Change my T60 for ... (T400 | T500 | T61P): pls suggest!

[pictux]

Hi, actually i have a T60 1952CTO.
I'd like to change laptop, of course another Thinkpad!

Consider that:
- i'm a sw developer (not a gamer ),
- i work often with vm (vmware or kvm) on my laptop,
- i like high resolution (as my old r50p or my actual t60),
- i need at least 4gb ram,
- when i'm in office, i use my tp with docking station and external monitor/mouse/kb

And, last but not least:
- i'm not interested to the newer model,
- i'm not interested to new (not used/refurbished) model,
- i'd like at least 3,5/4 ours of battery operation,
- i'd like a cheap solution

I've found these models, not new but in very very good conditions:

T61P: 6458-D33 (with docking station) - 450 eur ~640 usd
T400: 6474-B84 (with docking station) - 450 eur ~640 usd
T500: 2082-9JG (w/o docking station) - 580 eur ~825 usd

T61P and T400 have only 2gb ram, but have already their own docking station;
T500 has already 4gb ram, but not have docking station.

I suppose to spend 50 eur (~70 usd) over for each choice (docking s. or 2gb ram)

About resolution (actual resolution of my t60: 1400x1050 on 14.1" display):
T61P : 1920x1200 (15.4" display)
T400 : 1440x900 (14.1" display- led backlight?)
T500: 1680x1050 (15.4" display)
..so the T61P has the better resolution.

About warranty:
T61P : 0 days left;
T400 : don't know, forget to verify.
T500 : more than 500 days left;
..of course, T500 wins here

About processor:
T61P: T7700
T400: P8600
T500: T9600
Intel comparison:
http://ark.intel.com/Compare.aspx?ids=35568,29762,35563,

Of course the T9600 is the better (i think), the P8600 has the lower "Max TDP" so i suppose it affects less the battery duration.

Which one would you suggest to me?
Thanks!
Regards
M

[ZaZ]

I would point out the T61p have nVidia graphics chips that have higher than normal failure rates and since it's not under warranty it's unlikely Lenovo would fix it for you. If you're most interested in portability I'd take the T400. If not take the T500.

[Harryc]

Your other thread on the same topic was deleted per forum rules on cross posting. Please read them. Thanks

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=14339

"2. Post in the right forum! If it's about the X Series, post it in the X Series forum. Even if it's only humor, an observation, or angst, if it's about something that we have a forum for, post it there. Don't cross-post messages into multiple forums unless you have prior approval from an admin."

[pictux]

Excuse me, Harryc,
i think that link (and not rewrite or copy/paste the post) to the original post was a very-very-soft sort of cross posting.
It was because there's a T6x forum, and a T4x0/T5x0 forum, and i'd like to obtain opinion from both sides.

Sorry!
Regards
M

[pictux]

Hi

I would point out the T61p have nVidia graphics chips that have higher than normal failure rates and since it's not under warranty it's unlikely Lenovo would fix it for you. If you're most interested in portability I'd take the T400. If not take the T500.

thanks for the reply and for the hint.

I've just now finish to read this post:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=93357
about T61P nVidia issue...

So my choice is now between
T400: 6474-B84
T500: 2082-9JG

Still open to any suggestion!

[Binh]

As a programmer, I prefer T500 over T400. Reasons:
- Higher resolution
- Better quality (contrast, viewing angle) of T500's screen
- More powerful processor
- Existence of Display port, that means that you don't need docking to connect to external monitor via digital (DVI) output.

[ajkula66]

T500 would be my preferred choice.

[pictux]

Thanks all!

I'll list soon T500 in my signature