T60 vs. Z61m help me decide

[Chiana]

Its time to replace my R40 Thinkpad. I know what processor I want, how much ram, etc.

What I am undecided on is if I want a T60 or Z61m. What I do on my portable: graphic design, automotive software, MS Office, Adobe and Macromedia products and Cinema 4D. I do some gaming, but not a lot.

So, basically it boils down to screen size and battery life. I like high res screens and the 14" at 1024x768 resolution is just too low, things look too big.

Pro/cons of each screen size?

On the T60 I would eithe rget the 15" IPS TFT SXGA+ (1400x1050) or the 14.1 TFT SXGA+ (1400x1050). I think the 15.4" Wide screen just makes the machine too big.

On the Z61m I would get the 14.1" WXGA+ (1440x900 IIRC?)

Any otehr concerns/ options I should look at?

-Chris

[seeplus]

I believe the 14.1" Z series system is the Z61t. This is a sweet little system (rock solid and extremely portable,) but judging by your list of applications, I think a T60 might be more suited to your needs (if for no reason other than the more formidable discrete graphics card.)

The SXGA+ Flexview is far more suited for graphics applications than the traditional TN LCD in the 14"ers, as well. (I look at CS2 all day on mine...)

Someone in another thread said they may be discontinuing the 15" Flexview (non-widescreen), though, so if I were you I'd jump on one while you still can

On the T60 I would eithe rget the 15" IPS TFT SXGA+ (1400x1050) or the 14.1 TFT SXGA+ (1400x1050). I think the 15.4" Wide screen just makes the machine too big.

The 15.4" Wide is actually thinner than the 15" non-wide, and not as "deep." I don't think portability is hindered by the 15" non-wide, though, and I carry mine around in a backpack all the time. It's all about the screen.

[gator]

It's all about the screen.

Amen to that. Probably the most important difference between the Z and the T series is not the weight, but the availability of discrete graphics and quality of the LCD - in essense the difference between a matte and a glossy display. Some people, like me, cannot stand a glossy display (for eg., due to unavoidable overhead lighting in workplace). Others require a quality screen for thier media-related work (Photoshop, movie editing etc) and therefore the Z series is out of contention right away. Also, the T series has better options in choosing graphics - you get to choose between a 64/128 MB (or even 256 MB if you choose T60p) gfx card and the need for discrete graphics might make or break the decision in choosing Z series. Flexview displays are not available in Z series and some people prefer T series simply for the excellent (and expensive) Flexview screen (which you should note is available only on 15" models).

I do not think there is a difference in the build quality or performance of Z and T - both are solid laptops. Z series comes with some nice media additions like webcam and memory card reader, while the T series is a purebred business laptop (and therefore thinner and lighter for being more "mobile").

As you rightly mention, discrete graphics eat battery compared to the integrated solution from Intel and if you are going to be on the road most of the time, it might be cumbersome to carry a 9 cell or an additional 6 cell all the time. Again, it depends on your work - if you need 15" screen size and a quality LCD, T series is the way to go. A battery doesnt weigh much anyway! Screen resolution/Font size adjustment is a factor, but with Vista you should not have any issues adjusting font sizes to your comforts - in my personal opinion, I prefer high res screens, though it does make reading a tad difficult at times (when apps dont allow you to scale fonts). If you are going to be using a dock most of the time with an external monitor, go for a 14" T60 with a good graphics card - there is no point getting a 15" Flexview here, right?

All finally boils down to $$ and need. If you have the money and don't mind spending on a nice laptop, get a 15" flexview (provided you dont mind the size - 15" is BIG). If you want 15" and not particular about the 4:3 aspect ratio or the flexview screen, go for Z series, you can spend the $$s you save on RAM or a faster HDD. If you want good mobility (apart from choosing an X60), choose the 14" model - either T or Z should be fine, since the 14" T60 does not come with flexview anyway, though we get a 128MB card and 1400*1050 screen. 14" is the mobile champion

Sorry for the long, long post.

[Chiana]

I have heard of a flex view, but I don't know what one is and I haven't seen one. But I have heard they are great.


As for ordering one, is this it: 15" IPS TFT SXGA+ (1400x1050) ?

[gator]

I have heard of a flex view, but I don't know what one is and I haven't seen one. But I have heard they are great.


As for ordering one, is this it: 15" IPS TFT SXGA+ (1400x1050) ?

Yes, the one you say here is a flexview.

Flexview screens have excellent color reproduction and contrast, not to mention the very wide viewing angles. They are expensive, and are far, far superior to any laptop LCD that you see on the market. I have one on my T60 and it is simply excellent.

[Talon88]

:::

Just want to clear, The screen of Z6xt is matte.

The Z6xt is slimmer or same as T60.

The Z6xt only have 14" screen, no 15",
the 15" Z is m, not t.

The Z6xt is lighter or about the same as T6x 14"
Lighter than T6x 15"

The Z6xt =/= Z6xm
The Z6xt is slim & light,
the Z6xm is big & heavy.

:::

[sapibobo]

You have to choose Z series with WSXGA+ (1680X 1050) resolution screen. It is amazing. Look for LG manufactured LCD. Look for the titanium lid, it adds protection in the screen.

One thing i dislike in T series is lack of card reader. Besides that T series is powerful and a very solid laptop.

[Chiana]

You have to choose Z series with WSXGA+ (1680X 1050) resolution screen. It is amazing. Look for LG manufactured LCD. Look for the titanium lid, it adds protection in the screen.

The Z with the WSXGA+ is a 15.4" screen, which makes the machine too big for me.

Also, how do you tell if it would have a LG screen?

As for a card reader that doesn't matter much as I have a SD card USB drive for that. Its a bit larger then a standard jump drive, but it works for me.

Also, I wouldn't get the Ti lid. It adds .6 lb to the machine. Is it real Ti though or just something painted to look like Ti? If it is real Ti it would be pretty neat because you could take it off and anodize it to what you wanted.

[Chiana]

So, this is the machine config I am thinking about getting:

T60
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.00Ghz, 4mb
15" IPS TFT SXGA+
100 GB 7200 Harddrive
1 or 2 GB ram (does more ram = slower hibernate?)
ATI Mobility X1300 64 MB (would the X1400 w/128 mb suck more power?)
11a/b/g/n Wireless
9-cell battery

[Chiana]

So, I went over the Tabook PDF. It appears that they don't have the exact config I want. How rigid is IBM in sticking to that?

I also found that there is a UXGA resolution 15" flex view, and I'm a glutton for highres screens.

[seeplus]

I have the exact same config you list, excepting the graphics (I have ATI v5250 256mb) and it's a 2613-CTO T60p.

I also found that there is a UXGA resolution 15" flex view, and I'm a glutton for highres screens.

The UXGA screens have been discontinued (though I still see them on ebay -just the screen- for ~$300.) I read here today that the SXGA+ 15" IPS screen is also being discontinued, so if I were you I'd call a Lenovo rep and see if they can help you before it's too late. If they say they can't, call back and get a different sales rep.

I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever config you end up with; these are solid systems.

[Chiana]

I have the exact same config you list, excepting the graphics (I have ATI v5250 256mb) and it's a 2613-CTO T60p.

How is your battery life?