrong with the old classical IBM looks

[fergusf]

Well, I haven't got the money back yet. But I'm thinking of buying this one once the money comes in:

http://www5.pc.ibm.com/europe/products. ... enDocument

It seems great, exept for the Titanium cover. The do not sell it with a black lid anymore...

What do you think about this one philnicholas?