simple shopper questions

[dcouzin]

There are some reconditioned T60's available here, and I'm considering buying one.

1. There's a choice between processors: T5600 1.83 GHz and T7200 2.0 GHz (and double size cache). Any thoughts on these...
2. I'll get the SXGA+ display. There's a choice between Intel 950 integrated graphics and ATI Radeon X1300 and also X1400. I won't play games or watch movies on the laptop. But I do graphics work and appreciate sharpness and elaborate color adjustments. Is the Intel any better or worse than the ATI's in these ways?
3. Every Thinkpad model I get has deep pitfalls. T42: solderjoints and USB2.0 problems. T43: fan noise, and harddrive compatibility. Has the T60 equal pitfalls?

[ZaZ]

The T7200 will be a bit better if you push the CPU frequently, but the T7x00 CPUs run a bit warmer. It's probably not a big deal for typical usage.

If you're not gaming get the Intel GPU. The gpu will not effect the color adjustments and the sharpness will come from the resolution. You might want to check the backlight if you can. It'll be three years old and they can dim over time. Do you have a choice of 14" or 15"? The 15" LCDs are excellent while the 14" are fair.

The T60, R60, X60 and the Z61 are the last of the IBM Thinkpads and they went out on high not. They're well regarded by Thinkpad enthusiasts. There's nothing like the GPU failures on the T4x machines, though they're are no guarantees in life.

[dr_st]

I can add my opinion as someone who owns, both a 14" and a 15" T60, one with Intel GMA950 and one with ATI X1400.

CPU-wise, If option is given, go for the T7200. Some extra speed, some extra cache. May run a bit hotter, but nothing that will matter much.

Regarding GPU, the latest Intel drivers include a fair amount of tweakable settings. The basics (colors, gamma, multiple displays, hotkeys) are available. Advanced hardware tweaks (OpenGL/DirectX settings, color temperature, custom profiles) may not be. The ATI settings available through Catalyst Control Center or ATI Tray Tools will be far richer, but judging from the things you mentioned, you probably will not need them. And, as Fred said, the Intel GPU will contribute to a cooler running machine. The ATI GPU typically runs hotter than the CPU in the T60 (at least when both are equally stressed, i.e. both idle, or both under load).

Regarding displays, the 15" SXGA+ is a Flexview (IPS) display which looks much better and has wide viewing angles. However, they tend to dim with the years. I have not seen one that was too dim to be comfortably usable yet, but then again, I have not seen one that was more than 3 years old. One thing to keep in mind.

The 14" SXGA+ is nice and sharp, but it's a regular TN panel, and not a very good one. Colors and viewing angles leave much to be desired.

Also, the combination of Intel GPU and SXGA+ display is pretty rare, although does exist (I have one myself, it's my company-issued laptop).

I concur with Fred - the T/X/R60/Z61 series is one of the nicest ones that ever came out under IBM/Lenovo. After 4+ years in the field - I know of no common fatal flaws (although, of course, there is always some luck of the draw involved, and any machine can just die out of the blue).

Perhaps the biggest inconvenience is their inability to use more than 3GB RAM, even if you install 4GB (chipset/BIOS limitation). It's a pity especially when you get them with the 64bit-capable CPUs. Back when these series were released, 1GB was considered standard, and 2GB was plenty, so the issue was not an acute one. But these days, with operating systems and applications more memory-consuming, and with the widespread availability and still cheap prices of DDR2 RAM, this limit comes up more frequently and is a bigger inconvenience.

[underclocker]

Those two machines are so close in performance, I doubt anyone could tell the difference in performance. I would go for the one that is a better deal based on seller reputation, condition, LCD brightness, battery condition, price and any remaining warranty. Both are fine, more recent (Core 2 Duo) T60's.

I might lean toward the Intel video model just to squeeze out a little extra battery life and maybe reduced fan use/noise/overall temps.

[dr_st]

I might lean toward the Intel video model just to squeeze out a little extra battery life and maybe reduced fan use/noise/overall temps.

Very true, I forgot about that, but the difference is not negligible by any means.

[dcouzin]

Thanks FredGarvin, dr_st, and underclocker for really helpful advice.
I know the 14" SXGA+ TFT isn't beautiful but my other two T4x's have that making it best for consistency and for spares. (My T600X screen is beautiful albeit broken.)
I thought the GPU was involved in scaling which would influence visual sharpness.