Thinkpads Forum

so, I am considering upgrading from my X31 when my tax return comes in. the hazard of being a gadget geek, I suppose. I'm looking for advice/suggestions for what to replace it with. I've been leaning towards a Z61t if I can get one, but I thought I would ask the forum. I would primarily be using it for web browsing (and on the rare occasion that I fly somewhere, keeping me from throttling the person who keeps kicking the back of my seat ).

I don't really want a screen bigger than 14 inches, so should I plan on a Z6xt , or would a T6x be a wiser/cheaper bet, or is there a third option I'm not aware of?

Z61t are hard to find.
T60 with 14" SXGA+ is relatively easy to find and also reasonable in price. Check the Marketforum and place a WTB if none available.
If you don't need a permanent DVD drive, consider an X60/1 (non-tablet) with Xbase as a grown-up version of your X31.

I'm used to working without an optical drive. I'd probably try to get an ultrabay battery for whatever I got. I'm just wanting something a little bigger than an X series.

You may find dr_st’s comparison helpful: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=73194

Also, measured on a digital scale, my T61 14w with standard battery and DVD/CDRW drive installed weighs 5 lb 1.5 oz. My Z61t (titanium lid) with the same configuration is 5 lb 1.7 oz. The black lid Z61t’s will be somewhat lighter.

informative, but the exact physical specs and weight aren't that much a concern to me, as I won't be traveling with it much (I don't think). I'm more concerned with performance and battery life (and I know the last is a wildly variable element).

basically, I would like (with extended batteries/ultrabay batteries) to be able to get through a medium-length flight (~3 hours) watching a movie or two (ripped from DVD to H.264). I wonder if the Z61t could do that, given that a GMA950 is not known for being good at... well, anything, really...

You're on the right track with Z61t IMO...

Patience is the virtue when it comes to any specific Z series model that one might be looking for. I've seen them go for way less than a somewhat comparable T60. Truth be told, they were not well-loved when they were new, and are not gaining tremendous popularity by aging either. You can get a lot and not feel too much pain...

Another option worth considering would be a R60 with Intel graphics, these can also be found for reasonably low amount of money.

Good luck.

something I just thought of in this matter: keyboard feel. my X31 has a surprisingly long throw on it's keyboard, which I like a lot (my desktop keyboard is a Model M, so no surprise there). what is the keyboard like on the Z series?

I’ve never used an X3x machine so I’m not entirely sure what you mean by “long throw”.

The “feel” and usability of the NMB keyboards on my T41 and T61 are about the same as the keyboard on my Z61t (I’m not sure of the part # or mfg on the Z). The X31 keyboard is 97% the size of the T (or Z) series keyboard. I did own an X22 which is also 97%. I prefer the larger keyboard of the T size.

All in all, the Z keyboard is a typical Thinkpad keyboard.

FWIW, T6x/R6x/Z6x keyboard is the same one...although to me personally, it feels quite differently from ones used on T4x series.

It feels somewhat "lighter" for a lack of better word, and the travel is slightly different, but there's no mistaking it for anything else...it is a ThinkPad keyboard.

George hit the mark with his analysis of T6x/Z6x/R6x keyboard versus T4x/R5x. My feelings are just the same.