Thinkpads Forum

What is the difference between a T61 and a T61p? The only immediately apparent difference is that the T61p comes reconfigured with a graphics card, while the T61 does not. That said, a T61 can be ordered with a graphics card, which would appear to make it equal to a T61p. Is there anything else that would make them intrinsically different? Is there anything else that would make a T61p run better (for CAD applications) that the T61 doesn't have? Is the T61p designed to operate better than a T61 (all other things (processor, memory, etc.) being equal) with a graphics card? Also, the T61 can be ordered with a WUXGA display while the T61p cannot. This seems kind of odd since the T61p is supposed to be the "better" machine for applications requiring graphic performance. The WUXGA is very "easy" to look at all day. It can be viewed from any angle with negligible degradation in image quality (I had this display on a T60p that I had once used). How is the display quality and viewing angle on a WSXGA? I have not used one of these.

Just to make you even more confused... I actually ordered a T61. I ordered through educational pricing. I selected the higher end graphics card. My order still says T61 everywhere, the machine type is T61.

When I received the machine, the sticker on it says T61p. So which is it? lol...

Call 1-866-96-THINK to have your Thinkpad T61p configured with WUXGA, you can note that your order will significantly be delayed for few more weeks than a standard offering as due to extreme demand lenovo is having intermittent problem outsourcing this particilar resolution.

Um, there is a significant difference between the nVidia Quadro NVS 140M (which comes with the T61) and the nVidia Quadro FX 570M (which comes with the T61p). Try looking for 3DMark scores, and you'll see what I'm talking about. This is the main reason for purchasing a T61p.

Pocket Aces wrote:Um, there is a significant difference between the nVidia Quadro NVS 140M (which comes with the T61) and the nVidia Quadro FX 570M (which comes with the T61p). Try looking for 3DMark scores, and you'll see what I'm talking about. This is the main reason for purchasing a T61p.

But can't I take out the 140M and place in a 570M? that should make it equal right?

I'm curious because today Lenovo having a 25% off. Looked through T61 15" and T61p 15", there is a slight price difference. with T61p higher price of course.

Ideasmiths wrote:But can't I take out the 140M and place in a 570M? that should make it equal right?

the GPU is soldered onto the system planar.   the only way to change it is to order a new planar.

erik wrote:

Ideasmiths wrote:But can't I take out the 140M and place in a 570M? that should make it equal right?

the GPU is soldered onto the system planar. the only way to change it is to order a new planar.

Right....

So can I safely say that the only difference between T and Tp is only this graphic thing?

Ideasmiths wrote:So can I safely say that the only difference between T and Tp is only this graphic thing?

exclusive to the p series are the available display options (15.4" WUXGA and 14.1" SXGA+), discreet GPU (nvidia 570M 128/256), and WUSB (currently only on the 15.4" CTO models).

erik wrote:

Ideasmiths wrote:So can I safely say that the only difference between T and Tp is only this graphic thing?

exclusive to the p series are the available display options (15.4" WUXGA and 14.1" SXGA+)

WUXGA - yes, SXGA+ is available on non-p series.

dr_st wrote:WUXGA - yes, SXGA+ is available on non-p series.

looks like you're correct.   i hadn't noticed.

You guys should check this one out:

645L3A7256 ThinkPad T61 WIDESCREEN $1,234.50 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic 15.4 WUXGA TFT 2 X 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory Intel Turbo Memory 1GB 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro) 9 cell Li-Ion Battery Bluetooth w/ antenna 1 Year Standard Depot Warranty

645L3A7244 ThinkPad T61 WIDESCREEN $1,165.96 $1,936.70 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic 15.4 WUXGA TFT 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory 100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro) 9 cell Li-Ion Battery Bluetooth w/ antenna 1 Year Standard Depot Warranty


645L3A7315 ThinkPad T61 WIDESCREEN $1,182.18 $2,218.00 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz 800MHz 4MBL2) Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium 15.4 WUXGA TFT 2 x 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory 100GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN (supporting Centrino Pro) 9 cell Li-Ion Battery Bluetooth w/ antenna 1 Year Standard Depot Warranty


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I wish I live in US so can can grab one right away!

Bump! Sort of... I remain fairly confused with the distinction between these models. I started a CTO from the 15.4 wide/discrete T61p tree, and the default was WSXGA+ and NV140 (remember, this was the T61p CTO). When I chose the WUXGA panel, it also changed the video card to the NV570. When I got to the end and placed the order, everything says T61, not T61p. I am guessing that if you get the NV570, they just slap a 'p' sticker on it in production (woo hooo!). I think that is to warn them in the depot that it is probably snarfed if it has 2 ram sticks in it...

Note: Diehard - you didn't specify which video card was in the T61's you listed

I agree. My former T60p also said "T60" on it, but it was upgraded with the high-end ATI FireGL V5200/256MB. That, along with 15" and an IPS Flexview SXGA+ screen makes it a T60p. There are tools you can run that do benchmark tests, and every single one I ran, came back with "Lenovo Thinkpad T60p" lol...My new one actually says it, too, but it didn't bother me much.

Alright, as I'm transitioning from my one T60p to another. here is what's different. BETTER DESIGN...and it's LIGHTER. I had always thought, well, this is portably my imagination, but it feels lighter. It IS lighter. You can best tell by the palmrest, and I just now as I saw this thread, and measured it. Sooooooooooo...

My SXGA+ T60 is by CONFIGURATION ONLY a T60p.

My UXGA T60p is both by CONFIGURATION and DESIGN a T60p

Wow, I had a busy week, so while I had always been suspicious, I just proved it having them both right next to each other.

T60p all the way, baby!!

EDIT: Whoops...Says T61 vs. T61p, so I am not sure about that of course. But if it's anything like the T60's and T60p's, it's the design AND the graphics. They both "feel" like high-quality, if you know what I mean, but the T60p, gulp, it's lighter, thinner, and feels awesome. In fact, it doesn't get as hot, so maybe whatever they're made out of, maybe absorbs the heat better!? This is a pure guess. The WiFi antennas are also better. All strange, but all GOOOD!!!!