Which x60 would you choose?

[wolfman]

I am considering 2 x60 models and can get these two units for the same price (almost to the penny). I'm not sure which is a better machine...what do you think?

Model 1 Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 (1.66gigahertz 2mb L2 cache), 12.1 xga display, windows XP pro, 1gb ram (1 stick), 100gb 7200 rpm hd, intel 3945 abg wireless, 8 cell high capacity battery.

Model 2 Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 (1.83 gigahertz 2mb L2 cache), 12.1 xga display, windows xp pro, 1gb ram (1 stick), 80gb 5400 rpm hd, intel 3945 abg wireless, 8 cell high capacity battery.

I'll be using this machine primarily for java/unix development when at the book store and/or on my deck. I'm torn between the slightly slower processor and faster disk vs faster processor and slower disk...Thanks.

[sugo]

Model 1 since compilers are very disk intensive. Disk is much slower than cpu. The gain will be more apparent than increase in clock speed.

[proaudioguy]

I would go for the CPU then upgrade the HD. When I bought mine the only choice was the 1.6. You can always buy a 7200 from Newegg, but the CPU is soldered on.

[efrant]

I would go for the CPU then upgrade the HD. When I bought mine the only choice was the 1.6. You can always buy a 7200 from Newegg, but the CPU is soldered on.

I agree. Go for the faster CPU. A 100G 7200RPM drive is fairly cheap to buy/upgrade.

[tourist.Tam]

+1 for a faster CPU.

in any case, you want to plan for a RAM upgrade => 2Gb.


Tam

[jkahng]

model 2
for the faster cpu as it's not upgradable.

other things to consider.
- need to get the ABGN card as it will add the 3rd antenna (not easy to upgrade later)

- x61 with 2nd fan(on selected models) are out...

personally, would go for the x61 as getting rid palmrest heat issue alone is good enough for me to move to the x61

[SkiBunny]

model 1

Apparently Lenovo uses first gen 7200rpm Seagate drives. So the throughput of those isn't much more than the 5400rpm drives used

Average write transfer performance:
7200.1: 37.9 MB/s
5400.3: 34.5 MB/s

Average read transfer performance:
7200.1: 37.9 MB/s
5400.3: 34.6 MB/s

The 7200 runs hotter, and uses more power which is a factor to conisider if battery life is a prime consideration. You might want the 100gb for the extra space tho. Not much diff betweet 1.67 and 1.83 ghz

[tomh009]

Are all drives Seagate now? I recall that mine came with a Hitachi ...

[fox_napier]

Are these values true for the X60 tablet hard drive options? I have the following two options:

(a) 80 GB 5400 RPM HD and 1 GB Turbo Memory

(b) 60 GB 7200 RPM HD and no turbo memory

Which is better?

I am worried that the Turbo Memory will stop working after a while since it has a finite number of read/writes. Also, not sure how useful it will be with 2GB RAM on board. And in the future, higher density, i.e. 2,4,8 GB, Turbo Memory cards may be available??


What do you advise?

model 1

Apparently Lenovo uses first gen 7200rpm Seagate drives. So the throughput of those isn't much more than the 5400rpm drives used

Average write transfer performance:
7200.1: 37.9 MB/s
5400.3: 34.5 MB/s

Average read transfer performance:
7200.1: 37.9 MB/s
5400.3: 34.6 MB/s

The 7200 runs hotter, and uses more power which is a factor to conisider if battery life is a prime consideration. You might want the 100gb for the extra space tho. Not much diff betweet 1.67 and 1.83 ghz