Thinkpads Forum

I am looking at purchasing a T61 or a T/R400 in a few months or so. I am finding some pretty good deals, but how do they compare in terms of durability/build quality etc. Also, is the diffference in performance really huge from the T61 to the R400? Say I had a T61 with a T7300 2GB of RAM, and an R400 with a P8400 and 2GB of RAM.

Here are some of the deals I am finding:

T61 with T7100, 1GB http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product.php?product=SOLV324

T61 with T7300, 2GB http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ThinkPad-T61-C2D- ... 3cb0e78069

Many other results here: http://computers.shop.ebay.co.uk/Laptop ... m283&gbr=1

R400 P8400 2GB http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IBM-LENOVO-ThinkP ... 255b6967a8

And many others on Ebay and Google UK, which is mainly where I have been looking. What do you think?

Of the (3) machines you posted, I'm partial to the R400 with the 3 year warranty. I've not held an R400 in my hands but I've heard that it is very similar to a T400 feature wise. I have owned a T400, and it is a fantastic machine, so that is worth a bit of respect in my book. Also, there's the fact that the R400 is a generation ahead, and it's always best to buy the newest technology that you can afford.

From what I have been reading I think you are correct. From comparisons online I think the only difference is that the R400 has matte black casing while the T400 has a rubberized finish, and some premium features like WWAN, which I haven't and will most likely never use. I am partial to the non-rubberized finish like my R40, it cleans very easily and it seems like the rubber might wear off in certain situations, like in and out of a carrying case. I am kind of leaning towards the R400, but thought it would be a good idea to do some research.

My choice would be T400, since LCDs on R400 (WXGA ones) have gotten several anti-recommendations both here and on Lenovo's forum.

Also, T400 has more graphic card options than R400. You'll have to push quite hard to find a R400 with anything other than Intel integrated graphics.

I'm not keen on T61/p generation of ThinkPads for a variety of reasons which include but are not limited to atrocious design on widescreen models (my opinion) and nVidia GPU failures...

My $0.02 only...

Harryc wrote:Of the (3) machines you posted, I'm partial to the R400 with the 3 year warranty.

Got to read the fine print on that one Harry. It's a refurbished machine, which means one year warranty with no upgrade options. Who knows how long it's been sitting in the warehouse with the warranty slowly dying. Plus the item description states "Total warranty on these units is 3 years. After lenovo warranty expires, warranty support will be provided by our company up to 3 years not to exceed 3 years total warranty period." I would assume their service is not as good as Lenovo, if they're still in business in three years.

I'm curious George, I thought the T400 and R400 used the same screens? Do you think they're putting the worst ones in the R400 or was it poor luck on the posters part? I know my R60 came with the BOE-Hydis SXGA+, which was supposed to the best of the 14" SXGA+ screens.

FredGarvin wrote:

I'm curious George, I thought the T400 and R400 used the same screens? Do you think they're putting the worst ones in the R400 or was it poor luck on the posters part? I know my R60 came with the BOE-Hydis SXGA+, which was supposed to the best of the 14" SXGA+ screens.

An excellent question indeed.

Whatever we've seen on T60/R60 is long since gone, when it comes to screens, as you know. T60 and R60 were fraternal twins, T400 and R400 are first cousins...having said that...

I've seen WXGA+ on T400, not the standard WXGA, and it was palatable...let's just say I wouldn't take my chances with a WXGA LCD on a R400. The only two R400s that I've seen in person were ex-Lenovo samples with very unusual configurations, and am certain a good number of steps above an average unit. Their screens were WXGA+, once again, nothing to write home about but not downright horrible.

To put it this way: if I were buying a full-size ThinkPad today - apart from W700 - it would have to be a WSXGA+ model...oh wait...even these are gone...oh well...guess I'll have to hang on to my FlexViews...

I am actually not a big high-resolution junky, so I am actually quite fine with X/XGA. That's interesting about the warranty, a warranty would definitely be a plus, but if not than that's also alright. Most of the machines I have been looking at don't include any type of warranty at all.

So is the only reason you would choose the R400 over the T61 is the warranty? How do they compare in performance and build quality? Looking at synthetic benchmarks there is a significant difference in performance, due to the DDR3 memory and newer/faster CPU and FSB.

Performance will be naturally better on the T/R400, unless you are comparing a top-of-the-line old model with a bottom-of-the-line new model. The difference won't be night and day.

Build quality won't be different, except the fact that the older machines use a stiffer keyboard with less flex. Some people are bothered by it, some aren't.

Okay, Thank you.