Upgrading from my Lenovo Thinkpad T61 ( 5-6 years old )

[Woosta]

My T61 is getting dated and I am in need of an upgrade. I love it but I need a modern Thinkpad.

I'm considering a X220 with these specs:

Intel Core i7-2640M Processor (2.80GHz, 4M Cache with Turbo Boost up to 3.50GHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
12.5" HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, 2x2 Antenna
Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor graphics with dynamic frequency
8 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard - US English
UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader
720p HD Camera
Intel 160GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA
9 Cell Li-Ion Battery
65W AC Adapter - North America, Latin America (2pin)
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN

for ~1400. For the same price, can anyone recommend anything better?

Budget is ~1500 and I'm getting this for work so I won't be paying for it.

- I am a Linux user so I'll install Debian over top of whatever OS comes on whatever laptop I get.
- I'm a programmer so I'll be doing a lot of command line stuff
- I do not game, so I do not care at all about gfx
- I am in love with the Thinkpad keyboard and will not take anything over it
- I don't need a lot of HD space

If anyone has coupons for the X220 I'd appreciate that as well.

 

[kevinsbane]

Looks good, but I would recommend upgrading to the Premium HD screen, as it's a significant upgrade to the base screen. It's an IPS screen which has much better screen quality than the base TN screen. I got it on mine, and it looks so much better than one without it. I've compared them side by side, and it definitely makes a huge difference.

 

[Woosta]

Interesting, I thought it came with an IPS screen by default, I'll upgrade that.

What Thinkpad models do you have, and how do you gauge the difference between T420 ( this is the new generation T61, right? ) and the X220?

 

[kevinsbane]

My only ownership as far as Thinkpads go is my current x220, although I've used many of them before. Alas, that it took me this long since now that I've used and fallen in love with the Trackpoint, I can't imagine how I did without it in the past.

The T420 and the X220 are very, very similar; they are essentially the same machine in slightly different form factors. It comes down to whether or not you need a DVD drive and want the higher resolution (1600x900 if you pay for it) or you appreciate the IPS screen, the smaller form factor and less weight. They have the same keyboard and Trackpoint, but the T420's touchpad is larger and has dedicated touchpad buttons (the touchpad on the x220 is extremely mediocre).

 

[weovpac]

I just bought a new x220 from [1], for a good price[~900]. Don't have the exact specs on hand, but it is very similar to yours. With these diffrences:

IPS screen
2GB of RAM[cheaper to buy after market, bought 8GB gskill RAM from newegg[2] ~$36 had a coupon]
NO, 720p HD Camera
320GB HD[should also be cheaper after market]

Received today and as it said on the [1] site brand new 🙂 Just waiting for RAM and 500GB HDD[3] to arrive. Will take out the original HDD and keep it in case Windows 7 is needed. I'm also a Linux user and Debian at that 🙂, so guess what I will do once[3] arrives? 😉

[1] http://outlet.lenovo.com
[2] http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231295
[3] http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145587

Edit: I'm moving from a x61s, also [4] is a great resource in case you did not know.

[4] http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkWiki

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

I think this also has the IPS display? I've been debating about this one for a while, so I thought since it fit your needs you should grab it and save a nice chunk of change and get a better screen in addition. The processor is slightly less than the one u spec'd but it's 2.6 vs 2.8 base, and 3.3 vs 3.5 turbo, 2c4t. I think for the money this is the best one to get.

*EDIT* I just saw one about $80 explicitly stating IPS as display type so I was incorrect before.

http://outlet.lenovo.com/SEUILibrar...:item.detail?GroupID=445&Code=R9K7A6N-4286CTO

    Model Highlights
    Part number: R9K7A6N-4286CTO
    New
    Intel® Core™ i5 processor i5-2540M (2.6GHz base; 3.3GHz Max Turbo, 3MB Cache)( )
    Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64 - English
    Intel® HD Graphics 3000
    4GB PC3-10600 DDR3 1333MHz SDRAM SODIMM Memory
    12.5" HD WXGA (1366 X 768) LED backlight"
    UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
    160GB SATA 1.8" Solid State Drive
    No Optical Included
    9 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (Up to 2.8 Hours Run Time)
    11b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless
    No Bluetooth
    Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network upgradable
    Fingerprint Reader
    1 Year Standard Depot Warranty
    Laptop - Black

After eCoupon:
$919.73
You save:$353.26
After eCoupon:
USOUTLET0611

 

[chubbyfatazn]

My T61 is getting dated and I am in need of an upgrade. I love it but I need a modern Thinkpad.

I'm considering a X220 with these specs:



for ~1400. For the same price, can anyone recommend anything better?

Budget is ~1500 and I'm getting this for work so I won't be paying for it.

- I am a Linux user so I'll install Debian over top of whatever OS comes on whatever laptop I get.
- I'm a programmer so I'll be doing a lot of command line stuff
- I do not game, so I do not care at all about gfx
- I am in love with the Thinkpad keyboard and will not take anything over it
- I don't need a lot of HD space

If anyone has coupons for the X220 I'd appreciate that as well.

Any reason you're going for an X220? Assuming you're just going through Lenovo's site, why not just get the X230? They're about the same price. Check the outlet, or put in lenovo.com/familyandfriends to see what they've got. I do think that what you have is a ripoff (I paid $680 for mine, same config minus the SSD and half a year warranty), but work... whatever, right? If you're "in love" with the TP keyboard, and would rather stick to tried and true, then I'd just get the X220.

Do go for the IPS ("premium display"). If you need USB 3.0, you need the i7 (for the X220). The laptop only takes 7mm height drives, remember that for the future. You will hate the 768 vertical res for programming.

T420 and X220, minus the obvious size difference, basically have the same internals. You do get a dedicated GPU/higher res screen if you opt for it, along with a DVD burner. Kevinsbane hit the nail on the head pretty much. There is also the T420s, which is thinner at the expense of not being able to upgrade the cpu (soldered). Might also have a lower-end GPU, not sure for the T420s but definitely for the T430s. If you're used to the size of your T61, then I'd reconsider the X220 for a T420 or even a W520. $1400 is a lot to play with, and I don't think it's worth it for that config. Even if you subtracted the SSD and the RAM upgrade.

Forget the trackpad, those things suck when you've got a shiny nipple errr trackpoint to fondle.

-> used or owned a 600E/X, T40, T60, X60T, T61, R61, X61T, W500, SL400, X220

 

[weovpac]

Any reason you're going for an X220? Assuming you're just going through Lenovo's site, why not just get the X230? They're about the same price. Check the outlet, or put in lenovo.com/familyandfriends to see what they've got. I do think that what you have is a ripoff (I paid $680 for mine, same config minus the SSD and half a year warranty), but work... whatever, right?

I was going to get an x230 myself, but after a closer look at the new keyboard. Decided on a x220. You can read my thoughts and others in this thread[1]. Yes that price is a bit high. Unless your needs are urgent, keep looking at the Lenovo outlet site for a x220 that suits your needs.

Do go for the IPS ("premium display"). If you need USB 3.0, you need the i7 (for the X220). The laptop only takes 7mm height drives, remember that for the future.You will hate the 768 vertical res for programming.

Good things to keep in mind. Why oh why, did Lenovo change to 16:9 arrg 🙁 Bring back 16:10 please.

Kevinsbane hit the nail on the head pretty much. Forget the trackpad, those things suck when you've got a shiny nipple errr trackpoint to fondle.

Heh. Indeed there is nothing better than the trackpoint. It is sad other manufacturers do not at least offer it as an option. But why buy something other than a Thinkpad[with the old keyboard that is 😉]. When I need to use someones else's laptop, try to do things quickly as not too deal with a trackpad; can not stand it.

[1] http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2250257

 

[Broheim]

Do go for the IPS ("premium display"). If you need USB 3.0, you need the i7 (for the X220). The laptop only takes 7mm height drives, remember that for the future. You will hate the 768 vertical res for programming.

it's not optimal but you can definetly live with it.

I program on a x220 when I'm class and when I get home I have a 2560x1440 27" , I honestly don't give it much thought switching between the two, of course YMMV.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

I was going to get an x230 myself, but after a closer look at the new keyboard. Decided on a x220. You can read my thoughts and others in this thread[1]. Yes that price is a bit high. Unless your needs are urgent, keep looking at the Lenovo outlet site for a x220 that suits your needs.

Good things to keep in mind. Why oh why, did Lenovo change to 16:9 arrg 🙁 Bring back 16:10 please.

Heh. Indeed there is nothing better than the trackpoint. It is sad other manufacturers do not at least offer it as an option. But why buy something other than a Thinkpad[with the old keyboard that is 😉]. When I need to use someones else's laptop, try to do things quickly as not too deal with a trackpad; can not stand it.

[1] http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2250257

He said work was paying for it, so I'm pretty sure he doesn't care. Unless they're cutting him a check for $1500 and telling him to do whatever he wants.

The keyboard was the only reason I went for the X220. I didn't think anyone else would be so petty as to do that too 😀 For me, it wasn't that the keyboard's feel would've changed, it was the move from the 7-row layout. I touch type... having the delete and pgup/pgdn in the same spot is pretty important to me.

To hell with 16:10, bring back 4:3! Good times reading code with 1400x1050 on a 12.1" screen.

it's not optimal but you can definetly live with it.

Yeah, didn't mean to make it sound like it was the end of the world... but I'm not fond of it. I ended up moving the taskbar to the left hand side.

 

[Broheim]

He said work was paying for it, so I'm pretty sure he doesn't care. Unless they're cutting him a check for $1500 and telling him to do whatever he wants.

The keyboard was the only reason I went for the X220. I didn't think anyone else would be so petty as to do that too 😀 For me, it wasn't that the keyboard's feel would've changed, it was the move from the 7-row layout. I touch type... having the delete and pgup/pgdn in the same spot is pretty important to me.

To hell with 16:10, bring back 4:3! Good times reading code with 1400x1050 on a 12.1" screen.



Yeah, didn't mean to make it sound like it was the end of the world... but I'm not fond of it. I ended up moving the taskbar to the left hand side.

that's the reason I went with the x220 too, I saw the new keyboard and thought to myself "oh hell no, better get one with a legacy kb while I still can", plus I found a really good deal at a german dealer and saved myself a bundle.

and I'm not fond of the 1366x768 res either, quite frankly I hate it because in my mind it represents the step back we took in computer screens a couple of years ago.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

that's the reason I went with the x220 too, I saw the new keyboard and thought to myself "oh hell no, better get one with a legacy kb while I still can", plus I found a really good deal at a german dealer and saved myself a bundle.

and I'm not fond of the 1366x768 res either, quite frankly I hate it because in my mind it represents the step back we took in computer screens a couple of years ago.

Yeah. Now, if the X230 had the option for a 1600x900 IPS, then I'd sacrifice the keyboard. The connectors for both keyboards are physically the same, they're just mapped differently in the BIOS, so maybe if someone comes out with a modded BIOS then that won't be too big a deal.

 

[weovpac]

it's not optimal but you can definetly live with it.

I program on a x220 when I'm class and when I get home I have a 2560x1440 27" , I honestly don't give it much thought switching between the two, of course YMMV.

I forgot to mention, will also use with an external 24" 16:10

 

[weovpac]

The keyboard was the only reason I went for the X220. I didn't think anyone else would be so petty as to do that too 😀 For me, it wasn't that the keyboard's feel would've changed, it was the move from the 7-row layout. I touch type... having the delete and pgup/pgdn in the same spot is pretty important to me.

You are not alone in this, as you can tell 🙂

To hell with 16:10, bring back 4:3! Good times reading code with 1400x1050 on a 12.1" screen.

Hehe 🙂

It was meant more as general statement. Since the industry took a step backwards, ie. 16:10 -> 16:9 IMHO