Thinkpads Forum

I am going to be carrying around a laptop pretty much all day (although it only needs 3-4 hours of battery life) and I am really torn as what size to go for. I really like the Dell M1330, but it's a Dell and is not even in the same league build quality wise as the Thinkpad T61. Not to mention, the T61 can take two hard drives, so a 32GB Mtron SSD + 320GB hard drive would be sweet...

I am just concerned about the size/weight of the 14.1 widescreen. I have never seen one in person before, and I don't know if I would get sick of it after a month or so...

Any experiences?

EDIT: How come out of ten+ pages in the lenovo outlet there is not a single 14in widescreen t61? I don't get it....

I carry a T60 14.1 4:3 everyday. But many colleagues opt for X60s.

Used my T41 14, and now my T61 14.. No problems for me. I carried my T41 everywhere.. and now my 61 will go everwhere =)

14.1" widescreen is perfect, fits perfectly in my backpack, I still kinda want a 2nd laptop though =)

I lug my 15.4" about fairly often and most backpacks these days accommodate a 15".

computerpro3, every person's tolerance is different. For me, even 3 pounds is too much to carry around all day, which is why the only "computer" that I am willing to carry around all the time is my Palm Centro smartphone (I'm typing this post on it at an airport). Why don't you put a few books that total 5.7 pounds (=14.1" T61 plus AC adapter) into your backpack, in addition to all the other stuff that's normally in the same bag, to see if you can tolerate that.

In a backpack it's fine. Even 15" is fine in a backpack. I'm not sure I would enjoy carrying anything 14"+ in a shoulder bag all day long, though.

I carry my 14-inch T41 everywhere, and have a T61p 14-inch 4:3 machine on order.

I *need* to carry my machine, but it is too heavy. The *only* reason I don't use an "X" is the lack of a CD bay, which I use a lot.

... JDH

jdhurst wrote:I carry my 14-inch T41 everywhere, and have a T61p 14-inch 4:3 machine on order.

I *need* to carry my machine, but it is too heavy. The *only* reason I don't use an "X" is the lack of a CD bay, which I use a lot.

... JDH

There is always the X300 with CD/DVD built in. I just can not do a 13" screen!

Now that I've got one, I'm finding the 14-inch, T61 widescreen is too heavy + bulky to make a good, travel machine. It'll do, but it's not the ideal thing to be trying to fit onto a restaurant table, or onto an airline tray-table. After using an X30 for years, I find the tablespace requirements of the T61 sometimes get in the way when I'm on the move.

If you need 3-4 hours of battery life, then you'll need more than the four-cell battery that I have. So a bigger battery will add weight and bulk. Or you'll need to plug in all the time, which is a bit of a pain.

The words "your mileage may vary" really apply here. Using an X30 for years certainly colors my opinion of larger models. To some extent, it's all down to what you're used to.

I own a T61 widescreen and I’m taking it to university quite often.
As I’m able to leave the folder with printed presentation sheets at home my backpack is not heavier with the thinkpad in it, rather lighter.
The T61 fits just perfect on the small tables in the train and for me it’s the perfect size to work on all day (I don’t need to hook up a larger display at home).

But I have to say, carrying it around in a side bag is not comfortable for me (too heavy and unhandy) …

Well, having owned a few differently sized laptops and working as a helpdesk consultant during my college years I believe I can offer some useful information.

In terms of just lugging it around, no I do not think a 14.1 T60 would be too heavy for most folks barring medical conditions. Most of the students I encountered at the helpdesk purchased the school's de-facto 14.1 inch d600 and accompanying shoulder bag, and I never heard of a complaint or a desire from a student for a lighter machine. Based on this, and my own experiences lugging a 15.1 around (no problem), you shouldn't have a problem. If anything, you could get a sleeve for it and lighter bag if you really want to minimize the weight. Laptop bags weigh alot more than folks realize, as do briefcases.

But, note as pianowizard said, everyone's tolerance's are different. Furthermore, there are a few complaints in this thread about the weight. For reference, I am about 5' 10'' and 155 lbs with a very average build.

Perhaps you could load up a bag that you'd use to take the machines around with a few books as another suggested and see how you feel.

Now, I think there is a more pressing matter at stake here - what's really important is where are you going to be using the machine? You would be amazed at the difference having an x61 over a t61 could make in cramped quarters - as other members have touched upon. This is the critical distinction between the machines. Using an x61 on a table at a restaurant or coffee shop can be worlds easier than using a t61 widescreen 14.1. The same holds for certain airline seats, cramped train quarters, etc.

So I'd mainly ask yourself where you're going to be using the machine. If you truly are going to use it WHILE traveling, as in in the seat of a car, during a meeting with a client over lunch, I'd opt for the x61 no doubt. If you are going to bring it with you while traveling and use it only on desks, or if you know the places you will be using it are not cramped, the t61 should not hinder you.

Hope this helped,

-Matt Brown

Wow, thanks for the excellent insight everyone.

So far I am really leaning towards the T61. It is very rare that I will be using it in a travel environment (plane, car, etc). Maybe only 10 times a year. I will be using it every single day for taking notes and the like, however. Also, on every vacation and break from school, it will serve as my main desktop for up to a month at a time. This is why I ruled out the X61 - it is not powerful enough to serve as my desktop during breaks, and it is really limited on the upgrade front thanks to the soldered cpu.

That's why it is coming down to the M1330 or the T61 - honestly, I can't imagine there being that much of a difference between a 13.3in notebook and a 14.1 in notebook. For putting up with a little more bulk, I get a faster notebook with a higher resolution, dual hard drives (which is critical because of my SSD plans), better build quality, and a better keyboard. Not to mention, it is a lot cheaper than the Dell thanks to me getting CPP due to an uncle working at IBM.

The pictures just make the t61 look incredibly thick, but I have a feeling that the pictures make it look worse than real life would....

Hey,

glad you found the advice here useful. This place is definitely awesome when it comes to getting questions like this answered.

I totally think you should go for the T61 if you're going to be bringing it home on breaks as your primary PC. I actually own an x61 at the moment and love it to death as a side-PC. When i have to crunch numbers in excel, do some editing, or do some gaming, I must have my desktop. For everything else I use the x61 - and it has really "freed" me computing wise due to its incredibly convenient size and 8-cell lasting a good 6 hours with ethernet. However, I'm going abroad to China for a year and I'm going to trade in the X for a juicy 15.1 t61p. I can't fathom only having the X for when I need to crunchdown in excel or kick back with some WoW. It will be tough not being able to just toss it in my briefcase and be off to do work wherever I please, but the raw computing power I've become so accustomed to having I cannot give up

edit: I can't speak personally about the thickness of the t61, but I did own a 14.1 t42 and it was incredibly thin. Probably the thinnest 14.1 laptop I've ever handled that didn't feel like it was going to break in my hands. IIRC the t61 pictures on the lenovo site are the 14.1 widescreen - you can opt for a non-widescreen to get a very slim overall package where the keyboard defines the edges of the machine.

I carry one almost everyday, commute in downtown Chicago once a week for client meetings, walk 10+ blocks each way with it, a roll of blueprints, a camera, a flashlight, tape measure, clipboard, papers, etc in a messenger bag, and it poses no problem at all. Oh, I am 53 years old, but in pretty good shape from cycling for a lot of years (not so much lately, though )

There are times I thought about an X61, but frankly, while they are smaller, they really aren't much lighter. Battery life on the X61 is probably a lot better, though. So, like the earlier poster said, where you will be using it and how long you have to have it running on batteries are going to be more important factors than the weight. For me and my old eyes, a bigger screen helps too!

I carry my T60 (as well as the T40 before that, and the T23 before that) with me every day. I don't feel it is bulky or a hinderance, and since it's my only machine I couldn't opt for an X series, just like you. I did get a 9-cell to compliment my 6 cell though, the 6cell just wasn't doing it for me battery life wise.

CYoung234 wrote:while they are smaller, they really aren't much lighter.

Have you tried carrying one? For me, the difference between a 5.2lb 14.1" T series and a 2.8lb X series is shoulder pain versus checking the backpack several times a day to make sure the laptop is in there.

pianowizard wrote:

CYoung234 wrote:while they are smaller, they really aren't much lighter.

Have you tried carrying one? For me, the difference between a 5.2lb 14.1" T series and a 2.8lb X series is shoulder pain versus checking the backpack several times a day to make sure the laptop is in there.

Had X20, T41, T60 in that order. Seriously thinking to go with a X61s next due to what you said.

sjthinkpader wrote:Had X20, T41, T60 in that order. Seriously thinking to go with a X61s next due to what you said.

Assuming your X20 had a 1024x768 screen, it weighed close to 3.5 lb. A 2.7lb X61s would indeed feel significantly lighter. However, I notice in your signature that you are using high-resolution displays, so you might feel hindered by the X61s's low-res screen.

my blueprints usually weigh more than the T61 does, so no, I do not notice the difference. And no, I do not suffer from any shoulder pain - my messenger bag distributes the load pretty well.

I have held an X60, but have not commuted with one, so I cannot really comment on whether I would feel the difference. Frankly, I am not understanding your comment about a 2.5 lb difference causing shoulder pain - maybe if the strap on your bag is too small?

CYoung234 wrote:I am not understanding your comment about a 2.5 lb difference causing shoulder pain

That's after walking around for half an hour or more.

I prefer to travel with an X61s - but primarily because of airplane table space. I carry around a 14.1" T-series all the time and it seems fine. No heavier than a textbook.

Same here. Got the T61 14" 4:3 and it's a very nice size and weight indeed. Not too heavy to carry around for a long time either. My ol' T42 15" (std screen, obviously) was larger, seemed heavier and somehow even felt bulkier.


.... but it had a much nicer screen (IPS Flexview).... I miss it so much!

I had a T40, T60...both 14.1" and just got an x61s. I have begun traveling 30-40% of the week, and many times need to be able to use my laptop all day. The T60 was great when I was not traveling as much, but I began needing to carry spare batteries (carried 2-9 Cells and 1-6 Cell) as my schedule intensified.

For me carrying the T60 with literally 3lbs of batteries plus charger became a bit much and decided to opt for lighter unit with longer life...HOWEVER if I only needed to use it for 3-4 hours I would still use the T60.

I agree with awolf...as I am traveling alot the x61s 12.1 has been alot more comfortable to use when I fly.

Hope this helps.

I find the T60 14" weight to be okay on a normal day, but when your down/frustrated/exhausted it can be a real lead weight...!!

My next computer will be an X for that reason alone.

The 14" T60 is about as wide as you could reasonably handle on a plane seat table, so I wouldn't go widescreen or 15".

Battery life is good, but the long X series battery life would be a true convenience.

I know this is a T6x forum, but I feel like I should chip in a little. I have used my T42 for more than 3 years, until I upgraded to a X61 near the end of last year.

The 5-lb T42 (6-cell without optical drive) is not ideal for carrying to meetings and laboratories, not to mention that the footprint that's too large for an average coach class airplane table. When meetings and trips were less frequent, the T42 was fine, especially with all its muscle as my desktop replacement. But as the number of meetings and trips increased, I found myself complaining about its heft. That is why I chose a X61 over a T61p, although the latter would be much better for the engineering applications I run.

I have taken my X61 to really long trips and even vacations. I did not feel its heft amongst my other luggage. And it fits coach class tray tables and the battery lasts long enough for a long movie.

If weight is a big concern, why not get a X61 and supplement it with a desktop workstation at home? Desktop computers are so much cheaper for the same performance as their laptop counterparts. (Q6600 processor, 1024MHz FSB, 8800GT SLi, etc)

I carry my 14.1 4:3 thinkpad to classes. It's the biggest I want to go. I want a 14.1'' widescreen for classes.

15.4'' is too big for me. Takes up too much desk space.

I carried around a x40 (with extended battery) daily for almost three years.

I recently purchased a 14.1" t61p (4:3 screen) as its replacement.

the difference in weight is very noticeable. you would think that 1-2 lbs wouldn't make this big of a difference, but does.

x40 felt like a little notepad. t61p feels like a computer.

I regret my t61p purchase (in fact, trying to trade for x61 in the trade forums). I would recommend the x61 if you can live with the screen resolution.

genefid wrote:I regret my t61p purchase

Have you tried replacing the 9-cell battery with a 6-cell one, and the optical drive with a travel bezel? That would shed about 0.7 lb.