Question re R51 vs R61

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DonM · #1 Post by **DonM** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:51 pm

I currently own an R51 (1.6ghz, 512 mb, 30 gb HD) and I have the chance to chance to acquire a mint R61 Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz, RAM 1 GB
HD 60 GB (still under warranty)

The cost difference would be about $250.00 for this move to the newer model - the question is - is it worth my while to do this?

I should add that I mainly use the laptop for surfing the net, email, letters and nothing that really requires the extra CPU power so I guess you could say that this move up to the newer model is more of a "want" than a "need".

basketb · #2 Post by **basketb** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:11 pm

The only reason I would upgrade in your situation is if the R61 offers a higher resolution screen than what you currently have (but you may not care for that as you didn't mention it). Otherwise, I would spend some money on upgrading the RAM and HD on your current machine.

#3 Post by **schen** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:06 pm

Ii'm kind of split on that opinion. For about half of what you'd spend on upgrading to the R61 you could get your current machine to feel like a new one. That is with a large (120-160Gb) HDD at 5400rpm and doubling the RAM.

However, the other half of me says that the upgrade to the R61 will pay long-term benefits such as the ability to added far bigger HDDs and RAM modules for a lot less money and keep that machine viable for a lot longer. So it pretty much comes down to how you see the $100-$125 difference.

sjthinkpader · #4 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:00 pm

I totally agree that the big drawback of R51 will be the almost extinct PATA HDDs and expensive RAM. R52 solves the RAM problem but not the PATA problem.

Most of my R51s now have at least a new 80GB HDD and 1GB RAM so they will be good for at least two years.

ajkula66 · #5 Post by **ajkula66** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:31 pm

If your R51 has an IPS FlexView LCD, upgrade it to the max and keep it.

If not, R61 should serve you well.

My $0.02 only...

spuddog · #6 Post by **spuddog** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:52 pm

#7 Post by **underclocker** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:00 am

No mention of LCD size, but there is a big difference between a standard 14" or 15" display and a widescreen 14" display - it's much smaller (squatter?)

For the tasks the OP listed, a standard display is more comfortable.

Going from a 14" or 15" standard to a 15.4" standard is fine.

It's not much money, but the OP could also wait and upgrade with the same money later to an even better machine.

1GB RAM sticks have been $10 after rebate for the R51's. And 120GB 5400rpm laptop PATA drives have been $60 at Micro Center, and elsewhere, for a while.

If there is an urge to upgrade that requires being fed, do what you have to do!

#8 Post by **dorronto** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 7:09 am

I've had both and the R61 wins handsdown. I'm not really a Flexview fan so that's not an issue. I just sold my R61e which was excellent because I kept my T61 which was smaller.

Ron

DonM · #9 Post by **DonM** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:03 am

Thanks for your replies but I have one more question......while doing some research into the R61, I stumbled onto some posts that relate to the T61 and the R61 - it appears that there MAY be a problem with the nvidia chip used in these motherboards.

I gather that when this chip starts acting up that the whole motherboard has to be replaced and that the replacement motherboard uses the same questionable chip.......so as long as the R61 is under warranty - no problem but it can become very costly once the warranty has expired.

Based on this info, it would appear that I would be much better off to simply upgrade my R51 rather than take a chance on buying this R61 with a potential headache lying in wait - am I correct in this supposition?

#10 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:25 pm

Just because a new/used car could blow a tire (just to mention a similarity), would you still not buy it?
If you know where your planned R61 comes from, and you trust the source, go on, be a daredevil, buy the sucker!

ajkula66 · #11 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:13 pm

There is an issue with nVidia chips. If you get a R61 with Intel graphics you'll be safe.

#12 Post by **underclocker** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:22 pm

Well...it's also an issue with ATI-based R51's, too! The OP didn't list or mention his R51 model type (ATI or Intel GPU).

doog · #13 Post by **doog** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:34 pm

I agree with the others. It would help if we had a product number.
Then that way you would know exactly what you was comparing.

I have a R51 and a R61e and I prefer the wide screen of the R61e.
Personally I like the Intel chipset. It's fine for what I use it for.
Internet/email
Also like the Z61alot.

That's my opinion.
Good Luck on whatever you decide !

DonM · #14 Post by **DonM** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:42 pm

My R51 has the Intel chip and has a 15" screen....I have contacted the seller of the R61 asking for the product number - if it turns out that it is the nvidia chip, then I will stick with the R51 for now.

Tõnis · #15 Post by **Tõnis** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:20 pm

ajkula66 wrote:There is an issue with nVidia chips. If you get a R61 with Intel graphics you'll be safe.

My R61 has the 15.4" screen. I looked in device manager, under "Display Adapters," and it says that I have the "Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset Family" (though I'm not sure if I'm looking in the right place). Do I have the one without this known problem that's being discussed here? TIA

Tonis

ajkula66 · #16 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:37 pm

Tonis, you are on the safe side...

Tõnis · #17 Post by **Tõnis** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:44 pm

ajkula66 wrote:Tonis, you are on the safe side...

Thank you!

asiafish · #18 Post by **asiafish** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 7:58 pm

I am the buyer of Ron's R61e and can easily say that while thick, large and a bit on the heavy side, it is also one of the nicest ThinkPads that I've ever seen. Build quality is better than either of the T60s I had with absolutely no slop in the hinge whatsoever.

It is also more than fast enough for routine use, and that Celeron M is a 64 bit chip. I am running 64 Bit Vista Business on it with no lags whatsoever.

londonarnold · #19 Post by **londonarnold** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:39 pm

If it's any help, I've had an R60 and an R60e (both with 1.6Ghz Core2Duos) and they are a *lot* more responsive for surfing the web, even with just 512Mb RAM, and much faster in fact than my current R51 (at 1.73Mhz clock speed) and that has a 5400rpm 120Gb hard drive and 1Gb PC2700 RAM.

The R60 beats the R51 hands down, though I haven't used an R61 yet I would assume that it would be well worth going down that road and then upgrading to 3 or 4GB of RAM at bargain cost.

Regards,

Ben
aka LondonArnold

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