T500 vs T61

Hi,

So from what I've heard, the T61 and T500 are pretty similar, except the T500 has some major issues with the keyboard, which is a result of Lenovo's attempts at weight reduction. I'm thinking about getting a 15.4" Thinkpad, and I'd like to know which one I should get.

Thanks!

 

The T500 has some newer/better features, such as DDR3 memory, and I believe higher graphics options, but the T61 is a much better deal right now with all the price reductions unless you really need the increased power - and the T61 is pretty good as it is. I'd definitely go with T61 if you can still get it.

Although I'm not sure why exactly you'd want to trade that dv9700t for a ThinkPad non-workstation unless it's been giving you problems. Performance-wise the ThinkPad will be pretty similar.

 

Yeah, I agree. I would definately go with a T61 right now, a high end T61 over a T500 anyday.

 

Thanks for the help, I guess I'll go with the T61 then. Do you know how long it will be available for? Is Lenovo planning to phase it out any time soon?

The dv9700t has a very short battery life, and is a little big for my purposes. Also, there are a few hardware issues with it which are rather annoying. My plan is to give the dv9700t to a family member, so it's not like I'd be losing money through the deal.

 

T500 is one generation newer than T61. Keyboard is a way-over-blown "issue". Lenovo is discontinuing T61 based on information from other threads.

 

My bet is the 15.4" T61 will suddenly disappear from lenovo.com with no warning. Maybe this week, maybe next week, maybe next month; all depends on when they sell out of remaining inventory. The T500 is the T61 replacement. So if you're set on a T61 you'd best do your ordering sooner rather than later.

As to the keyboard thing, I have a T400 and I've owned true IBM Thinkpads in the past (750CD, 7550cx, 390e). I've used T61's as well. I have no issues with the keyboard on my T400. It's one of the best laptop keyboards I've used. Yes I can make it flex if I push down on it hard enough, BFD.

I honestly think this whole keyboard thing is overhyped; I recommend you seriously try to find a T400 or T500 to try out. If you should find for some reason you don't like it but still want a T500 it's easy enough to order a T60 or T61 replacement keyboard for $50 or so.

 

Recent patterns at Lenovo has shown that they pull the plug on a product abruptly without notice(ex: t61p). If you want a T61, make your choices and get it quick. With that said I love my T61p. Beautiful machine.

 

Get the newer model not the old!!

 

I don't get it.. The T500 should be better and is newer, yet the T61 is $200-1000 dollars more expensive in Denmark. Now, when you guys say they will stop selling it, why on earth is it THAT much more expensive?

 

The T61p is still available on the Lenovo website; however, it is a hidden link. Don't know for how much longer, though. If you want one, get it while you can. The link is:

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...rkflow:LoadRuntimeTree?sb=:00000025:00000311:

 

Hmm, very interesting, I though they were gone. Not sure how you found that. Thanks for posting the link, that should help some people. You can't get to a T61p if you go the normal route that is Thinkpad -> Tseries ->T61. Wonder why they are hiding it?

 

Be careful though - I have read in other threads that recently orders have been made for T61p's, and then the orders were canceled several weeks later by Lenovo - parts not available. Best thing would be to call a sales rep and confirm availability on the phone.

 

I just got my T500 yesterday and was worried about the flex issue. I'll be honest and say that I've never owned a thinkpad previously, but it does NOT flex at all to me it I force it down the surroundings give very very very slightly, Less than my desktop microsoft keyboard, it feels like typing on concrete backed board under normal usage.

 

Now I'm not sure what to do. If Lenovo is going to be phasing out the T61 soon, I might not get it in time. If the keyboard isn't that big of a problem and can be replaced anyway, then I might just go with the T500.

Are there any other problems with the T500 that weren't in the T61?

Also, is it worth getting the ATi graphics card, or will the Intel one suffice for light gaming? I only play Guild Wars and Unreal Tournament 2004.

 

Oh, BTW, to feed the keyboard debate a little more, I stopped by Microcenter tonight for other reasons and they still have a 14.1" widescreen T61 out.

To my surprise, its keyboard had MORE flex than the little bit I can manage on my T400. ???

I can't claim to know what others are seeing on their systems, but what I saw and felt does not support the notion that the T61's had no flex.

 

It's in people's mind: the old good days. nothing newer could be better, soon they'll be forgotten.

 

So I opened up my thinkpad today to see whats inside, and I seem to have found why my keyboard is much stiffer than I expected. It does not look like the one Andrew posted at all, it looks like the t61p keyboard without all the cuts in the bottom, I don't know what brand it is tho.

 

One more thing about the keyboard flex: I shouldn't notice the issue if I don't press too hard on the keys, correct? Because when I type I barely press on the keys (just enough to trigger them).

 

Exactly. Press hard enough and you can make just about anything flex.

What counts is normal usage, and in my case (since I don't type like a gorilla), there is no flex during typing -- at least none that I notice.

 

OK, I guess I won't worry about the keyboard then.

Also, can anyone answer my gaming question from post #14?