Are Z series' cases as strong as T series' ones?

[kamaleon]

Hi there,

I'm looking out comparing the specs on the different ibm / lenovo machines.

T series have a lasting reputation as being really strong. I wonder if the Z series cases' are made of the same materials thus being equally resistant? Would anyone know anything about it?

Thanks all.

[dsalyers]

Hi there,

I'm looking out comparing the specs on the different ibm / lenovo machines.

T series have a lasting reputation as being really strong. I wonder if the Z series cases' are made of the same materials thus being equally resistant? Would anyone know anything about it?

Thanks all.

According to TABook, all current Z series are made with ABS plastic, while at least the 15in T series is make with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic. CFRP is stronger and lighter. However, I own a Z61p and my wife owns a T60p. Overall, I would say both covers have a similar feel in terms of strength. Although, I think this is because the Z61p's casing definitely looks thicker.

Personally, I like my z61p.

[kartak.mahino]

Overall, I would say both covers have a similar feel in terms of strength. Although, I think this is because the Z61p's casing definitely looks thicker.

Is your Z series with titanium and camera?

[dsalyers]

Overall, I would say both covers have a similar feel in terms of strength. Although, I think this is because the Z61p's casing definitely looks thicker.

Is your Z series with titanium and camera?

No, the z61p doesn't come with either a camera option, nor does it come with a titanium cover option. I am sure the titanium cover is stronger, but I think they are ugly. So, I wouldn't have got it if I could. But, as far as what TA book says, all current Z series cases are ABS plastic.

[Ken Fox]

Overall, I would say both covers have a similar feel in terms of strength. Although, I think this is because the Z61p's casing definitely looks thicker.

Personally, I like my z61p.

I'd say this is the same with the Z61T. The case seems a little bit thicker than the case on my T43 (and T42 before that). The "fit and finish" on the Z61T is not quite as good as a T series laptop but it is very good, much better than you find in most any other brand.

Is it good enough and strong enough that it doesn't matter? Oui, ça serait mon opinion.

[kamaleon]

I'm glad I've joined this board

[pianowizard]

It's variable. Some people find the T series to be more solid, others think it's the other way around, and yet others find them to be comparable. If you are lucky, you get a good Z series, but if you aren't, you regret your purchase or at least need to get Lenovo to fix it. A poll like this really doesn't help you much. If you plan to order online, all you can do is pray (seriously). There is another option, which is to buy it locally so you can inspect the item before purchasing it.

[phoenix_one]

I have a Z61m w/Titanium Cover (9450-D6U) and the Camera. It weighs at 6.5 pounds and it feels the best built laptop by far. The Titanium lid adds additional protection to the screen. Usually with widescreens this size you feel some flexing, not on this one.

It has the same roll cage as the T61 and the same Active Protection System.

If you don't mind the weight (I don't), you won't be disapointed with this laptop.

[cj3209]

I also use a Titanium Z61t with camera. The lid is far stiffer and feels stronger than my T43p. I can't imagine a T60 lid to be any stronger.

The only weakness that I can see is the hard drive cover, which is very very flimsy IMHO.

Overall, this Z61t feels stronger than any T-series I've used and that includes the 14" T60 notebooks. I haven't used the 15" T60 notebooks though.

My two cents.

CJ

[hoopics]

I have a z61p (black case / black lid / no camera), and can compare it to the T43 I used to have for work, the Dell Latitude 410 I currently have for work, my wife's Vaio N130P, and the Dell Inspiron 8100 my wife's Vaio replaced.

Short version: my z61p is a tank, and I can't imagine a more solid (almost clunky) laptop other than a toughbook type rugged use machine.

Long version: I posted a few threads ago about how I dropped my z61p off my kitchen table flat onto a hardwood floor without anything breaking at all. The palm rests are completely stiff. There is some slight flex along the outside of the case where the PCMCIA, mic and headphone jacks are. There is no flex on the other side of the case. There is slight movement of the battery when it is installed, but FAR less than my T43 used to have, let alone the Dell's, or the Vaio, which is the worst. The only area that I think could be stiffer is the screen. If I open it or close it by only one corner, the LCD visibly distorts briefly. I suspect that the titanium lid would solve this.

Overall, the plastic is heavier and feels thicker than the plastic on any of the other computers. The Dell Latitude 410, which is their thinnest and lightest model and very $$$, I think has better overall build quality from a fit & finish perspective, but feels significantly more fragile. The Vaio, which was half the price of my z61p, looks nice but screams plastic (upside is it is very sleek, so fewer body components to break. We'll see how the guts hold up). The t43 had a better, stiffer screen assembly than the z61p, but the case didn't feel as stiff to me (certainly not after I sent it tumbling down a jetway), and I never felt comfortable picking up the t43 by only one corner.

Hope that helps. I think ruggedness relative to a T shouldn't be a big concern in choosing systems (again assuming you win the Lenovo lottery and get a good build like I did). I'd focus more on features and whether you want the slight size / weight advantage the T has.

[kamaleon]

Great!
Please, by all means, keeps your posts coming! This is indeed a great eye-opener for me

If you plan to order online, all you can do is pray (seriously). There is another option, which is to buy it locally so you can inspect the item before purchasing it.

(again assuming you win the Lenovo lottery and get a good build like I did). I'd focus more on features and whether you want the slight size / weight advantage the T has.

Are you guys serious? Do you mean there's a real risk that some machines from the same series have an overall lower quality? This is outrageous!

[dsalyers]

Great!
Please, by all means, keeps your posts coming! This is indeed a great eye-opener for me

If you plan to order online, all you can do is pray (seriously). There is another option, which is to buy it locally so you can inspect the item before purchasing it.

(again assuming you win the Lenovo lottery and get a good build like I did). I'd focus more on features and whether you want the slight size / weight advantage the T has.

Are you guys serious? Do you mean there's a real risk that some machines from the same series have an overall lower quality? This is outrageous!

I don't know if I would say it is like that. I work for a research group that has taken delivery of:

2 z61ps
1 X60 tablet
30 X40 tablets

all ordered directly from Lenovo. We only had an issue with one z61p where a grid of about a 5x5 pixels were dead in the upper left corner of the screen. Lenovo is replacing this system (which should be delivered today). The only other issue we have had ordering online was that the two 2 z61ps were significantly delayed due to part shortages.

The advantage of working with a dealer is that you should not be able to order a system that they don't have on hand. If you order it from Lenovo (unless it is from the Buy today, ship today section) they may have to build it for you.

So, I would say we have not had issues with them. At least as not as many issues we have had from HP and Dell (both of whom we have ordered systems in the past.)

[pianowizard]

If you plan to order online, all you can do is pray (seriously). There is another option, which is to buy it locally so you can inspect the item before purchasing it.

Are you guys serious? Do you mean there's a real risk that some machines from the same series have an overall lower quality? This is outrageous!

I have never been more serious in my life.

[Ken Fox]

Are you guys serious? Do you mean there's a real risk that some machines from the same series have an overall lower quality? This is outrageous!

I have never been more serious in my life.

Let's not get TOO serious here.

Thinkpads like all notebooks are manufactured items made with components from a number of suppliers, that are assembled at least partially by hand. There is not a product I know of like this that does not have at least some variation from unit to unit. I don't think that Thinkpads are any different, although I do believe that the overall quality standards of Thinkpad/IBM/Lenovo are higher than that of most other brands.

Could you get a bad unit? Absolutely. Is it likely? Probably not. And if you do, with a little bit of effort on your part, you can get problems resolved. And I received two other systems from them recently which were perfect and about which I have no complaints.

As an example, I recently bought an X60 that produces a lot of heat under the right palmrest. They are coming early next week to pick up the old system, at their expense, and are shipping me a new one, also at their expense. I just got a call this morning from the gentleman who works for Lenovo and who is arranging the pickup of the system I am returning.

No one likes to deal with this sort of problem but I have been very favorably impressed by my own recent experience with this company. Had it been a defective Dell or other brand, my best bet is that I would not have fared anywhere as well.

[jobooth321]

I have a Z60T which has been very good to me. They do have the magnesium chassis. Mine has the titanium cover which has withstood some minor torture. I love it.

No problems here!

[Rune B]

I have contacted my local lenovo dealer, as i'm interested in switching from my x41 to an z61t, i spoke to him about the titanium lid, and he explained me that the lid was in ABS plast, no matter which lid you choose, the titanium should after his saying just be painted silver..

Is this something that can be confirmed or not? As i do not want just the plastic lid..

[kamaleon]

i spoke to him about the titanium lid, and he explained me that the lid was in ABS plast, no matter which lid you choose, the titanium should after his saying just be painted silver..

Is this something that can be confirmed or not? As i do not want just the plastic lid..

Now that would be even more outrageous!

[cj3209]

I've read that the titanium cover option on the z-series is indeed made out of titanium. It definitely feels like it as the lid is very very sturdy.

Too bad the base frame couldn't also be made out of titanium but that would probably increase the costs quite a bit as titanium is not cheap.

cj

[kamaleon]

So T series are overall stronger, but the titanium cover of the Zs is stronger than the one from the Ts?

[PDX28]

I have contacted my local lenovo dealer, as i'm interested in switching from my x41 to an z61t, i spoke to him about the titanium lid, and he explained me that the lid was in ABS plast, no matter which lid you choose, the titanium should after his saying just be painted silver..

Is this something that can be confirmed or not? As i do not want just the plastic lid..

After reading this post I took a closer look at my Titanium lid on my Z60m and it absolutely doesn't look like painted plastic. In the area where the hinges are I can see some metal which is approx. 2-3 mm thick. There might be some plastic parts under the metal (would need to take the entire LCD apart) - who knows.

As far as durability I'm overall very happy with the Z60m, it's on the heavier side but pretty sturdy.

[kamaleon]

Time your local lenovo dealer gets fired IMHO then

[vital-analitix]

have a Z61m with titanium cover.

most definitely the titanium cover is metal - saw a posting elsewhere where there was a discussion on what to do when the protective layer has worn through ( some leather strap or so rubbing on it) and how to make it look good again.

hope this helps
marinus

[kamaleon]

would you remember where you saw that?

[ahitomi]

According to the TAbook: unlike the z61m/p, the z61t does use CRFP like the T series for the base and lid, with the exception of the Ti lid which is much stronger.

[PC-T60p-Oz]

My t60p is a few months old and suffered a 3ft frop onto concrete and it broke the internal frame/roll cage and now the motherboard is broken as the left hinge was flexing. Upon investigation, I found that the part of my t60p frame that broke was a 1mm thin support bar above the fan outlet.This is extremely badly designed an clearly a weak link.

I have owned and dropped dozens of laptops over the years and have NEVER managed to break an internal frame. Seems a lot of others with t60 have too, there is a worldwide shortage of this part from IBM.

I have just purchased a new Z61M CD 1.83 512 80 Combo WL BT 15.4 WSXGA+ from an online auction for about US$800 to replace my now out of warranty & faulty t60p, I hope these are stronger then the allegedly tank tough t60 series! Why cant they build them like t40's anymore?

PC