R61 options

[rbi]

I have two laptops R61 to choose. The descriptions are as follows:

Product 1 : ThinkPad R61 8918-5KM [change]

Operating system: All [change]

Original description: T7100(1.8GHz), 1GB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HD, 15.4in 1280x800 LCD, 128MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion, WinVista Business

Product 2: ThinkPad R61 8918-5MM [change]

Operating system: All [change]

Original description: T7300(2GHz), 1GB RAM, 120GB 5400rpm HD, 15.4in 1680x1050 LCD, 128MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, Camera, 6c Li-Ion, WinVista Business

Product 2 is $497.35 more than Product 1. Which one do you reckon is better for my purpose and value??

I mainly use it at home for video editing after work. My wife uses it for share trading daily. I also prefer webcam. But if it is not possible, I will buy AUD $106.25 with Lenovo USB/Analog Headset & USB WebCam VoIP Bundle(previously it is AUD$87.25 only!-1 AUD=0.84 USD).

[rbi]

Sorry, $497.35 means AUD not USD

[tomh009]

Given that you do want the camera, the effective price difference ends up being AUD 400 to get a faster CPU (by 0.2 GHz), a bigger disk (by 40 GB) and a significantly higher-resolution screen. Not a bad price -- assuming you want the high-resolution screen, that is.

I don't know what resolution your videos are, but unless they are VGA (640x480) or less, I suspect that the less expensive model's 1280x800 real estate will be somewhat constraining. On the flip side, while the high-resolution screen will be very sharp, text and icons will tend to be small, although Vista is pretty good at adjusting the visual elements for a higher-resolution display.

[rbi]

Given that you do want the camera, the effective price difference ends up being AUD 400 to get a faster CPU (by 0.2 GHz), a bigger disk (by 40 GB) and a significantly higher-resolution screen. Not a bad price -- assuming you want the high-resolution screen, that is.

I don't know what resolution your videos are, but unless they are VGA (640x480) or less, I suspect that the less expensive model's 1280x800 real estate will be somewhat constraining. On the flip side, while the high-resolution screen will be very sharp, text and icons will tend to be small, although Vista is pretty good at adjusting the visual elements for a higher-resolution display.

Thanks tomh009. My video is from my Sony DCR SR300 in .mpg format. The option 1 can also have windows XP version at the same price. I know you posted a post asking what webcam you can choose for your X31, T61 and R61?? I may suggest Lenovo 40Y8519. It has built-in microphone and the noise reduction tech. And it is 360 degree adjustable. But the only issue you might encouter is Windows Vista doesn't have the driver for it and it might not be installed properly as some members complaint. The resolution should be good as I am very satisfied with my Ultraport II on my old T23.

Another issue is the depreciation of Lenovo. Do you know any plan for Intel new chips? In Feb and March, in Australia Lenovo EPP outlets, they sold Z61P, some T60 models and R60. I really want to have AUstralian version tabook to know the release date of those models. Is it necessary to wait probably another 4 or more months for those models to get into the outlet list? Now I am a new dad of two months and might have little time to play with the pc but my T23 is too old, PIII, 20GB. But it is still ok for my wife to do the share trading but not the video editing due to 16MB video card.

[tomh009]

Thanks for the webcam recommendation -- that's actually what I ended up ordering as the specs looked good and I figured that at the minimum it would clamp onto a ThinkPad lid securely!

Another issue is the depreciation of Lenovo. Do you know any plan for Intel new chips? In Feb and March, in Australia Lenovo EPP outlets, they sold Z61P, some T60 models and R60. I really want to have AUstralian version tabook to know the release date of those models. Is it necessary to wait probably another 4 or more months for those models to get into the outlet list?

Which models and/or chips are you looking for that are not yet available in Australia? R61? The *60 series models are not so bad, either, and if your prices for those are much better ...

[rbi]

Thanks for the webcam recommendation -- that's actually what I ended up ordering as the specs looked good and I figured that at the minimum it would clamp onto a ThinkPad lid securely!

You are welcome.

Another issue is the depreciation of Lenovo. Do you know any plan for Intel new chips? In Feb and March, in Australia Lenovo EPP outlets, they sold Z61P, some T60 models and R60. I really want to have AUstralian version tabook to know the release date of those models. Is it necessary to wait probably another 4 or more months for those models to get into the outlet list?

Which models and/or chips are you looking for that are not yet available in Australia? R61? The *60 series models are not so bad, either, and if your prices for those are much better ...

R61 is available with 15.4". 60 now in the outlet list is not good enough with only 80GB and integrated video card. I will see if they update the list tomorrow as they promise it should be refreshed once a week but they don't! as the latest one is 29 May.