Help me decide which Thinkpad to get!

[iMav]

I am turning my MacBook over to my wife when I come home on vacation (from Iraq) and am looking to buy a new laptop to bring back over with me...but I am having a difficult time deciding.

Obviously (considering where I am posting this), I will be running linux exclusively on it (as I do now on my trusty T23). Here are the things I like/want:

- Trackpoint WITHOUT trackpad (like my T23)
- Widescreen
- Fingerprint reader
- 2.0GHz Core2Duo (to get the 4MB of cache)
- 2GB ram
- 200GB hdd

I plan on buying at least the hard drive separately, cuz I know Lenovo doesn't offer a 200GB. From what I've seen so far, I believe only the X60 offers NO trackpad AND a fingerprint reader, but no 2.0GHz C2D processor. The R60e offers no trackpad...but little else. The Z61's offer a widescreen. The T60's offer a widescreen, fingerprint reader, and pretty much everything else...but has that [censored] trackpad! (also, not sure I want the ATI graphics as they are not the best with linux)

None really offer exactly what I want. Man, I'd REALLY like to do without the trackpad...so I wonder if I should limit myself to the X and R*e series systems and choose from them? Decisions, decisions.

Any opinions?

[iMav]

Actually, looks like the T60 widescreen has pretty much everything as well as a higher-resolution option...but with that dang trackpad.

And, it's not exactly small. I am torn!!

[pianowizard]

Man, I'd REALLY like to do without the trackpad...

It can be turned off.

so I wonder if I should limit myself to the X and R*e series systems and choose from them?

These don't have widescreen options, yet.

[iMav]

Man, I'd REALLY like to do without the trackpad...

It can be turned off.

so I wonder if I should limit myself to the X and R*e series systems and choose from them?

These don't have widescreen options, yet.

Well, NONE of the models have everything I'd want.

Put some decent power (CPU and discrete graphics) into a small, widescreen form factor ThinkPad and I would be sold. (think Dell m1210 with a decent keyboard and trackpoint)

[iMav]

Ok. X-series is out. For widescreens, I think I'd prefer the T-series wide to the Z-series. If I don't go wide, I'll go either with an R or T-series. The 14" R-series systems don't look bad...even offering fingerprint reader, smartcard option, and a higher res screen (SXGA+). Hmmm...

So, any problems with these and linux? I think I'll likely stick with the Intel graphics due to the availability of open source drivers.

[pianowizard]

Put some decent power (CPU and discrete graphics) into a small, widescreen form factor ThinkPad and I would be sold.

The 14.1" widescreen T61 is expected to come out in several months. That would be almost perfect for you (and for me).

[iMav]

The 14.1" widescreen T61 is expected to come out in several months. That would be almost perfect for you (and for me).

Unfortunately, I need to have my new laptop waiting for me at home when I arrive on vacation April 1st (which means ordering it no later than mid-month).

Believe it or not, I have narrowed it down to either a widescreen T-series or an X-series. I won't go ATI graphics...so Intel on both counts. Just need to decide whether the beefier CPU (would go with the 2.0GHz C2D if I get the T-series) and increased screen res (WSXGA+) is worth the portability tradeoff.

[MeaninglessNick]

There are several configurations with Core2Duo 2GHz on the Canadian website. Maybe you can arrange something...

[Jedacite]

So, any problems with these and linux? I think I'll likely stick with the Intel graphics due to the availability of open source drivers.

I haven't had any problems with my T60, it has actually worked better under Linux than any other laptop that I've ever owned or used.

I've used (and worked out of the box.)
- Intel Wireless 802.11abg
- Bluetooth
- Sound

I've used (and worked in under 5 mins)
- ATI x1300 Driver.

I've heard that others have also gotten the fingerprint reader and the Hard Drive Protection drivers working but I haven't bothered to try to get them working yet.

I have the T60-2623-D6U (14" screen) and move between using both Windows and Linux on it as my primary OS depending on what I have to do. I actually find that the Intel Wireless card works better under Linux than it does on Windows.

[delturcious]

A word of caution about the Intel video-If you're running a widescreen LCD, you generally have to use a utility called 915resolution to fake the wide resolution into the video bios. ATI cards shouldn't have any problem with the resolution, but you will probably have a bit more trouble getting hardware acceleration to work under any Linux distro. It's a tossup as to which is a greater nuisance, but you'd be sure to get better performance with the ATI.

Those touchpads are obnoxious if you're using the trackpoint, but (at least on the T40) there's a bios option to disable it competely

[whizkid]

For the T4x series, you can buy a keyboard bezel that has no trackpad, but of course there's no widescreen T43.

I run Fedora on my T60, and the ATI X1400 works great (as does everything else), but there's not yet an open-source driver for it.

[iMav]

Honestly, I am almost completed decided on the X60s...so the widescreen resolution is not an issue. But part of me still wants the T60 widescreen.

[iMav]

Ok. The T60 widescreen and the X60s Ultralight. Both with 2GB of ram and a 160GB, 7200rpm hdd (i'll be adding both of these via 3rd party purchase). Both with the Intel GMA950 video. Both with the fingerprint reader. Here are the differences:

T60 widescreen
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB)
Display type: 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
Optical device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
Battery: 9 cell Li-Ion Battery
Security: Gemplus GemPC400 Compact Smart Card Reader

X60s Ultralight
Processor and display: Intel Core Duo L2400 LV (1.67GHz, 2MB L2, 667MHz FSB)
12.1" UltraLight XGA TFT with Bluetooth
Battery: ThinkPad X60s Series 8 cell High Capacity Battery

Both pretty much the exact same price (as configured above). The light, energy-saving X60s Ultralight? Or the T60 widescreen workhorse? The T60 has the added benefit of a dual layer DVD writer and a smartcard reader. Additionally, the T60 offers me a larger, higher resolution, widescreen display. The X60s should give me excellent battery life, be easier to carry, and be absent one touchpad (and I DO hate touchpads).

With systems so diverse such as these, you'd think it would be easy to decide, based on my use. However, it is not. Although the system will go with me when i travel, from day to day, it will likely stay in my room here in iraq. Honestly, if the X60s came in a widescreen format (1280x800, giving me, not only the extra width, but a bit more vertical desktop real estate) this would be a no-brainer. Part of me really likes the sleek X60s...but the other part of me wants "more" for my money.

I know you can't make my decision for me...but what are your thoughts? (btw, this will run either Gentoo or Ubuntu EXCLUSIVELY!)

[ryengineer]

T60. Why?

You'll get:

Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7200.
15.4'' (btw W/screen lover here).
More for money.
More for money.
More for money.

[pianowizard]

Honestly, if the X60s came in a widescreen format (1280x800, giving me, not only the extra width, but a bit more vertical desktop real estate) this would be a no-brainer.

I forget whether I recommended this to you before or not, but you should consider the HP nc2400. 12.1" widescreen with 1280x800 resolution, internal optical drive, 2.8 lbs with the small battery, and same price as the X60s. If I were to get an ultraportable laptop today, the HP nc2400 would be my #1 choice.

[iMav]

T60.

Would you bother with the T60p widescreen with the ATI Mobility Fire GL V5250 (256MB)?? Looks like with the T60 widescreen, you can select the WSXGA+ with the Intel GMA950. Any reason to believe this will be problematic? Would the ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (128MB) be a better option? (even considering the lack of open drivers for linux) I won't be doing any serious gaming...but may play with some XGL toys.

[ryengineer]

No, I won't.

I don't think you'll have any problem. In addition, FireGL V5250 is a better card than Radeon X1400, the only downside is the battery will suffer. But compareing the two machines T60p with FireGL is a treat. But again you're the decision maker and T60p might demand some extra bucks too.

[iMav]

Or, I suppose the z61t could be an option with that cool titanium lid. (dang it!! here I thought I had actually narrowed things down.)

[iMav]

Ok...D day is coming (have to order on friday).

I have decided that I absolutely do NOT need discrete graphics I will not be doing any online gaming (which is, really, the only type of gaming I do), as the bandwidth available to me here in Iraq just does not cut it (or, rather, the latency of multiple satellite hops is what kills gaming).

So, I have to decide whether I want the extra screen real estate or not. If I go with ANY 4:3 XGA display, it will be the x60s. 1024x768 is down right annoying on a 13+ inch screen (I like high-density screens). I told myself long ago that I would not buy another widescreen if it was not WUXGA (1920x1200)...but those seem to be disappearing off the face of the earth!

It's down to either the z61t or the x60s. Probably no input you can provide to make my decision easier (unless there is some glaring linux incompatibility of the hardware of one of these models).

[madnordski]

What was your final decision? I just ordered a T60 to run Ubuntu -- perhaps we can compare notes in a few weeks.

[iMav]

What was your final decision? I just ordered a T60 to run Ubuntu -- perhaps we can compare notes in a few weeks.

I'll let you know of friday!

We'll have to wait a while before we can compare notes. I am in Iraq and will have to wait till I return to the states in a couple weeks to retrieve my new toy. (hopefully ordering it 2.5 weeks ahead of time will ensure it is there when I get there)

[Temetka]

RE: shipping

can you ask (and pay for) faster shipping?


You are going to love Linux on the thinkpad.

Currently my wifi is really irritating me as it doesn't want to connect to my WEP protected AP but will connect fine to my neighbors open AP. That's how I am posting right now. Once I solve this little 'issue' everything will be good.

[iMav]

can you ask (and pay for) faster shipping?

I will probably pay for expedited shipping just to make sure.

You are going to love Linux on the thinkpad.

I currently run linux on my T23 and love it. It will be even better on my new TP.

[iMav]

Order Date: 3/15/07
Est. Ship Date: 3/29/07

x60s ultralight screen w/ bluetooth
512MB ram (2GB on the way from newegg)
60GB hdd (160GB, 5400rpm hdd on the way from newegg)
Integrated fingerprint reader
Intel/Pro wireless

Also on the way from newegg, an external DL-DVD burner (USB) for the rare ocassion that I may need it.