Are the T and R series the same difference?

[stkris]

I've been reading lenovo.com and searching this forum, but I'm not able to find any differences in the R and T series of Thinkpads.

As far as I can work out you can get the same CPU, screen and other features on both machines. So why the difference?

Are the R series made from flimsier materials to justify the price gap?

[stkris]

I found two differences!

The T-series has the Ultrabay.

The R-series has S-Video out.

[aaa]

The R's are often bigger than the equivalent T's.

I was just taking apart an R51 and it's equivalent, the T42, The T has alot more solid metal parts. The lid on the T is metal, on the R it's plastic.

However, the R5* series had optional firewire, and the T4* did not.

[stgreek]

I've been reading lenovo.com and searching this forum, but I'm not able to find any differences in the R and T series of Thinkpads.

As far as I can work out you can get the same CPU, screen and other features on both machines. So why the difference?

Are the R series made from flimsier materials to justify the price gap?

R series are consumer machines, T series are business machines. This means higher quality materials, usually longer base support and smaller, lighter machines more fitting for a "road warrior". The R series are pretty good as first laptops, college laptops, or home laptops.

In any case, R series are perfectly capable machines (especially the high-end p models), but just by looking at one side-by-side with a T series, you will simply understand the difference.

As a note, R series also have Ultrabay.

[stkris]

Thank you, aaa & stgreek.

[carbon_unit]

It also depends on which versions of R & T machines you are talking about. In the T6x & R6x series there is not much difference in weight and size. They generally use the same motherboard, display, battery and keyboards.
I have an R61 and it is just as nice as my T60. It has a bigger ultrabay, firewire and a built in card reader that the T60 does not have. Just as solid.

[Kyocera]

Are the R series made from flimsier materials to justify the price gap?

That's pretty close. If you go from a T to an R you'll definately notice the difference in build quality. The R is still fairly sturdy though.

[underclocker]

I'll spare everyone the history lesson and my opinions on R30's through R60's. (A search will yield my strong R-series support.)

However, I will say that 14" R61's and T61's are nearly identical. There is only a 1/8" thickness difference and a few ounces. Many parts are the same and the case finish is the same. Similarly configured, the price difference is not dramatic either.

Lenovo offers unique options with each model that differentiates the extremes, but an average R61 is an average T61.

And, the T61 doesn't always get the nod on better options. You can configure an R61 with a high resolution LCD and a camera, this option is not currently available for a T61.

[carbon_unit]

To clarify my earlier post, on the 4x and earlier T & R series there was a lot of difference in size, weight and materials. That difference is much smaller in the 6x series.

[ajkula66]

One would really need to draw a line between old, contracted-out R series that ended with R40 and the newer ones. And that's coming from someone who actually likes R40s...

R5x and R6x machines give excellent value for the money, and R50p (like I'm saying anything new here, coming from me... ) is by far my favourite "p" model of that generation. Just got a fairly basic R60 to play around with, and it's a very sweet machine. Especially given the price range that these can be found in nowadays...

T series is your classic business ThinkPad, which used to be IBM's bread and butter for years. In the old days, build difference was huge between, say, T23 and R30, but not as much today. High-end R5x and R6x machines have a very similar utility value as their T4x and T6x siblings...

But the idea of making the R series widescreen only still escapes me...

[thePCxp]

Some differences between the R series and the T series are:

The R series uses Ultrabay Enhanced, the T series uses Ultrabay Slim.
The R series is a bit thicker, the T series is thinner.
The R series is a bit heavier, the T series is lighter.
There is a difference in build material but in the R61 and T61 that difference is smaller, like, The 14 inch R61 and T61 both use the same material.
And those are all the differences that I can think of right now. The R and T series are very similar, but there some differences but those differences are small.
And by the way, the R series are as good as the T series. And I love all ThinkPads, I don't play favorites .

[underclocker]

Below is some current cost data for similar 14.1" widescreen R61/T61 models, note the R61 has FireWire. An average human being would have see both together to tell them apart! (I did use available discount links and coupons to achieve this pricing - which is quite incredible, historically speaking.)

ThinkPad R61 - 1 Year Depot Warranty
Ships within 1-2 weeks** $590.35

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)[1]
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic[12]
14.1 WXGA TFT
Intel GMA X3100 GM965 w/ 1394
1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)[8]
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
80GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm[4]
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Enhanced[5]
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ[10]
No Bluetooth
4 cell Li-Ion Battery[60]
7732: 1 Year Depot Warranty - Express

ThinkPad T61 with Integrated Graphics - 1 Year Depot Warranty
Ships within 1-2 weeks** $707.24

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)[1]
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic[12]
14.1 WXGA TFT
Intel GMA X3100 GM965
1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
80GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm[4]
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim[5]
ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ[10]
No Bluetooth
4 cell Li-Ion Battery[60]
7658: 1 Year Depot Warranty - Express

[Radioguy]

There's something frightening about a ThinkPad that costs less than $600. It may be a sign of the coming apocalypse.

[underclocker]

There's something frightening about a ThinkPad that costs less than $600. It may be a sign of the coming apocalypse.

Indeed. And considering that you can configure new ThinkPads in the $450 range (R61e), I'd say the apocalypse has arrived! This is with the dollar at the lowest level in decades!

[NS]

Are the R series made from flimsier materials to justify the price gap?

That's pretty close. If you go from a T to an R you'll definately notice the difference in build quality. The R is still fairly sturdy though.

Mike is speaking from years of usage out from his R52.

When you hold up the R series at the side with one hand, the plastic base will flex and same thing applies to the LCD. R series is bulky. T series have a rubbery touch.

[asiafish]

There's something frightening about a ThinkPad that costs less than $600. It may be a sign of the coming apocalypse.

Indeed. And considering that you can configure new ThinkPads in the $450 range (R61e), I'd say the apocalypse has arrived! This is with the dollar at the lowest level in decades!

I just bought (used) one of those super-cheap R61e models and fit and finish are every bit as good as any ThinkPad I've ever owned. Its a bit thicker than I like, but very sturdy. All-in-all, a very nice ThinkPad for a very low price.

Even the Celeron isn't bad. Its a true 64-bit chip and it handles Vista Business 64 Bit just fine if you've got the RAM.