T61 vs R61 (need to choose today!)

Im replacing my office desktop, MS Office, A lot of internet browsing, some Adobe Illustrator, no gaming, however the choice for a non integrated video card is for the future with Vista. Windows XP a must.

I was just decided on getting a Vostro 1500, But know Ive "discovered" that with a -10% discount I can get this:


6459CTO ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)1
Genuine Windows XP Professional12
15.4 WXGA TFT
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB)
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)8
$978.07

And the R61s:

8918CTO ThinkPad R61 Series
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)1
Genuine Windows XP Professional12
15.4" WXGA,BT
nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M, PC Card/ PCIe
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
$823.65

I know all I need to know about the Vostro 1500.
Whats the basic difference between the T61 and the R61?
Any well known problems on any of the T61 or R61?

Thanks to all

 

the 15.4" R61 isnt the same as the 15.4" T61.. now if it was 14" i'd go with the R61 since there isnt that much diff and they both have lcd roll cage.. in this case its up to your preference.. the T61 15.4" is lighter and has the roll cage.. the 15.4" R61 is heavier and doesnt have the lcd roll cage other then that they will perform the same.. its up to you. i have the R61 15.4" with T8100 and it works great.. but it is a little big size but i didnt care about that.. if i was going to carry it around alot i'd get the 14" R61

 

Same here. I got the 14" R61, upgraded the screen, upgraded the HDD to a 100gb 7200Rpm, 2.4ghz cpu, got Linux version (since I don't use windows at all) - got 4gb of ram from newegg. All for less than $800 with the cpp discount

 

With X3100, and taking size and weight off the equation, does T61=R61?

Im getting a 15.4" Thinkpad (just let my Vostro 1500 go), what would be the difference between the T61 and R61.

 

Umm, the designs are quite different. The T61 should be thinner too. I am not sure I understand your question though.

 

If we dont consider size and weight, both are the same?

 

No, the 15.4" T61 and R61 aren't the same, that's only for the 14.1" models.

The 15.4" R61 lacks of rollcage in the lid, and it's made of different plastic.

 

sO, BETWEEN THIS 2:

ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)
Genuine Windows XP Professional1
15.4 WXGA TFT
Intel GMA X3100 GM965
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
US$910

ThinkPad R61 14 inch
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)1
Genuine Windows XP Professional12
14.1 WXGA+ TFT
Intel GMA X3100 GM965 w/ 1394
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
US$780.

R61? maybe upgrade to 2.4 or a discrete graphic card?

 

You said that (in the other thread) you are replacing your office desktop, so unless you need the extra portability of the 14.1" version, the 15.4" one will be a better choice for a desktop replacement.

Other than that, I didn't say that the 15.4" R61 is bad, it's just a more affordable option, and will be fine for a desktop replacement as well.

 

ThinkPad R61
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8300 (2.4GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)1
Genuine Windows XP Professional12
14.1 WXGA+ TFT
Intel GMA X3100 GM965 w/ 1394
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Enhanced5

Ships within 1-2 weeks** $835.12


ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8300 (2.4GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)1
Genuine Windows XP Professional
15.4 WXGA+ TFT
Intel GMA X3100 GM965
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim5

Ships within 2-3 weeks** $967.95

Ive never used a 14" laptop (or desktop), is the diferecne in price and time worth it.

and a last question If I get WXGA+ 1440x900 in any of them, and put them on 1280x800 , will I see any blur?. I obviously think is always best to get the native resolution, however Im afraid about the jump to 1440x900. Im used in working on a 1280x768.

Thanks,



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Isnt there a difference between the R61 15.4" and the T61 15.4"?

 

If don't need the FX 570m GPU power the R61 14.1" widescreen is an excellant choice. Just as good at the T61 series IMO.

 

The T series is slightly smaller and thinner which causes the price jump

 

1280 x 768 on a 1440 x 900 screen will not be as clear as native. I wouldn't consider using it like that for anything serouis.

 

Under same config:

ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen US$967
ThinkPad R61 15 Widescreen US$814
ThinkPad R61 14 Widescreen US$835

The question is, do I pay US$150+ for a roll cage, is it really needed.

 

As for your question about 14.1" vs. 15.4", it depends on what you're using your notebook for. I'm a part-time computer technician, and full time student, and I find portability and build-design two of my top priorities when it comes to purchasing a notebook.

I found sub-notebooks to be too expensive and also lacking in terms of performance. I think the 14.1" form factor is the best bang for the buck. It's easy enough to carry around in your backpack, and it has enough performance and screen space for developing code, playing games, and reading.

Now the question of whether to get WXGA or WXGA+ (1280x800 or 1440x900). The choice is a personal preference. Though it's arguable that the 1280x800 resolution is easier on the eyes, you can always increase text sizes on webpages on a 1440x900 resolution screen. If it were up to me, I'd go with WXGA+.

To answer your question about blur: Yes. You will see blur if you scale down to 1280x800 with a WXGA+ resolution.

And buy the R61, the magnesium alloy roll cage isn't worth the extra $150.

 

what i see daily as i work on laptops/computers everyday.. i see people spend so much $$ on stuff they dont need and will never use.. i see people like one im working on today.. dell 17" widescreen.. duo core 2.2 ghz.. 3gb of mem.. and he uses it for quickbooks and internet/emails.. thats it.. talk about overkill

i went with the WXGA.. why.. because i knew i was only gonna use it for internet.. some applications.. but nothing graphical.. ie photoshop..etc.. else i would of went w/the higher resolutions.. 1280x800 is fine for just about everything and the screen on mine looks great.. no problems at all.. i dont like the glossy screens on hp/dells anyways.. get what you want.. not what someone else tells you to get.. if it was me.. i'd go with the R61 14" or the R61 15.4" (what i have) but thats me..

 

Alot of people don't know this but the R61 in 14.1" widescreen form does come with a roll cage. Only the 14.1" widescreen model.

 

Thanks to all, once again the T61 is the chosen:

ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T8300 (2.4GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)1
Genuine Windows XP Professional
15.4 WXGA+ TFT
Intel GMA X3100 GM965
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)8
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4


I would have bought the R61, but I was afraid to go from a 17" to a 14" and with a 1440x900 even more. And this notebook will replace my office desktop, which Ive just sold at US$250 (6 years old)

Best and thanks