Something special about the Z series?

Message

JonathanGennick · #1 Post by **JonathanGennick** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:10 am

Is there something special about the Z61t model that makes it better, or more desirable somehow than the current T series? I've been noticing a fairly strong market on eBay for Z models, and some go at prices comparable with, or even higher than current T61s.

Indeed, on Lenovo's outlet site, you will find a whole page or more of T61s on sale for less than the least expensive Z61t. I find that situation fascinating. People are paying more money for a discontinued model than for a current model.

Is it all down to that titanium lid? Or are other forces at work here?

pianowizard · #2 Post by **pianowizard** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:21 am

For me, the best thing about the Z6* is that it's about 0.5 lighter than the T series. Many people are willing to pay more due to this reason alone.

ajkula66 · #3 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:03 pm

I've owned (and sold on this forum) a Z61t which was one incredibly sweet machine, and WXGA+ resolution on a 14" LCD was actually tolerable...that's coming from someone who hates widescreens.

Prices...Zs can be found cheaper than Ts, although the specs are quite comparable, but you have to know exactly what you're looking for and be on the prawl to grab it the moment it shows up...pretty much like anything else on fleabay.

And T61 has, for some reason (never owned it, can't comment on it) quite a bad rep with a number of people...just check Lenovo forum...

Good luck.

JonathanGennick · #4 Post by **JonathanGennick** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:49 pm

ajkula66 wrote:And T61 has, for some reason (never owned it, can't comment on it) quite a bad rep with a number of people...just check Lenovo forum...

I can comment on the T61, as I've just received a new one from my work. So far, so good. It's a nice machine. Seems solid. Everything works. Nary a problem. I can't complain.

#5 Post by **KristianJ** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:27 pm

ajkula66 wrote: Prices...Zs can be found cheaper than Ts, although the specs are quite comparable, but you have to know exactly what you're looking for and be on the prawl to grab it the moment it shows up...pretty much like anything else on fleabay.

A Z60m (1.73GHz, 1GB RAM, 80GB HD, titanium lid) was snapped up locally on Aussie eBay for $450AUD, and hadn't gotten a nibble when previously listed with a $500 starting price. Over here, those prices are still in the realm of T41 and T42 models with standard specs, and even the odd loaded T30.

billp117 · #6 Post by **billp117** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:56 am

It's the lid!!!!

Truthfully...it is a pretty nice laptop. The wide format and high resolution screen, camera, BT, etc...work very well. I originally got mine with XP and everything ran fine. I did the coupon upgrade to Vista Business and that started lots of problems. I finally resolved them all with a clean install. Vista is now running fine with the Z61t's memory at 4 GB (yes I know Vista can only see 3 GB).

The speakers are a weak point...not very loud. But, all other aspects of the machine make it work very well. It has never quit and continues to sit under my desk because I recently have fell in love with a used X60s.

But, like the cars from the 50's...if you like chrome, you will like the Z61t.

Bill

qviri · #7 Post by **qviri** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:36 am

I personally find the Z61t to be better looking than the T61 widescreen. Weight works too. Older chipset is a liability.

#8 Post by **underclocker** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:58 pm

I'm not sure you can base much on a couple days of Lenovo's outlet offerings, but the Z61t is a very fine machine.

It certainly is a suitable replacment for a T4x machine. Just about the same thinness and weight, which is something you can not say about the T61's.

They have a fairly solid feel for their thinness - like the T4x, a nice finish (like T4x or T6x) and the design is very elegant. I'm typing on my wife's Z61t now.

Lenovo may have killed it off too early. (Of course, Lenovo having three 14.1" widescreen laptops is silly - Z61t, T61 and R61...Then again GM did it for decades with car models...)

billp117 · #9 Post by **billp117** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:41 pm

I personally think the Z61t was Lenovo's way of testing the wide format. They found it was a "hit" but, marketing decided it was not profitable to produce a wide T61 and a Z series that duplicated the product line.

Now let's hope that Lenovo continues to make the T61 series even better...and us Z61t owners can enjoy a really great laptop. I have considered selling mine for about 5 seconds...I just can't part with it since it performs so very well.

dr_st · #10 Post by **dr_st** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:43 pm

Advantages of Z61t over T61:

* Lighter
* Shorter vertically when opened due to clever design of the bezel and hinges
* Way way better looking (T61 wide is u-g-l-y).
* Old chipset is better in some ways than new chipset (especially the southbridge in T61 is considered to be a piece of sh*t by many).

Disadvantages of Z61t:

* Northbridge part of chipset is weaker (CPU/FSB/RAM speeds, video chipset when using integrated)
* Biggest disadvantage: Absolutely no DVI support even through the dock. Like WTF?

Something special about the Z series?

Something special about the Z series?

Who is online