Thinkpads Forum

I am not set yet on if to buy T61p or X61(s) or maybe buy both.

But now assuming I go for X61. It seems I can get X61s with the 1.4Ghz Low voltage processor or otherwise go fo rthe X61 with a regular voltage processor 2.0Ghz.

I do not know between which models to decide:
X61 (model:UX276UK)
2.0Ghz T7300
100Gb 7200rpm (originally comes 120gb 5200rpm)
2Gb (originally comes 1Gb)
1024x768
or
X61s (model: UK427IN - 7669-27G)
1.4GHz L7300
100Gb 7200rpm (originally comes 120gb 5200rpm)
2Gb (originally comes 1Gb)
1024x768

(1) What are the main differences between these two models besides the processor? Is it only the processor and thus battery life? Or is there something beyond that?

(2) Is the difference in processor speed that much pronounced between these two models?

(3) I know the X61s battery would last a bit more, but I don't think that is too much of a concern unless it's real dramatic. I rather have much more speed than 15min more of power. Besides always possible to get a bigger battery.

(4) Weight is an important factor too, but 100 grams here or there would not make the difference, but 400 grams can.

thanks guys

First of all, you can get a 1.6Ghz processor with the X61s model (as I plan on getting).

On top of that the only other difference is the LCD. The X61s has the option of getting an UltraLight screen which is brighter, lighter, and thinner than the "normal" LCD.

So, that being said I personally will go for the X61s. 0.4Ghz is not very much of a difference in practice because, in my experience, you spend most of your time "idling" at 1Ghz anyways (regardless of max processor speed). Also, the ultra bright screen will make the LCD viewing experience more pleasant - I've noticed that my ThinkPad LCDs are a bit dimmer than my large desktop LCD and I'd like to narrow the gap a bit.

UltraLight LCD was very tempting for me, but none of the Canadian models included it. So I settled on an X61 instead -- more CPU power, and not that much extra weight (once you compare with the same battery). So far so good!

ComputerMinder wrote:X61s (model: UK427IN - 7669-27G)

Not all X61s's have the UltraLight LCD. This particular model isn't listed in the Tabook yet, so I couldn't confirm whether this model has it.

pianowizard wrote:

ComputerMinder wrote:X61s (model: UK427IN - 7669-27G)

Not all X61s's have the UltraLight LCD. This particular model isn't listed in the Tabook yet, so I couldn't confirm whether this model has it.

Thanks for the reply guys.

to pianowizard
I dount any UK427XX model will be listed in the tabook because these are European models. I tried to ask Lenovo if this model includes UltraLight LCD and they didn't know what the hell I wanted from them. Anyway of knowing if this model I listed has the Ultra Light feature???

Also did anyone has a real world comparison between the ultralight and none ultralight lcd version?

to tomh009
I have prettty much the same situation as yours. I am unable to get any other models besides the two models that I wrote in my post. And I doubt the X61s in that model has the ultralight lcd screen. It's a 1.4Ghz model so I would guess it's considered lower end one, but maybe I am wrong, but I have no way of checking this info because no one I spoke with known the answer.

About weight and total width, do you know what is the difference if you compare the two machines with the same battery?

thanks again.
tomh009

Sizes:

X61 (4-cell enhanced): 268x211x20-35 mm
X61s (4-cell enhanced): 268x211x20-35 mm
X61s (4-cell slim): 268x211x20-28 mm


Weights:

X61 (4-cell enhanced): 1.41 kg
X61s (4-cell enhanced): 1.37 kg
X61s (4-cell slim): 1.33 kg
X61s (4-cell slim, UL): 1.24 kg

ComputerMinder wrote:Also did anyone has a real world comparison between the ultralight and none ultralight lcd version?

I haven't seen an UL X series in person, but several people on this forum have reported that 4 notches of brightness on the UL equates 7 notches of brightness on the non-UL.

pianowizard wrote: I haven't seen an UL X series in person, but several people on this forum have reported that 4 notches of brightness on the UL equates 7 notches of brightness on the non-UL.

Suddenly I feel a strange urge to grab an X61s with a UL display...

Thanks for all the feedback.

Can someone please tell me if this model has the ULTRALIGHT
X61s (model: UK427IN - 7669-27G)
1.4GHz L7300

I cannot find it in the tabook and tried to call lenovo twice and didn't get any answers.

Thanks

tomh009 wrote:UltraLight LCD was very tempting for me, but none of the Canadian models included it. So I settled on an X61 instead -- more CPU power, and not that much extra weight (once you compare with the same battery). So far so good!

Tom,

Isn't the UL screen one of those screens that is highly reflective and has a tendency to reflect all the lights around, as opposed to the flat matte black of the usual Thinkpad screens? Or am I mistaken?

I would like to take a peek at a UL screen, but am unwilling to get one in just to find out either way...

Tan Mann wrote: Tom,

Isn't the UL screen one of those screens that is highly reflective and has a tendency to reflect all the lights around, as opposed to the flat matte black of the usual Thinkpad screens? Or am I mistaken?

I would like to take a peek at a UL screen, but am unwilling to get one in just to find out either way...

The UltraLight screen is not glossy, it is indeed matte like the regular non-UL screen.

I've only seen the UL screen so I can not compare, but spec wise it should simply just be better. The only gripe that I have with it is the vertical viewing angle - I have to adjust the screens open position sometimes.

on topic: I would only get that x61s if it has an UL screen, tho still a tough call without a L7500. Unless you get more conclusive information on the screen I'd choose the regular x61.

I have the X61s with the UL screen and here are my thoughts. It's amazingly bright at max setting. I would say it's almost as bright as a Macbook's (previous Macbook owner) screen on full brightness. However, vertical viewing angles aren't great as someone has already mentioned earlier.

Hi all,

This is my first post after reading all I can about the X61/X61s.

Basically, I have been offered two deals on the above thinkpads and have to choose which is best. I list out the main differences between the deals below:

1) X61, 1.8MHz T7100 with 2Mb cache, 8-cell battery
2) X61s, 1.4MHz L7300 with 4Mb cache, Ultralight 12.1" LCD, 4-cell battery

Option 1 is USD130 cheaper, so my question is, is it worth forking out the extra to get the brighter/lighter display, low power CPU with extra cache, but smaller battery?

My reasoning to get the X61 is that I don't think it's really necessary getting a brighter display - I would probably just adjust it to suit my taste anyway (so maybe a couple levels higher on a X61). The LV CPU has more cache (I expect to use office quite regularly so a plus) and uses less power but overall performance will take a little hit with the lower clock speed. It's also something I cannot upgrade on the thinkpad - best get as powerful as possible I think. However, my biggest issue is the 4-cell battery with the X61s which I think completely negates the weight/LV CPU gains if I have to carry the AC adaptor with me. They say the 4-cell gives around 3-4hrs operating time, which for me is ok, but being a student, I would prefer a 8-cell which means it's a little heavier, but I think realistically allows me to leave the charger at home so lighter overall.

Of course, I would love to get a X61s with an 8-cell battery, but thats not one of the deals they offer me. So I think I'd get the X61 and spend the difference by getting an extra 1Gb RAM and a legit copy of Office... Or am I missing something?

Thanks for reading.

BTW, the X61s model: UK427xx - 7669-27G doesn't have an UltraLight panel.

European X61s 1.4 GHz models with the UltraLight panel are...

--> ThinkPad X61s UK364xx - 766664G


and X61s 1.6 GHz models with the UltraLight panel are...

--> ThinkPad X61s UK383xx - 766683G