Thinkpad T60 vs. Z60 series

[davyg]

Hi All,

I am in the process of shopping around for a new laptop and have pretty much decided to go for a Thinkpad. However, I am undecided as to which model will best serve my needs.

I will be writing the California Bar exam in July 2007 and the keyboard is probablly the most important thing for me at the moment.

Other than that, my main uses for the computer will be in personal web and graphics design as well as some audio and video editing.

My gut instinct says to go for the T60, but I know that the Z60 series offers more in the way of multimedia (firewire, s-video, widescreen, etc...)

Thanks!

[BillMorrow]

will you be needing those additional port..?
also, which is more important: portability or ports..?
i.e. the video editing or the bar exam..?

[davyg]

The bar is a once in a lifetime thing (hopefully) but I do plan on being mobile and traveling so I would say portability would be more important.

Can the ports be substantially substituted with firewire/s-video PCMCIA card?

That said, will the new core duo 2 T60's come with a widescreen or firewire/s-video option?

Thanks

[Tony Chan]

Assuming you are comparing the 14" T series with Z60t/Z61t ...

As far as portability the Z61t is 14", and it weight less than 5 pounds with standard 4 cell battery. T series's standard 6 cell battery would probably last longer though.

My concern is with vertical resolution. I love the 1400 x1050 of T series. With Z series the higest you get is 1440 x 900, losing a bit vertically.

Also, the high res Z series has 200 nits vs T series 150 nits. If you use your laptop outdoor very often, this might be another factor you want to consider.

[tpribors]

I have a T60p. I got my daughter a Z60.

The T60 is much more pleasant to schlep through the airport.

The Z60 is a nice (cheaper) home machine for "entertainment" use.

THe price difference is substantial.

Other than the size of the screen, the two machines have fairly equivalent features. The Z60 is every much a Thinkpad - both keyboards feel the same. The only difference is size (Z60 thicker, and wider due to the screen) and weight.

Either will serve you well.

[f1reverb]

The Z series comprises two different units, the 15.4" Z60/ Z61m, which is thicker and heavier than a T60, but the Z60/61t is smaller than a T60 15" or about the same size as the T60 14.1 (and less deep by an inch) and just as tough and light. HWD(mm) for the z60t is 26.6>30.9x334x228, and the T60 15" is 31>36x334x268 or in 14.1" 26.6>31x316x255. The Z60t weighs in at (small battery/large in lbs) 4.8/5.1 and the T60 (14.1/15) 5.5/6.3, so it is lighter too. These figures are from the Tabook.

The Z60/61t units are the second lightest and smallest Thinkpads after the X units. I have the 2513MCU Z60t PM780 top of the line T-Top, and it is small, fast and as rugged as any Thinkpad made.

[christopher_wolf]

I like to think of the Z6Xt sub-series as the X Series of the Z Series. Thinking of them like that really gives on a good idea of their form factor and size in comparision to the Z6Xm/p sub-series.

I would also recommend the T Series.

[archer6]

I have substantial experience with both and they each have outstanding keyboards. Build quality is great on both, so it really boils down to your individual needs now and going forward. Neither of these will disappoint if carefully matched to your needs.

In terms of extended use and portability I would highly suggest the T series. Mine travels with me to the office, to clients and meetings all over the US, and the World, on a very frequent basis. My T60p is used for a wide variety of computing tasks. Some very resource intensive, which only a T60p is capable of handling.

In this case it's true that you get what you pay for. The T series has a stronger chassis, uses a top quality case materials and components. It's target market is professionals that use their computer for mission critical work. However that's not to suggest the Z series is inferior. It's a great computer for it's market segment.

I have been using the T series as my main work computer for over a decade. It has provided reliable trouble free computing that, at the end of the day, is most important to me.

[sunmiguel]

Hi

I just purchased a t60 and I am a little disappointed with the screen brightness. It is not much better than my old Compaq Presario R3000, and I am annoyed not to have checked that before, cause I do like to work outside in the summer (the problem is not only the brightness but also the reflexion, wearing a white t-shirt for example, completely blinds the screen). I am now thinking to sell it and getting a z60, from your experience, is there a big difference between the 150 and the 200 nits?

(And excuse my ignorance, but is there any way to boost brightness...?)

[Aramitz]

The T series has a stronger chassis, uses a top quality case materials and components. It's target market is professionals that use their computer for mission critical work.
I have been using the T series as my main work computer for over a decade. It has provided reliable trouble free computing that, at the end of the day, is most important to me.

**************
+1
Only IBM provides such a quality.
Altough the T case material is not so soft and pleasant than the 600

[pianowizard]

I have been using the T series as my main work computer for over a decade.

I thought the T series came out in 2000? Or are you including precursors to the T series such as the 600 series?

[BillMorrow]

Hi

I just purchased a t60 and I am a little disappointed with the screen brightness. It is not much better than my old Compaq Presario R3000, and I am annoyed not to have checked that before, cause I do like to work outside in the summer (the problem is not only the brightness but also the reflexion, wearing a white t-shirt for example, completely blinds the screen). I am now thinking to sell it and getting a z60, from your experience, is there a big difference between the 150 and the 200 nits?

(And excuse my ignorance, but is there any way to boost brightness...?)

hmmm...

FIRST, is the brightness turned all the way UP..??
use Fn-home to turn it up..

SECOND, while the hint above should overcome this are the power settings set to less than the brightest display setting..?

THRID, if dis-satisfied can you not exchange it rather than sell and buy a new thinkpad..?

BTW, welcome to the club..

[Aramitz]

I have been using the T series as my main work computer for over a decade.

I thought the T series came out in 2000? Or are you including precursors to the T series such as the 600 series?

It's Archer's words but I agree with him that now the T is the the top, although the 600 was better made. The material was soft and very pleasant. It was a carbon like the T top.
You're right. The T came out in 2000.
In those years I had a A30 15' (very heavy)in office and a T23 for moving.

[sunmiguel]

Thanks for the welcome Bill,

hmmm...

FIRST, is the brightness turned all the way UP..??
use Fn-home to turn it up..

I am not sooo ignorant

SECOND, while the hint above should overcome this are the power settings set to less than the brightest display setting..?

Power setting on "power source optimized" and plugged in

Third, that's a problem, but PC Connection charges a 15% restocking fee and I am in Germany now, so by selling it here I would probably make a few bucks, considering I didn't get such a bad deal, although it wasnt the best one either...got the run of the mill system for $900...

...256 Ram, 40 GB HD, Intel Centrino (no duo core)

In the meantime I read somewhere that I can tweak the screen settings (contrast and gamma). I will try that tommorow and if it turns out to be a sunny day I ll be out on the balcony again.

[archer6]

I have been using the T series as my main work computer for over a decade.

I thought the T series came out in 2000? Or are you including precursors to the T series such as the 600 series?

Thanks for correcting me. (what memory?.... )

I went back to my ThinkPad file that contains the D.O.P. (date of purchase) and other pertinent data for the ThinkPads that I have owned over the years.

My first ThinkPad, a 700c was purchased in Nov. of 1992.
Then it was on to the 755c in July of 1994.
Followed by the 560 model in June of 1996.
Then my next model was the 600 in May of 1998.
It was my T20 in May of 2000, which was indeed the first of the T series.

Cheers....

[marlinspike]

Power setting on "power source optimized" and plugged in

You can improve the brightness when on battery by going to start>all programs>thinkvantage>thinkpad configurator, then select the display menu at the top, then LCD, then set brightness when running on batteries setting to high. This makes the brightness when on batteries set to brightness level 7/7 to high than it is with the default setting.

[claudeo]

I have no problem with my T60 in the sun. In fact, I usually use it with a window at my back. But I did not buy the fashionable highly reflective screen. It's pretty, but not practical. Sometimes dull is better.

[marlinspike]

I have no problem with my T60 in the sun. In fact, I usually use it with a window at my back. But I did not buy the fashionable highly reflective screen. It's pretty, but not practical. Sometimes dull is better.

There is no glossy screen avaliable on T60's. And yeah, I too can use my flexview with a window behind me. What I mean by direct sunlight is in an area with no trees around (football field is the specific instance I'm thinking of), with the sun literally shining directly on the screen. Just thought I should clarify that point.

[sunmiguel]

There is no glossy screen avaliable on T60's

No, but have you checked out this post?

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=33745 (Thinkpad screen DIY)

BTW I will take back my judgement on the T60 screen brightness, I don't have the flexview, but the visibility from the side is still very good, also the outdoor performance is much better than my old compaq's.

I checked out the new z61 yesterday, and personally don't think the quality matches the t60. Keyboard does not have the same solid touch, it's more plasticky and it seems a little more bulky, even though the weight is the same at 2.2 kilo it has a heavier feel than the t60.