Size matters... X61s vs x61 Tablet

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jamess · #31 Post by **jamess** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:58 pm

I am pretty sure I want a thinkpad. It'll be my 3rd and I have had Vaio and HP before that. In me personal opinion, thinkpad is better, at least to me. I've now also kind of got used to thinkpad keyboard and other little nice details. If it wouldn't be thinkpad, i'd only give a thought to Vaio 13.3" series - these laptops really have BRIGHT screens with vivid colors. Too bad ThinkPads don't have such screens.

I was thinking of US preconfigured models, but again there are compromises I'd have to accept and it than makes it far easier to simply choose a preconfigured model here in the EU.

It feels as if I were a little kid, wanting something different every 24 hours. Now it's X61 Tablet, then it's X61s, then again Tablet due to screen... I hate it

vkyr · #32 Post by **vkyr** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:33 pm

Well, I think I know what you mean, since I too live in europe.

Related to preconfigured X61T models, where the first of them seem to be now available in germany through resellers, I can see the following.

- X61T UU5B8GE XGA, 1GB RAM, 120 GB HDD, BT, FP, W 3 year bring-in ... = 1749.00 EUR ($2381)
- X61T UU394GE SXGA+, 1GB RAM, 80 GB HDD, BT, FP, 8-Cell-Batt, W 3 year bring-in ... = 2429.00 EUR ($3307)

Wow, that's a price difference of nearly 700€ ($953) just for the SXGA+ screen and the bigger battery. That's by far too much...

I wonder if the price differences between X61T XGA and SXGA+ models are also this steep in the USA or Canada?

#33 Post by **tomh009** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:33 pm

You can check Canadian preconfigured prices quite easily -- go to visaperks.ca, select Lenovo, and then follow the links to ThinkPads to get the VisaPerks pricing.

#34 Post by **JaneL** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:23 am

I just got one of the tablets, and it makes my T60p look like a hulking beast. While I don't have an X60s here any more to compare it with, my perception is that there isn't enough difference in the two to sway me away from the tablet.

I've hardly had time to even get the box open so far, but it's just so cute.

Antioch · #35 Post by **Antioch** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:15 pm

No, the X61T (and X60T) are noticeably larger than the X61/s machines. They are thicker, longer, and heavier. They're still "small" per se.

What screen size was your T60p? The 15" models are significantly larger than the 14" models.

Anyways, enjoy your new machine!

jamess · #36 Post by **jamess** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:21 pm

Looking for higher-than-XGA screens of X61s I've come across the X61 Tablet yet again.

What confuses me is it's weigt. Does anyone know how much does X61 Tablet weigh with the 4C slim battery (the same as my current x60s has ATM)

My X60s with 4C weights 1,32 kgs = apx. 2,94 Lb

The following numbers are for a X61 Tablet that I like

It has 8C battery and weights
Weight: 1.8Kg = 4 LB
Travel weight: 2,03Kgs = 4,5 LB

Now what I would like to know is how much does X61 Tablet with 4C battery weight?

EDIT: seeing that with the Tablet i am above 2 kg mark, I might also get a much more powerful and faster T61 with a 14,1" screen. Anyone knows how the 12,1 SXGA+ tablet screen compares to 14'1" of the T series, the WXGA+ model? Better/worse?

#37 Post by **tomh009** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:27 pm

The 4-cell slimline battery weighs 200g, while the 8-cell weighs 480g, for a difference of 280g (or 0.62 lbs).

jamess · #38 Post by **jamess** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:31 pm

Thanks for clarification!

EDIT: That would mean that the X61 Tablet with 4C battery only weights 200 g more than my current x60s with 4C battery. Which is kind of strange - shouldn't the difference be bigger?

vkyr · #39 Post by **vkyr** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:10 pm

The Tabook says for the X61Tablet...

- with 4-cell: starting at 3.77 lb (1.71kg)
- with 8-cell: starting at 4.25 lb (1.93kg)

...however I don't know if these printed values are always absolute correct or not. - But when I compared both, an X60s and X61T, by holding each in one hand, the tablet was noticeable heavier.

aphex · #40 Post by **aphex** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:23 pm

well i just popped my X60 tablet on the scale with the 4cell & 8 cell and those numbers are spot on. As others have said, its just the distibution of weight that makes it feel heaver to some.

It may look larger than the standard X60, but the tablet barely weighs more.

And compared to my 14" T41, its NOTICABLY smaller and lighter.

#41 Post by **tomh009** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:28 pm

Which 4-cell are you weighing with? I would bet that the one in the tabook is the enhanced 4-cell (rather than the slimline), which weighs about 60g more.

pianowizard · #42 Post by **pianowizard** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:10 pm

aphex wrote:well i just popped my X60 tablet on the scale with the 4cell & 8 cell and those numbers are spot on.

What resolution does your X60 tablet have?

aphex · #43 Post by **aphex** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 12:12 am

pianowizard wrote:
aphex wrote:well i just popped my X60 tablet on the scale with the 4cell & 8 cell and those numbers are spot on.
What resolution does your X60 tablet have?

SXGA+

jamess · #44 Post by **jamess** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 5:09 am

I am wondering... how does X61 tablet screen SXGA+ compare to the T61 WXGA+ regarding screen brightness, contrasts, colour?

Because certain configurations of T61 models with 14" displays weight (2,09 kgs) just a tad more than X61 Tablet. If optical drive is removed (i use it very rarely and besides, tablet doesn't have one too), then the weight most probably be the same...

[censored] i hate it because the X61s doesn't have better screen res. The decision would have been so much easier then....

pianowizard · #45 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 9:56 am

jamess wrote:[censored] i hate it because the X61s doesn't have better screen res. The decision would have been so much easier then....

Consider other brands, e.g. the Toshiba Portege R500, Fujitsu Q2010, Panasonic Y7, Sony TX series. When it comes to laptop weight and display quality, Lenovo/IBM appeals mainly to the average business user, not people who are very picky like you and me.

#46 Post by **tomh009** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 10:22 am

pianowizard wrote:
jamess wrote:[censored] i hate it because the X61s doesn't have better screen res. The decision would have been so much easier then....
Consider other brands, e.g. the Toshiba Portege R500, Fujitsu Q2010, Panasonic Y7, Sony TX series. When it comes to laptop weight and display quality, Lenovo/IBM appeals mainly to the average business user, not people who are very picky like you and me.

Unless they are also picky about pointing devices, keyboards and build quality ... and maybe even looking for understated design rather than bling-bling styling!

pianowizard · #47 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 10:28 am

tomh009 wrote:Unless they are also picky about pointing devices, keyboards and build quality ... and maybe even looking for understated design rather than bling-bling styling!

That's why I specifically said "When it comes to laptop weight and display quality". I am not picky about pointing devices, keyboards and understated design. As far as build quality, most modern laptops are decent enough for me because I always take good care of my computers. But I've noticed that laptops described on eBay as having been used in "corporate environments" are usually beat up, suggesting that business users like to abuse laptops they didn't pay for. For these people, build quality is obviously much more important.

#48 Post by **tomh009** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 10:52 am

pianowizard wrote:As far as build quality, most modern laptops are decent enough for me because I always take good care of my computers.

It may also be because your computing is less mobile than mine. I am making assumptions here, but all your laptops are in the 7-8 lb range, and you have a separate R50p for home and for work. On the other hand, I work at my desk, in meeting rooms, at my desk at home, in the living room, in the kitchen ... and on top of that, my X31 has probably flown over 250K miles to close to 20 countries.

Mobility requires more durability. Opening and closing, carrying in hand, in computer bags and in backpacks, plugging and unplugging all tests the durability of a notebook. And at the same age as my X31 now, my previous Latitude C400 was literally falling apart. (And the same goes for a number of my coworkers. Admittedly, my old Portege 7020CT was in not nearly as bad a shape, but still not as good as the X31.)

pianowizard · #49 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 11:01 am

tomh009 wrote:It may also be because your computing is less mobile than mine. I am making assumptions here...

Your assumptions are correct. However, what I said about how people treat equipment they didn't pay for is also true. At work, I use a Samsung SyncMaster 204B LCD monitor purchased with research grant money (I'm a scientist in academe) and I certainly don't treat it as nicely as my Dell 2407WFP monitor at home, which I purchased with my own money!

I do have a frequently used mobile device, but it's a PDA (Dell Axim X51v) rather than laptop. I've owned it for half a year and it's holding up very well.

#50 Post by **tomh009** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 11:04 am

pianowizard wrote:I do have a frequently used mobile device, but it's a PDA (Dell Axim X51v) rather than laptop. I've owned it for half a year and it's holding up very well.

About 2.5 years for my X31 now -- and about the same for the old C400 and 7020CT. At six months I still consider laptops to be "new"!

pianowizard · #51 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 11:17 am

tomh009 wrote:At six months I still consider laptops to be "new"!

My Axim is much older than six months -- I think I am its third owner.

jamess · #52 Post by **jamess** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 12:14 pm

I've been considering the Sony Vaio SZ series, 13.3". Sony display quality and brightness surpress by far both X and T series (at least T43, T60 and X60s that I've owned... however, when it comes to build quality, i really dislike the battery moving around in it's compartment even when in locked position (15,4" Sony that I've been using for about 6 months), the keyboard can't compare to ThinkPad's and battery life was deteriorating very fast.

In my opinion or at least what i expect from a laptop is good quality build (and feel) and good characteristics/spec. I don't mind the design as good designs (sony for instance) draws a lot of attention and tends to get stolen sooner than "old-look" thinkpads.

Although I probably take "too much" care for my computer(s) and electronics in general, i still prefer to stick with thinkpads. Let's just hope I'll decide on a new model soon. It's really sad that I can't even take a look at a single X61 tablet... to compare it myself with X61s and, as the last resort, to a stripped down T61 14".

bhtooefr · #53 Post by **bhtooefr** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:11 pm

I decided to do the good old hold-the-thinkpad-by-the edge test between the demo X61t SXGA+ that my work has and my old X21 XGA.

Should be 3.5 pounds vs. 4.25 pounds (8-cell in the X61t.)

They felt almost the same.

And, it's not because I can't tell weight apart - there's a VERY noticeable difference to me between, say, an Inspiron 1100 14.1" (8 lbs) and an 1150 15" (8.66 lbs, IIRC) on the same test.

So, those of us coming from the earlier X series (that is, X2 and X3) have yet another perspective to toss in - it doesn't feel that heavy.

mattbiernat · #54 Post by **mattbiernat** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:01 pm

pianowizard wrote: Consider other brands, e.g. the Toshiba Portege R500, Fujitsu Q2010, Panasonic Y7, Sony TX series. When it comes to laptop weight and display quality, Lenovo/IBM appeals mainly to the average business user, not people who are very picky like you and me.

then why did lenovo go with the darn widescreen....

sugo · #55 Post by **sugo** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:21 pm

cause widescreen is cheaper to get ...

bhtooefr · #56 Post by **bhtooefr** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:32 am

Exactly.

Due to the way the mother glass is created, a widescreen is easier to cut out of it. Therefore, costs are lower, and they can pass that onto Lenovo. Look at how cheap the widescreen ThinkPads are, after all, and how quickly widescreens have spread across everyone else's lineups.

/me sticks with the X series... dammit, I don't WANT a widescreen

pianowizard · #57 Post by **pianowizard** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:30 am

bhtooefr wrote:Should be 3.5 pounds vs. 4.25 pounds (8-cell in the X61t.)

They felt almost the same.

How long did you lift them for? Seconds? Try carrying them in a bag for 10 hours in a row, which is a much more realistic simulation. You'll feel a huge difference after 10 hours.

Size matters... X61s vs x61 Tablet

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