The great Laptop discussion forum

I'll be buying my first-ever non-mac computer for bschool.... thinkpads seem to be the laptop of choice and i get a decent discount through work..... is there enough of a difference between x61 and x61s to go for the higher priced model? it seems to be a bit faster... but i'm admittedly totally ignorant about windows computers and have always had other brands at work. any insight would be appreciated!

Yes, YES!

I think the larger thinkpads might have a touchpad. My current T60 does so the T61 may as well. I think it's an issue of space on the lighter laptops. So if you aren't looking for a super-lightweight machine that might work......

Thought I'd pass this sweet deal along.

https://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.as ... 70&topnav=

Yeah T Series models have touchpad , X61 doesn't ..

Did any one look at U110 Series?

Nice find - Costco RULES

For those who want a tablet - you can configure one the same size/weight through costco (it is an HP) for about $1050 w/ comparable specs to the link above. So, roughly $150 extra for tablet.

X61 only has the nub (I can't stand the touchpad anyways). the U110 is nice, but too shiny and "consumer-ish" for me...

x61s has a lower voltage (lower battery drain) CPU, but it's slightly slower and the new X61 CPUs are pretty low power drain too...

The x61s costs quite a bit more - especially since it is slower. I guess the up side is marginally less weight and longer battery life.
I think with x61 vs x61s if you are using it and the battery still has charge you probably won't notice any difference 99%+ of the time.

Also for folks getting an x61(s?) - if you intend to max out your memory to 4 gigs , a couple of suggestions:
--get 64 bit windows
--Upgrade to a single, 2gb chip
--go to new egg and buy this (it is the chip I bought): https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 2GSDS667D2
($40, free shipping, no tax in most states)
--The memory will arrive in 3 business days, and it takes literally 5 minutes to install, 3 of which is looking for your jeweler's screw driver. I know that the combo of "screwdriver" and "laptop" sounds scary, but this one actually isn't. Lenovo put a panel on the bottom of the laptop specifically to allow this. You will NOT be breaking any seals, etc. Check out the picture in the upgrade section [url="https://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4084"]here[/url]. Seriously, my grandmother could do this.
--When you turn the machine back on, run the little "performance test" thing so windows will enable all the goodies you coudln't use with 2gb.
--This will save you something like $60 for 5 minutes work

You can do this with 32 bit windows as well, but swap the following into the above instructions:
--upgrade to a single, 1gb chip
--Everything else is the same but you only save like $40

Do you happen to have a current code? I'm getting ready to pick up an X61 of my own.

Cheers-

That worked for me when I purchased mine about 3 weeks ago....

RG - this should work:

https://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=231598

Excellent - Thanks Irish!

I found these offers on my corporate discount site


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ThinkPad R61e
Retail Price: $715
Beneplace Price: $458.48

Intel® Celeron® processor 540 (1.86GHz 533MHz 1ML2)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
15.4" WXGA
Intel GMA X3100, GL960, PC Card
1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
80 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
CD-RW/DVD-ROM 24x/24x/24x/8x Max Combo Ultrabay Enhanced
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7649: 1Year Depot Warranty

ThinkPad T61 with Integrated Graphics
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Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
14.1 WXGA TFT
Intel GMA X3100 GM965
1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
80GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ
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7658: 1 Year Depot Warranty - Express

ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen
Retail Price: $1543.00
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Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)1
Genuine Windows Vista Business
15.4 WXGA TFT
Intel GMA X3100 GM965
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
ThinkPAd 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Wireless WAN Ready – Integrated Antenna (no Provider Card installed)
6 cell Li-Ion Battery
6465: Express - 1 Yr Depot Warranty

I am getting this laptop for $ 1,152.87

what do you folks think?

Looks like an awesome setup.

One thing to note, as Westsider already mentioned, 4GB's of RAM won't do you any good running XP...to use mpre than 3, you need to upgrade to Vista.

Is the Bluetooth feature all that necessary for a laptop? What does it allow you to do?

Yeah but i want to get the 4 GB in future if the D..heads at Microsoft deliver a better windows software