i'm getting a laptop to use as my main machine for home and work. i want something that performs well, but isn't a pain to lug around. i'm thinking the T60p widescreen because Thinkpads are known for being study and not too bulky to carry around, and i dont really feel like dishing out $2k for a high-performance X-series with a 1024x768 display. i dont play games, but i still want something that can perform well and last a few years. i want a good resolution for productivity, so i think i'm going the right direction here so far. the only thing i dont like about this laptop is the ati video card, because i'm worried about cross-OS compatibility (almost to the point of just going with an R-series because i can't choose a different video card). the only other thing i really dont like about the x-series is having to dish out so much more for a cd/dvd drive (which i might be overreacting to, as I could just buy an external cd/dvd drive).

im thinking i should do this today because of the good deals they have with the st. patricks day sale (around $350 off).

please help me with the following specific questions (though i've already googled a fair amount, wanting input from tww):

1) anyone have any general thoughts on Thinkpads vs other laptops? am i just buying into hype here? should i just ditch the thinkpad and go with a high-performance xps1210 with a higher res and smaller size for close to the same price range? keep in mind i'm using this for home and work.
2) HD RPM - 5400 vs 7200 - worth the extra money to go with 7200rpm? heat/battery concerns?
3) CPU - T5500 vs T7200 - worth the extra $150 to go with the 7200? the benchmarks ive seen havent been all too dramatic to warrant the extra cost.

thanks.

3/19/2007 11:24:33 AM

7200RPM is huge. Wouldn't worry about heat (I upgraded my T41 hdd to a 7200 and had no problems). I would say the tradeoff in performance vs battery life is a good one but i don't have exact specs.

3/19/2007 11:32:07 AM

go home and rethink your life.

3/19/2007 11:36:31 AM

definitely 7200 even if it's a 60 instead of an 80gb. you can hook up extra storage drives through usb

you should be able to find someone that works for IBM - they all get good discounts on laptops.

3/19/2007 11:43:43 AM

the #1 thing to buy is a 3 year accidental damage plan on a laptop if you want to lug it around and have it last a few years

their accidental plan is amazing

3/19/2007 11:43:50 AM

Quote :

"i dont really feel like dishing out $2k for a high-performance X-series with a 1024x768 display"

and maybe its just me, but 2K seems like WAY too much to pay for any laptop (unless you plan on using it for CAD or video editing or something like that).

You should be able to get a core-duo, 1-2gb ram machine for much closer to $1000 (if not less)...unless you really want the portability of an X series and are willing to pay for that portability.

3/19/2007 12:05:14 PM

I bought a Dell with Coreduo with 1.73 ghz, 1gb of RAM, 80gb HD for $650. You're better off getting a cheap laptop and upgrade every 2 years or so.

3/19/2007 12:19:38 PM

there are a number of ppl that work for ibm on this site - you might be able to convince one of them to let you use their EPP information

3/19/2007 12:23:02 PM

thinkpads are the strongest most durable laptops on the market. if you plan to be carrying them back and forth between places then it is worthwhile to get one. in addition, their thinkpad protection (accidental protection plan) is an absolute must, as referenced earlier. this protects against spills, drops, electrical shocks/surges and whatever else can be deemed accidental. and of course, IBM ranks much higher in customer service than Dell, for example. [/bookstore sales pitch]

as for the T60p in general, you can get it either as a 14.1" or 15" screen. comparing to the Dell XPS1210, that is a 12.1" screen. so be sure you know what you are really looking for in terms of screen size. some people can not use a small screen because in some cases it equates to a small keyboard. applications/data will access faster on a 7200rpm HDD and may affect the battery life when running on it; that affect prob wont be noticed by a casual user anyway. as for heat, a 7200 vs 5400 will generate about the same amount of heat. most of the heat will come from the other components of the laptop. as for the CPU, if you dont feel the benchmarks are worth the cost then dont bother. use the extra money to upgrade the battery or add more RAM or something like that.

3/19/2007 12:39:29 PM

Just started using a T60p as my main work laptop a couple weeks ago. So far I'm very happy - battery life kills my personal first-gen core duo laptop. Very sturdy feel, light, etc.

I don't know what your price point is, but like OmarBadu suggested - try to find someone that will hook you up. The MSRP on a loaded t60p (2.16GHz Core Duo, 1GB DDR2, 100GB, DVD?RW/CD-RW, Windows XP Pro, 14.1" TFT - MPN: 200783U) is around 3k.

3/19/2007 12:41:30 PM

^ That is 1799 at the bookstore. No the new price is not on the website because the guy who updates that isn't updating it...


Here's a newer high-end one they just started offering.
Specs:

T60p

T7600 2.33 Core 2 duo, 14" SXGA+ TFT, 100GB 7200rpm HDD, 1GB ram (1 dimm), ATI Fire-GL M66GL 256MB Video Ram, 802.11ABG wireless, bluetooth, fingerprint reader, 9-cell (5-6 hours) battery, cd/dvd multiburner, 3 year warranty (depot).

$1999.00

Accidental coverage is 74.95 additional if you want it. These models still ship with XP-pro and that's recommended over vista for now.

[Edited on March 19, 2007 at 2:23 PM. Reason : ]

3/19/2007 2:19:07 PM

buy me one too

3/19/2007 2:56:38 PM

the laptop i got recently - i upgraded to a 7200 rpm hdd and it is very noticable - as for the processor, i would base that on what you will use it for most of the time - if you dont really need the extra speed then i would save money cause chances are if you dont think youll use it you will never know the difference

3/19/2007 3:14:12 PM

thanks for the helpful replies.

3/19/2007 4:13:26 PM

Quote :

"Class : Senior"

I'd personally wait for a company issued one. Setup your current desktop for remote access ... Remote Desktop and/or sftp w/Cygwin. Suppose it depends on specific needs ... but I'd take that same $texas and put it elsewhere ... like move-in expenses once you graduate

[Edited on March 19, 2007 at 4:29 PM. Reason : .]

3/19/2007 4:29:03 PM

buying a laptop for 2 grand that isnt company funded will be a mistake you regret.

there are very few scenarios which would even come close to justifying the expense.

3/19/2007 5:31:34 PM

Quote :

"buying a laptop for 2 grand that isnt company funded will be a mistake you regret. there are very few scenarios which would even come close to justifying the expense."

3/19/2007 5:33:04 PM

and god fucking help you if you buy something for that much with an XGA screen

you should be shot

3/19/2007 5:34:46 PM

At least when I dropped 2k on a laptop it had a 1600x1200 screen.

1024x768 will make you want to rip our your eyeballs.

3/19/2007 5:37:29 PM