Thinkpads Forum

I have used most Thinkpads since the 7XX series but somehow managed to avoid the "R" series.

I now need a machine and would appreciate any advice between an R60 and T60 in terms of build quality. As I recall the "R" is mostly abs plastic and the "T" titanium cover?

My choices are narrowed to:

R60
Intel Core Duo 1.83GHz T5600 Processor
15" SXGA+ Screen (1400 x 1050)
ATI X1400 128MB Graphics (with approx. total memory 512MB)
2GB DDR2 Memory RAM
80GB SATA HDD
DVD/CD-RW (optical drive)
Intel abg wireless card, Gigabit Ethernet, HD Audio, Bluetooth, 56k Modem , UltraNav and Pointing Stick, Fingerprint Reader, Genuine Lenovo Power Adapter

or/

T60 (actually T60p)
Core Duo T2600(2.1GHz)
4GB RAM
100GB HDD
14.1in 1400x1050 LCD (NO MARKS)
256MB ATI FireGL V5200
DVDRW
802.11abg wireless
Bluetooth
Modem
1Gb Ethernet
9 cell Li-Ion Battery
AC Adaptor/Power Cord


The 15" is preferable but can live with 14" given that I get 4GB RAM (64-bit) and the same SXGA+ (screens both IPS?). Both similar price.

I will be running CentOS 6.3 Linux (runs very smooth on my current X60 CoreSolo).

Any reason you would prefer one strongly over the other?

Many thanks.

The chipset in these machines does not support more than 3GB RAM regardless of OS that you use...

None of these screens are IPS presently, and there were no 14" IPS panels to begin with...

My preference would be R60, since you could easily throw an IPS panel in there. T60p with V5200 will be on the warm side in a 14" shell.

The 15" R60 might have an IPS screen but need not be, the 14.1" T60p has a (mediocre) TFT screen.
The ATI X1400 only has 128MB dedicated graphics memory (not 512).
The R60 has a Core 2 Duo CPU and can run 64-bit OS, the T60p only a Core Duo for only 32-bit OS.
Both machines can only use 3GB out of the max. 4GB that you can put in.
DDR2 RAM is relatively cheap and an adapter is available everywhere.
Battery might be a point.
I would take the R60.
(and then upgrade to a super IPS UXGA screen with LED-backlight! )

OK, many thanks.

Yes, after owning a very hot X60s (esp. the wireless card) I don;t like warm laptops at all. The Core Solo X60 I have runs extremely cool almost cold (with the fan almost never running if ever) so I want to stay like this with a new machine.

I didn't know about the T60p max memory limit as he describes it as having 4GB (which I am sure it may have despite not being able to use it so it's truthful).

My only other choice is a cheap T400, but the build seems suspect on these as I read in a few places. I can get a cheap one with "1 pixel vertical line at the bottom of the display" but a bit worried also it might fail... I blame the T4X series for making me paranoid about GPU's here.

I'll keep on looking.

I'll try and see if the R60 has a decent screen!

If you want a good screen, then R60 is the way to go. The IPS, either SXGA+ or UXGA, is a straight swap on the R60 or R60e. I would look for one with the Intel GPU. The X1400 is too old to be worth anything, but does run hotter. My R60e is very similar to the one you posted. It works great as an every day machine, though is no longer a top performer. Throw in a SSD and you've got a very good machine for typical usage.