Should I buy this Lenovo SL510 or Lenovo Z560?

I am looking to purchase a laptop and have come across these two:

1. Lenova SL510 from Costco for $599 includes a 2 year warranty. (you may need to copy/paste this link into your browser)


Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T6670 (2.2GHz); 800 MHz system bus;
Memory: 3GB PC3-8500 1066MHz DDR3; Non parity dual channel
Two 204 pin SO Dimm Sockets; 8 GB Max memory
Drives: 500GB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive
DVD +/- RW, DVD burner dual layer
Graphics & Video: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD; 15.6” WXGA (1366 X 768) HD
Vibrant View, LED backlight
220 Nits, 16:9 aspect ratio
500:1 contrast ratio
Communications: Intel 1000 802.11 b/g/n wireless
Keyboard: Spill resistant: Protects the internal components of the ThinkPad SL by funneling spilled liquid to a drain hole in the bottom of the system. Plus, the SL 510 is equipped with the legendary ThinkPad touch and feel keyboard.
HDMI: Use your ThinkPad as a source to an external monitor with HD video
3 – 2.0 USB Ports and 1 Esata/USB combo port
2.0 Megapixel camera
RJ45 Mic In / Headphone
Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
Additional Software: Roxio Creator Business Edition
Adobe Reader; Skype
Thinkvantage Access Connections
Rescue and Recovery
Power Manager
Presentation Director
Microsoft Office 2007 (60-day trial)


http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11618025&whse=BC&Ne=5000001%204000000&eCat=BC|84|56670&N=4047229%204294913135&Mo=0&pos=1&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&ec=BC-EC5-Cat84&topnav=


2. Lenova Z560 from Office Depot $420 with coupons 1 year warranty. I'l have to pay 79 for the 2nd year warranty.

Manufacturer # 0914-42U
processor brand Intel
processor model Core i3
diagonal screen size 15.6 inches
memory 4 GB
hard drive capacity 320 GB
screen resolution 1366 x 768
weight 5.73 lb
optical drive DVD±RW
operating system Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
processor speed 2.53 GHz
memory speed PC3-8500
memory type DDR3 SDRAM
maximum memory capacity 8 GB
wireless connectivity 802.11b/g/n
network connectivity 10/100 Ethernet
modem no modem
webcam with microphone yes
numeric keypad yes
ports 2 USB 2.0; 1 eSATA; 1 Ethernet; 1 HDMI; 1 VGA 15-pin D-sub
memory card reader yes
video graphics Intel HD Graphics with shared memory
integrated speakers yes
audio hardware Dobly Advanced Audio certified


http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/900546/Lenovo-IdeaPad-Z560-0914-42U-Laptop/?cm_cat=2000000422

I'll be using it for light book keeping, checking my email and etc. The sl510 has an older processor, but a much larger harddrive and other upgrades that the Z560 does not have... and seems to be getting very good reviews; it's also preloaded with 2007 Office, which I already have a key for.

I realilze these are not the two most exciting laptops to discuss, but I hope someone here will be able to comment on which they think is the better of the two. Thanks ahead of time for your feedback.

 

Get the Thinkpad SL510.

Better build than the Ideapad and should last you longer chassie-wise (Although it doesn't have the roll-cage the Thinkpad series is well-known to have).

 

Pochi, Thanks for your comment. Do you think the processor in the sl 510 will be as okay compared the I3 in the Z560? Will there a be noticable difference in the two?

 

I didn't compare between Core2Due and i3 in terms of performance, also depense since second generation of Core2Due uses 45nm CPU, which is the same as first generation of the i-series.

But as I can see from the SL510 release date, it seems it use the same 45nm CPU as the i3, so I bet there won't be notable difference in performance.

If I had to choose, as I said I'd choose SL510 over Ideapad anytime.

 

Thanks again for your comment. I just want to add one more thing: the LS500 will cost me approximately $150 more than the Z560. Given this, do you think it's still worth it?

 

I would spend a little more and get the t410i from the Lenovo website. With the 10% discount, the total came up to 674. 10% Coupon for Lenovo ThinkPad T410i 14.1-inch Core i3 Laptop - LogicBUY. I would also consider getting the U460, if you want to take your laptop with you very often. http://www.logicbuy.com/deals/lenovo-ideapad-u460-14-inch-core-i3-core-i5-laptop/23042.aspx

 

k2001- Thanks for your comment. I really want a larger screen. Also, I would prefer not to send more than 599 including the second year warranty.

 

How long do you think you can use the laptop for? The z560 might not last long as the SL500, but if you use it as a desktop replacement I don't see why it would not last 3 years. I would get the z560 and maybe get the warranty from Lenovo down the road.

 

k2001- Thanks again for your comments. How long do you think the SL500 would last?

 

Cant comment on build quality of SL510 vs Z560 since Ive never dealt with Z560.
I would look around for better deals for the price youre willing to pay.
Use google product search, its very handy, Ive used it

Note that SL510 is older Core 2 Duo T6xxx series while Z560 uses newer Core i3 cpu which will be noticeably faster when you will be pushing your CPU to maximum. Also integrated graphics are much better in Z560.

 

They probably build a little bit better than the z560 and other consumer laptop. I am not sure how long it will last, they should last longer than the z560. You could always buy a longer warranty from Lenovo if you are concern about it. Three - four years seem to be the amount of time when people start looking a new laptop.

 

I would choose neither... go to outlet.lenovo.com find a cheap T410, T400, R400, etc.