Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

Today I was configuring a T61 with full features, webcam 4 gig memory 7200 rpm hard drive etc... The price was something around $2,400 and suddenly a thought came to my mind to configure R61 with the same specs and I was shocked that price was the same exactly $2,400 Isn’t the T series the flagship of ThinkPad’s and the R series supposed to be more pocket friendly?

maybe T series has more discount than R series?　well, its my assumption.

I did something similiar with two different configurations and in one case the T was like $90 more and in the other case the T was only $40 more...Which is good, I might spring for the T now as that is a reasonable price difference for the reduction in weight. When it was $400 or so like it was when I bought my R40 I couldn't justify it...

wolfman wrote:I might spring for the T now as that is a reasonable price difference for the reduction in weight.

Someone on this forum was saying that the weight difference between the R61 and the T61 has become very small, like 0.2 lbs. So, it might still be a good idea to get the R61 and save $40 - $90.

For fun I configured an R61... 2GHz, Nvidia, 100GB/7200, atheros, DVD-RW, 1GB (1 DIMM), BT, SXGA+, webcam, 6-cell, 3-year warranty... all for $1400, only a tad cheaper ($50) than a comparable T61.

Why is the T still classified as a "business" machine when the R now has many of the same protection features (rollcage, HD shock, etc.)??

Is there *anything* about the T that is better than the R in this day and age? Or are they essentially identical with that $50 difference being the price for 0.11 inches thinner and a few ounces lighter?

pipspeak wrote:Is there *anything* about the T that is better than the R in this day and age? Or are they essentially identical with that $50 difference being the price for 0.11 inches thinner and a few ounces lighter?

WWAN option and some portability as you quoted too.

Another point: Blu-Ray will be availble only on the R series - The T series uses Ultrabay slim and I don't think there is a 9mm blue ray drive yet.

R and T are getting really close, The R61 is even going to look like the T61, with the same rubbery lid.

ryengineer wrote:WWAN option and some portability as you quoted too.

That's it? Wow, once upon a time the T-series really was a flagship model. Now it's apparently just an also-ran.

I hate to hear talk like that. Especially since I just put an order in...

Tholek wrote:I hate to hear talk like that. Especially since I just put an order in...

Don't worry. It's not that the T-series has gone downhill, it's just that the R-series has gotten too good! The difference between an optimist and a pessimist!

I've heard of you "Glass half full" types, but never met one in person.

I hate to hear talk like that. Especially since I just put an order in...

You've still purchased the nicest laptop on the market :) People on this forum talk like that because they care, but Lenovo has delivered thus far..

My sales rep suggested that the Blu-Ray would only be available in Ultrabay Enhanced (R series) and not in Ultrabay Slim (T series). In addition he suggested WUXGA would be available in T series and not in R series.

For some reason you cannot buy a R series with four years of depot repair with ThinkPad protection. You can for the T series. With the R, for four years with ThinkPad protection, you have to buy on site repair, but with the T you can get either depot or on site with four years of ThinkPad protection. Marketing silliness?

I think the differences will be more apparent with future choices.

I'm ready to order when available a T61p with:
WUXGA display
7K200 Hitachi 200 gb hard drive
with camera preferred.
with Blu-ray preferred.
with Intel Turbo Memory and no WWAN.

If the R61p has WUXGA and 7k200 hard drive, I'd take that instead of T61p to get access to the Blu-Ray drive.

7K200 drive is important, as space and performance are sorely needed. However, I've heard reports that it's quite hot and noisy.

The DirectX 10 GPU, hopefully with 256MB RAM is also a necessity.

So now the R is better than T series?

Optimist: The Glass is half full.
Pessimist: The Glass is half empty.
Engineer: The Glass is too big.

Tholek wrote:I've heard of you "Glass half full" types, but never met one in person.

Davemci wrote:Optimist: The Glass is half full.
Pessimist: The Glass is half empty.
Engineer: The Glass is too big.

LOL! That was awesome!

gator wrote:Another point: Blu-Ray will be availble only on the R series - The T series uses Ultrabay slim and I don't think there is a 9mm blue ray drive yet.

R and T are getting really close, The R61 is even going to look like the T61, with the same rubbery lid.

The T61 uses the ultrabay slim and is as thick as the R61. The new design is terrible terrible terrible... is so disapointed...

Dead1nside wrote:7K200 drive is important, as space and performance are sorely needed. However, I've heard reports that it's quite hot and noisy.

Off topic, but had to reply, the 7K200 is awesome, no noise difference from the 7K100 and seems even cooler! I am very happy with my upgrade... aside from the Core2Duo 2.33 CPU swap

guys, correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the frontside bus speed faster on the T models?