i was JUST going to post that.   i beat you to the new HMM though.

I'm wondering, what's the difference between 6478-1JU and 6477-1ZU from the TABook?

As others have noted, the current customized model from Lenovo (labeled as a '6476') doesn't offer the WWAN + GPS, nor mention of WiMAX. Can I buy the WWAN+GPS card from Lenovo later and install it myself?

I don't know if any of u have noticed but there is no info regarding model number 6476. So there is no indication whether or not that model has gps or wwan. Correct me if Im wrong.

6476 is the MTM for CTO models.   you won't find CTO models in tabook because it only lists pre-configured models.

Whoo hoo 300nit brightness! Now I can retire my vaio!

Hey Erik, I'm quite new with this but what does MTM and CTO stand for.

I've gone over the TABOOK entries and the PDF's for both these model lines in minute detail and can't for the life of me figure out what the differences are (other than about $100 where I've found prices).

Anyone else know?

-Todd

MTM is Machine Type and Model, while CTO means Configured To Order. Basically, they cannot put CTO models in the tabook, since you can configure then (almost) any way you like. If you check the support page of the CTO model, it should tell you which model it is based on.

So then....its a good thing to get your hands on a CTO model right? That is if we decide to add the benefits of GPS and WWAN + WUSB. Another question I had was after looking at one of the training videos for the x300....it looks like WI-MAX comes standard on all x300 models. Is that correct?

CTO models aren't available bare, if that's what you're asking about.   the only way to buy one is to configure it on lenovo.com.

paraphrasing bill bolton in another post, wimax chips won't be available for a while and possible not until mid-year.   however, the wimax antenna(e) very well may be pre-installed as i could only find one part number for an antennae assembly.

Oh did you find these models already available to pre-order from some places? Strangely Lenovo's announcements show a $790 difference in MSRP between these two models!?

MSRP prices for machine type 6478 (6478-1JU listed at $2999)

MSRP prices for machine type 6477 (6477-1ZU listed at $3789)

Yet both pages have nearly identical descriptions. Only notable wording differences I found are in part of the software preload:

6478
Microsoft Office Ready 2007
Microsoft Office Professional 2007
Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 with Microsoft Office Professional 2007 Trial
Microsoft Office Basic 2007 with Microsoft Office Professional 2007 Trial
Verizon (connection through Access Connections)
AT&T (connection through Access Connections)

6477
Microsoft Office Ready 2007 Trial
Microsoft Office Professional 2007 Hybrid
Microsoft Office Small Business 2007 with Microsoft Office Professional 2007 Trial Hybrid
Microsoft Office Basic 2007 with Microsoft Office Professional 2007 Trial Hybrid
VZAccess Manager on systems with Verizon Broadband wireless access
AT&T Communications Manager on systems with AT&T Broadband wireless access

Strange!

I'm also curious why the 6476 CTO models come with only 1yr warranty while the preconfigured models (6478 and 6477 so far) come with 3yr?

EDIT: While we're at it, how come the normal (not counting the sale) price of the 6476 CTO models start at over $3K before adding in some of the options, while a fully-loaded pre-configured model such as the 6478-1JU come in at under $3K? Makes no sense...

And truth be told I'd preferred the 6478-1JU and 6477-1ZU models to come with Vista Ultimate instead of Vista Business. I plan to do the Windows Anytime Upgrade to Ultimate, but it's one more cost to pay. Oh well at least I read that Microsoft is now lowering it's Vista purchase/upgrade prices across the board...

Anyone that finds these pre-configured U.S. TopSeller models available to (pre-)order please do let us know (especially the 6478-1JU). Much appreciated!

you can order any of the models listed in tabook by calling 866-96-THINK.

also, please add your location to your profile, even if it's as vague as "USA".   this helps everyone know where you are to better answer questions.   had you not said you were looking for US topseller models, i'd have to ask where you were located.   thank you.

Oh I must've forgotten to do that, thanks for the reminder erik!

Hmm, I wonder if Lenovo sales at that number sells the US TopSeller models exactly at MSRP (guess I'll have to find out). If so, I wonder how much of a discount 3rd-party vendors will have, when they start listing these models...

Hopefully they'll also be able to tell me why there's a $790 difference between 6478-1JU and 6477-1ZU.

Well I just called and the sales rep told me that he can't find the MTM 6478-1JU in the system (which the tabook lists as available Feb).

He'd first told me he was checking on the MTM and put me on hold, then came back with an ETA of 2-3 weeks. But when I asked about the price, he said it depends on the configuration and that it starts at $2548 right now. Turns out he was referring to the CTO currently on their website. Then he finally said he couldn't find the MTM I gave him...

Anyone had better luck?

Lenovo no longer stocks pre-configured models (applies only to the US and Canada), you can only find them from resellers or on lenovo outlet, this information is all coming from persons I've talked to on 1-866-96 THINK number, however lenovo does introduce "Buy Today, Ship Today" program from time to time.

Oh I see, thanks ryengineer.

Again, if anyone finds these to (pre-)order please do let us know...

I was able to order a 6478-1JU on 2/26 by calling the 866-96-THINK number without any problem. Delivery date is showing as 4/11, about one week later than the delivery date for X300's ordered on the website.

beq, you should call again to see if you can order a pre-configured system now, who knows maybe lenovo has added thinkpad X300's MTM in their system recently ( ) and minehan, please add a location in your profile as Admins require it.

I still can't do it. minehan, can you tell us how much it was?

Spoke with a 2nd Lenovo sales rep (sales option for Home/Home Office) who wanted to know where I saw the MTM -- maybe he'd fielded similar calls from other customers? He didn't seem to be aware of the tabook though. Anyways he said that the only X300 he knows of that Lenovo currently sells is the 6476 CTO from the website (he'd also placed me on hold to get more information about where to get the preconfigured models but came up empty).

I then spoke with a 3rd sales rep (sales option for Business) who reiterated the same info as above, with even more conviction. She confirmed I'd have to look at partner resellers/3rd-party vendors for pre-configured models...

My online search did not find anyone with 6478-1JU or 6477-1ZU in stock (some vendors do list other pre-configured X300 MTMs as being in stock but I wasn't interested):

Colamco:
6478-1JU $2834.94
6477-1ZU $3320.11

Insight:
6478-1JU $2981.99
6477-1ZU $3452.02

CDW:
6478-1JU $2999.99
6477-1ZU $3789.99

NextWarehouse:
6478-1JU $3100.60
6477-1ZU $3563.16

onSale:
6478-1JU $3189.99
6477-1ZU $4019.99

Softchoice:
6478-1JU $2998.17

Libi:
6478-1JU $2999.00

PC Connection:
6477-1ZU $3789.00

Buy.com seems to have 2 listings of each X300 item (including accessories):
6478-1JU $2999.00
6478-1JU $3079.99

6477-1ZU $3558.99
6477-1ZU $3601.99

beq, price is $2,999. I received the confirmation email and can track the status of my order so i know it is a valid order.

I used the sales option for Home/Home Office. Perhaps it was just blind luck on my part and maybe the agent wasn't supposed to take the order but it looks like they are going to honor it. My only suggestion is to keep trying.

I'll try again tomorrow, but my stumbling block is that the reps I spoke with could not even find the MTM in their system

I always started out with the machine type and model 6478-1JU, and when they say they can't find it, then I mention that it's an X300 model, then the conversation pretty much ends...

I was able to order (at least so they told me) a pre-configured 6477-1ZU today (Monday) through a higher education rep, but not off the website. I asked him about the 6478-1JU and why its list price was much less but the specs were the same. He couldn't tell me anything about it, but said the 6478-1JU model showed up in his database as "discontinued."

I found shopblt.com from Google:

6478-1JU $2813.42

But they warn that "orders for in-stock items and factory direct shipments cannot be cancelled" which might mean that you can't cancel your X300 order if you got it earlier from somewhere else... They also show 21 units having been backordered thus far and only 13 units coming in this month.


Also found SHI-GS government/education reseller (not general public):

6478-1JU $XXXXXXXX

Note from Moderator: I will never understand what's so difficult to understand about the Rule prohibiting discussion of pricing for special programs.

CDW has seven models listed but none in stock.

http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/results. ... enovo+x300

Do you guys know if the pre-configured models with 2 GB of RAM have one stick or two sticks?

i.e., 6478-1JU

the tabook says the 2GB pre-config models have one 2GB SODIMM installed with one slot free.