torn between T60 wide and Z61m

[jbeyer]

Hey guys,

My beloved T42 is dying on me, and I'm torn between purchasing a new T60 widescreen or a Z61m.

From what I can see, the T60 wide is 1.1" thick, and around 5.5 lbs, and the Z61m is 1.5" thick and around 5.9 lbs.
Can someone confirm this?

Anyone out there who has used both, and can recommend one over the other?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Jon

[dsalyers]

Hey guys,

My beloved T42 is dying on me, and I'm torn between purchasing a new T60 widescreen or a Z61m.

From what I can see, the T60 wide is 1.1" thick, and around 5.5 lbs, and the Z61m is 1.5" thick and around 5.9 lbs.
Can someone confirm this?

Anyone out there who has used both, and can recommend one over the other?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Jon

I have a z61p and a T60p. I can confirm that the Z-series is indeed thicker (and slightly heavier) then the T60p. The main reason for this is likely because the z-series uses ABS plastic for its casing while (at least the 15") the T series uses CFRP for its casing material.

ABS is cheaper and not as strong, hence it needs to be thicker to offer the same level of protection. Other then that the machines seem (to me) very similar in terms of performance/feel/ect.

[jbeyer]

Thanks dsalyers. Can you confirm that the thickness difference is ~0.4" ?
I hate to nitpick, but like most in this forum, I'm passionate about my Thinkpad!

Thanks,
Jon

[pianowizard]

From my experience, Thinkpad dimensions published by IBM/Lenovo are quite accurate. So yes, if official publications say that the Z series is 0.4" thicker, than it's true.

[nxman]

My Z60M is almost twice the thickness of my T60

[agarza]

I would recommend you to get the T60 Widescreen, T series are the premium Thinkpad laptops. I don't know if newer Z models have few to zero realibility issues with the motherboard (freezing, BSOD's, etc). Unless you use a Firewire port then you would have to go with a Z series laptop.

[snife]

From some of my other posts it obvious i'm not a widescreen fan but I have decided to switch to a T60p wide as my primary machine for a while to give it a fair chance.

I have Z61ms and Z61ps on my desk but they are bigger enough and heavier enough for it to annoy me so i'm waiting on the T60 (I remember the days of getting sore shoulders carrying A30s around) - the T60 wide is exactly what a widescreen ThinkPad should be, the Z series is not.

If you get the Z series with the titanium lid then the top case as least is even sturdier than the T series although the bottom is still ABS.