2 question - hard drive speed, warranty

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ghanwani · #1 Post by **ghanwani** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 11:27 am

I am in the process of researching what model to buy.

I am able to get EPP through a friend, but when looking
at the available models, I couldn't find the 2686DGU which
has the 7200 rpm 60 GB hard drive. All the machines on
there have a 5400 rpm drive. The other option is going
the build to order route.

I read somewhere (I can't remember where) that the
hard drive speed matters more for 60 GB drives than
for 80 GB drives. Is this true?

I am also interested in getting bluetooth which the
2686DGU does not have. It also looks like I can't get
bluetooth and the 7200 rpm drive unless I go really
high end, which I don't want to do. I am willing to
give up on bluetooth if having it is going to significantly
impact performance.

In terms of warranty, what do people recommend. I
plan to get at least a 3 year depot service. Is it worth
getting a 5 year depot service? Are most folks taking the
onsite repair option?

FWIW, I have a T20 that is just over 5 years old now.
I did have to replace the hard drive under warranty
about 2 years ago, but other than that it has been rock
solid.

Thanks,
Anoop

ariadgr · #2 Post by **ariadgr** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 2:45 pm

ghanwani wrote:I read somewhere (I can't remember where) that the
hard drive speed matters more for 60 GB drives than
for 80 GB drives. Is this true?

No, this is false. Speed (RPM) matters in all hard drives, and is not connected with the capacity.

christopher_wolf · #3 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 2:56 pm

I had much the same issue; I could have chosen to either do EPP or an Educational Discount from the TSW. I eventually chose the educational discount from the TSW because they actually had the T43 and T42 models I was looking at. If you really want a 7200RPM, build to order might be the way to go.

laz · #4 Post by **laz** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 3:24 pm

Depending on the price difference, you could also get a model with bluetooth and a really cheap hdd and upgrade to a 7200RPM drive yourself. A Hitachi 7K100 60GB is $138 at newegg. Installation is a breeze. I did it myself a few weeks ago.

ghanwani · #5 Post by **ghanwani** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:07 am

christopher_wolf wrote:If you really want a 7200RPM, build to order might be the way to go.

I still have to give up bluetooth in that case. When doing a custom order on the EPP site, there doesn't seem to be an option to add bluetooth.

Thanks to all for the replies.

Anoop

pae77 · #6 Post by **pae77** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:39 pm

You can get any model you want through EPP, not just those that are listed on the site. Download the latest tabook.pdf from Lenovo's site, find the model(s) with the exact specs you want, call the sales phone number listed on the EPP site and ask the sales rep for the EPP prices on the model(s) you want. The prices will still be very discounted.

Btw, also they should give you free shipping and don't bother to pay extra for express. They ship global express anyway even if you choose the free ground shipping.

ghanwani · #7 Post by **ghanwani** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:43 pm

pae77 wrote:Download the latest tabook.pdf from Lenovo's site, ...

Where do I find this file?

Thanks,
Anoop

ghanwani · #8 Post by **ghanwani** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:20 pm

What is the difference between "ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi Wireless II" and Intel PRO Wireless? Is one preferable over the other?

Thanks,
Anoop

christopher_wolf · #9 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:46 pm

The a is the most obvious difference; but it depends on who you ask. Some people here have had trouble with the Intel Chipset while others have had problems with the IBM Chipset, which is a rebranded Atheros I believe.

Correct me if I am wrong anybody.

#10 Post by **JaneL** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:08 pm

ghanwani wrote:
pae77 wrote:Download the latest tabook.pdf from Lenovo's site, ...
Where do I find this file?

Thanks,
Anoop

Item #1 in the FAQ.

ghanwani · #11 Post by **ghanwani** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 1:47 pm

nonny wrote:
ghanwani wrote: Where do I find this file?

Thanks,
Anoop
Item #1 in the FAQ.

Thanks for this info! I downloaded the file and it took a while to
learn how to read it

. I found a machine that pretty much has
everything I want - the 2668J2U. I couldn't find it listed on any
of the websites, but when I called Lenovo, they gave me a
price quote.

At about $500 more than the 2686DGU (EPP prices), is this machine
a good deal?

It has everything the 2686DGU has plus the following:
- Faster processor 2.13 Ghz vs 1.86 GHz;
- Bigger hard drive at same 7200 rpm speed (80GB instead of 60GB);
- More RAM (single 1GB instead of single 512 MB);
- Bluetooth;
- 3 yr warranty vs 1 yr warranty (cost of this is $118);
- 802.11a support (which I will probably never use).

Anoop

christopher_wolf · #12 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:15 pm

Sounds like an awesome Thinkpad there.

Domain · #13 Post by **Domain** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:38 pm

2686-NAU fits the bill here. I thought about the bluetooth, but decided against it becuase I'd probably never use it.

Now, if the Order Status will shift off of "Packing..."

When will it change!??!?!?! Haha.

2 question - hard drive speed, warranty

2 question - hard drive speed, warranty

Re: 2 question - hard drive speed, warranty

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