Thinkpads Forum

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!!

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.

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!

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

Replytoken wrote: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.

dr_st wrote: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

Thanks I'd be interested too!

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

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.