T61 RAM questions

[Induhvidual]

hello all

i'm planning on purchasing a thinkpad t61 but i've got some questions on the RAM.

is it better for me to buy it with 2GB (2x 1GB) for the sake of dual channel operation (if this is possible--crucial says t61 can't run dual channel but some people tell me crucial is wrong)?

or is it better to go for 3 GB (buy the laptop with 1 GB and then buy another 2GB and install. if i did this, i plan on using this piece of RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...E16820220229)?

note also this study:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Memor...Apple_MacBook/

i understand that this was based on macbooks but hopefully the numbers might prove useful for lenovos as well (and any other laptop for that matter)

thanks for reading!

[deathlycold]

The benefit from dual channel is negligible when compared to an increase in ram. Hell, if I had the cash I'd go for 3 GB. The hard drive will be slower than memory anyways.

[ZaZ]

Depending on what you are doing, you may or may not benefit from 3GB of memory.

[Induhvidual]

thanks for the quick replies.

i'm probably gonna be doing mostly schoolwork. this includes watching video lectures and listening to various mp3 lectures. i might also be doing a tid bit of photoshop work. as for gaming, i'm probably gonna be doing next to none.

further suggestions/info will be appreciated

[unhooked]

Dual channel is a non-issue.
Save money by getting the least memory from the factory (usually 1 Gig) and then buying another 2GB stick aftermarket.

HOT RAM Deals! (read first before posting)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...21116&name=2GB

[Zero]

So long as you can match the RAM speed with the FSB speed, dual channel doesn't need to be taken into consideration. 3 GB of RAM wll be beneficial to some of the programs you use, so I would recommend that option, like the others have said.