Price Check: Z61p

[knight427]

ThinkPad Z61p (model number: 9452-JRU)
T7200 Intel Centrino Duo Core (2GHz), 3GB RAM, 100GB 7200rpm HD,
15.4in 1920x1200 LCD, 256MB ATI FireGL V5200 Graphics,
CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Bluetooth/Modem,
1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, IEEE 1394, Fingerprint reader, extra capacity 9c Li-Ion batt
including dock and IBM carry bag

Curious about system price versus part-out price, though being in good condition, would probably keep as a system.

[ajkula66]

I thought you were looking for an IPS-equipped unit...

Z series is funny. Great machines to keep, but a pain to sell.

Depending on condition, I'd say between $225 and 275.

[AMATX]

I thought you were looking for an IPS-equipped unit...

Z series is funny. Great machines to keep, but a pain to sell.

Depending on condition, I'd say between $225 and 275.

Yup. World has passed these by, so no market for 'em. Good little boxes for web surfing and minor work, though.

$200+

[TuuS]

I think these are great machines, well designed. It's a shame they didn't continue the series.

I'd say Georges prices are about right, perhaps a bit more especially if it's in nice condition. I have one myself and love it.

[knight427]

I thought they would be worth more with the high res screen, same era C2D as T61p but with a non-defective GPU. I thought I had found a deal on CL that I could flip for a little profit, but apparently not. Thanks for the quick replies.

I'll focus on getting a T60 body to work with. I may have found one. What's a fair price for a T60 body, no HDD, no power adapter and a bad mobo? Supposedly screen (and everything else) worked before mobo went out but the seller doesn't know the resolution (waiting on model number). Also I won't be able to test anything before buying since the mobo is bad.

EDIT: seller of the Z61p got an offer for $180 and I let it pass

[ajkula66]

Hardware-wise, Z61p is the equivalent of T60p, not T61p.

The only thing that would equal T61p is the screen.

Z60 is a widescreen T43.

Z61 is a widescreen T60.

Yes, the numbers are confusing...

[knight427]

Hardware-wise, Z61p is the equivalent of T60p, not T61p.

The only thing that would equal T61p is the screen.

Z60 is a widescreen T43.

Z61 is a widescreen T60.

Yes, the numbers are confusing...

Ah, I see. But still, the T60p seems to be much more popular than Z61p. Is this mostly because of the 4:3 vs 16:10 screen? Does the Z body lack the roll cage? I guess what I'm getting at is that even a similarly equipped T60p would have had some head room for profit at a purchase price of $180, while the Z61p does not (unless you found a motivated buyer). Is this due mostly to preference of form factor, or is there some other difference I'm missing.

Thanks to everyone participating here, I'm learning a lot.

[ajkula66]

The only T60p units that still sell well are the 15" IPS ones.

The last full-size FlexViews...

An excellent, top-shelf 14" T60p will not bring more than $250 nowadays, fully loaded, and even that might be a stretch...

Z series sold pretty poorly when new, and hasn't gained popularity as it aged. Only the models with Titanium lid bring a premium amongst some of us...the general public usually couldn't care less...

As I've stated above, great machines to use - very pretty as well IMO - but not a model line that sells well, short of high-end, fully loaded, Ti-lid examples in very good or better condition...

[AMATX]

Hardware-wise, Z61p is the equivalent of T60p, not T61p.

The only thing that would equal T61p is the screen.

Z60 is a widescreen T43.

Z61 is a widescreen T60.

Yes, the numbers are confusing...

Ah, I see. But still, the T60p seems to be much more popular than Z61p. Is this mostly because of the 4:3 vs 16:10 screen? Does the Z body lack the roll cage? I guess what I'm getting at is that even a similarly equipped T60p would have had some head room for profit at a purchase price of $180, while the Z61p does not (unless you found a motivated buyer). Is this due mostly to preference of form factor, or is there some other difference I'm missing.

Thanks to everyone participating here, I'm learning a lot.

Z series wasn't on the market long enough to sell in big numbers, plus with IBM premium pricing at the time, no bargain. If memory serves, it was the first Thinkpad with widescreen format. T series came along so soon afterward, was a bit better(don't remember details) and was a better fit with the public in terms of capabilities and pricing.

Not often remembered these days, but it wasn't that long ago that one paid BIG bucks to get a little bit more goodies on laptops. Fortunately, these days, even the cheapies have some real capabilities and functions.

I've have many Z61p Tpads over the years, and I think the first one I bought cost me $1100-1200 and that was used. Now days, not much more than $200 or so...

[underclocker]

All good conversation re: Z-series. I've owned several and still use a Z61m as my primary business machine. it is six years old! With an SSD, it's effectively as quick as any new machine for standard office tasks. The real limitation is the maximum usable memory of 3GB. I still like the rounded edge and corner design more than my T510.

However, for selling/buying, the challenge is due to the other ThinkPads on the used market. I occasionally see T500 models below $300. Unless you are extremely nostalgic for this model, I don't know why you'd select it over a T500. The T500's and newer models are just great, fast machines.

Regarding the rollcage comment above, the 15.4" Z-series machines just didn't need them. They are big and heavy with very thick plastic and solid frames, and in some cases metal covers. They were very well made and rugged.