T61 vs X61

I'm interested in purchasing a laptop that is lightweight with reasonable battery life and portable. It will mainly be used for business.

I was leaning towards the X61 series till I found out no optical drive was included. When you include the base station with optical drive the weight of the system jumps from 3.3 pounds to 5.2 pounds.

This makes absolutely no sense as the T61 weighs 5.4 pounds (essentially the same) and includes an optical drive, has a screen that is 2 inches larger and is not designed to be an ultraportable. Not only that, without an optical drive and having a smaller screen, the X61 actually costs more than the T61.

Is there something I'm not seeing here?

I'm starting to think Sony ultraportables are they way to go with their backlit LED screens, and light weight (3 pounds with optical drive).

I personally don't understand how you can go without an optical drive. What are you going to do if a supplier gives you a CD Catalog of products to look at on your business trip in China?

Reference: http://www.laptopmag.com/Review/Lenovo-ThinkPad-X61s.htm

 

use usb disk? internet? or plug your x61 to their dock? or you can buy the external slim dvd drive, which is quite light. and you can leave it in your luggage, unless the moment you need it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&N=2010100420+1036508673&name=Slim+DVD+Burner



if you really need an integrated optical drive (I don't think anybody does) then x61 is out of the picture. I think xps m1310 is quite popular these days.

5 pounds t61 is kind of heavy for travelers.

 

How many times do you use an optical drive? I used mine a whole 2 times last year. I don't watch DVD's and install very few applications on the road.

I don't miss the optical drive at all.

 

Smaller equals more money in notebookland.

 

You could consider the HP 2510p, although obvious draw backs of the 4200rpm HDD and ULV processor, and only one ram slot. Its light and has the integrated DVD writer. I guess it depends on how much CPU/HDD power you need.
It also has LED screen. 3/6/9 cell options starting from 2.8lbs

 

Could throw in a SSD if you got lots of cash to burn.

 

Try lugging around a T61 everyday along with other stuff in a bag - I think you will think differently about whether you need an optical drive, etc. or not.

 

Agreed. But I was quite worried about the issue at first. I think that's normal.

Now, I wish I could remove the optical from my T and replace it with a travel bezel. But many ppl wanna do the same thing and travel bezel is very hard to find.

 

Very true. The way information technology works today, it really makes having an optical disc rarely a necessity. I too have used the optical drive only once or twice in the past year and a half. Im sure there are some people that must absolutely require a built-in optical drive.

 

Nope. If three vs five lbs is essentially the same for you, the smaller footprint and longer battery life don't matter, and you need an internal optical drive- then T series is your obvious choice.

 

turn the DVD to ISO. seriously, u only need a external dvd rom

 

How do you play an ISO? Will it work with Windows Media Player?

 

Mount the .iso image with Daemon Tools http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/announcements.php

 

U can use alcohol 120% also.