Finally decided...

I'm going to make my life a bit complicated but it's worth it, methinks. I was torn between a lenovo t61 and a MB (blackbook). T61 is superior in everyway, from keyboard to resolution to price to build quality and etc. The only exception is the screen brightness, which apparently is really dim to the point that some people complain it can hurt the eyes. Macbook is a decent laptop, but not as good as a t61. It's only the thought of having a macbook and the os x that sounds sexy! to me. Had MBs keyboard been built better (please go and vote here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=124409) I would've purchased a macbook.

So here's what I'm going to do now: buy a refurbished blackbook (hopefully I can grab one tomorrow or on thursday), work with it and see how it feels, and wait for more reviews of the t61, as well as the WWDC. If I change my mind, I have 30 days to return it. Seems like good timing, and a good plan.

Btw, what's the return policy of refurbished products?

 

Return policies depend on the company. From a quick Google search, I found this. While it applies to new Macbooks, I would highly doubt that refurbished ones have a better policy.

http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/salespolicies.html

 

I believe the return policy for NEW macs is 14 days without any questions and after that period up to 30 days with a restocking fee.

 

It's 14 days with a 10% restocking fee unless there is something wrong. I believe refurbs have the same policy, but you would be better to just call Apple and ask.

To tell you the truth, I would just get the T61. It is a great notebook, and it seems like you will be disappointed with anything less.

 

What he said.

I recently bought a T60 and the screen is absolutely beautiful. I have never been impressed with the MB not factoring all the problems the MB's have had. I would without question buy a T61 especially since Lenovo is offering discounts on the Santa Rosa models.

 

If only I could see the screen before buying one, it would be nice. I'm just afraid it'll be too dark. and I'll be staring at the bloody screen for endless hours everyday, and dark screen can be a real pain.

Plus, I'm in Canada, and the Canadian Lenovo website is just an insult!

Edit: and let's not forget that a refurbished macbook (blackbook) can come to $1000, which is a lot cheaper than a t61.

 

Here are the benefits I see for a T61
-build quality (including keyboard)
-slightly better battery life with 7 cell
-santa rosa (although not as great as it was hyped up to be)

Benefits for a Macbook
-looks much nicer than a Thinkpad IMO.
-OS X
-it's cheaper for a refurb.
-better screen (if I crank my MB's brightness to the max, I'd probably go blind)
- slightly lighter, slimmer, and smaller

 

Add higher resolution (if chosen) for T61

 

Here's the thing about the Macbook's keyboard; it's not like an ordinary keyboard you'd find in a Thinkpad obviously. The Macbook's keys have a much shorter range of motion, allowing you to type effortlessly and fast. Although it may take some time to get used to. It's also very quiet. My x30's keyboard was quite loud compared to my Macbook's keyboard.

I was also in a very similar situation like yourself. I was undecided between the Thinkpad x60 and the black MB. Ultimately I chose the MB because it was widescreen and I wanted to try OS X. Vista wasn't very attractive in its early stage and it still isn't.

 

Remember though the T61 has a 14" and the Macbook has a 13". If the MB had the same resolution as the Thinkpad, it'd probably be harder to read.

 

That may be true, but i don't think wxga+ is that difficult to read on a 13". I've never seen one though, so you might be right.