What should I get? Questions about specs. Help needed!

[nontechy]

Since I am going back to grad school and have school discount buying from Lenovo, Lenovo offers a whole list of x60 and x60s and I have no idea which model I should get.

Here are a few questions I hope others can help me out with

1) What is the difference between x60 and x60s? It seems that from the specs Lenovo have, they are all 3.5 pounds for the ones I want.

2) Processor: Is 1.83 Ghz better than 1.66 Ghz? The reason I ask is because comps. with 1.83 Ghz is even cheaper than 1.66 Ghz. Example: The model 17065 Khz is only $xxxx (the most basic system)
Any differences between a Dual-Core processor and a non-dual core one?

3) If I want to get 512 MB more ram, would that add more weight?

4) Platform technology AND Card Reader - what are these two specs for?

5) Wireless NIC: Is there a difference between the intel pro/wireless 3945ABG and the lenovo 11/a/b/g?


Thanks everyone!

MODERATOR EDIT: Per FAQ #3, please do not post Educational or EPP Pricing.

[christopher_wolf]

So here is a basic run-down with the answers...

1.) The X60s is slightly lighter than the X60, it also has an ultrabright screen.

2.) You will rarely notice the difference between the clockspeeds of 1.83GHz and 1.66GHz; if you don't need a huge amount of processing power, it is up to how much you are willing to spend. Also, it depends on what you are going to use it for. Dual Core means that there are two processor cores on one die, same as parallel processing. Again, whether or not it is better than a single core depends on what you want to use it for, what type of apps you run, etc.

3.) Heh, theoretically it would, but RAM sticks are *very* light....Needless to say, you would not notice it at all.

4.) Not quite sure what you are referring to with those

5.) Difference between them? Depends on your point of view; some people like the Intel, others like the Lenovo (which is actually an Atheros card if I am not mistaken). It has also been reported that the Intel one gets hotter than the Atheros one.

HTH

[wildzx]

So here is a basic run-down with the answers...

1.) The X60s is slightly lighter than the X60, it also has an ultrabright screen.

2.) You will rarely notice the difference between the clockspeeds of 1.83GHz and 1.66GHz; if you don't need a huge amount of processing power, it is up to how much you are willing to spend. Also, it depends on what you are going to use it for. Dual Core means that there are two processor cores on one die, same as parallel processing. Again, whether or not it is better than a single core depends on what you want to use it for, what type of apps you run, etc.

3.) Heh, theoretically it would, but RAM sticks are *very* light....Needless to say, you would not notice it at all.

4.) Not quite sure what you are referring to with those

5.) Difference between them? Depends on your point of view; some people like the Intel, others like the Lenovo (which is actually an Atheros card if I am not mistaken). It has also been reported that the Intel one gets hotter than the Atheros one.

HTH

WOW X60 it also has an ultrabright screen compare to the X60s, i did not know that...is this for all the x60s models? pls confirm thanks

[christopher_wolf]

It is the X60s that has an Ultrabright screen; the tabook.pdf should show this as well.

[pianowizard]

3) If I want to get 512 MB more ram, would that add more weight?

You may save some money if you buy from Lenovo an X60/s model with only the onboard RAM and get additional RAM elsewhere (Crucial, Coastmemory, Newegg, eBay, etc.) later.

Memory chips are very light and most people won't feel the added weight. However, if you need to carry your laptop a lot, over the long term you might feel a slight difference. For example, I go to about three conferences annually and at each conference I need to walk around carrying my laptop for over 10 hours everyday 5 - 10 days in a row. So, for me, every gram matters.

[CHoPSTICK89]

It is the X60s that has an Ultrabright screen; the tabook.pdf should show this as well.

Not all the X60s have it only one particular model. Its listed in the tabook

[nontechy]

4.) Not quite sure what you are referring to with those



HTH :)[/quote]

Platform technology
two options: 1) Intel Centrino Duo 2) None

Any differences? What would be the problem if I pick the latter.

[christopher_wolf]

4.) Not quite sure what you are referring to with those



HTH

Platform technology
two options: 1) Intel Centrino Duo 2) None

Any differences? What would be the problem if I pick the latter.[/quote]

You have a choice between the Core Duo and the Core Solo; Core Duo is essentially two processor cores on one die, Core Solo is just a single processor core. I would just go ahead and get the Core Duo as it makes more sense to do so when shelling out money for a new X60 or X60s instead of getting one with a single core.

As far as I know, you can't actually have a "None" platform.

HTH

[christopher_wolf]

4.) Not quite sure what you are referring to with those

HTH
Platform technology
two options: 1) Intel Centrino Duo 2) None

Any differences? What would be the problem if I pick the latter.

You have a choice between the Core Duo and the Core Solo; Core Duo is essentially two processor cores on one die, Core Solo is just a single processor core. I would just go ahead and get the Core Duo as it makes more sense to do so when shelling out money for a new X60 or X60s instead of getting one with a single core.

As far as I know, you can't actually have a "None" platform.

HTH

[RS_003]

None = w/ Atheros card.
B/c then its not a official Intel Centrino Core Duo.
But only Core duo


Anyway, thats how I see it, could be wrong...

[nontechy]

None = w/ Atheros card.
B/c then its not a official Intel Centrino Core Duo.
But only Core duo :)


Anyway, thats how I see it, could be wrong... :)

So, what does that mean then? Not official?
I'm now basically just deciding whether i should get the intel card (official intel centrino core duo) or the atheros card (not official core duo)

[nontechy]

does paying 400 dollars more worth it to get a x60s instead of an x60?

[First Light]

Not all the X60s have it only one particular model. Its listed in the tabook

1. What is tabook?

2. Which X60s model(s) has the brighter screen?

[dfumento]

Easiest way to get tabook is to go to lenovo site and search on tabook, selecting the most recent one.
http://www5.pc.ibm.com/us/me.nsf/webdoc ... tabook.pdf
Only one model, the 1702-94U has the Ultra screen.

I have the X60s (1702-63U) with 8-cell and with Verizon and I love it. I bought a second memory stick from Newegg for about $100.

[JaneL]

1. What is tabook?

Item #1 in the FAQ.