What's better? (R61 vs. T60 vs T61 considering cost)

[methinkso]

ThinkPad R61 Core 2 Duo T7100 1.8GHz $1800
Thinkpad R61 Core 2 Duo T7300 2GHz $2400
ThinkPad T60 Core 2 Duo T7200 2GHz $2,036
ThinkPad T61 Core 2 Duo T7300 2GHz $2800
ThinkPad T61 CORE2DUO T7500 2.2GHz $3734
ThinkPad T60p Core 2 Duo T7600 2.3Ghz $3993
ThinkPad T61p CORE2DUO T7700 2.4GHz $4,978

Which should I get?

For example: Is R61 T7300 better than a T60 T7200? It's cheaper.

Assuming the same resolution, screen size, ram and hd; but, considering the screen technology, case, durability, heat, noise everything else; and that I need a grunty machine, with a good bright screen, but it doesn't have to set speed records, and I don't play games, which would you recommend is the cheapest that will still do the job? - I'm a developer: compiling and running unit tests against locally mounted databases which asks quite a bit of a machine. I'm using a amd 4800+ desktop processor now, and it's fine.

(all prices are NZD. I live in New Zealand, in a small town. I have no access to these machines. I'm hoping you can give me good feedback, so I make the right decision.)

[ryengineer]

Sir, go with R61.

R series has progressed alot, has become almost as identical as T61 with little to no difference in terms of features comparatively, the only downside is; it's appearance is more thicker than T61 but honestly after seeing one in person I would say it's still very portable.

[methinkso]

Thanks for that. Every response and answer to my millions of questions is helpful!!

I'm starting to consider a Dell Latitude D820 (not D320). And, I'm looking at a Thinkpad T60. Unfortunately the T60 is only WSXGA+ graphics, and not IPS (I don't think - but haven't seen it) I like the D830 (not D320) because I can get UXGA graphics at an affordable price.

I also like these two machines because they seem to be better at supporting Linux that the newer machines. I think the R61 is out of the picture due to poor Linux support. I considered the HP 6710b, but tossed it out for poor Linux support too. The T61's are dicey with Linux, I hear. Much of it is related to the X3100 graphics, but I'll leave it at that. I don't have access to any R60's.

Oh well.....

[spuddog]

I don't know if you have access to a Staples(office equipment store in the U.S.). I was there today, and they had a R61i for $900 U.S.

Scott

(edit) I have a R51 and really like it

[methinkso]

Sounds nice, but it would cost me over a thousand dollars to get to a Staples.

[ryengineer]

Lenovo is going to ship Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 version preloaded on select thinkpads soon but I am not going to advise you to wait as it would take a while for lenovo NZ to follow this move.

My knowledge about Dells is very limited, I have only seen them as a comparison to thinkpads in person but never owned one so I believe that`s Latitude D620 / D630 you meant rather than D320.

Whatever decision you make, I like to wish you good luck with it.

Sounds nice, but it would cost me over a thousand dollars to get to a Staples.

Good one.

[methinkso]

Many thanks!

And yes, slipped on the Dell models: They are Dell Latitude D820 or D830 that I am considering.

The D820 is not the new Stand Rosa architecture, and the D830 is. The newer D830 is less likely to run Linux smoothly. But, then the R61 doesn't get very good marks on thinkwiki, either.

[rbi]

[quote="ryengineer"]Lenovo is going to ship Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 version preloaded on select thinkpads soon but I am not going to advise you to wait as it would take a while for lenovo NZ to follow this move.

Medon't thinkso. Especially for R61 series specifically. On the contrary, in Australia, 89185MM is already out in June while US still hasn't got the 15.4" with Nivida card model until the late July as I monitored the both websites during this period before I pulled the trigger on it. Also now in Austrlia the Blue Ray version is out from the beginning of August as I can't customize the same model on US website. What do you think in terms of leading for R61??

[Tholek]

Sir, go with R61.

R series has progressed alot, has become almost as identical as T61 with little to no difference in terms of features comparatively, the only downside is; it's appearance is more thicker than T61 but honestly after seeing one in person I would say it's still very portable.

I agree. However, it doesn't have the slim version of the Ultrabay. That means some of the slim devices would be moving around in there if you have one, but you can't use a full sized Ultrabay device in the slim version either. Ironically, That means the T series limits some expandability.