I currently have a Compaq M2000 so anything will be better. 
It's really my main computer as my desktop at home is out of commission for the time being. I will be using it for web development, mostly working with Drupal, but also could be using CS4. I edit personal digital photographs. I hook it up to my tv at home via s-video to watch streaming netflix. No gaming to speak of. (Not the modern games at least). I like the ThinkPads because of the quality and ruggedness-- I'm a klutz, and although it's been several years since I dropped my laptop (backpack unzipped and laptop fell out onto sidewalk-- then once again, falling out of pickup onto driveway), I like the idea of getting a year's warranty of accidental damage. (I'll be getting an actual laptop backpack this time. 😛)
I was hoping on getting a lighter, slimmer laptop this time, but the ThinkPad will be just about the same size as my Compaq. This isn't as important, but would be nice.
My brother said I can replace the hard drive with a 500gb 7200rpm for about $80, so that's not as important, either.
I can get the employee discount for Lenovo through a friend. The specs for the T510 are customized. I really prefer the anti-glare screen, but was looking at screen filters to add that if necessary (but don't know the effectiveness of them). The other choices for display on T510 are HD+ 1600x900 (add $50.00) and FHD 1920x1080 (add $250). I'd like to get the best I can afford. I've been looking on the Lenovo outlet site, wouldn't mind a refurbished, and missed out on a couple of really good deals for under $1000 with either the HD+ or FHD, but the past couple of weeks, haven't seen anything under $1200 on there. Ideally, would like to keep it under $1000, but willing to spend up to $1200 (although this is difficult for me) to get somethng that will last maybe 4-5 years. My brother suggested I stay away from i3, and my IBM friend suggested I wouldn't see much difference between i5 & i7 for what I want, so I was going for i5 to keep the cost down, and upgrade in other areas.
I want to get the best graphics I can, but since I don't game, but do watch videos occasionally on it, I'd like to have good graphics, and from the reviews and user comments and forums, it sounds like the GT 330M would be better than the 3100m optimus graphics, which I read is entry-level business graphics. And, that discrete is better than integrated.
I'm stuck (I feel like) between a slicker, prettier, better graphics, better speakers with the Toshiba (which is on sale for about $200 less than when I looked at it in the store), versus the higher quality, sturdier ThinkPad.
I agonize over decisions, so if there's anything clear cut that anyone can offer to make my decision easier..,
I was also looking at the wireless card--I chose the Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 on the T510, because I read something about getting better streaming video with it. I can connect with both wired & wireless for netflix, so it's not as important, (but have been considering getting rid of cable modem for Clear at home). My brother suggested I avoid WiMAX for now, as anything would be proprietary & I'd likely be locked in to one provider.
I'm specifically looking for advice as to whether I will really notice a difference on some of the specs I'm looking at upgrading for what I'll be using it-- the wireless card, the graphics card, the display. I should have posted this several weeks ago. THANKS for any advice or suggestions!!
Toshiba A655-S6098 for $850
Processor: Intel® Core i7-740QM Processor, 1.73 GHz (2.93 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology), 6MB Cache
Operating system: Genuine Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Display: 16.0 diagonal widescreen TruBrite® TFT LCD display at 1366x768 native resolution (HD), Native support for 720p content, 16:9 aspect ratio, LED backlit
Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M with 1GB GDDR3 discrete graphics memory, Total Available Graphics memory 2782MB
Memory: 4GB DDR3, 8GB maximum
Hard drive: 500GB (5400 RPM); Serial ATA hard disk drive, TOSHIBA Hard Drive Impact Sensor (3D sensor)
Optical Drive: DVD SuperMulti drive with Labelflash®
Audio: Built-in harman/kardon® stereo speakers, DOLBY® Advanced Audio
Webcam: Webcam and microphone
Communications: 10/100 Ethernet, Intel® 802.11a/g/n wireless LAN, Intel® 4G WiMAX
Card reader: ExpressCard slot, Memory Card Reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card, Mini SD Card, SDXC, Multi Media Card [shared slot may require adapter for use])
Ports: VGA, HDMI, Microphone input port with Toshiba Sleep and Music, Headphone output port, 4 USB v2.0 ports (3 USB + 1 eSATA/USB combo with USB Sleep and Charge), RJ-45 LAN port
Battery: 6 cell/48Wh Lithium Ion battery pack
----------------
ThinkPad T510 - $1041
Processor: Intel Core i5-560M Processor (2.66GHz, 3MB L3)
Operating system: Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
Display type: 15.6" HD WXGA (1366 X 768)Anti-Glare Display with LED Backlight
System graphics: NVIDIA NVS 3100m Optimus Graphics with 512MB DDR3 Memory
Total memory: 2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
Hard Drive: 250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Optical device: Multi Recorder Optical Drive (12.7mm)
System expansion slots: Express Card Slot & 5 in 1 Card Reader
Battery: 9 cell 2.8Ah Li-Ion Battery - Dual Mode
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)
1 year warranty accidental damage
It's really my main computer as my desktop at home is out of commission for the time being. I will be using it for web development, mostly working with Drupal, but also could be using CS4. I edit personal digital photographs. I hook it up to my tv at home via s-video to watch streaming netflix. No gaming to speak of. (Not the modern games at least). I like the ThinkPads because of the quality and ruggedness-- I'm a klutz, and although it's been several years since I dropped my laptop (backpack unzipped and laptop fell out onto sidewalk-- then once again, falling out of pickup onto driveway), I like the idea of getting a year's warranty of accidental damage. (I'll be getting an actual laptop backpack this time. 😛)I was hoping on getting a lighter, slimmer laptop this time, but the ThinkPad will be just about the same size as my Compaq. This isn't as important, but would be nice.
My brother said I can replace the hard drive with a 500gb 7200rpm for about $80, so that's not as important, either.
I can get the employee discount for Lenovo through a friend. The specs for the T510 are customized. I really prefer the anti-glare screen, but was looking at screen filters to add that if necessary (but don't know the effectiveness of them). The other choices for display on T510 are HD+ 1600x900 (add $50.00) and FHD 1920x1080 (add $250). I'd like to get the best I can afford. I've been looking on the Lenovo outlet site, wouldn't mind a refurbished, and missed out on a couple of really good deals for under $1000 with either the HD+ or FHD, but the past couple of weeks, haven't seen anything under $1200 on there. Ideally, would like to keep it under $1000, but willing to spend up to $1200 (although this is difficult for me) to get somethng that will last maybe 4-5 years. My brother suggested I stay away from i3, and my IBM friend suggested I wouldn't see much difference between i5 & i7 for what I want, so I was going for i5 to keep the cost down, and upgrade in other areas.
I want to get the best graphics I can, but since I don't game, but do watch videos occasionally on it, I'd like to have good graphics, and from the reviews and user comments and forums, it sounds like the GT 330M would be better than the 3100m optimus graphics, which I read is entry-level business graphics. And, that discrete is better than integrated.
I'm stuck (I feel like) between a slicker, prettier, better graphics, better speakers with the Toshiba (which is on sale for about $200 less than when I looked at it in the store), versus the higher quality, sturdier ThinkPad.
I agonize over decisions, so if there's anything clear cut that anyone can offer to make my decision easier..,
I was also looking at the wireless card--I chose the Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 on the T510, because I read something about getting better streaming video with it. I can connect with both wired & wireless for netflix, so it's not as important, (but have been considering getting rid of cable modem for Clear at home). My brother suggested I avoid WiMAX for now, as anything would be proprietary & I'd likely be locked in to one provider.
I'm specifically looking for advice as to whether I will really notice a difference on some of the specs I'm looking at upgrading for what I'll be using it-- the wireless card, the graphics card, the display. I should have posted this several weeks ago. THANKS for any advice or suggestions!!
Toshiba A655-S6098 for $850
Processor: Intel® Core i7-740QM Processor, 1.73 GHz (2.93 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology), 6MB Cache
Operating system: Genuine Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Display: 16.0 diagonal widescreen TruBrite® TFT LCD display at 1366x768 native resolution (HD), Native support for 720p content, 16:9 aspect ratio, LED backlit
Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M with 1GB GDDR3 discrete graphics memory, Total Available Graphics memory 2782MB
Memory: 4GB DDR3, 8GB maximum
Hard drive: 500GB (5400 RPM); Serial ATA hard disk drive, TOSHIBA Hard Drive Impact Sensor (3D sensor)
Optical Drive: DVD SuperMulti drive with Labelflash®
Audio: Built-in harman/kardon® stereo speakers, DOLBY® Advanced Audio
Webcam: Webcam and microphone
Communications: 10/100 Ethernet, Intel® 802.11a/g/n wireless LAN, Intel® 4G WiMAX
Card reader: ExpressCard slot, Memory Card Reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card, Mini SD Card, SDXC, Multi Media Card [shared slot may require adapter for use])
Ports: VGA, HDMI, Microphone input port with Toshiba Sleep and Music, Headphone output port, 4 USB v2.0 ports (3 USB + 1 eSATA/USB combo with USB Sleep and Charge), RJ-45 LAN port
Battery: 6 cell/48Wh Lithium Ion battery pack
----------------
ThinkPad T510 - $1041
Processor: Intel Core i5-560M Processor (2.66GHz, 3MB L3)
Operating system: Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
Display type: 15.6" HD WXGA (1366 X 768)Anti-Glare Display with LED Backlight
System graphics: NVIDIA NVS 3100m Optimus Graphics with 512MB DDR3 Memory
Total memory: 2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
Hard Drive: 250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Optical device: Multi Recorder Optical Drive (12.7mm)
System expansion slots: Express Card Slot & 5 in 1 Card Reader
Battery: 9 cell 2.8Ah Li-Ion Battery - Dual Mode
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)
1 year warranty accidental damage
/www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-Quadro-NVS-3100M.24738.0.html
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