SL500 or R61 - what to buy?

Hello

I have to option to buy next three notebooks for almost the same price.

1
ThinkPad R61i Intel Core2 Duo processor T5750 2.0Ghz/2 GB/160GB/15,4'' TFT WXGA 1280x800/ Intel X3100, 256MB shared/Multiburner/Gigabit Eth+modem/ Intel Wireless 802.11a/b/g/Bluetooth/FireWire/IR/batery 6 cell/WXP-PRO, FINGERPRINT READER

2
ThinkPad R61 Intel Core2 Duo processor T8100 2.1Ghz/2 GB/160GB/15,4'' TFT WXGA 1280x800/Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 256 shared,MB/Multiburner/Gigabit Eth+modem/ Intel Wireless 802.11n/Bluetooth/FireWire/IR/baterry 6 cell/VISTA B32, FINGERPRINT READER

3
ThinkPad SL500 Intel Core2 Duo processor T5670 1,8Ghz/2 GB/160GB/15,4'' TFT WXGA 1280x800/Intel X4500 Integrated Graphics 256MB + web cam Multiburner, Gigabit Eth+modem, Wi-Fi 802.11a.b.g., Bluetooth, 4xUSB 2.0; FireWire; HDMI; RJ-45; RJ-11; Microphone in: External Display (VGA); Headphone; 7-1 Multi Media Card Reader (SD/SD HC/xD/xD Type H/MMC/MS/MS PRO)batery 6 cell, win XP PRo FINGERPRINT READER

I don't exactly know what are the difference between SL or R61 series but in my opinion option 2 is the best.
What do you think? What will you buy?

I also see that there is very little talk about SL series, why? Is this model not popular.

Does the SL series also have metal hinges for display.

Thank you.
Best regards.

 

I would also go with option #2. The SL series seems like a cheap machine and in my opinion should not have been included in the Thinkpad line up. I am pretty sure that the SL series doesn't have any type of roll cage design, the R61 15" machine does for the chassis. The R61i is basically like the R61 expect that it has a glossy screen. But the R61 you posted above has the best processor.

Things I know:
- R61 is more durable than the SL500
- The SL500 is missing any roll cage design
- The SL500 is missing the spring loaded latch to close the screen. It closes with pressure. I personally hate this.
- SL500 is glossy, so if you are sensitive to finger prints then this might be a concern
- SL500 does not have the trademark Thinkpad steel hinges
- SL500 doesn't have the Thinkvantage software

Here are some links that might give you more info:
Lenovo Blogs SL Series
SL 500 Review
R61 Review

 

Hello

thank you for your reply, I will go for second option

br

 

Second option is best, not only because R61 is better than SL500, but the T8100 processor is based on the newer Penryn 45nm core with 3MB L2-cache. The other two models contains the older Merom-2M 65nm processors with 2MB L2-cache.

 

Understand that these are not real ThinkPads. They sort of look like one (though not really, with the glossy lid) but they don't have lot of the features common to other ThinkPads

No magnesium case
No bottom roll cage
No Think Vantage
No top roll cage
No Steel hinges
No ThinkLight
No lid latches
No Ultrabay

and the BIOS identifies the laptop as an IdeaPad, not a ThinkPad.
This last part isn't going to be an issue for most people, but it's proved a real headache for those trying to run Linux. Other ThinkPad models are made to be Linux-friendly.

 

I would go for option 3, the SL500 because:

• The processor speeds among the options are not different enough to be a major consideration. All will handle routine operations (applications, web, video, games) pretty efficiently.
  
• You will only need the magnesium case, roll cage, steel hinges, etc if you plan to sit on your computer, drive a car over it or other rough things like that. Most laptop users do just fine without these features.
  
• You will in fact get ThinkVantage. The poster who said this was not true is wrong.
  
• The glossy screen will display pictures, videos and games much better and the webcam (increasingly a standard on most laptops) will allow you to videoconference (free!) with friends and capture video to load to YouTube etc. Video is the future!
  
• The media card reader will allow you to easily upload smart disks used in cameras, phones or music players (for pictures, songs, etc)

Will it be possible to get Vista instead of XP with the SL500? You will enjoy the Vista experience better and will also be able to use Ready Boost to boost machine performance with a smart disk.

Finally, give up the fingerprint reader -- if you can do it for credit. It is less useful than it first seems, just like the Thinkvantage light. Really only cool for showing off to friends!

 

Build quality of the R61 is far superior.

The only advantage the SL500 has is a slightly superior GPU. The x4500 can accelerate decoding of h264 and VC-1 video files (including 1080P HD), the older x3100 cannot. Both GPUs are inadequate for anything but older and/or simpler games. The SL500 also has HDMI, this allows you to easily hook it up to an HDTV to play back video content.

I don't like glossy screens, but a lot of people do, so that is a matter of personal preference.

It also wasn't mentioned but the SL series has a 6 row and slightly compressed (especially top row) keyboard. The R61 has an exceptional 7 row keyboard. Further, the ThinkLight is surprisingly useful as it allows you to type effectively in a dark environment (I miss it on my x200 Tablet [due to the lid design, none of the tablets have the light]).

I would go with option 2 for an all around laptop, but option 3 (the SL) is slightly better for media purposes (the speakers may be better to).

 

stay away from SL at all cost. They're advertised as ThinkPad but they don't have the same quality of other ThinkPad lines.

 

Lots of problems over at the Lenovo forums with the SL range, fan running constantly, high DPC latency etc. Made me look at the R series instead (should be getting the R500 next week).

 

Why not a T61/T500 from the Lenovo Outlet if you have a limited budget?

 

Agreed at the Lenovo Outlet are very sweet deals on T61's. IMO buy the T series if you can, but if not stay with option 2 as you stated.