Potential new T61 user w/some queries about product/support

[j_hallgren]

Hi all!

This is my first post here and looking for input from any source that may help in my decision, so...given that various forums often have totally different user bases, thought I'd ask some of these questions here also...I found this forum earlier today after finding that forums linked by Lenovo site seemed to be fairly new and thus went looking for another option.

Thus here goes:
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I've been using Dell Latitude's for last 7+ years and been happy with them thus far, as I was able to stay within the C-series thru 3 systems and reuse some components such as batteries, CD-ROM, etc. but now that I'd have to go to D-series, that gives me the choice of going to new vendor...and IBM/Lenovo was the only other choice due to my OS requirement: XP Pro!

So now I'm here asking some questions that I'm still having issues with:
(I'm comparing the T61 to Dell D530 and/or my C610)

1) Features that I've used on existing Dell that I don't see on T61 :
a) Infared port --- I've used to transfer stuff from one sys to another
b) S-Video out --- I've used to display on TV for some situations
c) Serial port --- can't recall using it but with my luck, I'd need it sometime.
d) Parallel port (C610) --- for my really old printer used on rare occasions
e) Floppy drive --- yes, I still use it for some unusual situations

2) On Dell, I can put a 2nd battery or floppy drive in the media bay instead of CD/DVD...what about T61?

3) Support:
a) My Dell's have lifetime tech support (ok, so sometimes understanding the folks from India can be an issue) but IBM seems to limit this to life of warranty...whereas with Dell, I can still call for hardware tech help (to diagnose problem at least) for "lifetime" or well past paid period, as I've already done in past...comments?


4) Pricing: T61 would be seem to be, at minimum, about $150 more than similar Dell even with current "sales"...I'm having trouble justifying this...

5) Things that I see that T61 has that new Dell D530 doesn't:
a) built-in mike --- my current Dell has it and I use it now and then so this is a plus!
b) keyboard light --- nice feature, but couldn't I use a USB one instead if I really needed it?
c) fingerprint reader --- never used one...how often do people use it?
d) 2nd card slot for Express cards --- current Dell has two standard slots and I'm using both, though one is wi-fi which C610 didn't have built-in...and other is modem to replace failed built-in...D530 has only one slot, so having 2nd of any type is good.
e) middle mouse button --- is that what I'm seeing? Or is it something else?
f) recovery partition --- ok, nice but how much room does it take?

6) Things that D530 has that T61 doesn't:
a) 4th USB --- I'm used to only 1 now so even 3 would be big step up...
b) 15" standard screen --- T61 is only a 14.1" screen and that extra bit of size would likely help, but I'm limited on physical dimensions to 13.5" total width (unusual situation) so a 15.4" wide screen isn't possible...I'm looking at SXGA+ in either case to maximize usage.
c) recovery CD is standard --- so I'm presuming I'd have to create my own here?

That, I think, about does it...so...any users willing to help me decide if a switch is good for me?
Thanks!!!

[bill bolton]

1) Features that I've used on existing Dell that I don't see on T61 :
a) Infared port --- I've used to transfer stuff from one sys to another

The T61 does have an IR port, though I long ago gave on up using IR for transfering info from one system to another, and now use much faster USB memory sticks!

b) S-Video out --- I've used to display on TV for some situations
c) Serial port --- can't recall using it but with my luck, I'd need it sometime.
d) Parallel port (C610) --- for my really old printer used on rare occasions
e) Floppy drive --- yes, I still use it for some unusual situations

S-Video is pretty much dead as far as any new kit goes now a days. Commonly available TV resolutions have moved way beyond S-Video capabilities.

The general market need for serial and parallel ports have now reduced to a level where they are typically handled through USB (or a Dock) connection. There is a Ultrabay slim adapter available which provides real (rather than vitualised) serial and parallel ports if you really need that a capability for process control (etc) purposes.

Similarly, floppy drives are pretty much a thing of the past, but can be accomodated through a USB connection if ncessary.

2) On Dell, I can put a 2nd battery or floppy drive in the media bay instead of CD/DVD...what about T61?

There is an Ultrabay Slim Lithium technology battery available to go in the T61 "media bay", but not a floppy (see above)

3) Support:
a) My Dell's have lifetime tech support (ok, so sometimes understanding the folks from India can be an issue) but IBM seems to limit this to life of warranty...whereas with Dell, I can still call for hardware tech help (to diagnose problem at least) for "lifetime" or well past paid period, as I've already done in past...comments?

Its Lenovo now a days, not IBM.

Standard Lenovo warranty varies between 1 and 3 years, depending on the particular offer at hand, with additional warranty purchaseable under some circumstances. It's your call on whether that will meet your needs or not.

4) Pricing: T61 would be seem to be, at minimum, about $150 more than similar Dell even with current "sales"...I'm having trouble justifying this...

There are deals all over the place for all the laptop vendors.... sometimes one brand is more sharply priced, sometimes its another.

My personal experience with Dell laptop kit is that there is much more real "total cost of ownership" value in ThinkPads.

YMMV!

Cheers,

Bill B.

[j_hallgren]

1) Features that I've used on existing Dell that I don't see on T61 :
a) Infared port --- I've used to transfer stuff from one sys to another

The T61 does have an IR port, though I long ago gave on up using IR for transfering info from one system to another, and now use much faster USB memory sticks!

Ok, but I didn't see it listed in spec sheets or photos of various sides...not a biggie, as I could do things in other ways...just wondered anyway.

b) S-Video out --- I've used to display on TV for some situations
c) Serial port --- can't recall using it but with my luck, I'd need it sometime.
d) Parallel port (C610) --- for my really old printer used on rare occasions
e) Floppy drive --- yes, I still use it for some unusual situations

S-Video is pretty much dead as far as any new kit goes now a days. Commonly available TV resolutions have moved way beyond S-Video capabilities.

The general market need for serial and parallel ports have now reduced to a level where they are typically handled through USB (or a Dock) connection. There is a Ultrabay slim adapter available which provides real (rather than vitualised) serial and parallel ports if you really need that a capability for process control (etc) purposes.

Similarly, floppy drives are pretty much a thing of the past, but can be accomodated through a USB connection if ncessary.

Other folks TV's may have moved past that, but mine haven't! Even my newest CRT set bought this past spring has analog inputs that I use an S-video/RCA adapter with, so that is still an unresolved problem...and it's good to know that there are Ultrabay adapters available for other needs.

2) On Dell, I can put a 2nd battery or floppy drive in the media bay instead of CD/DVD...what about T61?

There is an Ultrabay Slim Lithium technology battery available to go in the T61 "media bay", but not a floppy (see above)

Ok, I'd not confirmed that fact myself, but I was thinking it was likely.

3) Support:
a) My Dell's have lifetime tech support (ok, so sometimes understanding the folks from India can be an issue) but IBM seems to limit this to life of warranty...whereas with Dell, I can still call for hardware tech help (to diagnose problem at least) for "lifetime" or well past paid period, as I've already done in past...comments?

Its Lenovo now a days, not IBM.

Standard Lenovo warranty varies between 1 and 3 years, depending on the particular offer at hand, with additional warranty purchaseable under some circumstances. It's your call on whether that will meet your needs or not.

I used IBM because I still see URL's on Lenovo site with it, and it's also still in text in numerous places there...plus it was easier to type!

4) Pricing: T61 would be seem to be, at minimum, about $150 more than similar Dell even with current "sales"...I'm having trouble justifying this...

There are deals all over the place for all the laptop vendors.... sometimes one brand is more sharply priced, sometimes its another.

My personal experience with Dell laptop kit is that there is much more real "total cost of ownership" value in ThinkPads.

YMMV!

Cheers,

Bill B.

I do THANK you for your reply! I've since also discovered that Dell may have adopted the "hidden" partition idea, which I just wish they'd disclose up front as to how much room in GB they take for that so buyer can upsize HDD as needed to account for that loss in capacity! I've also determined that by buying a cheap clip-on webcam that I can make up for that missing microphone and get a camera as side benefit, which I never had before.

[eecon]

... snip....
d) Parallel port (C610) --- for my really old printer used on rare occasions ...snip.... e) Floppy drive --- yes, I still use it for some unusual situations ......snip..... a) 4th USB --- I'm used to only 1 now so even 3 would be big step up...

I use a Lenovo Advanced Minidock 250410U with my T61 which gets me a parrallel port for my really old HP890C printer that is still running strong.

This $200 mindock also gets you 4 additional powered full-bandwith USB 2.0 ports plus both DVI and VGA external monitor ports. I use the DVI port to connect to my nearby 32" LCD TV or my 22" WS external monitor .... works great either way.

As for the floppy, I use the IBM external USB floppy that I bought 3 years ago with my T42.

Hope that helps a bit

[bill bolton]

I've since also discovered that Dell may have adopted the "hidden" partition idea, which I just wish they'd disclose up front as to how much room in GB they take for that so buyer can upsize HDD as needed to account for that loss in capacity!

For Vista based ThinkPads the service partition is a tad under 5GB.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[j_hallgren]

Update on my situation: After evaluating all the info that I was able to find in about 3 days, including seeing a Lenovo at Office Depot, and finding that Dell had increased their discounts since my first visit, I decided to go with the D530, since I was also able to negotiate a good deal on a spare battery via a sales rep.

So I wish to again thank y'all here for the very helpful replies that were an important part of my research! But with the increased price difference, I couldn't justify the added cost...given that part of reason Lenovo's are likely better is the way they handle minor abuse, such as when travelling, and my system stays put most all the time, that difference should't have as much effect in my case.

[j_hallgren]

Yes, I'm back here again! Why? Because...after getting my new Dell, I'm already not that happy! The touchpad is lousy compared to my current system! I've been using a Synaptics TP for years and the new Dell's have the Alps...so just wondering: Which brand does the T61 have? And are you happy with how it performs? And the customization options available? The other model (R61) in Office Depot had a smooth black surface while the Dell has a gray matte finish, which (reading some other forums) seems to be part of issue also.

Also, I know the R61 had the new glossy screen, which I don't want...I believe I remember reading somewhere that T61 has a matte screen, as does Dell...true/false?

This touchpad issue (unresponsive, missing options, etc) just may be enough for me to reconsider T61, even though cost is close to $300 more ($1673 as configured vs $1417 Dell, plus sales tax diff).

Now, I've already bought via eBay (for a low cost luckily) a floppy drive media bay for the Latitude...so I'm kinda into that side but...that touchpad is a real issue!

[SHoTTa35]

well yeah, all the T series come with the matte screens. I almost hate glossy screens and wouldn't get one

i'm not sure which touchpad the Thinkpads use but i've always loved them. I too had a old C610 but i sold it and got a T41 and loved it lots and lots. Now i have a T60 and love that even more. The options available are bountiful tho... there's tons of things there. I like and keep it simple tho, deftault settings work for me.

[j_hallgren]

I think the issue has been solved for now...Turns out that Dell changed their GUI in last few months to make it "more user friendly" ( ) so going back to an older model (D520) and using that to get drivers results in a prior utility/driver package that has most all of the options that I need still intact.