x61 or x61s, please help me decide

[josip]

Hello everyone. I can't decide between x61 (since it's a penryn) and x61s (longer battery life). Here are the specs

x61
Core 2 Duo T8300 2,4 GHz, 3MB L2, 800MHZ FSB
3GB RAM
160GB 7200rpm
Intel Memory Turbo 1GB
Bluetooth, Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
ThinkPad X61 4 Cell Enhanced Capacity Battery
~1100 $

x61s
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo L7700 LV (1.8GHz, 4MB L2, 800MHz FSB
3GB RAM
160GB 7200rpm
Intel Memory Turbo 1GB
Bluetooth, Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
ThinkPad X61s 4 Cell Enhanced Capacity Battery
~1260$

Is there a big difference in performance, heat dissipation, and battery life? (at the moment there're only 4 cell batteries so I'm going to buy an 8-cell one extra).

PS. Does the Intel Memory Turbo worth the extra 30$?

Thank you in advance.

[smvp6459]

PS. Does the Intel Memory Turbo worth the extra 30$?

For $30, I would say yes. It supports readydrive (extra cache for the harddrive), letting the computer spin down the drive for longer periods and save battery power.

Part or all of it can also be used for readyboost. It is probably the fastest flash-based readyboost device you can use.

You can also make the device visible, alter the readyboost usage, and then use it as a very very fast harddrive for cache files.

Plus, if you don't order the card, they may not install a second slot on the motherboard.

[ajkula66]

It all depends on what you're going to be using the machine for...in average daily use, X61s should be more than enough, and I find its screen preferable for viewing and power saving.

On another note, if you're going to be running some really CPU-hungry applications, you may want to go with the standard X61 unit. No one knows your needs better than you in that respect.

And yes, I second the opinion that Turbo Memory is worth extra $30.

Good luck and let us know.

[josip]

What about battery life and heat dissipation?

[ajkula66]

X61s has a better battery life, and it doesn't get too hot in my opinion.

[tallshorty]

I vote for the X61 because that is what I bought I have the 2.4Ghz Penryn.

2.4Ghz is a noticeable increase in performance from 1.8 Ghz, plus you are getting the latest Penryn CPU. The Merom in the X61s will be outdated in 2-3 months.

Also in terms of battery life. I can easily get 5.5 hours with wifi on, word processing, internet browsing, screen brightness at 50% with the 8 cell. I can probably stretch it to 6 hrs if I turn of wifi and decrease brightness. I hear the X61s will get you about 30-45min more in battery life.

In terms of heat, I don't find that my laptop gets very hot at all. It gets warm, but not uncomfortable.

And you will not notice the 0.3 inch differience in thickness or the 0.3 lbs increase in weight.

Use the $200 you save and get yourself a slim USB 2.0 dvd burner (I recommend the LG GSA-E50L) and whatever other accessorie you want to buy.

Also, I ordered the 100GB 7200rpm HDD, and it turned out to be the Hitachi Travelstar 7K200. If you know anything about HDD, you'll know that is the #1 performing notebook HDD on the market.