Like my R61i better than my T61

Hi I don't know why I paid a $300+ premium for the t61, even with all the discounts it came to $833 but I got a R61i from Newegg.com for $499 with DVDR but a lower processor speed. 1.86 vs 2.1 I think. Super Pi 1M times reflect this with the T61 getting 21s while the R61i is 36s. Otherwise the R61i is better in every way - brighter screen when both on max brightness. More solid feel with no flex anywhere while the T61 has flex on right side by enter key and over HDD. I also Like the R61i doesnt have a touchpad to get in my way when typing. On the subject of noise the R61i is quieter. At first I thought it was the 7200 rpm drive which cam inside the T61 but I swapped them and the 7200 rpm became silent in the R61i.

It's too bad newegg ran out of that R61i @ $499 - I would buy another and sell this T61.

 

This may be a good news for me cause i'm thinking of r61 too

 

Configured as follows -

R61i - R61i(7650DHU) Intel Pentium dual-core T2370(1.73GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 1GB Memory 80GB HDD DVD±R/RW Intel GMA X3100 With Windows XP pro

T-61 - Intel Core 2 Duo T8100(2.10GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 2GB Memory 160GB HDD 7200 rpm DVD/CD-RW Combo Intel GMA X3100 With Linux

I forget to get a DVDR with the T61...

 

It's really a shame Newegg raised the price and is now OOS but keep your eyes pealed for $499
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834146449

 

Some other issues I'm noticing

The T61 has a really paltry touchpad anyway - almost 1/4 size of MBP and the buttons I hit while laying here tying with lappy on my chest - hehe lazy mans way to communicate. I love it. Anyway - I think the mouse buttons are too close to the edge and easily accidentally hit and the pad is too small to be useful - especially if you're used to the trackpoint.

I have since installed my own copy of XP pro on both machines (only got linux on T61 due to Lenovo's discount for ordering that way) and the R61i boots faster because the T61 goes though some additional BIOS checks before actually reading the HDD for windows. Once both are in the black screen windows bar they boot about the same. Keep in Mind though T61 has a faster HDD.

Speakers seem to be the same albeit in slightly different locations - both are good compared to presario I had.

To be fair - the pros of the T61 are a ever so slight thinner I'd say 2mm thinner and about 1 cm shorter but to me this is offset by it's flex and cheaper feeling. Also the T61 has a nice rubbery like top coating behind screen while the R61i is plastic on top, the same plastic both laptops seem to be made out of.

The T61 allows for docking unlike the R61i. Save your money seriously.

 

I already have one in mind, but thanks!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=261414

 

The differences between the 14.1" versions of the T and R series aren't that great, but if you go to 15.4" then it pays to get a T series. I chose a T61 because it ends up being more portable (smaller and a little lighter). I was used to carrying my W7S which weighted 4.4lb with the battery included. I've only been carrying my T61 for about 5 days now but I can feel the difference in weight. The T61 is a great machine in all aspects, but I wouldn't mind it being a little lighter (especially since I don't have $3000 to spend on a X300).