My Z61M is now dead, looking at either a T 400 or T 500 but

[wpod]

Greetings- Rather than fix my dead Z61m at this moment, I 've decided to purchase either a new T400 or T500, but I feel as though I am missing something (knowledge for one!). From a novice's perspective, the T500 looks like a "better" machine, yet from what I've read here so far, it seems that most people are ordering the T 400 instead, what am I missing? Is the T 400 a more user friendly machine (upgrades?) or is it something completely different?I realize the obvious, that the T500 is slightly heavier with a slightly larger screen, but surely there is more to it than that.And one last question, if I order either of these machines with the basic Intel (intergrated?) graphics, would I be able to upgrade to a better graphics card at a later date, or would I be stuck? Thanks for your patience. regards, Paul, Providence, R.I.

[ZaZ]

If you don't mind my asking, why not fix your Z? It costs a lot less than a new machine and a new machine is much of a performance upgrade.

To answer your question, I think the 14" T is more mobile, which is what most people want of their notebooks and why it sells better.

No you cannot upgrade the GPU unless you want to replace the board. The nice thing about the new T is the graphics is switchable. You can run the Intel car when you need battery life and the ATI when you need discrete. The only penalty is cost.

[wpod]

Thanks Fred- I do plan on fixing the Z61m, I just have a feeling that it will take longer than my time constraints will allow. According to the HMM ( Thanks RealBlackStuff ! ) , the motherboard (which needs to be replaced) in my Z61M is an OA2 version. We 've not yet determined what OA2 means, and whether it is significant or not. Just to be sure that I understand you correctly, I'd be better off ordering a machine with ATI graphics installed, otherwise the motherboard would have to be switched to allow it at a later date.Yes? Thanks very much, regards, Paul

[ZaZ]

Right, you can't add the GPU later. If you think you may want it at some point it's probably to order as replacing the board with the dedicated can be quite expensive.

I'd like to know what OA2 means as well. I've been trying to find a X1400 R60 motherboard. Like the newer ThinkPads there's two in the HMM for the R60, one OA2 and one not, but I don't know what it means either.