T61 as desktop replacement?

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esmail · #1 Post by **esmail** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:12 am

Hi,

I am curious to find out if anyone is using their T61 as a desktop
replacement?

Right now I have my new T61 plus two towers (one XP one Linux). I am
thinking of possibly getting rid of the XP box and using the T61
instead "full time". In that case I'd attach my 20" Dell monitor and
my MS ergo keyboard. (Too bad the T61 doesn't have DVI output)

Thoughts/comments/caveat and/or warnings?
Primary uses are programming (e.g., Eclipse), writing, surfing the net.

Not a gamer.

The XP box: P4 2.8Ghz 1.5G RAM / probably 5400 RPM hard drive
My new T61: Dual Core 2.2Ghz T7500 / 3G RAM / 7200 RPM hard drive

Thanks,

Esmail

Aroc · #2 Post by **Aroc** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:27 am

I use my T43 (a little older than your model) as a desktop replacement. I use the base IBM/Lenovo port replicator/docking station which provides DVI output to my 19 inch LCD. It works great for my work.

About the only thing I miss is the slightly faster disk I/O that desktops often have.

I don't see why you couldn't use your T61 in that role.

pibach · #3 Post by **pibach** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:37 am

If you are going to stay with your other computer you might want a solution to run both with the monitor without replugging the cable all the time. There are pretty cool software solutions for that such as synergy, MaxiVista and others. You can use your desktop keyboard if you like and have an app on your notebook visualized on the monitor which remains attached to your desktop (which has DVI?).
http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/

Crunch · #4 Post by **Crunch** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:37 am

I haven't used anything other than Thinkpads since 99, when I needed a laptop, as I was going to travel a lot. One day into it, I was hooked, and I knew I'd never buy a desktop again.

If you're going to use it as a desktop replacement, get a 15" or 15.4" (if you prefer widescreen). With WiFi, I love being able to use it all around the house, and I can work lying on my sofa or in bed.

It's awesome!

I hope Lenovo will come out with 17" widescreen models at some point. I don't even have a dock or port replicator, although I will want a TV tuner card soon so that I'll be able to play BluRay's on my TV.

esmail · #5 Post by **esmail** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:06 pm

Aroc wrote:I use the base IBM/Lenovo port replicator/docking station which provides DVI output to my 19 inch LCD. It works great for my work.

About the only thing I miss is the slightly faster disk I/O that desktops often have.

I don't see why you couldn't use your T61 in that role.

That sounds very similar to what I have in mind, though actually in my case the hard disk is faster on the Thinkpad than on the dell tower

Is the port replicator the same as the advanced mini-dock or different? If I could get DVI out and maybe a serial port (I use a serial KVM switch to share my MS ergo keyboard between linux and XP) that would be ideal.

Also, I rarely turn off my tower, would that be a bad idea with regard to the Thinkpad? Should I be powering it down every night if I end up using it as my main machine?

SHoTTa35 · #6 Post by **SHoTTa35** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:30 pm

the port replicator doesn't come with DVI i don't think, only the mini-dock or advanced dock. I have the mini-dock and haven't used it yet (still sealed in box) but i might be soon getting a 24" LCD to use while at home

STRYPER · #7 Post by **STRYPER** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:59 pm

Ever since i bought my T43 i have used a Thinkpad as a desktop replacement. Honestly i dont think i wil EVER own a desktop again. Thinkpads were made to be desktop replacements, there are so many advantages too. The only reason you would really want a desktop is if you want a nice gaming machine. Just get yourself a mini-dock and you've got yourself a nice setup.

esmail · #8 Post by **esmail** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:27 pm

pibach wrote:If you are going to stay with your other computer you might want a solution to run both with the monitor without replugging the cable all the time. There are pretty cool software solutions for that such as synergy, MaxiVista and others. You can use your desktop keyboard if you like and have an app on your notebook visualized on the monitor which remains attached to your desktop (which has DVI?).
http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/

wow .. that's pretty impressive if it works well.

I'm still trying to sort out the various docks that are available.

If it works out I think I may get rid of my XP box all together and use the T61 in place of it with a docking station that can provide DVI output to the 19" or 20" LCD monitor I have.

pibach · #9 Post by **pibach** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:50 pm

IMHO, a desktop attached by Ethernet is a better solution than a dock attached to the monitor. This way you can stay mobile if you like, can access a fast HDD or RAID in the Desktop, can have all the input/output attached to it, you can still use your desktop, you can leave that on 24x7 if you like, download TV or play musik, log in remotely etc. Dock is not required then as you only need to plug in power and (if you want performance) Ethernet, convenient enough.

esmail · #10 Post by **esmail** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:08 pm

pibach wrote:IMHO, a desktop attached by Ethernet is a better solution than a dock attached to the monitor. This way you can stay mobile if you like, can access a fast HDD or RAID in the Desktop, can have all the input/output attached to it, you can still use your desktop, you can leave that on 24x7 if you like, download TV or play musik, log in remotely etc. Dock is not required then as you only need to plug in power and (if you want performance) Ethernet, convenient enough.

Interesting option, I can see pluses and minuses for each. Thanks!

awolfe63 · #11 Post by **awolfe63** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:41 pm

SHoTTa35 wrote:the port replicator doesn't come with DVI i don't think, only the mini-dock or advanced dock. I have the mini-dock and haven't used it yet (still sealed in box) but i might be soon getting a 24" LCD to use while at home

Port replicators do have DVI.

SafeHarbor · #12 Post by **SafeHarbor** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:40 pm

I was a little surprised recently that my R52 worked great with my 1650 x 1050 23" monitor. I used for two weeks with a simple dock around Thanksgiving while HP was repairing my media center PC, and my work did not suffer.

My work is in Word, Firefox, Excel, and Adobe reader. Thanks to the TP (and a recent backup of my work folder), I didn't suffer, and our customers (and happily my boss) never knew the difference.

Yes, I think the T61 is a desktop replacement. It's not the superdog that my HP is, but if I could earn my living for two weeks using an R52, I think I could only have done it better using my T61p.

Lamar

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