R60 good enough for me, or do I need T60?

Hey everyone

I can configure an R60 for $1000 or a T60 for $1300. They are basically the exact same configuration. So I guess just the chassis will be different. I need a laptop for occasional portability, nothing regular. Most of the time the laptop will act like a desktop.

Would a T60 somehow give me some extra benefit/enjoyment over the R60 for this use? or will I be fine saving $300 for the lower quality chassis? I'm assuming the main thing the T60 will give is a better traveling experience, please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

It's the weight and the construction. I have the T60, my wife has an R52. They're both 14-inchers. Hers is noticeably heavier, and it's slightly creaky because of the all-plastic construction.

Beyond that everything should be pretty similar if the specs are the same. If anything, I think my wife's has a better keyboard.

To be honest, you're sort of paying $300 for sexiness, because the extra pound isn't really a big deal if you don't travel. But did I mention that the skinny little T60 is really sexy?

Chris

 

Just go with the R60 to save $300 I say, if you were looking in the $2,000 range I'd say why not go with a T60 but the $1,000 is a sweet spot for being affordable and sounds like the R60 will suit your needs just fine.

 

I would go with the T myself, if you can afford it without hurting too bad. It's nice to have the flagship model, for one, but more practically, the body's robustness and solidity seems to be more present in the T. The magnesium construction likely has something to do with that.

Alternatively, if you are going to by some peripherals (say an awesome set of speakers, new wireless mouse, external HD, etc. etc.) it'd be nice to have that extra $300...but I would go for the top model knowing I have a great, great piece of machinery. Though, the R seems to be a very, very good piece, so no worries =)

 

How do the R's compare to the Z's in terms of build?

 

The Z is somewhere in between the R and T, closer to the T.

 

Just found out SXGA+ screens are available on the R60. Are they as good as those on the T's?

On the R60, upgrading from the 14" XGA to the 14" SXGA+ screen costs about $70, and on the T60, it is $200. I suspect the R60 SXGA+ screens are inferior in quality, but I could not find a decent review of the R60.

 

Well, the R60 is cheaper because it offers an SXGA+ with integrated graphics. That's not really optimal, the interface will be noticeably slow at that resolution without dedicated vram. The x1300 is $30 more. I don't see the x1400 being $100 more than the x1300, but maybe.

It's possible the R60 screens are lesser quality, but it would surprise me. It's usually cheaper for these big companies to use the same screen and just charge less in the budget line if need be. It's not like the T60's 14" SXGA+ screen is good, or anything.

This could be verified by looking in the T60 and R60e parts lists, but I'm about to go to bed. It's not something to explore right now.

 

On the 14" SXGA+ T60, the LCD panel is 13N7059/61/63.
On the R60, it is 13N7118/20/32. They are indeed different.

 

Anybody know if the T60 frame allows the computer to run quieter or cooler? Much like a highend frame would do for a desktop computeR?

 

Pay the extra $300 for sex! I mean sexy T60...

 

I have an R51 and my fiancee has a T43. The T43 is clearly smaller and lighter, but both perform roughly the same. If portability is essential, go with the T; if not, go with the R and pocket $300.