Model preferences!

I'm at it again with questions. What is you're preference between these models?
R60/61 , T60/61 or Z60/61. I'm looking at these particular models to do some upgrades. SSD, maybe processor if I can get one cheap enough . Thanks in advance for the feedback!

 

I guess I'd vote for the T60, mainly for the FlexView screen. Though you'd be looking at a machine with a back light that's almost four year old, but you can always swap it if need be.

I think if you're looking for the ultimate ThinkPad and don't mind getting your hands dirty I'd vote for the UXGA T60 with the Intel T61 4:3 board. You don't want the nVidia board as it's time bomb and the 140m won't have much graphical oomph these days. Then use Middleton's BIOS hack to get full SATA II support. You'd be left with a fast machine and a great screen.

 

Sounds great!

 

I will hijack this thread, sorry for that, but now I'm really curious - is this frying bug in G84/G86 Nvidia chips affecting Quadro 140m in Thinpkads too? I've bought second-hand, 2 years old R61i with this GPU 2 months ago and I really don't want to get rid of it (I've planned using it till ~2014) ...

 

I don't wish to be overly dramatic. Lot's of people will use their machines for years and never have a problem, but to answer your question, yes the R61 with the 140m is one of the machines effected by the nVidia GPU issue.

 

Okey, thanks for clarification.
I thought that there are only issues with Geforce 8 series, but never checked it though (my fault :c).

 

Z60t uses the same processor type as the T43, unless you want to collect these machines, i would avoid that.

The Z61t which i have is actually quite well built, fit and finish is very good, however it is more of a T60 in a compact widescreen format.

The other variants of the Z6x are bigger, but basically they are one generation behind the T and R series in terms of processor and GPU.

T60 and R60 is getting slightly old now and if you plan to use it for a few years, i would say get the T61 or R61 instead. Especially with middleton's bios modification you can now run the T9xxx/T8xxx class CPU and SSD at SATAII speed, which makes it comparable in performance to a T400/T500/R400/R500.

The best value is to be had with the R61 14.1 inch widescreen, which is T61 14.1 inch slightly thicker cousins. I am in the process of procuring one of these babies to add to my Thinkpad library. They are usually about 100 dollars cheaper than the T61 14.1 inch version for the equivalent spec and condition.

So my advice is to buy the T61 or R61 14.1 inch widescreen. If you really want a Flexview LCD, then you could get a R61 15 inch standard screen version, then upgrade the LCD itself. But for portability and value i would go with a R61 14.1 inch.

 

It'd be tough to shag 4:3 R61 in Tennessee since they were never offer via normal channels in the US.

 

I guess one could only pray and hope... on a side note lot of people are offering the R61 with 4:3 LCD in Australia for 200 to 300 dollars mark, i am wondering whether i should get one.

 

I have a lot of respect for Lead_org BUT... I have no respect for selecting a computer for monetary value. One purchases a computer to do something and either the computer will or will not be able to perform that task. Purchase a computer to carry out the most difficult task.

Renee

 

But for lot of people price is another factor that they must consider when they choose a second hand laptop.