Saturday, May 3, 2008

Lenovo R61 thoughts

My new computer arrived a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't be more pleased. The 2.4 GHz processor and 3 GB of RAM allow me to run Vista without a hitch, and the discrete graphics card means that I can play the one computer game I still play regularly (Civ 4). In fact, I can turn the graphics all the way up and play on the largest map setting with no difficulties at all. I'm plenty happy with the weight as well.

My only complaint, and it's a small one, is the lack of a horizontally aligned USB port. I have a USB EV-DO network card provided by my company, and when it's plugged in, I can't have my laptop flat on the desk.

Financially, this could not have been a better decision. I was expecting to pay about $4,000 to replace my laptop and buy a desktop + all the peripherals. But given that the laptop can do everything I need without a hitch, I don't feel any need to buy a desktop, plus the laptop only cost me a bit over $900. Eventually, I'll probably buy a docking station and the peripherals anyway, just to make life a bit more convenient when using the computer at home, but I'll still come in significantly under half of what I had planned. Essentially, I'll have spent just over half of my tax refund on this purchase. Given that I used the rest of it, along with my tax stimulus check for long-term savings, I feel very comfortable with this purchase. I fully expect this computer to take me through several years.

2 comments:

  1. You can buy USB rotators. They look like two USB ends that rotate in the middle. They come in handy for situations like the one you're finding yourself in.

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  2. I'm considering a lap-top for my next computer. Sitting at this desk gets uncomfortable, and a laptop gives you more seating options.

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