T61 or T400/500?

Hi all,
I want to get a Lenovo T series laptop, but can decide which model to choose.
In my understanding, the main differences between T61 and T400/500 are: 1) better CPU (in T400/500); 2) better RAM; 3) better Graphics card
Are there any other notable differences (build quality, etc)?
I don't mind the 14-inch display of T400.
The T61 is a little cheaper than a T400 right now. Is it worth spending a bit more and get the T400? Why?

Thanks in advance.

 

From the recent reviews the T61 seemed to be better built than the new T400/T500 . . . *sigh*

 

Go for the newer ones.
The t400 has LED or the t500 has the ATI 3650

Despite the keyboard which is changeable, the newer T series will outdo the T61. Not to mention sick batttery life.

 

If you decide to go with a T61, I'm selling mine in about two weeks. I just ordered the T400.

 

The performance difference will be very small. The better GPU is only important if you game.

 

T400 have a superior battery life in the case you choose a 25W processor. Vibrant LED display allows you to achieve it and it's nicer than those old CCFL displays on old laptops, including T61s. T400 keyboard is said to be 'worse' than the T61. IMO the T61 is worse than my NMB T42p keyboard.

 

Just my point of view.

Switchible Grafik is for Vista use only and isn´t working in XP.
I think battery life will be the same T61 or T500, cause the CPU is most idling
in battery mode, so there is no better battery life in real life.

Most T 400/500 models, till now, have got CCFl lights, according to lenovo´s website.


Performance will not a very much boost.

T61/60 have a nice keyboard.

 

Certainly the new T series is much better. Montevina is a remarkable progress compared to Santa Rosa. Don't hesitate to order the new laptops even when they are a litte more expensive.

 

What are your use cases for a laptop? Personally, my main motivations for a T400 are the build quality (so I can abuse it without having to worry about it falling apart) and battery life (so I can work all day without worrying if I can't find an outlet). I like having that peace of mind so that I can concentrate on more important things like getting actual work done. It really sucks when I want to go to a coffee shop or bookstore and find that i can only stay for an hour because my battery's about to run out or be afraid to pull my laptop out because I might spill coffee on it.

 

Thank you for the replies.
I'm a student and need the laptop for my coursework.
I'm not going to play games, but will need to do some video-editing.
In general the configuration of T61 meets my current needs, but I'm wondering if it's going to meet the demands of the future
Is it possible to upgrade the RAM in T61 to DDR3?

 

The biggest advantages of the t400 over the t61 are brighter led screen, longer battery life, and depending on what you do, hybrid graphics.

If you opt for the lower resolution screen on the t400, then the led screen isn't available so that negates one of the advantages.

 

You won't be able to utilize DDR3 RAM in your T61 AFAIK. You need a computer with a Montevina chipset before it supports DDR3. T61/T61P runs on the Santa Rosa chipset which only utilizes DDR2.

But you will probably not feel the big difference between DDR2 and DDR3. DDR3 has higher timings than DDR2 and although DDR3 is faster, the timings are still higher.