T42 or Z60t ?

I am trying to decide between a T42 and a Z60t.

T42 (2378RGU) Pentium M 735 1.7GHz, 14.1, 1024x768, 40.0G, 256MB, DVD/CDRW, 56K Ethernet 10/100/1000 802.11a/b/g, 4.9lbs, 1 year, WXP Pro SP2, Fingerprint reader, New

Z60t (2511EEU) Pentium M 740 1.73GHz, 14, 1280x768, 40.0G, 256MB, DVD/CDRW, 56K Ethernet 10/100/1000 802.11a/b/g, 4.8lbs, 1 year, WXP Home SP2, Black Cover Fingerprint reader 4-cell

Given: The Z is widescreen format and the T is not. The T includes a Radeon 9600 video card, the Z includes the standard integrated Intel video. They are roughly the same cost.

What other differences could you guys tell me about? Does one have much different heat, reliability, battery life, known issues, etc?

Thanks a lot.

 

Without knowing what you are planning on doing with it, it is hard to help. The T42 with the Dothan will run cooler quieter. It does not have the 9600 card, but rather the 7500 card. The 9600s only come on the SXGA screened T42s.

 

Other than 3D graphics, what kind of things would be preferable to do with one over the other?

I'm not saying you are necessarily mistaken about the video card in that there have been times when a mistake made by the seller or distributor propogates out to all the retail outlets.... but that seems like a less likely case than your mistakenness given that the retailers have had two years to correct their mistake. Lenovo's site and all others list 2378RGU as XGA Radeon 9600.

 

Without even reading - T42 hands down!

And now I'll read and respond more thoughtfully, if needed.

 

Advantages of the T42:

* Video (assuming indeed a 9600, which I'd still triplecheck, just to make sure)
* WinXP Pro over WinXP home
* Runs cooler and (possibly) quieter
* Doesn't have flimsiness issues like the Z60t (select models)

Advantages of Z60t:

* Hmm....

 

Go to office depot and try the T43 and Z60t out for yourself. Personally I really like that the Z60t has firewire, 3 usb ports and the hardrive can be more easily upgraded. But the T42 is tried and tested where the build quality of the Z60t has varried but this was was probably and early production issue.

 

Never buy the from the first lot of any laptop.

 

That is very odd, I checked myself. Usually the 9600 only comes with the SXGA screen. I would follow DR's advice and consult with Lenovo.

 

According to the Tabook, there have definitely been some XGA models with 9600 (look at page 21 of the most recent one), so it's not unlikely.

 

If you have ever even seen a z60 in person next to a T42, I am pretty sure you would go with the T42.

The z60 just feels like everything thing will fall off. And the hinges are a joke. Unless your laptop is just going to sit on a desk it's whole life and not be taken outside and given a beating, get the z60.

 

Agree with you here.

In which case it's better to go with Z60m anyway. It's bigger, more powerful, better display, feels more solid.

 

I recommand T series. Never go with z60t. I suffered very cheap quality build issue from 2 z60ts.

 

If purchasing a Lenovo's laptop, I strongly suggest T series for its excellent quality build. Well... just about most of their laptop except fo Z series are excellent quality laptop... I still like Lenovo's laptop but I particularly hate Z series.