Help Picking A Laptop

[Scoop]

These are Lenovo T series, the T500 (new) vs T61 (older model). This also includes my corporate discount and each of them include the Lenovo "Performance" Backpack ($21).

Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W
Operating system : Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
Operating system language : Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic US English
Display type: 15.4 WXGA TFT, w/ CCFL Backlight
System graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 with 256MB
Total memory: 3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboards: Keyboard US English
Pointing Device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
Hard Drive: 100 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Intel® Turbo Memory hard drive cache : Intel Turbo Memory 2GB
Optical device : CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
System expansion slots : Express Card Slot & PC Card Slot
Wireless card: Intel WiFi Link 5300 (3x3 AGN)
Battery: 9 cell Li-Ion Battery
Country Pack: Country Pack North America with Line cord & 90W AC adapter
Language Pack: Language Pack US English

$1,316.41 (have to oder soon, 15% coupon on 1st 200 orders, and its brand new, doubt it will last long)

or

Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)
Operating System: SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop version 10
Operating System Language: SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop version 10 US English - 1 year support
Display Panel: 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
System graphics: Intel GMA X3100 GM965
Total memory: 4 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboards: Keyboard US English
Pointing Device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
Hard Drive: 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
System expansion slots: PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot
Card Reader: 4 in 1 Media Card Reader
Wireless cards: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
Battery: 9 cell Li-Ion Battery
Power cord : Country Pack North America with Line cord and 65W AC adapter
Language Pack: Language Pack US English

$1,046.7 (10% coupon good for whenever)


Any computer gurus have any thoughts?

I will probably use this laptop for just using internets at random places, work on the go, and maybe World of Warcraft

[Stuie]

I will probably use this laptop for just using internets at random places, and maybe World of Warcraft

The first one then. Linux can be a jump for some users.

[wpw36]

first

[Turkish]

I'd pick the first.

As Stuie said Linux can be a jump for new users, it's got a long learning curve. Also, I don't know if the linux system supports 4 gb of ram.

The first has a better CPU and GFX card vs a bigger HDD on the linux. The first laptop also has faster memory sticks.

[Scoop]

ive used linux before, im not worried about it that much. (i specifically picked it for the 2nd, if the 1st one had a choice id get linux on it too)

lenovo said it supports the 4gigs.

how much better is the cpu really?

2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2 vs 2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2

The ram on the 1st is definitely better, im kind of torn between getting less hd space and no dvd burner though.

I'd take vista off the 1st one anyhow. OS isn't that big of a deal, I have xp sp2 I'd probably put on either.

So the 300 dollar difference is really worth getting the 1st?

[Turkish]

ive used linux before, im not worried about it that much. (i specifically picked it for the 2nd, if the 1st one had a choice id get linux on it too)

lenovo said it supports the 4gigs.

how much better is the cpu really?

2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2 vs 2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2

The ram on the 1st is definitely better, im kind of torn between getting less hd space and no dvd burner though.

I'd take vista off the 1st one anyhow. OS isn't that big of a deal, I have xp sp2 I'd probably put on either.

So the 300 dollar difference is really worth getting the 1st?

The CPU's are pretty damn identical. Pardon for saying the first is faster, it's not. Anyhow the difference isn't noticeable.

I guess I can't answer the price difference, that's up to you. Both systems are great.

[Snoopy1966]

Both are good systems, The Vista Home Basic will give you troubles, I have a Dell XPS M1530 Red Version with Windoze Vista Premium Red and it is a great laptop. It took me 3 days to straighten out all the crap that came with it and to get Vista running smooth. Since then I have had no problems with it. The second system with the burner would be my choice because I do run Linux also and you have the DVD dual layer burner for that one.

[whiplasher]

Man just get a macbook pro at 2000. Great video card for games, great OS, just a great laptop! I love it and I have been a Pc guy for a while. It also has a thing called bootcamp where u can have the mac os and windows on the same laptop. So you can switch. Look into it man. Edited August 5, 2008 by whiplasher

[Scoop]

ahahha. mac book pro? $2000 with similiar stats and a discount already?

i can buy the 2nd one and a 32" Sharp Aquos for less than the macbook.

sorry, not a fan of overpriced systems (and mine will be on par with it performance wise)

[TBatcho07]

The first definitely,just get rid of that pos Vista lol

XP Professional FTMFW!

[Kc-Bassist]

Definetly the first. You'll be able to run just about any commercial game except for maybe crysis. Also try not to get vista, xp is still strong and vista's buggy as crap.

[liquidglass]

ahahha. mac book pro? $2000 with similiar stats and a discount already?

i can buy the 2nd one and a 32" Sharp Aquos for less than the macbook.

sorry, not a fan of overpriced systems (and mine will be on par with it performance wise)

AMEN!
Macs are too over priced for nothing but a pretty shell


Personally I like the first one because it's newer, but the 2nd one looks great.

So my advice is grab the 2nd one for a little cheaper, then spend the extra on an external hd or additional RAM.
I would say go completely custom but if it's got what you want premade then grab it.


As far as vista goes I wouldn't get vista home basic on anything, it's either the vista business (equivlant) or ultimate, those are the only two that are worth their weight. I personally have NEVER had a problem with my vista business x64.

But of course xp sp3 is kick ass, so install it if you've got it and keep the vista disk for another time or even for a partition drive just to play around with.

[Scoop]

ended up getting the 2nd. the 15% discount went away and it was back up to over 1500.

thanks for the opinions

[mettalikatt]

so yeah WOW is pwnage. what server are you on>?

[Scoop]

im on kilrogg.

[Voski]

Come to Ner'zhul =P

[erufiku]

Don't cheap out and get the first one... You'll spend a bit more but you won't have to upgrade longer. That would be my advice based on personal experience.