I need a laptop soon. what are my choices?

[allenkt]

I start grad school on 2 July and I need a notebook computer for class. I'm getting my MBA and am more interested in a business computer as opposed to a gaming computer. I ordered a T61 on June 4th but now the shipping date has just changed to 28 August which is completely unacceptable.

So what else can I get for around $2000? Is the R series worth getting or are the T60's shipping any sooner? Or do I just need to go grab a Dell or Sony or something? I really wanted my first Thinkpad but if Lenovo can't fulfill my order then they leave me with no choice

[OnnoK123]

Instead of ordering at lenovo, you can order at a official lenovo dealer.

[Harryc]

Buy from Todd at Laptopguy and help support this forum .
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=44295

[allenkt]

Buy from Todd at Laptopguy and help support this forum .
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=44295

Good advice, I just sent him to an email to see if he has any left. The only thing I'm not sure about is how the system I ordered compares to the ones he is selling. Off hand it looks like the graphics chip is different and no built-in webcam. Other than that I think they are similar but it's a pain reading the part names/numbers and figuring it out so I'm sure I'm missing something.....

The one I ordered is as such:

7658CTO CTO THINKPAD T61 WITH INTEGRATED GRAPHICS 1 Y
42V8191 INTEL CORE 2 DUO PRCESST7500
42V8010 VBB MS WIN VISTA BUSINESS
42V9533 SBB MSWIN VBUS32 US ENGLISH
42X1671 SBB 14.1"WXGA+TFT,W/ CAMERA
42X0905 SBB INTELGMA960W/1394, SMARTCARD
41W2063 VBB 2GB PC2-5300 667MHZ 2DIMM
42V8195 SBB KEYBOARD US ENGLISH
42V9330 SBB UN(TRACKPOINT+TCHPD)+ FING.R
42V8703 SBB 160 GB HDD,5400RPM
42V8193 SBB INTEL TURBO MEMORY 1GB
42V8715 SBB DVDREC8XMAXDUALLAY,UBAYSLM
42X0805 SBB PC CARDSLOT EX CARDSLOT
42R9191 SBB THINKPAD 11N #1
62P6054 VBB INTEGR.BLUETOOTH PAN
42V9339 SBB 7 CELL LI-ION BATERRY
41W1787 SBB CPK NORTH AMERICA
27R1769 SBB PSTN CABLE
42V9391 SBB LANG.PACK US ENGLISH
42V9428 SBB PACKAGING US
42V9650 SBB 14.1WXGA+W/OWWAN,W/CABT11N
39T6440 SBB 56K V.92 DESIGNED MODEM
42V8646 SBB CL.PLATE T61WLANANDBLTOOTH
42V9665 SBB FCC, LABEL
42V9667 SBB GEO LABEL US, WLAN,BT
41W2300 SBB LOGO PLATE
42V9631 SBB INT WLAN ANT 14.1" 11ABGN
42X0920 SBB INTELGMA 960 W/1394,W/AMT
42V9651 SBB MT 7658 SYSTEM LABEL
42X0929 SBB MECH MISC PARTS
42V7972 SBB MS LABEL (VISTA PREMIUM)
42T7135 SBB INTEL LABEL CORE-2
42X0914 SBB NO SIM MODEL
42X1352 SBB PC CARDSLOT EXPRESCARDSLOT
42V9634 SBB STAND LCD C/B:14.1"W/ CAM
42X0915 SBB WLAN MISC PARTS
42X0912 SBB WWAN MISC PARTS
42X1482 SBB BLUETOOTH W/ ANTENNA
42X1702 SBB BLUETOOTH SCREW
42V8063 SBB MS WAU ENGLISH NA-U MODELS
42V9341 SBB 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SODIMM
41C9334 LENOVO THINKPAD PROTECTION EXTENDED SERVICE AGREEMENT - 3 YEARS


The ones Todd is selling are:

Product Description 766417U Lenovo ThinkPad T61 7664 - Core 2 Duo T7300 2 GHz - 14.1" TFT
Dimensions (WxDxH) 13.2 in x 9.3 in x 1.3 in
Weight 5.3 lbs
Localization English
Platform Technology Intel Centrino Pro
Windows Vista Certification Windows Vista Premium Ready
System Type Notebook
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, wireless LAN antenna, ThinkLight, Bluetooth antenna
Embedded Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip , fingerprint reader
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 / 2 GHz ( Dual-Core )
Cache Memory 4 MB - L2 cache
RAM 2 GB (installed) / 3 GB (max) - DDR II SDRAM - 667 MHz - PC2-5300 ( 2 x 1 GB )
System Flash Memory Intel Turbo Memory (1 GB)
Hard Drive 160 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm
Optical Storage DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - removable plug-in module
Display 14.1" TFT active matrix 1440 x 900 ( WXGA+ ) - 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
Graphics Controller NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M - 128 MB
Audio Output Sound card
Telecom Fax / modem - CDC - 56 Kbps
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (draft), Bluetooth 2.0
Wireless NIC Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
Input Device Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Power AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Battery Lithium ion
Run Time (Up To) 3.8 hour(s)
Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
Manufacturer Selling Program TopSeller
Manufacturer Warranty 3 years warranty

[Harryc]

Make Todd do the work for you, that's why he gets the big bucks ...LOL:). At a quick glance, in addition to the video chipset difference, I see a T7500 CPU vs. a T7300. (2.2 Ghz vs. 2.0Ghz). He is only asking $1800 vs. your $2000 though (no tax).