Potential new T61 user with some questions about product/su​pport/etc.

Question

Hi all!
I've been using Dell Latitude's for last 7+ years and been happy with them thus far, as I was able to stay within the C-series thru 3 systems and reuse some components such as batteries, CD-ROM, etc. but now that I'd have to go to D-series, that gives me the choice of going to new vendor...and IBM/Lenovo was the only other choice due to my OS requirement: XP Pro!
So now I'm here asking some questions that I'm still having issues with:
(I'm comparing the T61 to Dell D530 and/or my C610)
1) Features that I've used on existing Dell that I don't see on T61 :
    a) Infared port --- I've used to transfer stuff from one sys to another
    b) S-Video out --- I've used to display on TV for some situations  
    c) Serial port --- can't recall using it but with my luck, I'd need it sometime. 
    d) Parallel port (C610) --- for my really old printer used on rare occasions
    e) Floppy drive --- yes, I still use it for some unusual situations
2) On Dell, I can put a 2nd battery or floppy drive in the media bay instead of CD/DVD...what about T61?
3) Support:
    a) Dell forums have 7+ yrs of history and are well used...this forum seems brand new...was there another one before it?
    b) My Dell's have lifetime tech support (ok, so sometimes understanding the folks from India can be an issue) but IBM seems to limit this to life of warranty.
4) Pricing: T61 would be seem to be, at minimum, about $150 more than similar Dell even with current "sales"...I'm having trouble justifying this...
5) Things that I see that T61 has that new Dell D530 doesn't:
   a)  built-in mike --- my current Dell has it and I use it now and then so this is a plus!
   b) keyboard light --- nice feature, but couldn't I use a USB one instead if I really needed it?
   c) fingerprint reader --- never used one...how often do people use it?
   d) 2nd card slot for Express cards --- current Dell has two standard slots and I'm using both, though one is wi-fi which C610 didn't have built-in...and other is modem to replace failed built-in...D530 has only one slot, so having 2nd of any type is good.
   e) middle mouse button --- is that what I'm seeing? Or is it something else?
   f) recovery partition --- ok, nice but how much room does it take?
6) Things that D530 has that T61 doesn't:
   a) 4th USB --- I'm used to only 1 now so even 3 would be big step up...
   b) 15" standard screen --- T61 is only a 14.1" screen and that extra bit of size would likely help, but I'm limited on physical dimensions to 13.5" total width (unusual situation) so a 15.4" wide screen isn't possible...I'm looking at SXGA+ in either case to maximize usage.
   c) recovery CD is standard --- so I'm presuming I'd have to create my own here?
That, I think, about does it...so...any users willing to help me decide if a switch is good for me?
Thanks!!!
Update: It seems that phone tech support is only available for warranty period with IBM, whereas with Dell, I can still call for hardware tech help (to diagnose problem at least) for "lifetime" or well past paid period, as I've already done in past...comments?
Update #2: Changed the incorrect "R"s to "T"! Duh!
Message Edited by J_Hallgren on 12-28-2007 07:50 PM
A current Dell Latitute user who was looking to maybe switch...But didn't.

Answer 1

I finally made the switch to Lenovo and the Thinkpad line of notebooks and think this was the best move I have ever made in years! I've spent far too much money maintaining a separate notebook (Dell Latitude L400) several custom built desktops.  This December, I sold my desktops, my laptops (I had 2 L400's), and my 20" Aquous LCD TV to finance my Thinkpad T61.  It was well worth it!  I will try to answer your questions in this checklist, which I found to be quite similar to my own .... frighteningly exactly like my own....:
Hardware Requirements
IR: This is pretty outdated but functional.  I used to use a Palm with IR as well as an IR laser printer.  I ditched both for a PDA phone with bluetooth.  The laser printer is networked now
S-Video: You might be able to get away with a TV tuner cardbus or a expres card.  There might also be external converters that convert from your VGA/DVI (DVI via port replicator) into any variety of video outputs.
Serial: My older Palm had a serial port for the docking station - bluetooth is a good replacement
Parallel port: I currently have a USB to parallel adapter in my bag just in case.  These are cheap cables and work well.
Floppy: I keep a USB one of these just in case.  I find that having fewer input devices on my laptop and leaving them external help keep the machine lighter for my mostly mobile usage (e.g., my L400 with no inputs at all except 1 USB port).
T61 Spare Battery: Uses ultrabay battery - I rarely use the DVDRW drive and leave the ultrabay battery in there while on the go.  DVDRW drive stays in the bag until needed.  I recommend you upgrade to the 9 cell battery with the advanced ultra bay battery, which will give u something like 9 to 12 hours of operating life.  If you are not a fan of the battery pack sticking out like crazy, stick to the letter box format laptop (not widescreen), which will provide the minimum amount of battery pack stick-out with the 9 cell battery.  The 6 cell will not stick out with the letterbox laptop but will stick out with the widescreen version.
Support Options:  I rarely call support so I have no opinion here.
Pricing: Price was not really a concern for me.  I purchased mine for the business look mainly, which Lenovo maintained well.  I don't like the shiny/plastic/toy look of Dell and Apple computers these days.  If anything, consider the premium an investment in the build quality of these machines (or a premium just for the good looks).  I particularly like the roll cage as well as active protection system that stops the hard drive as soon as the system detects excessive motion. 
Included Hardware Comparison:
I like the mic, use it often for Skype and the built in 1.3MP webcam as well. 
Keyboard light.... kinda cute but not as functional because it simply is too small.  It was a cute idea that could have been made better had Lenovo opted for a backlit keyboard instead.  That would have been more functional and added to the "cool" factor. 
With regards to the Express Card and PCMCIA card slot, I rarely use either because everything is built in.  However, if you want that TV tuner, an express card or PCMCIA card slot is good.  If you opt for the built in media reader, you will be unable to use the express card as the media reader takes up that slot (I might be wrong, but I think the card reader is large enough that it takes up both slots, so u can't add anything anyway - but you should call pre-sales to answer that question). 
Middle mouse button: The three buttons in the middle are used for the trackpoint/joystick mouse controller.  I think the middle button is configurable to do various things.  I personally hate the joystick and can only use the touchpad.  The lack of a touchpad was the only reason I did not stick to the smaller 12.1" X line of laptops, which was really more in tune with my size requirements (too used to using the L400 sized machine).
Recovery Partition: This is a cheap way for manufacturers to make it easy for people to recover their systems in case of crash - without the need for any documentation or disc media.  However, it makes it hard for people like me who only use machines after a clean format and customized install of Windows.  This partition is about 10GB and can be erased with special disk format or partition tools.  Windows itself cannot read or delete this partition.  With the minimum size of the hard drives available, this should not be an excessive space killer for most people.  I personally need only 7GB total for OS and apps.  The remaining data I work with is actually streamed from a 500GB gigabit NAS.  I might switch to a 32GB solid state disk one of these days when their performance comes more in par or exceeds traditional drives.
Recovery CD: You can create your own from the recovery partition since Lenovo does not provide any.
4th USB: I only use 1 or 2 as well.  1 for an external micro mouse (I love my touchpad, but it's just hard to use with Photoshop or CAD apps) and a second for a USB memory key.  My other devices i.e., scanner, external mouse, keyboard, are plugged in on my desktop through a USB hub that goes to a single port on my docking station.  So yes, your docking station will probably remove the need for more than 2 ports.  Although, I do find it odd there are only 3 ports... such an odd number.
Screen Size: I personally wish I could have gotten the X series of laptops but the 14.1 was the only other mobile solution.  For the larger screen size, docking station to my 24" Dell 2405FP.  The compact nature of the T series makes it pretty thin and compact though... it was not too much bigger than my L400 - at least, not uncomfortably bigger.
But yeah, I think if you make the switch, you'll be getting yourself a solid machine that will keep u going for years.  The Latitude line of Dell's were really good, but overall, I feel that the nature of Dell's manufacturing process is making it too "cookie cutter" and reducing its overall quality level.  Their earlier lines were awesome, like the D lines you mentioned.  But unless you get the ATG line, you just won't get the same level of quality they used to offer (in addition, the ATG line is wickedly too expensive - I'd rather get a Durabook for military grade spec at a fraction of the price). 
Anyway, have fun shopping! :-)
And moderators or employees of Lenovo, don't you guys get referral bonuses for giving your employee discount code to friends and family?  *wink*
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