Durability of Z60m

[safelder]

I'm trying to decide between a T series and the two Z series machines. I don't intend to do any heavy gaming, so discrete graphics aren't a must. I'm fairly certain that UXGA is going to be too tiny, so SXGA+ is the max resolution I'd be interested in. Mobility is not a primary concern--I won't be commuting with the machine on a daily basis, though I may move it from room to room in my house. I also intend to make it my primary productivity machine after a short time, relegating my desktop to gaming and video editing duty. I might want to use EVDO in the future, but that can always be added via card.

Under those criteria, I think the Z60m comes closest. It's about the max size and weight for the occasional portability I need, and I can load it up to make it a fairly competent desktop replacement (100GB HDD, 128MB dedicated RAM, etc.). The updated ThinkVantage suite looks fantastic. I can even add in the EVDO on the chance that I want to use it in the future (or find myself on the road in some hotel w/o WiFi or Ethernet).

My concern is that, unlike all the other machines I'm considering (Z60t and T43), the Z60m is ABS plastic, not CFRP. It's still got the magnesium single frame chassis and metal panel hinges, which certainly help, and I'd probably go the titanium route. And, since I'm not going to be subjecting it to the abuse of daily commutes, ABS plastic should be fine (mobility and durability need to have a direct relationship). But I still wonder...for those of y'all with TPs built of ABS, are they durable, or are they built like the Dell I saw the other day (I pressed on the palm rest and it felt like crushing a plastic drinking cup)?

[wackydan]

But I still wonder...for those of y'all with TPs built of ABS, are they durable, or are they built like the Dell I saw the other day (I pressed on the palm rest and it felt like crushing a plastic drinking cup)?

The Z60m is the equiv of the R series, except that when you add the titanium cover, it adds a little bit better protection.

Keep in mind that "titanium" is just marketing.... Titanium mostly refers to the silver lid option from a color perspective more than anything else - but it will add scratch resistance, and seems better than the ABS the z60m is made of.

I've seen and held them both at a trade show day of announce. Most people in here haven't as of yet.

[safelder]

The Z60m is the equiv of the R series, except that when you add the titanium cover, it adds a little bit better protection.
I've seen and held them both at a trade show day of announce. Most people in here haven't as of yet.

What did you think of the m when you held it? Any twisting or flex?

[aamsel]

I haven't seen one, but I agree.
The listed case materials in TABOOK for the Z series seem to be a real step down from the case materials used for the X or T series.

The materials used in the Z series seem to be on par with other consumer oriented brands.

Lenovo definately seems to be after the mass market with the Z series.

Andrew
Austin, TX

But I still wonder...for those of y'all with TPs built of ABS, are they durable, or are they built like the Dell I saw the other day (I pressed on the palm rest and it felt like crushing a plastic drinking cup)?

The Z60m is the equiv of the R series, except that when you add the titanium cover, it adds a little bit better protection.

Keep in mind that "titanium" is just marketing.... Titanium mostly refers to the silver lid option from a color perspective more than anything else - but it will add scratch resistance, and seems better than the ABS the z60m is made of.

I've seen and held them both at a trade show day of announce. Most people in here haven't as of yet.

[Kenn]

Too bad. I hope they aren't going to nix NMB as the keyboard supplier, as well!

[beeblebrox]

But I still wonder...for those of y'all with TPs built of ABS, are they durable, or are they built like the Dell I saw the other day (I pressed on the palm rest and it felt like crushing a plastic drinking cup)?

The Z60m is the equiv of the R series, except that when you add the titanium cover, it adds a little bit better protection.

Keep in mind that "titanium" is just marketing.... Titanium mostly refers to the silver lid option from a color perspective more than anything else - but it will add scratch resistance, and seems better than the ABS the z60m is made of.

I've seen and held them both at a trade show day of announce. Most people in here haven't as of yet.

I don't think so, because the Titanium weight is 200 grams, which way too much for a flimsy Titanium foil. I rather think that the whole back is just the Titanium cage for reinforcement, which makes sense.

[bhtooefr]

Except for the area over the optical drive (which is a design flaw caused by not redesigning when changing the mechanism to remove the eject mechanism), the R50e that I've set up was quite sturdy, and it's ABS.

[snife]

The ABS shouldn't be a problem in terms of sturdyness - the Z series have a lot more to reinforce on the inside than the T series but I would probably opt for the titanium cover as i did notice a bit of flex on the screen and if your not too careful (which I am most certainly not) then the back cover will scratch.

From my point of view a z60t would be my choice of the 2 models - not only the size but the layout of the ports etc is better and from your requirements I can't see why you would opt for the z60m. Your choice is simple - do you want widescreen or not? If you do then get a z60t (unless you had some other reasons for choosing the m model), if widescreen isn't at the top of your requirements list then get a T series.