I've used an old TP 600, x32, x40, t40, x60s, t42p, t43p, and now z61t and the z61t compares favorable to all the other thinkpads I've ever used.
In fact, the titanium lid is the stiffest lid I've ever felt and once you wipe it, it still looks new. I couldn't say that with every TP I've used as they eventually get fingerprints, wear out in the corners, and get scratches on it.
The 14" widescreen is, IMHO, the best compromise between size and viewing real estate. The newer 15.4" LCDs on the T60/T61 are ridiculous in size and weight; I don't know how anyone can carry that monster around. I loved the 14" SXGA+ (1400x1050) on my old t43p but I like the widescreen (1440x900) on the z61t better.
Having the built-in webcam is also a nice touch although honestly I don't use it that much.
What I do use is the mini-firewire port on the rt. side as well as having three USB 2.0 ports, and an S-video output.
At less than five pounds, I find this notebook to be the ultimate notebook as it has the sturdiness of the T-series and things like a webcam and firewire / S-video ports that the T-series doesn't have (although I haven't recently checked what the ports are in a newer T61).
It's too bad Lenovo decided to discontinue this series. I know that they incorporated most of the z-series features into the T-series but the z-series was a good alternative and you still can't find a wsxga+ lcd on a 14" T-series TP with webcam.
Some things I thought could be improved was the following:
1) the LCD could be a little brighter; it's 200nits; although the color accuracy is outstanding; mine is a philips lcd;
2) the left palmrest gets loose; I have to keep tightening the screws;
All-in-all, a great Thinkpad.
CJ






