Lenovo 3000 y410 vs ThinkPad Z61M

I have been going back and forth between both notebooks for about $700....

Both have about 100gig HD and 1gig Ram.

I will be using the laptop preatty much as a moble desktop. Not really traveling with it or running off its batteries.

I need it for wireless internet access, but also running cad and gis software. Thinking I need XP, and not sure which one will be easier to downgrade from vista to xp.

Been going back and forth and need to decide which one a preatty tech savvy advanced user would be better off with.

Is the 3000 Y410 too much of a slick home users toy?

Or is the more updated hardware worth the vista issues of the y410?

 

If money is no tthe factor, then forget about about the Lenovo
Series, It's only a kid compare to the almighty Thinkpad, in terms quality, performence, durable... the lenovo series would not stand a chance.

 

the 3000 Y410 is not a bad one but the Z61M will always be the first choice in my personal opinion. have you ever thought of thinkpad R series?

 

Though a finely crafted notebook, the Z61m is a bit heavy for mobility in my opinion.

 

I get confused with all the names.
What is the R series?

Also I noticed the Z61m has the Intel 945GM video display, is this bad if I have 1 gig of memory?

I am used to a Panasonic Touch Book, so weight isnt an issue. I am actually used to a beefy notebook.

I will use it mostly to load GIS software to use at work. Its not for commuting or traveling with on planes and the like.

 

The Lenovo 3000 series don't compare with the ThinkPad line in terms of quality, durability, and reliability, and the Z series is obsolete. Lenovo has stopped producing the Z series ThinkPads.

For a $700 budget, I would consider the R61 ThinkPad.

 

If you want OLD technology go with the R61.....if you want a loaded solid laptop get the Lenovo Y410. People commenting on the Y410 have never even touched in thier lives.

For $700 its a no brainer, Forget the overpriced thinkpads and get the Y410. Its a very solid mahine and its loaded with Core2Duo, 160gb drive, 2gb ram, webcam lots more. I laugh when I see people spending so much on thinkpads.

 

You don't even know the specs of the machines which makes it a bit of stretch to call it the Z61m old.

 

With ThinkPads prices dropping to an all time low, they're hardly overpriced or expensive anymore.

Do you also laugh at the people who buy a BMW or a Mercedes? I can get from point A to point B just fine in my Honda Civic. Why would I spend $50k on a luxury car?

 

Got a chance to play with a 3000 Y410, it was nice. Called Lenovo and its Vista or nothing, that may be a deal breaker. They were very unhelpful.

Still like the idea of a thinkpad, will try to decide between the older z61m at a good price or a R series. Never thought it woiuld be this tough.

How do the Toshiba Sattelite notebooks stack up to the thinkpads?

 

LOL!!!! I sold the SZ on ebay last week. The "aluminum" and "magnesium alloy" casing made ABSOLUTLY no difference. The SZ series are NOT that sold of a laptop and are quite overpriced as well. They are quite fragile laptops despite all the "high tech" material used. It was given to me as a gift and Im glad I sold it before the value went down too much.

 

Please no lobbing insults no matter how much the other annoys you and no flaming posts. Thank you!

-Niki

 

Take a look at the R, the difference from the T is very small and you may find a nice deal. Circuit City carries them so you can have a look before buying. Toshiba, I believe I read, will be very difficult to find XP drivers. Take a look at the Toshiba support site, I don't think they support XP at all.

 

Where did my beautiful post go!!! Mods deleted it??? WHY?

 

Windows XP works perfectly fine on the L3000 Y410. All drivers are found. I have mine running XP Pro and its great.

 

go to a physical circuit city store, play with the thinkpad R61 a bit (but don't buy it there ). then you will make your final decision n good luck!

 

Lenovo 3000 y410 have new technology call Face Recognition(like fingerprint reader)Dolby Home Theater for better sound.

 

Would you share those XP drivers with us?

 

The Lenovo 3000 will have newer technology, but it cannot compare to the quality of the Thinkpad. Also, here are some basic examples of the difference between them:

1. The Lenovo 3000 cd drive cannot be ejected to be replaced by the user
2. The Thinkpad can
3. The keyboard cannot be replaced by the user
4. The Thinkpad can

If you can't afford a Thinkpad then get the 3000 otherwise get the Thinkpad

 

How little knowledge you have TOO FUNNY!!!!! Both the DVD drive and keyboard can EASILY be replaced by the user. Too funny.

 

They were probably referring to the fact that the drive is not modular on the 3000 like it is on ThinkPads.

 

Exactly. Keyboards and CD's for Lenovo 3000's are not CRUable parts and if a customer were to request them anyway the tech would advise them that they are responsible for any damages incured.

 

What about Lenovo 3000 Y410 vs Thinkpad R61? particularly this R61 from Circuit city

 

As a general proposition, I would prefer the ThinkPad.

 

but that R61 from Circuit city doesn't have Firewire though, would you change your mind?

 

I personally could care less about firewire. I have it on my R60 and I haven't even thought of using it. That's not to say other wouldn't have a use for it.

 

I just bought the last Lenovo 3000 y410 on sale at Office Depot ($599 after rebates). I like it a lot, but am having trouble with the sound, which is too soft. On one DVD, even at max volume, the sound is so low you can barely hear it. Another DVD is better, but still not very loud, where a CD is quite loud. I am wondering whether to take it back, esp. since that means I may have to find something else.

Thanks,
hbooth

 

ha. you're so lucky i went there and the website and it was sold out. I brought the R61 from CC(still shipping) for 714~ I am thinking to get an refund and wait for the Y410..on Office despot. Anyone think that is a good ideal? I mean they have similar spec but the R61 doesn't have a web cam and the design behind it._.

 

Raise the volume in the mixer. Turn Wave and Player control up.

 

i was wondering. what would you guys say a good price is for these systems (z61m) being a year old. i am looking for a ball park number. Thanks.

 

just bought 1 too I had played with this laptop a week before had returned it about a month ago because I think the price would be down in the Thanksgiving or Christmas and I'm right and save $80

Does anyone notice that the HD is kinda noisy when running? I'm going to go back to OD to see if the one they're showing is as noisy as mine.

 

I'm having the same problem: volume is low, sound is tinny, no bass (especially for a laptop with a subwoofer ). I just called Lenovo customer support. They said they've received a number of complaints about the sound and are working on a driver patch to solve the problem. In the meantime, they said, use headphones or external speakers.

 

Just with the dirvers sound quality may not be improved.
Hardware should support it. If they are having complains in this line, I would say its H/W issue and prefer not to go.

 

The sound really does suck unless you route it externally. It's the hardware. My only complaint is the paint on the palmrests and touchpad; they become shiny with use after about 4-5 months. If you're not gonna be playin games it's a smooth machine.