Today I was configuring a T61 with full features, webcam 4 gig memory 7200 rpm hard drive etc... The price was something around $2,400 and suddenly a thought came to my mind to configure R61 with the same specs and I was shocked that price was the same exactly $2,400 Isn’t the T series the flagship of ThinkPad’s and the R series supposed to be more pocket friendly?
T61 & R61 same price?
T61 & R61 same price?
Hi,
Today I was configuring a T61 with full features, webcam 4 gig memory 7200 rpm hard drive etc... The price was something around $2,400 and suddenly a thought came to my mind to configure R61 with the same specs and I was shocked that price was the same exactly $2,400 Isn’t the T series the flagship of ThinkPad’s and the R series supposed to be more pocket friendly?

Today I was configuring a T61 with full features, webcam 4 gig memory 7200 rpm hard drive etc... The price was something around $2,400 and suddenly a thought came to my mind to configure R61 with the same specs and I was shocked that price was the same exactly $2,400 Isn’t the T series the flagship of ThinkPad’s and the R series supposed to be more pocket friendly?
I did something similiar with two different configurations and in one case the T was like $90 more and in the other case the T was only $40 more...Which is good, I might spring for the T now as that is a reasonable price difference for the reduction in weight. When it was $400 or so like it was when I bought my R40 I couldn't justify it...
Thinkpad T420 | Core i-5 2520M | 16gb RAM | 120gb Intel 520 SSD + 750gb 7200 RPM | 6300 N | Ubuntu 12.04 x64
Desktop: AMD FX-8350 (8 cores) | 32gb ECC RAM | 240gb Intel 530 SSD + 1tb 7200 RPM | Ubuntu 14.04 x64 | HP ZR24w
Previous Thinkpads: A21m, R40, X61, T410
Desktop: AMD FX-8350 (8 cores) | 32gb ECC RAM | 240gb Intel 530 SSD + 1tb 7200 RPM | Ubuntu 14.04 x64 | HP ZR24w
Previous Thinkpads: A21m, R40, X61, T410
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pianowizard
- Senior ThinkPadder

- Posts: 8367
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- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Contact:
Someone on this forum was saying that the weight difference between the R61 and the T61 has become very small, like 0.2 lbs. So, it might still be a good idea to get the R61 and save $40 - $90.wolfman wrote:I might spring for the T now as that is a reasonable price difference for the reduction in weight.
Microsoft Surface 3 (Atom x7-Z8700 / 4GB / 128GB / LTE)
Dell OptiPlex 9010 SFF (Core i3-3220 / 8GB / 8TB); HP 8300 Elite minitower (Core i7-3770 / 16GB / 9.25TB)
Acer T272HUL; Crossover 404K; Dell 3008WFP, U2715H, U2711, P2416D; Monoprice 10734; QNIX QHD2410R; Seiki Pro SM40UNP
Dell OptiPlex 9010 SFF (Core i3-3220 / 8GB / 8TB); HP 8300 Elite minitower (Core i7-3770 / 16GB / 9.25TB)
Acer T272HUL; Crossover 404K; Dell 3008WFP, U2715H, U2711, P2416D; Monoprice 10734; QNIX QHD2410R; Seiki Pro SM40UNP
Why would I *NOT* get an R61?
For fun I configured an R61... 2GHz, Nvidia, 100GB/7200, atheros, DVD-RW, 1GB (1 DIMM), BT, SXGA+, webcam, 6-cell, 3-year warranty... all for $1400, only a tad cheaper ($50) than a comparable T61.
Why is the T still classified as a "business" machine when the R now has many of the same protection features (rollcage, HD shock, etc.)??
Is there *anything* about the T that is better than the R in this day and age? Or are they essentially identical with that $50 difference being the price for 0.11 inches thinner and a few ounces lighter?
Why is the T still classified as a "business" machine when the R now has many of the same protection features (rollcage, HD shock, etc.)??
Is there *anything* about the T that is better than the R in this day and age? Or are they essentially identical with that $50 difference being the price for 0.11 inches thinner and a few ounces lighter?
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ryengineer
- Moderator Emeritus

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Re: Why would I *NOT* get an R61?
WWAN option and some portability as you quoted too.pipspeak wrote:Is there *anything* about the T that is better than the R in this day and age? Or are they essentially identical with that $50 difference being the price for 0.11 inches thinner and a few ounces lighter?
"I've come a long, long way," she said, "and I will go as far,
With the man who takes me from my horse, and leads me to a bar."
The man who took her off her steed, and stood her to a beer,
Were a bleary-eyed Surveyor and a DRUNKEN ENGINEER.
With the man who takes me from my horse, and leads me to a bar."
The man who took her off her steed, and stood her to a beer,
Were a bleary-eyed Surveyor and a DRUNKEN ENGINEER.
Another point: Blu-Ray will be availble only on the R series - The T series uses Ultrabay slim and I don't think there is a 9mm blue ray drive yet.
R and T are getting really close, The R61 is even going to look like the T61, with the same rubbery lid.
R and T are getting really close, The R61 is even going to look like the T61, with the same rubbery lid.
Now: T60 2613-EKU | T23 2647-9NU | 600X 2645-9FU | HP 100LX
Past: X31 2673-Y13 | T41 2374-3HU | T22 2647-AEU
Rules of the road
Past: X31 2673-Y13 | T41 2374-3HU | T22 2647-AEU
Rules of the road
Re: Why would I *NOT* get an R61?
That's it? Wow, once upon a time the T-series really was a flagship model. Now it's apparently just an also-ran.ryengineer wrote:WWAN option and some portability as you quoted too.
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pianowizard
- Senior ThinkPadder

- Posts: 8367
- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:07 am
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Contact:
Don't worry. It's not that the T-series has gone downhill, it's just that the R-series has gotten too good! The difference between an optimist and a pessimist!Tholek wrote:I hate to hear talk like that. Especially since I just put an order in...
Microsoft Surface 3 (Atom x7-Z8700 / 4GB / 128GB / LTE)
Dell OptiPlex 9010 SFF (Core i3-3220 / 8GB / 8TB); HP 8300 Elite minitower (Core i7-3770 / 16GB / 9.25TB)
Acer T272HUL; Crossover 404K; Dell 3008WFP, U2715H, U2711, P2416D; Monoprice 10734; QNIX QHD2410R; Seiki Pro SM40UNP
Dell OptiPlex 9010 SFF (Core i3-3220 / 8GB / 8TB); HP 8300 Elite minitower (Core i7-3770 / 16GB / 9.25TB)
Acer T272HUL; Crossover 404K; Dell 3008WFP, U2715H, U2711, P2416D; Monoprice 10734; QNIX QHD2410R; Seiki Pro SM40UNP
My sales rep suggested that the Blu-Ray would only be available in Ultrabay Enhanced (R series) and not in Ultrabay Slim (T series). In addition he suggested WUXGA would be available in T series and not in R series.
For some reason you cannot buy a R series with four years of depot repair with ThinkPad protection. You can for the T series. With the R, for four years with ThinkPad protection, you have to buy on site repair, but with the T you can get either depot or on site with four years of ThinkPad protection. Marketing silliness?
I think the differences will be more apparent with future choices.
I'm ready to order when available a T61p with:
WUXGA display
7K200 Hitachi 200 gb hard drive
with camera preferred.
with Blu-ray preferred.
with Intel Turbo Memory and no WWAN.
If the R61p has WUXGA and 7k200 hard drive, I'd take that instead of T61p to get access to the Blu-Ray drive.
For some reason you cannot buy a R series with four years of depot repair with ThinkPad protection. You can for the T series. With the R, for four years with ThinkPad protection, you have to buy on site repair, but with the T you can get either depot or on site with four years of ThinkPad protection. Marketing silliness?
I think the differences will be more apparent with future choices.
I'm ready to order when available a T61p with:
WUXGA display
7K200 Hitachi 200 gb hard drive
with camera preferred.
with Blu-ray preferred.
with Intel Turbo Memory and no WWAN.
If the R61p has WUXGA and 7k200 hard drive, I'd take that instead of T61p to get access to the Blu-Ray drive.
First Thinkpad 755CX in 1995. First IBM: PC 1982 8088 w 64K RAM, dual floppy. Currently in use:
X230T with Win8Pro x64, i7, 500gb ssd; W700 WUXGA RAID 1 Blu-Ray W7Pro x64, occasionally a T61p with Win7Pro x64
X230T with Win8Pro x64, i7, 500gb ssd; W700 WUXGA RAID 1 Blu-Ray W7Pro x64, occasionally a T61p with Win7Pro x64
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Dead1nside
- Senior Member

- Posts: 780
- Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:32 pm
- Location: Reading, UK
- Contact:
7K200 drive is important, as space and performance are sorely needed. However, I've heard reports that it's quite hot and noisy.
The DirectX 10 GPU, hopefully with 256MB RAM is also a necessity.
The DirectX 10 GPU, hopefully with 256MB RAM is also a necessity.
T41p 2373-GHG / 1.5Ghz 'Banias' / NMB Keyboard
T61 14.1'' 7661-CTO / Vista Business / WXGA / T7300 / 2GB RAM / 80GB HDD / X3100 / 3945ABG / NMB KB /
T400 14.1'' 2768-CTO / Vista Business / WXGA / P8400 / 4GB RAM / 200GB 7200RPM / HD 3470 / 5300AGN / WWAN / NMB KB
T61 14.1'' 7661-CTO / Vista Business / WXGA / T7300 / 2GB RAM / 80GB HDD / X3100 / 3945ABG / NMB KB /
T400 14.1'' 2768-CTO / Vista Business / WXGA / P8400 / 4GB RAM / 200GB 7200RPM / HD 3470 / 5300AGN / WWAN / NMB KB
LOL! That was awesome!Davemci wrote:Optimist: The Glass is half full.
Pessimist: The Glass is half empty.
Engineer: The Glass is too big.
Now: T60 2613-EKU | T23 2647-9NU | 600X 2645-9FU | HP 100LX
Past: X31 2673-Y13 | T41 2374-3HU | T22 2647-AEU
Rules of the road
Past: X31 2673-Y13 | T41 2374-3HU | T22 2647-AEU
Rules of the road
The T61 uses the ultrabay slim and is as thick as the R61. The new design is terrible terrible terrible... is so disapointed...gator wrote:Another point: Blu-Ray will be availble only on the R series - The T series uses Ultrabay slim and I don't think there is a 9mm blue ray drive yet.
R and T are getting really close, The R61 is even going to look like the T61, with the same rubbery lid.
Current: X200, X40
Past: T42, 600E
Past: T42, 600E
Off topic, but had to reply, the 7K200 is awesome, no noise difference from the 7K100 and seems even cooler! I am very happy with my upgrade... aside from the Core2Duo 2.33 CPU swapDead1nside wrote:7K200 drive is important, as space and performance are sorely needed. However, I've heard reports that it's quite hot and noisy.
IBM T60p (2623-D8U) - v2.2
| Core2Duo T7600 | 2GB RAM | 200GB 7k200 + 100GB 7K100 | 256MB FireGL V5200 | Atheros AR5008 MIMO & Sierra MC5720 | 9 cell | DVD Multi | XP + OSX 10.5.2 + VISTA |
| Core2Duo T7600 | 2GB RAM | 200GB 7k200 + 100GB 7K100 | 256MB FireGL V5200 | Atheros AR5008 MIMO & Sierra MC5720 | 9 cell | DVD Multi | XP + OSX 10.5.2 + VISTA |
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