Lenovo z61t vs Lenovo t60p

Through my school I can get the following configurations. I have been able to find zero information on the z61t. the z61 is about $900 cheaper than than the t60p. Wil mainly be used for internet, word processing, music (not editing) and some video, gaming stuff, but nothing too intense. Either way I think will get a second extended-life battery. thanks

Lenovo Mainstream Thinkpad Z61t
Lenovo ThinkPad Z61T, 14" WXGA Wide Screen
Intel Centrino Core Duo
processor, T2500 (2.0 GHz)
1 gigabyte RAM (1 DIMM)
100 gigabyte hard drive, 5400 rpm
128 megabyte video RAM
DVD MultiBurner
Intel 802.11a/b/g wireless
56k modem
Gigabit Ethernet
4-cell Lithium-Ion battery
1.22 inches thin, 4.42 pounds
Microsoft Windows XP Pro
Mighty 8 Surge Protector
PC Guardian Security Cable
Ethernet Cable, 25'
Microsoft Office Professional Included

ThinkPad T60p
Lenovo ThinkPad T60P, 15" UXGA+ Screen
Intel Centrino Core Duo processor, T2600 (2.16 GHz)
1 gigabyte RAM (1 DIMM)
100 gigabyte hard drive, 7200 rpm
256 megabyte video RAM
DVD MultiBurner
Intel 802.11a/b/g wireless
56k modem
Gigabit Ethernet
9-cell Lithium-Ion battery
1.4 inches thin, 6 pounds
Microsoft Windows XP Pro
Mighty 8 Surge Protector
PC Guardian Security Cable
Ethernet Cable, 25'
Microsoft Office Professional Included

 

why don't you just get a lower speced t60? the t60p is expensive for the following reasons: very high screen resolution (may be too high for you...), expensive workstation gpu (better probably for games than the x1400, but it may run into compatibility issues b/c it's a workstation card), t2600 processor (the difference between the t2500 and t2600 doesn't warrant the price difference, at least in my opinion), 7200 rpm. if you need the high resolution, the extra gaming power/workstation card for 3d programs, or the extra processor speed, then i suppose you should look to the t60p, if not, i would get the z61t or a lower specced t60.

 

I'm curious, what prices is the school giving u ?

 

well depends if you want wide screen or not... Personally I love widescreens so I'd go with the Z61t, but if you only do internet and office type things you might not need it. UXGA=1600x1200 and on a 15" screen that could be very hard to read, I think that 1680x1050 on a 17" widescreen is just about perfect, so that might be a bit small for you

 

I have a T30 14.1" sxga and 1400x1050 looks gorgeous on it. 1600x1200 on a 15" might work.
If only IBM made like a t70 with 17" screen at 1600x1200 .... sigh.
Any possibility of that happening ? That would be fantastic.

 

Sorry for the delayed response - no CPU on weekends. z61 is around 1500 and t60 is around 2400. i want to buy it through the school because if it breaks, etc they can give me a loaner, which would be clutch come exam times (its law school). they also have some dell deals, but i am inclined to go for the lenovos.

 

Bump in case anyone has any other input.

 

I have a t60p with similiar specs, 2.0 instead of 2.16.

This machine rules. I've run into one slowdown and that was when google desktop was indexing all my files. UXGA @ 1600x1200 is amazing. I came from 1024x768 so it was a big jump but i'm really impressed. While programming I can have two VC++ up right next to each other, it's great.

Also HD content from apple trailers looks sweet.

Z61t or w/e, they looked clunky and ugly to me, I figured if I was going to shove down the price premium for a IBM/Lenovo i'd go with the best.

 

Another thing to think about: what kind of connections might you need? Z61t has S-video and firewire; t60p (as far as I can tell) does not.

 

For about $1900 you can get the following specs from Lenovo, I know you said that if the comp crashes you would get a loaner but with the money you save you could almost just get another cheap laptop just in case. Not to mention that this comp is coming with a Core 2 Duo and the updated Graphics card. Also I specked this with a next business day onsite warranty so the service would be pretty quick.

I am not trying to diswade you from buying from your school but you may want to check out Lenovo's website all the same.

ThinkPad T60 Series - 1 Year Carry-in Warranty
Edit 8743CTO $1,613.10 1 $1,613.10
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN: Integrated Wi-Fi Wireless a/b/g/n antenna 1
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB) 1
Operating system: Genuine Windows Vista Business 1
Operating system language: Genuine Windows Vista Business US English 1
Display type: 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT 1
System graphics: ATI Mobility Fire GL V5250 256MB 1
Total memory: 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM) 1
Keyboard: Keyboard US English 1
Fingerprint reader: Integrated fingerprint reader 1
Pointing device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) 1
Hard drive: 120GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm 1
Ethernet: Integrated 1Gb Ethernet 1
Wireless cards: ThinkPad 11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Express Adapter 1
Battery: 9 cell Li-Ion Battery 1
Power cord: Country Pack North America 1
Modem cable (RJ-11): PSTN cable 1
Language pack: Language Pack US English 1
Accessories and options:
3 year onsite 9x5 Next Business Day 41C9168 $206.55 1 $206.55