Which Lenovo should I choose?

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picklehead · #1 Post by **picklehead** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:08 pm

Hi Guys,

I’m going back to b-school and need some help deciding on a Lenovo. I’ve never purchased a laptop before.

As background, I’m also bringing a 2GB, 2 year-old Dell desktop with a 20” widescreen monitor and running XP. With that in mind, which of the following options would you choose?

I truly appreciate your help.

My options:

ThinkPad T61 Professional System
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz
OS: Vista Ultimate
Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS
Storage: 250GB Hard Drve, 5400rpm
Display: 14.1” Widescreen; WSXGA+ resolution
Graphics: nVidia Quadro NVS 140m 128MB w/up to 256MB TurboCache
A/V: Built-in Camera and Microphone
Weight: 5.3lbs
Price: $1499

ThinkPad T61 Professional System
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz
OS: Vista Ultimate
Memory: 4GB DDR2 SDRAM, 2 DIMMS
Storage: 250GB Hard Drve, 5400rpm
Display: 15.4” Widescreen; WSXGA+ resolution
Graphics: nVidia Quadro NVS 140m 128MB w/up to 256MB TurboCache
A/V: Built-in Microphone
Weight: 5.8lbs
Price: $1599

ThinkPad X61s Ultraportable System
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo L7500 1.6GHz
OS: Vista Ultimate
Memory: 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 1 DIMM
Storage: 160GB Hard Drve, 5400rpm
Display: 12.1” Ultralight; XGA resolution
Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor
A/V: Built-in Microphone
Weight: 3.2lbs
Price: $1849

ThinkPad X300 Ultraportable System
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo SL7100 1.2GHz
OS: Vista Ultimate
Memory: 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 1 DIMM
Storage: 64GB Solid State Drive
Display: 13.3” Widescreen; WXGA+ resolution
Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor
A/V: Built-in Camera and Microphone
Weight: 3.32lbs
Price: $2599

#2 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:12 pm

Mod edit Please read the forum rules. No cross posting allowed. Your other duplicate threads were deleted. -Harryc-

basketb · #3 Post by **basketb** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:41 pm

No recommendation here, just a few comments.

You did not state your requirements - so it's difficult to recommend anything. If you do everything on your existing machine, you might as well buy an iPhone.

I have no experience with the X series, but if you plan to carry around the laptop a lot, I'd go with the X series; for the basic stuff - internet, office, etc. certainly sufficient.

Prices for the T61s do not seem to be really low. I think you could do better if you shopped around (also look at the lenovo outlet).

Display: 14.1” Widescreen; WSXGA+ resolution

As far as I know, there is no such thing in any T61.

As far as OS is concerned, I'd go with XP Pro (and not Vista) no matter what Thinkpad.

Memory and HD: get the lowest options from lenovo (i.e., 1GB ram and 80 GB HD) and buy additional memory and HD from a third party.

picklehead · #4 Post by **picklehead** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:26 pm

Thanks for the responses, guys.

I'll be taking mostly finance, accounting, economics, etc.

I'm thinking that the laptop should be reasonably portable, but I don't know if I need an ultraportable. I'm not looking for a desktop replacement.

I hear you about Vista. I prefer XP, but I'm purchasing through my school's computer center, and I can't customize the configurations.

j-dawg · #5 Post by **j-dawg** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:26 pm

If you're going to business school, chances are that anything will work. If money is no issue, then I'd take the X300 or the X61s. If it is, then I'd go for a T- or R-series with integrated graphics, rather than the ones with the Quadros you've specified, unless you like games.

picklehead · #6 Post by **picklehead** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:01 pm

No, cost isn't really an issue.

qviri · #7 Post by **qviri** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:09 pm

The X300 gives you sufficient speed, is very light, and fairly small. The larger resolution screen compared to X61s will probably help you out with spreadsheets, charts, and the like. That being said, the 14.1" T61 and the X61s are also decent choices, if not spectacular in terms of prices you've listed here. Forget the 15.4" T61; you'll hate the weight and it won't give you anything the combination of one of the other laptops and the desktop won't give you.

#8 Post by **BillMorrow** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:45 am

X300..

haolan.x61 · #9 Post by **haolan.x61** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:48 am

If money is enough ,X300 is a good choice.It is very light and small,except storage.You need a mobie storage

picklehead · #10 Post by **picklehead** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:00 am

My main concern with the X300 is the solid state drive. Am I paying a stupid premium for that? I mean, money isn't a huge concern, but I certainly don't want to get ripped off.

If it helps, I expect to use this as my laptop for the next several years, while I plan to get a new desktop in two years. So, I guess I do need some staying power.

picklehead · #11 Post by **picklehead** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:06 am

Is the X300 sufficiently better than the X61s?

EOMtp · #12 Post by **EOMtp** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:34 pm

picklehead wrote:My main concern with the X300 is the solid state drive. ...
Is the X300 sufficiently better than the X61s?

No better than an orange is better than an apple! If your main concern about the X300 is its SSD, then you would benefit by comparing the two machines side-by-side.

The X300 is a different "class" of machine: larger, with a higher resolution screen, but slower. The X300 is closer in overall size to a 14.1" T61 than it is to the X61s, so if small size is a major consideration, then take a side-by-side look at the X300 vs. X61s.

You could wait and see what the X200 brings to the table. It is rumored to be released in July. Today, for me, the X61s is the perfect machine for its size. Further, given that you will have a desktop, the total portability of the X61s cannot be matched by the larger machines.

You can insert the same SSD that's in the X300 into the X61s, if SSD is important to you. You'll have an unbeatable combination for speed and convenience in size.

Finally, consider the X6 Ultrabase as a very convenient method of "converting" the X61s to a "desktop". The X6 Ultrabase completely mitigates the disadvantage of the X61s's 1024x768 screen resolution. Many an investment bank standardize on the X60/X61 series for their people, and provide them with the docking stations and large monitors at their desks -- the best of all worlds.

One thing is certain: you will love whichever machine you select -- there is no "wrong" decision. Good luck!

picklehead · #13 Post by **picklehead** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:12 pm

Great idea, EOMtp! The X61s package includes the UltraBase X6 docking station, so I think I'm just going to go with that. Since I already have a 20" widescreen LCD, that should be a perfect solution, yes?

EOMtp · #14 Post by **EOMtp** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:41 pm

picklehead wrote:... a perfect solution, yes?

Unequivocally YES for me!
An additional note: If you select the X61s, then I would not get the 8-cell battery -- it sticks out in the back, is plenty ugly, heavy, and defeats the raison d'être of the X61s. Lenovo may default to the 8-cell or the 4-cell Slimline -- avoid them both. I would opt for the 4-cell Enhanced -- 30% more capacity than the Slimline, but same size as the Slimline for all intents and purposes.

kunfuchopsticks · #15 Post by **kunfuchopsticks** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:16 pm

picklehead wrote:My main concern with the X300 is the solid state drive. Am I paying a stupid premium for that? I mean, money isn't a huge concern, but I certainly don't want to get ripped off.

Well, said. I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet. Around $800 of the total X300 price is because of that 64GB SSD, they are ridiculously expensive right now. It's not $800 worth of gold, it's $800 worth of technology that will drop in price very very fast.

picklehead · #16 Post by **picklehead** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:28 pm

Perfect, thanks guys! I went with the X61s!

Aroc · #17 Post by **Aroc** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:28 pm

Good choice. I carry a X61s as my main school machine. I did also consider the X300, too.

Aroc · #18 Post by **Aroc** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:24 am

I should preface this by saying I'm only taking 1-3 classes per term (part time to half time) during the nights and weekends.

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