Technology Buying a Thinkpad T61 (help with specs)

[ucmd84]

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Hi everyone. I'm thinking about buying a Lenovo Thinkpad T61 14.1'' widescreen with Integrated graphics.

Please help with the following picks:

1. no bluetooth OR integrated bluetooth PAN
2. 4-cell, 6-cell, OR 9-cell Li-ion battery.
3. would it be smarter to get the laptop WITHOUT microsoft office pre-installed? (~$130)

Thanks.

 

[physics junkie]

Personally you would never find me paying for microsoft office. If you have to pay for it the student version is something like $50 I believe.

Battery size just depends on how you plan on using your laptop. More cells = more bulk but longer battery life. I don't think it's a big deal to carry around a 7lb laptop---some people think it is a big deal.

 

[ucmd84]

thanks for the reply. yeah, i prefer it to be as light as possible; but at the same time i'm afraid the 4-cell that comes with it might not last that long. has anyone had problems with low battery life on the 4-cell from regular use?

 

[TMP-SMX]

I don't know but a 4 cell is pretty small. By the way until April 30th...

http://www.theultimatesteal.com/store/msshus/ContentTheme/pbPage.microsoft_student_hero_ultimate_c

Probably cheaper than what you can get from your school.

 

[BlazerMed]

I don't know but a 4 cell is pretty small. By the way until April 30th...

http://www.theultimatesteal.com/store/msshus/ContentTheme/pbPage.microsoft_student_hero_ultimate_c

Probably cheaper than what you can get from your school.

Depends on the school. At mine, they offer Vista for ~$15 and Office for ~$10.

 

[sciolycaptain]

1. no bluetooth OR integrated bluetooth PAN
2. 4-cell, 6-cell, OR 9-cell Li-ion battery.
3. would it be smarter to get the laptop WITHOUT microsoft office pre-installed? (~$130)

I wouldn't get bluetooth unless you have a device that you use often that can utilize the technology, such has a mouse or a phone like a treo where you can sync through bluetooth.

I have a T60, and the 9 cell batter. It sticks out the back of the machine an inch, but I knew that when I got it and wouldn't trade the battery life for anything. It doesn't make the laptop any more cumbersome to carry or anything. Though fitting it into a laptop slip would be tricky.

Get office through your school, $130 isn't worth it at all.

Also consider purchasing your own ram and installing it yourself if you feel comfortable as that will save you money as well.

 

[Mariah246]

I'd wait. Lenovo just announced a line of laptops to pair with its newest X300 model.

The X400 is a 14.1" version. Light weight, solid battery life (with the LED screens), might be worth waiting if you can afford the price premium

(The t61's have been going for outrageously low prices because I assume Lenovo was clearing out inventory for these new units)

 

[ucmd84]

should i pay more for an 4965AGN wireless card?

 

[2avoidjunk]

I am having a tough time with my 5 cell battery that came with my Inspiron. It only lasts for max 2 hrs,so I keep it plugged all the time. But when I am travelling, you know...its difficult to maintain the battery life.

Considering Office tools for a price is such a waste. I have uninstalled the rubbish office 2007 and have been very confortable using OpenOffice (GNU - GPL) which is free and similar to MS Office.

Bluetooth: If you have a frequest usage of BT, you can consider going for it. I regularly keep snapping pix on my camera enabled fon and xfer them to my pc via BT. That ways it is useful for me. But it can also be used for BT enabled mice and keyboard.

Wireless N: 802.11N definitely is the next standard in wi-fi. It came with my Inspiron 1505. But a G should be enough for regular usage. Though you have an N equipped machine with you, N signals are very rare. Most of the time we stumble upon a B or G signal.

Its been 2 yrs since I've been using Inspiron 1505. Now I am considering to get a T61...

 

[ucmd84]

do you folks think it's wise to wait until late summer or fall (after matriculation) to get the T-61? i want the price to go down a bit.

 

[DrJosephKim]

Get the Bluetooth. You'll regret it if you don't.

BT is so handy and you'll realize very soon that you have devices that can connect using BT (like a phone, headset, maybe even a mouse, a GPS receiver, etc.)

I would also strongly suggest that you consider a tablet. All future healthcare settings (both inpatient and outpatient) will likely utilize tablet PCs. Therefore, the sooner you get familiar with the interface and technology, the better you'll be. Plus, you'll be a step ahead of everyone else.

 

[ucmd84]

Get the Bluetooth. You'll regret it if you don't.

BT is so handy and you'll realize very soon that you have devices that can connect using BT (like a phone, headset, maybe even a mouse, a GPS receiver, etc.)

I would also strongly suggest that you consider a tablet. All future healthcare settings (both inpatient and outpatient) will likely utilize tablet PCs. Therefore, the sooner you get familiar with the interface and technology, the better you'll be. Plus, you'll be a step ahead of everyone else.

I really like tablets and am considering the x61 tablet. There are some things I don't like about the x61, however:

1. Price (~$2k)
2. no optical drive
3. smaller keyboard
4. potentially having scratch marks on the screen due to overuse.

 

[DrJosephKim]

The Lenovo outlet has some great prices. If you use a screen protector, you won't get any scratches.

 

[TheRealMD]

Hi everyone. I'm thinking about buying a Lenovo Thinkpad T61 14.1'' widescreen with Integrated graphics.

Please help with the following picks:

1. no bluetooth OR integrated bluetooth PAN
2. 4-cell, 6-cell, OR 9-cell Li-ion battery.
3. would it be smarter to get the laptop WITHOUT microsoft office pre-installed? (~$130)

Thanks.

I'd get the bluetooth, and stick with a 6-cell battery unless you plan on being away from an electrical outlet for LONG periods of time. Though if the 9-cell doesn't stick out, then get that.

I wouldn't buy Microsoft Office straight from Levono as any decent college or med school should sell that stuff cheaper for student use.