Old vs New: Which do you like? (PIC)

[gator]

Found this on google (click for larger version):



(For the curious folks, yes, it is the 14" 4:3 SXGA+ T61, it does indeed exist but I don't know if it'll be available on retail channel - my department **might** be getting a few, some profs don't like the WS T61)



**update**
This is a pic of my own T23, and my advisor's T61 which is going to be returned.

Both thinkpads look AWESOME, no other brands look as neat as thinkpads, the black color is timeless. But, looking at the above pic, I like the older thinkpad's looks ... I am addicted to the 14" T2x form factor and have completely fallen in love with it, even though its a bit thicker and slightly heavier than T4x/T60. To me, it is one of the best thinkpads in terms of visual appeal. T4x follows next, and then ofcourse the T60.

What thinkpad model is your most favourite, and why?

Some preemptive answers:
Ray: T23 (what else?)
PW: X2x? (whatever it might be, I know it'll depend on weight!)
George: A31p (of course!)
Kyocera: T60?

If you have any "old vs new" pics, please share!

**edit**
Is it me, or did older thinkpads have a slightly different font on the keyboards? It appears as if the font is slightly thicker on the pic above atleast to my eyes ... can the thinkpad gods here confirm?

[KristianJ]

Just had a look at my T23's keyboard and the fonts seem to be the same thickness.

As for my fave TP, I can't go past the T4x, with the T2x second, then X3x, then the rest. Why the T4x? I just think that it's a good mix of understated elegance, functionality and neatness. Even though the touchpad's not necessarily a trademark, I think the manner in which IBM have incorporated it is second to none (although I don't like the angular buttons on the T6x).

I have a T23 vs T40 pic here but it's not as comprehensive as the image you've Googled.

[Kyocera]

I have too noticed the difference in thickness of the fonts on the keys from the older and newer like you mentioned, especially on the bunch of 600 series i had for a while.

And yes the T60 sxga+ is my favorite so far

[gator]

Why the T4x? I just think that it's a good mix of understated elegance, functionality and neatness.

I had very similar opinion about the T4x (liked it better than the T60) till I got the T22 in my sig ... I fell in love with it almost instantly!

Thanks for sharing the pic, looking at it, I like the T23 more Where di you get the stand? (did I ask this before? ) It looks nice!

[KristianJ]

I had very similar opinion about the T4x (liked it better than the T60) till I got the T22 in my sig ... I fell in love with it almost instantly!

Thanks for sharing the pic, looking at it, I like the T23 more Where di you get the stand? (did I ask this before? ) It looks nice!

Yes, yes you did in my thrwad in the picture area! It's similar to this one but retails out of a department store here in Australia. I offloaded it as an extra with my T40 when I sold it because my T42 came with a Port Replicator II.

I do agree though that the T23 does meet up to the T40's looks in that pic From many angles it presents very well.

[rkawakami]

Got back from a concert a little while ago and have been checking in here using an X22. I like the keyboard in this system, almost as good as a 600X and much better than the T2x keyboard (in feel, not necessarily, size). Still trying to get used to the "odd" placement of the center trackpoint button. Also this X22 (2662-95G w/384MB) seems to run much hotter on the bottom than any of the T23s.

Hopefully in a couple of days I'll get my first T41 up and running then I'll see how it compares to the T23. I haven't used a touchpad since my Gateway laptop was set aside a few months ago (4.5 year-old battery is totally drained)

But as far as favorites go, yes, count me in for the T23. Why? Mainly "bang-for-the-buck". It does everything I need a laptop to do for the least amount of money and in a nice form-factor. The only drawbacks I see are the lack of built-in USB 2.0 ports and fairly expensive memory. This is offset somewhat by being able to have SXGA+, built-in wireless and three spindles with a cheap port replicator.

[ryengineer]

I don't have any old thinkpad on me now but here is a picture I pulled off from my computer. No matter which thinkpad I owned [A31p, R51, two X31's, Z60m, T60 15'', T60 WS] over the years, they were all very structured, consistent and persistence machines.

On a side note, making T61/p non WS available on consumer level is a matter of very big on lenovo's part these days. Since you brought up this topic, let me give you an insight. I got a chance to see R61 14.1 standard model, that was something I thought never existed. Tabook and google don't carry any info. on such models, they come with Thinkpad logo which I am sure many of us are aware of and most of all are only available to higher channels.

Last but not the least, lenovo can and would build anything for *upperclass groups* including T61 with flexview....

[AlphaKilo470]

Well, in terms of case construction and sturdiness, I would definitely say the T61 is superior. However, as far as looks are concerned, I still like the angular design of the T23. However, the 600 series is still my favorite ThinkPad to date.

[Purcy]

Count me in for loving the clean sparse design look of the T2x series.

[spt60]

To be honest, somehow the new T6x generation looks like they were built using cheap plastic, compare to the old ones (T4x, ...).

T60 is my first ThinkPad, I was inspired to buy a ThinkPad since I saw my friends with their T43s. I bought T60 and a bit disappointed by the cheaper plastic feeling

[gator]

rye, I saw some pics of the the 14" Z60 and the T61 WS - they look almost similar (except for the offcenter screen). I am not a big fan of WS, even though the T61 was very solid ...

AlphaKilo, the T61 indeed is a very sturdy machine, I saw a WS version a while back and it is very solid. But IMHO, visually it does not even come close to the T2x (I'll be getting a 600X next week, so this statement might change ) ...

[Stargate199]

I like the styling of the T61 there compared to the T2x. I personally am a fan of the T4x systems. I think they have the best design of any laptop ever made. To fit that much functionality into something that thin is just cool. I don't think Dell has come close to beating the T4x in design.

[gator]

Stargate199, I think you are in too much love with the 2374-3HU )

[sugo]

For look, T4x is still my favourite

[K. Eng]

I like the T60 best, although I wish the designers had used the T4x TrackPoint buttons (with red and blue stripes) instead of the plain ones from the Z series.

Edit: Should add that I liked the rounded ThinkVantage and black volume buttons on the T4x better as well. The T60's volume and ThinkVantage button look cheap, in real life as well as in photos.

[sugo]

Am I the only one who cares about the LCD latch? T4x's style looks and works better than the T6x one. It has better "slider" feedback on the T4x.

I do like the roll cage design on T6x.

[tomh009]

I like the T60 best, although I wish the designers had used the T4x TrackPoint buttons (with red and blue stripes) instead of the plain ones from the Z series.

Surely there should be a way to apply the red/blue strips to a T60/T61 ... especially the red ones should be easy once you remove the keyboard. I need to investigate once my X61 arrives.

[Stargate199]

Stargate199, I think you are in too much love with the 2374-3HU )

Actually my dad has been issued a T40 and a T43 from his office, so I've been around them for 6 years now. Yes, I really do like the T41 as I finally have everything setup on it. Took me a while to dig through all of my install disks for some of my software.

[pianowizard]

PW: X2x? (whatever it might be, I know it'll depend on weight!)

Indeed, in terms of appearance, I find both the X2* and the 570E to be the sexiest Thinkpads.

As far as the looks of the T series, I like the T4* better than both the T61 and T23 shown in that photo, because it looks more modern than both of them.

In terms of functionality, the 15.4" T61p might be the most ideal Thinkpad ever made. It has a touch pad, a Windows key, 1920x1200 resolution, is barely portable (5.9 lb), and of course it has the latest technologies. The R50p has an even higher res (2048x1536), but it doesn't have a Windows key, it's way too heavy (7.25 lb) for mobile use, and it's pretty old.

[gator]

In terms of functionality, the T61p might be the most ideal Thinkpad ever made. It has a touch pad, a Windows key, 1920x1200 resolution

Indeed. But liking a machine is not always just about having the latest and the greatest, right? Appearance and overall form factor matter a lot too.

I love my T60 for its performance, no question about that ... the screen is totally gorgeous too. But, to me, it does not have the same appeal as the T2x. The T2x is just sexier overall

[pianowizard]

Appearance and overall form factor matter a lot too.

I must say I am somewhat turned off by the appearance of the 15.4" T6*.

[K. Eng]

I like the T60 best, although I wish the designers had used the T4x TrackPoint buttons (with red and blue stripes) instead of the plain ones from the Z series.

Surely there should be a way to apply the red/blue strips to a T60/T61 ... especially the red ones should be easy once you remove the keyboard. I need to investigate once my X61 arrives.

Hmm... I should add that I liked the bigger size of the TrackPoint buttons on the T4x. I suppose one could paint stripes on the T6x keyboard, but I am generally not in favor of modifications only for aesthetic reasons.

[gator]

I must say I am somewhat turned off by the appearance of the 15.4" T6*.

Same here. But I am curious to see how the WUXGA screen is ...

[GomJabbar]

In terms of functionality, the 15.4" T61p might be the most ideal Thinkpad ever made. It has a touch pad, a Windows key, 1920x1200 resolution, is barely portable (5.9 lb), and of course it has the latest technologies.

I feel the T4x series was best in terms of functionality. It still had a TV out option! The only thing missing is widescreen and the Windows key, which I don't miss at all! True, the T4x does not have an ExpressCard slot, but they are not really needed yet as PC cards can still perform all the same functions. The rollcage is a nice feature, yet it apparently adds to the thickness and weight of the machine, which kind of makes it a tradeoff.

Aesthetically I also prefer the T4x series to the T6x series. I can't say about the T2x series as I am not so familiar with them. Still love the 600x series!

[gator]

I can't say about the T2x series as I am not so familiar with them. Still love the 600x series!

You gotta get your hands on one, maybe Ray can help . The 600X is awesome, I am getting one this week and I am excited.

[pianowizard]

The only thing missing is widescreen and the Windows key, which I don't miss at all!

Also, its highest resolution is only 1600x1200, lower than the 15.4" T61p's 1920x1200. That's a huge limitation for me.

Coming soon: a loaded T23 (2647-9NU)

Wow, where did you get this fanTAStic T23:

PIII-M 1.2GHz (512KB), 128MB RAM, 48.0GB HDD, 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 8X4X24X CD-RW, 802.11b wireless(MPCI), Modem(MPCI), Ethernet(CDC), IBM Secure Chip, TV out, Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

I had an almost identical T23 except that the COA was for Win2K Pro.

[gator]

Ray helped me with this T23 ...

[gator]

Added a pic of my own!

[mattbiernat]

some things i hate about my thinkpad
1. touchpad is cheap and of poor build quality. it also looks uglier than the older ones.
2. volume, power and thinkvantage buttons also don't seem to be mounted very well. they also look cheap and ugly.
these things annoy me so much that I am willing to wait until newer design comes up or just buy an older thinkpad.

[pianowizard]

2. volume, power and thinkvantage buttons also don't seem to be mounted very well.

You know, I once complained about that same part of the keyboard of my X60s and T60, citing it as evidence that Thinkpad quality had gone downhill after Lenovo took over. But subsequently, I realized that I had never inspected IBM-era Thinkpads equally carefully, and when I started doing that, many IBM-made units displayed the same issue.