Anyone gotten a t400 to replace a Z60t? how do they compare?

[Louis]

Hey guys,
I currently have a z60t which i love, but i need to get an extra laptop so that my gf can use the z60t and I can still have a laptop to use when she's using the Z.
If the Z series was still available I'd get one without thinking twice since I love the fact the z60t is relatively slim and has a small footprint, yet it was reasonably priced.
In the absence of this, I am leaning towards the t400 series. I was wondering if anyone has had both and how do they compare as far as size/footprint/portability(weight)?
I understand the z60t is kind of in between the t400 and t400s as far as size goes. i believe the t400 is a bit more bulky/bigger than the Z and the t400s is slimmer than the Z.
Since I can't go to a store and compare all 3, hearing from someone who's held both (either t400 or t400s and the Z60t) would probably be the next best thing.
I find the Z perfect as far as portability, I really wouldn't like to get anything bigger/bulkier but on the other hand i wouldn't want something that's too small (12 inch screen or less). That leaves me with the t400/s or X301, but the latter is a bit too much for my budget. I guess that narrows it to the t400 and t400s. This would be a laptop mostly for internet browsing (wireless) and take on trips, download and work with pictures from my point and shoot camera etc.....no gaming or heavy graphic editing. I must say the t400s looks very nice, but is the premium price worth it? Looks like they're both the same size other than thickness. Thanks!!

[dr_st]

Seems that you've already got all this sorted out.

Indeed, the T400 (like the T61) is bigger, thicker and heavier than the Z60t/Z61t. It's also ugly, even though beauty in general is a subjective thing.

Getting a T400 to replace the Z60t will be a big boost in performance and battery life, but noticeably worse in footprint/weight.

If the T400s is within your budget, I'd go for that. It is much lighter, slimmer and more elegant. As far as footprint goes, with the 6-cell battery it will sit somewhere in between the Z with the 4-cell and the Z with the 7-cell.

T400s also has a redesigned keyboard compared to previous models, with larger Esc/Del keys. Some like it, some don't, some don't care either way, but it's better to be aware.

[Louis]

Thanks for the info! especially the footprint with the battery helps, I had forgotten about that detail.
Yeah i guess I seem to be leaning towards the t400s, I've seen the t60 and if like you mention the t400 is like it, then yeah I guess it adds more bulk than I would want.
I also looked at the ideapad u330 since it looks like a thinkpad but at a cheaper price, but I was reading in the ideapad forums about lack of support and some issues with it so I think I'll try to stick to what I've used before and know works well.
Thanks again!

[Replytoken]

I have a Z60t and I just bought a T400 last month. They are very very similar in wieght and size. The T400 w/6-cell is a few ounces lighter than the Z60t w/7-cell, and the Z60t is slightly smaller in dimension than the T400. The Z60t has a tighter keyboard than the T400, but they are identical in layout. There are a few minor differences in the screens, but the T400 dnaces circles around the older machine in terms of processor speed. The T400 is a reasonable replacement for the Z60t. You come out ahead in a few areas and slightly behind in others, but there are no current Z60 models so if you want a machine in that size and form factor, the T400 is it.

--Ken

[dr_st]

The T400 w/6-cell is a few ounces lighter than the Z60t w/7-cell

You actually measured it? Do you have the numbers? It's always interesting to me how Thinkpads compare in weight.

[Replytoken]

You actually measured it? Do you have the numbers? It's always interesting to me how Thinkpads compare in weight.

I would be happy to provide more details on their weights when I am back at home and can weigh them properly.

--Ken

[Louis]

Thanks I'd be interested too!

[Replytoken]

I weighed both machines on our kitchen scale that reads out in 1/4 ounce increments. The machines were weighed without power cords, but were otherwise as shipped from factory. Please note that the Z60t has a titanium lid and 7-cell battery, and the T400 has a 6-cell battery. And the results are as follows:

Z60t: 5lbs. 7.5 ounces

T400: 5lbs. 5 ounces

For some reason, I thought the T400 was a few more ounces lighter when I initially weighed it, but that must have been before I loaded up my programs and data.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

--Ken

[dr_st]

Very cool. Thanks!

The T400 is pretty much what I expected. 2.4kg, when the 14" T60 weighs ~2.35 with the same config.

The Z60t with 7-cell weighs 2.48kg, which is almost as much as the 14" T60 with 9-cell. Initially I found it surprising, but now I remember that, according to the Tabook at least, the Z60t was a bit heavier than the Z61t, and the titanium lid also adds some weight. So it makes sense to me now.