Thinking about ordering this for Christmas....ThinkPad X61
$733.35

ThinkPad® X Series is ideal for users who need an ultraportable notebook but refuse to sacrifice durability or performance.

Product Specifications
Sku Number
767LVD6196
Processor
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7100 (1.80GHz, 2MB L2, 800MHz FSB)
Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
Screen
12.1" XGA TFT
Memory
1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory
Hard Drive
80GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm Serial ATA (2.5")
Optical Storage
Wireless
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ
Warranty
1 Year Standard Depot Warranty
Battery
ThinkPad X60 Series 4 cell Enhanced Capacity Battery

12/6/2007 12:45:48 PM

questions:
is the memory a single 1gb stick or two 512mb sticks?
for the love of all that's beautiful in this world, can you get xp on that instead?
what kind of optical storage - dvd burner?

notes:
- a bit pricey for an 80gb drive...i, personally, use my 200gb laptop drive, but that may not be an issue with you
- a bit pricey for the T7100...i would think that price should include the 2ghz core
- a bit pricey for just a cd burner, if that's what it is
- 1gb RAM is a bit low...2gb should really be considered for running vista (this goes into the question above - if it's a single 1gb stick, then consider throwing a second in)
- even with the tiny screen, battery life might suck on a 4-cell battery...consider an upgrade

meh, i don't think the price is all that great, but lenovos carry the same premium that ibm had...quality is still excellent, but with how cheap laptops are these days, needing it to last for 5 years isn't really a big deal...i'm still a huge fan of toshiba since they revamped their QA and their products are consistently less than the competitions for what is (arguably) similar quality

EDIT: an example of a better-priced system via bensbargains.net (though the processor is rather sad IMO):
Dell Vostro 1400 - $600 with free shipping
1.4ghz core 2 duo (T5270)
2gb ram
14.1" screen
9-cell battery
160gb hard drive
dvd burner

[Edited on December 6, 2007 at 1:10 PM. Reason : .]

12/6/2007 12:58:03 PM

i like the x61 because its really small and packs a pretty good punch for its size, also its built like a brick

i've heard some not so good things about the build quality of all of these dell vostros

maybe i'll just wait and see if some come available with better specs
i want to have something before next semester so i guess i have some time to wait till i order one

12/6/2007 3:58:37 PM

The x laptops have always been hella expensive, but they're worth it if you need ultra portability.

I have an x31 that I recently replaced with a T61. If you're truly going to be carrying it all over the place then the x really is the way to go. It's a sweet laptop.

12/6/2007 5:53:09 PM

I had an X41 tablet for a while and that's the way to go if you'd use the tablet functionality for anything. If not, not worth the extra money. But of the systems posted, I'd MUCH rather pay $735 for a Thinkpad than $600 for a Dell. Difference in build quality is really worth it.

[Edited on December 6, 2007 at 6:42 PM. Reason : d]

12/6/2007 6:42:17 PM

have you used one? if not goto DH Hill, they rent the X tablets out.

i wanted one also, but after using the one at library, it wasnt all i expected it to be. just tooo small for me.

but yeah, thats a pretty good price for it.

12/6/2007 7:20:42 PM

well they just put some new ones up on the site and I ordered one
with 2 gigs of ram
and an 8 cell battery
with windows xp pro

for $832.01 shipped
im excited!

[Edited on December 6, 2007 at 9:22 PM. Reason : ]

12/6/2007 9:21:45 PM