Do you still buy R-series.

[hutty2000]

Since the price of the current T-series and R-series is nearly the same with the same configuration. But the R-series are thick, heavy, and with ABS plastic cover.
I can not see any reason why people still consider R?

[thePCxp]

So what if they're thick, heavy, and have the plastic cover, I like them. They're not that thick and heavy and their plastic casing is sturdy. Some people choose the R series because of their reasonable prices. I chose the R series just because I wanted one.

[pianowizard]

I chose the R series just because I wanted one.

You have an R51 and when you bought it, it was much cheaper than the T series. But the OP is asking about the T61, which is about the same price as the T61.

[rbi]

Since the price of the current T-series and R-series is nearly the same with the same configuration. But the R-series are thick, heavy, and with ABS plastic cover.
I can not see any reason why people still consider R?

I don't know if you have done any research about the current R61 series compared with T61. If you did, you will find the weight is only 0.5kg difference(that's significant for commuters for sure) and only 2mm thicker(that's also significant for ...). They are both using the same material for the cover now! Even T61 is using it that's right. But it is not ABS plastic cover. The only difference is R61 will not be equipped with WWAN if that bothers you and the heat dispelling system for CPU uses aluminum not copper if you want to recycle it for some cost recovery some years later.

The price is still signicant I reckon. I am in Australia and just ordered one R61 from EPP(15% off the RRP)-

ThinkPad R61 8918-5MM
Original description: T7300(2GHz), 1GB RAM, 120GB 5400rpm HD, 15.4in 1680x1050 LCD, 128MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, Camera, 6c Li-Ion, WinVista Business

That's AUD$1899 including free Lexmark 4550 and Thinkpad messenger carrying case.

But if you choose ThinkPad T61 7664-15M
Original description: T7300(2GHz), 1GB RAM, 120GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1280x800, 128MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion, WinVista Business

The EPP price will be AUD$2149 at least. For sure if I add the warranty upgrade to R61, that will be almost the same. But how about the screen, wireless card and camera?

[ryengineer]

Yes anyday. I don`t see why people shouldn`t buy R61 when they`re getting the same performance as of T61 minus some portability out of it.

Also, Lenovo has released more mainstream models in R61 family namely R61e and R61i recently. More details can be found in this thread for interested souls.

[FRiC]

Actually, this matters for countries where systems come pre-configured and no customization can be done. Around here, R series are significantly cheaper than T series. Typically, the most expensive R series costs less than half of the cheapest T series.

One of the reasons for the cheaper R series is they don't come with any OS pre-installed, but this could change since a T61 just got released without Vista.

[SeanM]

Since the price . . . is nearly the same. . .

This is extremely relative. By "nearly the same", do you mean the difference is an amount of money you would happily give me if I asked for it?

[Fusion]

Quote myself from an older post "Bought it locally (the R60) and the price was 1850USD (after conversion to the currently cheap dollar). For comparison, a T60 (2007-FUG) with close specs sells at about 2530USD."

I would today still say rather R60. I know the Ts are awesome, but I'd rather have higher specs than the few gadgets and size/weight highlights of the T.