T61 14.1 inch widescreen vs. Dell Inspiron

Hello all,

I am in a dillemma of sorts. I purchased a T61 recently (it is still under the 30 day return policy) but am quite attracted to the Dell Inspiron 1420. I can configure them both for around the same specs and same price. The dell screen is same resolution as the T61.

Question is: Which one would you go for? And why? Is the dell keyboard now really comparable to the t61? Is the screen better? Is the system overall similar to the t61? How about the weights and yea...

It'd be great to get some opinions, as I have to decide quick: Keep thinkpad or refund and get inspiron 1420. Again prices are errily similar.

 

Are you kidding me? The Insprion 1420 gets beaten seven ways to Sunday by the ThinkPad in terms of build quality and keyboard. Even people in the Dell forum will tell you that.

Just prepare for the number of "I can't believe you're comparing these two" type of posts to come after this one.

 

Depending on how you use ur note book...

Dell Inspiron : Media, games

Lenovo T61 : Buisness , weak games , browsing etc.

 

yea the only thing over the t61 would be the nvidia 8400

 

I configured a 1420 for about $600 less than what I'd buy the T61 for at a retailer I'm looking at. Do Canadian university students have a discount with Lenovo too if ordered on the website?

 

here we go again.
Thinkpad T61 vs. Inspiron 1420 round #1001

 

I think even the graphics cards are similar, aren't they?
I think the only real benefit to the 1420 is price (with the Dell coupons). And if you prefer the glossy screen and/or the different styling, then that too. The 1420 is thicker, heavier, no dock, no ultrabay, and while it's decently solid, I wouldn't want to bounce on it with a motorcycle.

 

Well you're asking this on a Lenovo forum, so of course most everyone here will go for the T61. Also, you make it sound like the word on the street is that Dell keyboards are comparable to Thinkpad keyboards. It's actually the Latitude line that is getting good keyboard reviews, though most will agree the Thinkpads are still superior in that regard.

T61 and Inspiron are two different machines built for totally different purposes. You can't really compare them. Now D630 vs T61, that's a little better. But for that, just read the forums. There are millions of threads about that.

 

I don't understand why people always say "you can't compare x and y." Yes you can. Find out what the needs of the person are then decide which laptop is better for those needs. That's called comparing.

 

Well we don't know his needs. So we're telling him what need each one is better for.

 

And that's called comparing.

 

I need a great computer for finance, excel modelling, and word. that's all.
cmon now, the t61 can't be THAT superior to all other notebooks?

 

Not all others. HP business laptops and Dell Latitudes are comparable to the ThinkPad. Inspiron, pathetically, is not. You've seen lots of information about ThinkPad build quality, including the use of magnesium base, roll cage, and steel hinges. If that still doesn't convince you that a ThinkPad is superior to an Inspiron in build quality, then there's nothing more this side of NBR can offer you.

 

Well then I guess we can compare a bicycle and a steak, but that would be completely useless.

This is getting off topic.

To mliu: The T61 is considered superior in build quality. A 1420 probably would be fine for you, but if you're getting them for the same price, why not get the one that has a better chance of surviving if you drop it?

 

You are getting off topic. You analogy makes no sense and has no relevancy to the ability for us to compare Inspiron and ThinkPad. For mliu's needs, the ThinkPad is fine because he/she doesn't game. The ThinkPad will offer overall a better fit and finish and will protect the hardware inside better. This is the best I can say to offer insight about this comparison.

The 1420 and T61 are not sold at the same price, either.

 

The OP said he can configured both around the same specs and got the same prices, so that's what I based it off of.

 

I guess times have changed. TP's are getting cheaper.

OP, I don't really understand why you want a 1420 when your ThinkPad is already in your hands. Is there are specific reason why are you even considering switching?

 

I don't understand what the OP sees so attractive about the Inspiron personally. If they're both near the same price, it should almost be a no brainer to stick with the T61.

 

OP, I was in a similar situation as you, except I had already ordered a 1420 with all the goodies ("free" 2G RAM, 160G HD.) I happened to see one a mall and after I'd picked it up (along with its well-fed cousins the 1520 and 1720), I decided against it. The 1420 is just too porky for the thin-n-lite class, and the keyboard feel was very vague.

These days price isn't a reason to turn to an Inspiron. If you do get a Dell, get a Latitude instead.

 

It felt vague? Was it soulless or something?

 

it's final...the inspiron is SUPERIOR to the THINKPAD...i just asked my 11 year old brother who owns an inspiron and had him look at the that and the thinkpad...i had him type his name too. he said the midnight blue inspiron PWNED the dark black thinkpad handsdown. and he's real good with computers too...so that settles it boys. thinkpad going to return house and inspiron ordered! for about $150 more for a similar config with my t61.

 

Seeing your needs, as with others I am not sure why you find the Inspiron attractive in comparison....the T61 seems to be a slamdunk here. I'm with amitface.

Is it the Dell's media capabilities, color choices or glossy screen that you like?

That being said, I am a bit surprised the prices are equal...I thought the Inspiron would be a bit less expensive.

 

it's final. the inspiron is better than the t61...that's it.

 

Wow. This is after your research?

 

HAAHAAHAHAAHAHA

That's the best research I've ever seen.

 

Wow, I'm surprised Playmaker didn't berate the OP like he usually does.

The situation must be real pathetic.

 

Just sounds like another case of a guy trying to stir something up.

 

It's really stupid to ask someone else to test two keyboards in front of you to find out which keyboard is better. You can test the two keyboards your damn self to find out which keyboard is better. OP needs to pull head out of ass. And to pay $150 more for an Inspiron officially makes the OP the biggest fool in town.

 

OP first post:

OP final post:

He's a troll from the Dell forum, nothing more to see here, please disperse...

 

Miliu ..... your brother is only in computers for games so of course he's going to choose dell over lenovo.

 

....

That's cool... I think we'd all agree that he should buy an Inspiron, right guys?

He well deserves it!

 

I REST MY CASE! MojoRT the notebook GURU no less says that the inspiron is better. THUS, not only my 11 year old brother, but also a (i donno how old) GURU says i am correct. pwned.

 

Whoops ... did I accidentally say that?

Well, guess I'll join the discussion then.

It depends on what kind of notebook you're looking for, milu. If you don't mind that the 1420 is a little bit thicker than the T61, and you like the design better, then go for it.

I recently had a chance to take a look at a 1420 at the Dell Kiosk. The feel of the keyboard seems to have improved slightly (the keys are softer, feel more rubberized as opposed to cheap plastic). But the overall feel (plastics, palm rest, LCD hinges) don't have the solid build like a Thinkpad does.

What's are some of the important criteria you consider in a notebook?

 

It's ok, I'm sure he thinks Wonder Bread is the best stuff ever.

I'd never buy an inspiron. Lattitude perhaps, but definitely not inspiron.

 

Yea, dumb comments like these are remniscent of those of trolls.
This dude apparently ordered TWO T61's. Let's talk about that for good measure.

He says here he received the T61 on June 21. There's no way his T61 is still under the 21-day return policy.

Also, he doesn't need his brother to help him figure out what keyboard is better.

....because clearly, he can do it himself. TROLL!!

 

t61 ALLL THE WAY!!!

 

dell pwns the thinkpad hands down please no more stupid discussion on which one is better. its obvious. the thinkpad feels like plastic. dell feels like titanium.

 

wow...your neurons are criss-crossing

 

You made your own choice. Have fun with your "titanium" dell insppiron.
I used three inspiron laptops before and their build quality could not compare to the new T61 I got.

 

hahaha...this guy is gonna crap his pants when he checks out a "plastic" thinkpad....im typing on my sisters inspiron and thing thing is soo creaky

 

mliu is a troll. Let's close this thread already.

 

not even close, a 11 years old kid !!!
what a jerk, asking a kid to compare the two keyboards and the trackpoint on Dell "feel" better so Dell is SUPERIOR to Thinkpad....

This is super stupid too

 

Stupid Discussion !!!

Now you think you're superior to everybody here too, RIGHT !!!

 

Is this some kind of stupidity contest?

Let me just dive in then: I owned 6 Dell's in a row and YES plastic sucks, all worn out after only 4-6 months of use. My latest Dell is a 1505, bought 8months ago and I already had to change: LCD hinges, motherboard, hard drive (lost 3 months of work), and there are serious signs of wear on the palm rest.

I will get my T61 in a few weeks and will compare but the main reason I didn't choose another Dell is build quality, it IS cheap. I very much doubt that the 1420 changes much from other models I owned.

So I can't compare but from experience Dell Inspiron are not build for heavy users or business use at all.


however with the little experience I have with Lenovo now I can tell that Lenovo customer service is not up the US legendary standards at all, waiting time is horrible. Availability is terrible, these guys work like in a governemental agency of some kind.
Dell's CS is outstanding in comparison.

 

I used to own a IBM t40.....that thing was a rock...it never crapped out on me...and finally after 3 years...it started showing signs of abuse...(touchpad had scuffs on it, etc...but still no hardware flaws)...but never stopped working...it was just slow in comparison to the newer laptops so I sold it on ebay and still got a whopping $500 for it

I went with a HP business laptop JUST 6 months ago...got a nice price for a new one off ebay....the piece of crap already broke on me...first the wifi stopped working..then the dvd rom..then the usb...until finally the thing just stopped working....I'm not even going to bother going through the warranty process and keep it...im only doing it so I can resell it back on ebay....so HP was a bust

My sister got a Dell E1505 last year...and the thing already has screen flickering problems and creaks like crazy. I just don't trust it. It makes noise every time I rest my palms on it to type....

from what i've heard..the t61 is supposed to be rock solid as well...along with a little led light on the top of the screen which comes in handy...spill proof keyboard..which is a must nowadays...airbag on the HD..metal hinges...magnesium roll cage so you can just stack your laptop in with your books and not worry about putting too much pressure on the screen...

all i have to say is WOW

 

As long as we are sliding off topic...

I got the GF a HP TC4200 last year. Great specs. Great design, perfect for her needs.

OMG what a piece of crap it was. Luckily for us the reseller was great and kept sending us another unit. At the end of the story I had FOUR (4) defective HP TC 4200s on my desk. I took them all apart, used the best of the parts and made ONE good machine which we kept and has been keeping the GF happy for 1.5yrs now. Great little machine.

Problems
Severe light leakage.
Dead pixles
Dead tablet operation (design routes the wires over a bump in the hinge which breaks them. Modded the final one to prevent this.)
warped palm rest
missing bluetooth module (yea, missing, WTF?)

And that's just the stuff I can remember.
My impression talking to support was that I the support staff was paid $1/week in some third world country, that they'd had a computer described to them, but had never actually used one.

The reseller is the only reason we didn't give up and get soemthing else.


My dell 4150 held up fairly well. Clearly plasticy. It died when I dropped it on the couch and it landed on the armrest (padded.) This bowed the whole machine and cracked the LCD. I straightened it and bought a new LCD, which the backlight died in less than a week gave up on the 4150 and eventually ordered a T61p.


I had a sony Z505 a long time ago (P2 300mhz era.) Wonderful little machine, worst support I've ever encountered. The only thing support knew how to say was "reformat the hard drive and reinstall the OS." forget about any real help. Then on a plane into China the hard drive died. This was a big problem for me since this was a working trip and I desperately needed the laptop. Sony refused to do anything until I could get home and get the physical copy fo the sales recipt. Then they had to send me a special box (1 week) for it to be sent to the depot for repair - a little over a month. It got back and they had put in a drive half the size of what I'd paid for. I had to go thru the whole process over (another month and a half.) It came back and the hinges squeeked something terrible, returned it again, came back and had another problem. Returned the machine to CDW and swore off Sony.

While on the terminal waiting list for the T61p, Sony released their new SZ6 series lappys. I ordered a SZ650 from J&R which should be here tomorrow. I WILL be getting the On-Site warranty.


In my opinion there probably is no 'best' or 'owned' when it comes to lappys. Quality is a crap shoot at best, they are all very fragile, support has all been farmed out to some third world country for $1/week and regardless of what these companies say, they couldn't give a rat's azz about their customers, the only thing they care about is the bottom line. If you can't hit them there you aren't getting anywhere. And then you need to get lucky and get a good machine.