Laptop

[Snackcakes]

The d630 latitudes are nice, we use them as our classroom loan laptops. They are small and take a beating, we have about 20 of them and all of them have weathered really well considering people treat them like shit.

[Krogoth]

ok, in looking at all of the major laptop sellers, I have come to find out that none offer XP. I get free copies through my school, and have no problem reformatting into XP when I get it, but I hear finding XP drivers for Vista laptops sucks. Any suggestions? (or maybe a place that still sells XP laptops?)

[Snackcakes]

microsoft is no longer selling XP, its all vista now, and I've had no problems with drivers - vista finds just about everything on the initial install.

[Jim Tressel]

microsoft is no longer selling XP, its all vista now, and I've had no problems with drivers - vista finds just about everything on the initial install.

I think Nads is referring to formatting and going to XP instead of Vista, then experiencing problems getting XP drivers that will work with the hardware.

[Snackcakes]

microsoft is no longer selling XP, its all vista now, and I've had no problems with drivers - vista finds just about everything on the initial install.

I think Nads is referring to formatting and going to XP instead of Vista, then experiencing problems getting XP drivers that will work with the hardware.

gotcha, well everything I read is that everyone is still going to support XP as far as drivers

[Redbear8]

Dell is still supporting XP for us till 2010, meaning we don't have to get, and we don't get Vista on any machines we buy from them.

[Krogoth]

Who is "us" and can I become one :-p

hm, I guess if its not that big of an issue in finding drivers, I won't worry too much about that.

and one last question: with or without Vista, is 3GB of RAM overkill on a laptop? Or would 2 do me just fine?

[Redbear8]

sorry, "us" is my place of employment and if you like making maps sure, you can be one of us! I'm always a fan of RAM. If you can afford more RAM do it, it's always worth it in the long run.

[Krogoth]

ThinkPad R61

•    Processor:        
  Intel® Core? 2 Duo processor T5750 (2.0GHz 667MHz 2MBL2)
  
•    Operating System:   
  Genuine Windows Vista Business
•    Recovery DVD:         
  Genuine Windows XP Professional Downgrade DVD US English
•    Display type:      
  15.4" WXGA
•    System graphics:       
  Intel GMA X3100, GM965, 1394, S-Video, PC Card/Smart Card
•    Total memory:       
  3 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
•    Pointing Device:
  UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Finger Print Reader
•    Hard Drive:       
  160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
•    Optical device:       
  DVD Recordable 8x Max Ultrabay Enhanced
•    Wireless card:       
  ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ
•    Battery:       
  9 cell Li-Ion Battery

$ 1,087.20 

through Lenovo. Pretty sure thats what I'm gunna get. Any suggestions or better deals anywhere else? I want to order it by mid next week.

[Snackcakes]

are you a student? might be able to get a student discount. i know OSU gets like 30% off

[Krogoth]

Did a quick check on my school's site and Lenovo, couldn't find anything. I go to RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology). Is there some certain place that would say it?

[Jim Tressel]

Hmmm, I couldn't find anything on their site either.  You should probably call 1-800-405-6879 and ask them about it.

[Krogoth]

Called them, and they have a standard "Student Discount" of 5%. With tax and shipping, cost me $1,061.14. thanks for the help

[Jim Tressel]

kick ass!  congrats!

[Krogoth]

Mom signed for the package at 9:30 this morning. Time from order to boot-up: 7 days. It only took 2 days to get from Hong Kong to my doorstep, I was in shock to have it so soon. Thing is a beast. Now to dual boot it with XP and Vista. Thanks again for all the help guys.