Keep my Z61P and upgrade components or go with new T61P?

[{ISV-K}SVX]

Hi all. I am looking to upgrade but am not sure where to go. I currently have a Z61P which I reviewed here:

http://www.hothardware.com/articles/IBM ... ad%5FZ61p/

last November. I was originally looking at the X series as my job roles within my company have changed which requires more travel. After much debate I am foregoing that until the X line gets some much needed improvements such as better LCD, DVI output at least on dock, and internal DVD like other competitors.

This leaves me with the T series. I am currently looking at the following configuration for a T61P:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)[1]
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic[12]
15.4 WUXGA TFT
NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB)
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)[8]
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm with Disk Encryption[4]
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim[5]
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN[10]
9 cell Li-Ion Battery[60]
6459: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty[7]

My other option is to upgrade my Z61P. The biggest differences between the Z I have and the T61P are Santa Rosa Chipset, Turbo memory, newer Core 2 Duo (Merom), Nvidia Quadro M570 (gts8600 variant) and UWB USB. I have several options I can upgrade on the Z61P which I am looking at performing as opposed to buying a new T. They are:

Merom T7400/7500 upgrade
4GB Mem - 2 x 2GB
2 x 250GB WD Scorpio 5200RPM drives
Titanium lid
Webcam addition (requires FRU parts and installation)
Glossy 1920x1200 LCD replacement - brighter/wider viewing - Ebay has them for around $280 (least of my worries)

I can perform these upgrades for well under 1K. My question is simple. Is it worth upgrading or just buying the T61P outright? Has anyone upgraded from the Z61P series to the T61P series and if so were the performance gains worth the investment? I know weight is going to be an issue with the T being about 1lb lighter, but at this point it is about price/performance. Is Santa Rosa all that it is cracked up to be or marketing hype?

Advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[cj3209]

It depends on what you use your computer for. I'm no computer science engineer but unless you do some heavy duty number crunching or graphics-intensive CAD work, I just don't think you'll notice any difference.

I find (and I'm including myself) that most people just want the latest and greatest computer and that is currently a T61P. If you have the money to spend, why not?


If you have other areas to spend your money on (like getting a nice DAC like a Benchmark DAC-1 or Lavry DA10; or a nice Nikon 28mm/f1.4 lens; or a nice camera like the Canon 1D-MkIII) you could probably stay with your Z61p for a few years.

LOL...

[{ISV-K}SVX]

I suppose you are right. I use it primarily for work. Processing power and memory is key for my job with large spreadsheets and some cad style programs. I game about 35% of the time on this so that is important too.

[wearetheborg]

Is the Z61P proving to be inadequate ? If not, I suggest sticking with it (and no upgrades except for maybe some RAM).
Technology does not change THAT fast.
Upgrade next year when Nehalem comes out.