T61: Intel Duo Core: PAE ready?

[mike004]

I currently have a T42 with 1.8 GHz Pentium M processor. A very good machine.
The problem is that this processor does not support PAE, so will not run some modern Linux distros.

I am looking to buy a refurbished T61 with 2.2 GHz Intel Duo Core processor. Does this processor support PAE?
Also, is the Duo Core a 64-bit processor?
Otherwise, I expect the screen etc. to be identical to the T42.

Mike

[RealBlackStuff]

Every T61 has a Core 2 Duo CPU.
They are all 64-bit capable and support PAE.
If both your old T42 and new T61 are 14.1" in 4:3 format, then the screens might be the same (XGA or SXGA+).
If your T42 is a 15" (also in 4:3 format) machine, then there is no T61 equivalent.
T61 comes in 14.1" 4:3, 14.1" Widescreen, and 15.4" Widescreen.
The T42 has Intel or ATI graphics.
The T61 has Intel or nVidia graphics.
Do NOT buy an nVidia machine, unless it has a verified production date of 08/08 or 08/09 (2008/August or September) and you now the history of that laptop.
Read up on nVidia problems here: http://www.nvidiadefect.com/
The only thing the T42 and T61 have in common is Henry Ford's color: black.

[mike004]

Thanks for your reply. As the T60 also has an Intel Duo, I can also consider that model.
Display wise, a T60 would do me. I am quite happy with my T42 running at 1024x768 and don't really need the higher resolution.

A basic T60 like this might suit me:

http://www.thelaptopcentre.co.uk/cheap- ... -wifi.html

But I am worried about the 3 gig RAM limit.
I was hoping to run VirtualBox VMs.
Maybe I should consider a refurb'ed T410, with RAM up to 8 gig?

[DRobinson]

I currently have a T42 with 1.8 GHz Pentium M processor. A very good machine.
The problem is that this processor does not support PAE, so will not run some modern Linux distros.

I am looking to buy a refurbished T61 with 2.2 GHz Intel Duo Core processor. Does this processor support PAE?
Also, is the Duo Core a 64-bit processor?
Otherwise, I expect the screen etc. to be identical to the T42.

Thanks for your reply. As the T60 also has an Intel Duo, I can also consider that model.
Display wise, a T60 would do me. I am quite happy with my T42 running at 1024x768 and don't really need the higher resolution.

A basic T60 like this might suit me:

http://www.thelaptopcentre.co.uk/cheap- ... -wifi.html

But I am worried about the 3 gig RAM limit.
I was hoping to run VirtualBox VMs.
Maybe I should consider a refurb'ed T410, with RAM up to 8 gig?

Mike, you seem to want quite a bit here. Let me see if I can give any worth while input.

- You can certainly use modern linux distros on non-pae machines. I know Debian, Fedora LXDE spin, and Xubuntu ship with non-pae kernels default. You can also likely use alternate install with Ubuntu to get that kernel.
-The T61 proc supports pae and is 64bit. With a bios flash, it can take more modern (faster) processors. I think it has an 8GB ram limit.
-I have an intel 15.4" T61 (WXGA) 1280x800 and T42 (XGA) 1024x768. The T42 is much lighter and feels more "mobile". Screen space appears about the same to me. I do not like wide screen though.
-I have a sxga+ T60. It is also heavier than the 42. It is very sturdy and feels more robust than the 42. it has a loud fan though. the T42 is completely silent, while the 60's fan is whirring almost constantly. (both machines have been changed to solid state drives) I have read on this board that the fan issue on the 60 is common. SXGA+ is great. i love the screen space so much that I have ordered an SXGA screen for my 42. That is the best of both worlds imo. Light and usable.
-Virtual machines. What are you planning on doing with virtual box? How are you planning on using the machines? I have an xp machine that gets used for silverlight video on a machine with 3GB ram. it does just fine. Are you running multiple VMs at the same time? this will determine how much your machine needs.

I think that the T61 (or newer machine) is probably your best bet, just because you may need more ram available for running VMs. The other machines are limited in this aspect.

[RealBlackStuff]

T60 also has an Intel Duo...

That posted T60 (Intel T2400 CPU) is only 32-Bit Core Duo. You will need a (hotter-running) T5x00 or T7x00 Core 2 Duo CPU upgrade.

Since your needs are relatively basic, your best/cheapest bet would be a T61 in 14.1" non-widescreen format, with either XGA or SXGA+ and Intel integrated graphics (up to 256MB shared RAM).
All T61 machines have a Core 2 Duo CPU and can take up to 8GB RAM, if you put in a 64-bit OS.
The CPU can be 'souped up' to a T9500 (2.6GHz) or even X9000 (2.8GHz), but the best value for money is the T9300.
With Middleton BIOS applied, that machine runs at SATA II speed.

[mike004]

Since your needs are relatively basic, your best/cheapest bet would be a T61 in 14.1" non-widescreen format, with either XGA or SXGA+ and Intel integrated graphics (up to 256MB shared RAM).
.

Like this one, maybe?
http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/produc ... -Business/

Max RAM is 4 gig.
I don't know if that screen resolution would look strange after using 1024x768 on a same size 14 inch screen. But at least it's not wide screen.

[RealBlackStuff]

If you ever watched 'Allo, 'Allo, I will now 'imitate' Michelle from the French Resistance:
"Listen carefully, I shall say this only wence!"
ALL T61 MACHINES CAN TAKE UP TO 8GB RAM!
regardless of what you find in IBM's, Lenovo's, dealers' or Memory-manufacturers' descriptions.

And the machine you linked to IS widescreen.
The (standard 4:3) 14.1" T61 has either XGA (1024x768) or SXGA+ (1400x1050).
Any other resolution is widescreen!

[mike004]

Thanks. Display resolutions confuse me...

So I want a T61 with 14 inch screen, with a resolution of 1024x768 (XGA) or 1400×1050 (SXGA+).
A display of 1280 x 800 is a form of WXGA = a wide screen monitor.
I need an Intel graphics chip, not Nvidia (unless made after august 2008).
The computer *will* take 8 meg of RAM. Ignore any specs...
Phew!

Let me know if you see any T61 refurbs like this advertised.
Or I might be better handing my money to RBS and letting him sort it out

[robert213]

Standard 4:3 14.1" T61 has either XGA (1024x768) or SXGA+ (1400x1050)

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=97714

(type 8889, 8890, 8891, 8892, 8893, 8894, 8895, 8896, 8897, 8898, 8899, 8900, 8938, and 8939)

You have to sort out the Intel PM965/GM965 graphics from the list.

Click on [Select Product] and Enter Type and Model No here...
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product ... nding.page?#

[Cigarguy]

Or I might be better handing my money to RBS and letting him sort it out

Bingo! You can do much worse but not better.