Lenovo sucked me in...

[Jeff7181]

I gave into temptation and ordered a new ThinkPad R61 since they're offering a $399 discount.

Here's what I got...

Core 2 Duo T8100 (2.1 GHz, 800 MHz bus, 3 MB L2 cache, 45nm)
Windows Vista Business 64
15.4 inch WXGA
Intel GMA X3100 (GM965 chipset)
1 GB PC2-5300 (I plan to steal the 2 GB from my current laptop)
80 GB 5400 RPM drive
Dual Layer DVD-RW
Intel 4965AGN (Centrino Pro)
9 cell battery
3 year 9x5 Next Business Day warranty
plain Lenovo nylon carrying case

I can't wait to get it. It will be replacing my Latitude D520. Not a HUGE upgrade, but I'm hoping to get more battery life out of it with the 45 nm processor and 9 cell battery.

I know some will ask why the hell I'd get Vista Business 64... well... I like Vista... I've been using Vista Business on my D520 for over a year now and I like it a lot. I chose the 64 bit version because I don't use a lot of different applications so compatability isn't a concern to me. If I find something I use on a regular basis won't work, I still have my Vista Business 32-bit license I should be able to transfer over as I'll be reimaging my D520 with the XP install that came on it when I bought it.

I'm excited... it's scheduled to ship on Feb. 19th. My tax refund should cover the cost, and by putting it on my credit card it's going to put me over the next rewards tier so I'll be able to get $200 back from Chase for that.

 

[capeconsultant]

Nice job! My T61 arrived today and has exceeded any and all expectations. SOLID. QUIET. the 2 most important features for me. FAST, also very important I got the T7300 CPU.

I am also taking 2GB from another laptop. I got XP32, as I know it works, and I know how to work it.

I tip my hat to Lenovo, and look forward to really enjoying the engineering that went into my machine.

Dave

 

[meson2000]

My T61 arrived about 2 weeks ago. I really like it as well. I ordered it with Vista basic then did a clean sweep and installed vista ultimate 64. Haven't looked back...
I just wish I would have waited an extra month or so to order it so I could have gotten the new 45nm cpus... oh well.. I was just too darn impatient ;-)

 

[Jeff7181]

Well, I found a nice deal on newegg for some RAM... 4 GB (2x2) of 667 MHz Mushkin DDR2 for less than $70 after rebate... so... I won't have to steal the RAM I have in my current laptop.

 

[kalster]

how bright is the screen of the t61, i have an x31 and the screen is not very bright, specially compared to my compaq cheap celeron laptop

 

[jpeyton]

Just unboxed my budget ThinkPad (finally); set me back $450.

Z61t
14.1" WXGA
Core Duo T2050 (1.6GHz)
2GB DDR2
60GB 5400RPM
DVD/CD-RW
7-Cell Battery
Intel A/B/G WiFi

Battery life kicks butt. Looks like web-surfing/e-mail/Word gets me around 5 hours.

I disassembled it to install various upgrades and found the build-quality to be better than I expected. The screen hinges are huge; half-inch wide and metal. The lid doesn't flex no matter how hard I press. Sides and bottom are very solid, along with the palm rest and keyboard.

I love the keyboard; the tactile feel is a big upgrade from my Dell. The metal chassis is pretty substantial; I feel the laptop would easily survive a bad drop. Touchpad is good too; I tried the eraser, but it's not my thing.

 

[atbnet]

$450? That's a pretty good price, where did you get it? I just bought a used T40 for $300. It's still a very solid machine.

 

[jpeyton]

Lenovo Outlet

It was actually $400, but I upgraded the CPU and memory myself for $50 total.

The Core Duo T2050 probably gives up a little in the performance/battery life department to a similarly clocked Penryn, but not enough for me to notice in my day-to-day.