T60 or Z61m or wait for LED LCDs?

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thorin_2 · #1 Post by **thorin_2** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:30 am

I've been researching notebooks for almost three months now and I had narrowed my search down to the T60 notebook. RIght when I was going to purchased I discovered that Lenovo also sold a "Z" seriles notebook, with very similar specs to the "T" series. Main avantages of the T series being regular Carbon Fiber Plastic Mix vs. ABS, therefore slightly (~%20) lighter weight, and that's about it. The Z series is almost $150 less expensive (on my config specs) and has a Firewire port built in.
Question: Is it REALLY worth the 150 difference to get the T60, even though I really won't be using it for travel? Internally (structurally) is the T60 better or the same? I"m certain the Z series even has the magnesium roll cage.
On top of that difficult decision is the fact that LED+LCD laptops are, from what I've heard, just around the corner (probably from Apple and then HP, followed by others later). So should I put off purchased for a few months, possibly longer, until IBM catches up? Or is the benefit of the LED+LCD (lower wattage, higher NITs) really not all that important? *sigh* I'm stuck in decision paralysis, as $2000 for a notebook is a HUGE amount of money for me, yet no other notebook offers the specs I'm looking for (for programming, VMWARE use) than this one, OTHER than DELL - however their quality sucks so forget them. OK, I'm rambling now. I reallly would like to hear from folks who've used both the 61M and T60 and can comment on the differences and whether they feel one is superior to the other.

THanks!

nxman · #2 Post by **nxman** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:13 pm

I have them both the Z60M + T60 i think the Z is better built and it has more ports the only downside is the weight in the other side T series is liter weight , thinner , and mobile and made from materials that have a better quality my advice if you ok with weight go with Z series.

Rwang · #3 Post by **Rwang** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:15 pm

LED LCDs will not be around the corner. They haven't made wide appearance in the desktop market yet. Don't expect them to appear on laptop soon either.

own6volvos · #4 Post by **own6volvos** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:22 pm

Rwang wrote:LED LCDs will not be around the corner. They haven't made wide appearance in the desktop market yet. Don't expect them to appear on laptop soon either.

A few ultra portable laptops have LED backlight.

RUSH2112 · #5 Post by **RUSH2112** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:44 pm

Yea don't hold your breath on those LED displays

FBTO · #6 Post by **FBTO** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:08 pm

I am/was in the EXACT boat as you. I was torn between the two. But then I thought about it, my current laptop has firewire and s-video and all that jazz, but in the 4 years I have had, I never really used it.

So, I decided to go for the power, lightweight, and what I have been hearing (I am sure it will be argued) the best thinkpad out there, and that is the T60. I went for the 8741C3U. Ordered it yesterday!!! Can't wait!!! Everyone I spoke with said this machine is SUPER powerful!! Even the sales guy on the Lenovo line seemed a bit N_V_S!!

Whatever...I can't wait to click on something, and have it pop immediately!!! Can't wait.

So back to your question, can't really tell why one is better than the other, but I went with the t60p.

mikesugar · #7 Post by **mikesugar** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:35 pm

The T is a little thinner when closed and the keyboard is a little lower to the ground.

Not sure, but I think some Zs don't come with the touchpoint.

Zs have a glossy screen coating.

Zs don't have flexview available.

Zs only come in Wide.

dsalyers · #8 Post by **dsalyers** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:49 pm

mikesugar wrote:
Zs have a glossy screen coating.

At least the Two Z61ps that I have had did not have a glossy coating. Dunno about the rest

pianowizard · #9 Post by **pianowizard** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:46 pm

Rwang wrote:LED LCDs will not be around the corner.

The ultralight X60s's have LED LCDs.

dr_st · #10 Post by **dr_st** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:56 am

mikesugar wrote:Zs have a glossy screen coating.

I haven't ever heard of a Z-series laptop having glossy coating.

NS · #11 Post by NS » Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:24 am

dr_st wrote:
mikesugar wrote:Zs have a glossy screen coating.
I haven't ever heard of a Z-series laptop having glossy coating.

Neither do i. If there is ever 1 Z-series with a glossy coating LCD, i will consider in buying a Z-series and add into my thinkpad collection.

iatacs19 · #12 Post by **iatacs19** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:22 am

I don't know how soon IBM/Lenovo will have the LED LCD, but it's in production right now:

http://www.digit-life.com/news.html?07/74/16#77416

thorin_2 · #13 Post by **thorin_2** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:55 pm

Thanks for everyone's help. I ended up purchasing the Z61M Advanced with everything I really wanted, for $1417. I opted for the 1.8GHZ chip vs. the 2.0 (7200) mainly because that other was $75 more and consumes 49Watts vs. 23Watts for the 1.8.

Other specs:
15.4 wide, WSXGA, black on black
100GB 7200RPM
Integrated fingerprint, bluetooth, wireless, etc.
ATI 1400 128MB
1.5GB RAM
6CELL
DVDRW

Almost $400 less than a similarly configured T60.

I'm very happy!

RObert Oslin

T60 or Z61m or wait for LED LCDs?

T60 or Z61m or wait for LED LCDs?

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