Old r32 built better than new z60/61?!

I currently have an old thinkpad r32...its not working now....but i remember how it was built so well.

I went into a computer store that was showcasing some thinkpad z60/61 (is there a difference in build quality?) Anyways, upon examining the notebook, i can honestly say...it dosent seem nearly as well built as my old r32. The plastic used is different, sort of softer, while my r32 had this really hard type of plastic. The hand rests had a bit of flex to them, unlike my r32 and overall it seemed that my old workhorse was more durable than the top of the line.

I was quite perplexed, how can my old r32 seem sturdier than the z60/61. Ive heard that the z is better built than the t series, which is what i planned on purchasing.

Has anyone found that their older thinkpads seem sturdier than the newer ones?

 

I'd say the T series are better built than the Z, only reason I can think of for the reverse being the exposed Titanium cover available for the Z.

I had a 600E before my T43, in some ways it seemed better built, less so in others. The T43 has more user-removable panels, which are probably less solid than the fixed panels on the 600E. The screen is less flexy on the T43 even though it is 15" vs. the 13.3 on the 600E.