Sale for Preconfigured T60

[kryptech]

There is currently a sale on pre-configured T60 ThinkPads. I found this from looking at the Labor Day sale, and seeing a very small link in their "other deals" section. I had to do a bit of work to find it again. Specifically I was looking at a markdown from $1599 to $1299.

At $1299 (with tax) it had all the features I wanted.

• 1.83 GHz Core Duo (T2400)
  14.1" SXGA (1400x1040)
  512 mb ram (note below)
  80GB 5400rpm HD
  Intel wireles & bluetooth
  DVD Burner
  64MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1300
  5.12 punds
  6-cell battery
  3 year system warranty

I love everything in the system, but I would like some help. I am on a limited buget ($1500), and would like to know what anyone thinks about this. The only thing I am really concerned about is the 512 megabytes of memory, which does not match well with the other specifications. I would like to buy a stick of 512 (or maybe even a gig). Is this simple to do with ThinkPads? Will this void the warranty? What kind of memory is reccomended? The only other thing is the 6 cell battery, but I usually would use it plugged in. When I would use it with the battery, I would only go on trips of less than 3 hours. The other thing I know others would complain about is the graphics card, I don't ever do anything graphics intensive, other than run the Enlightenment window manager. Would the X1300 be at least on par with the Intel Integrated graphics?

Thanks all.

[jagged]

Hello! I've had that exact same T60 before and I think its a good all-around computer. I added an extra 1GB RAM and it runs much better than my other T60 with 1GB RAM.

Just curious, how did you find out that webpage within Lenovo? I was surfing around the Lenovo site yesterday but never saw that link.

[kryptech]

If you go to their labor day sale page, in the bottom right hand corner you can see the link for the pre-configured ThinkPads. Its a $300 save. Where should I buy the 1 GB of ram from, and what price can I get it for? Will ram addition void a warranty?

[tfflivemb2]

If you get the ram from NewEgg or someone else it will be cheaper. Upgrading the ram will not void your warranty. It is considered a User Replaceable item, such as the hard drive, optical drive, etc.

[kryptech]

Thanks a lot
Just one other question, will the graphics be horrible? I'm buying this for college, so it should last at least 3 years, and I don't plan to do any gaming (I have a desktop machine for that).

[tfflivemb2]

If you aren't gaming, then you will be just fine.

For the record, Thinkpads, while they can do some gaming, they aren't meant to be gaming systems.

[kryptech]

Yeah, I kind of assumed that one. They don't exactly look like the alienware green plastic. I'm looking for a solid programming machine, but want to be able to be able to at least use it without having to wait to see my text that I type.

Thanks, all

[tfflivemb2]

I think that you will be quite happy. Your uses are exacgtly what the Thinkpad was made for.

[kryptech]

Okay, just one more question. I read the memory requires taking off the keyboard rest, and that it was prone to error. I certainly don't want to break the tabs, is this likely to happen? I'm not too risky, is the half cheaper memory worth the risk of breaking your keyrest?

[tfflivemb2]

If you follow the Hardware Maintenance Manual to a "T", you should be fine. Sometimes people have broken parts, because they might not have followed the Manual properly. I have seen people break their laptops because there was a screw that they missed.

However, if you have any doubts in your abilities, then by all means go ahead and get it through Lenovo, and save yourself the potential for a headache.

[Kyocera]

Putting memory in a t60 is very easy, took me about 15 minutes, there is a video somewhere on the lenovo site that explains how to finess the palmrest properly.

[kryptech]

Yes, after a little hunting, I managed to find the links,
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-63959
Thanks, maybe these movies can help others too.

[jagged]

Removing the palmrest was a bit tricky for me at first as I didn't want to exert too much pressure on the plastic parts. But once you get the "technique", it should be easy

[kryptech]

Okay, thanks jagged. I'm just worried about every clip breaking and having a very techno looking laptop instead of a uniform color

[kryptech]

Okay, I went ahead and bought it. The total came to $1406, and I don't have enough money to upgrade the memory at this time. I will in a month or two, but will 512 mb ram make the system really slow? Or will adding more memory just make it more noticably fast? Thanks all.

[pianowizard]

Okay, I went ahead and bought it. The total came to $1406, and I don't have enough money to upgrade the memory at this time. I will in a month or two, but will 512 mb ram make the system really slow? Or will adding more memory just make it more noticably fast? Thanks all.

Of course what "really slow" means is very subjective. For me, Windows XP Pro is "really slow" when there is only 128MB or less memory. With 192MB or more, it's fast enough even when the CPU is only 366MHz. So, 512MB on a T60 shouldn't be a problem. You probably want to see for yourself whether 512MB is enough or not. If it's not, then go ahead get more from Newegg.

[kryptech]

Okay, I'm not too worried about it. The only thing I was remotely worried about was college reccomendations, and I will easily have $100 to get a gigabyte stick of ram by then. Thanks all, I'll post more when I get the order.