Thinkpad 15.4 Widescreens: Z61m vs. T61

Sorry if this has been discussed on a previous thread, couldn't find anything close to my question.

I'm upgrading my T42 to a large 15.4 widescreen ibm laptop (Z61m vs T61). The T42 served me well over the years, but it's time to move on. I loved my T42, reason I am sticking with the Thinkpad = )

I am really torn between buying the Z61m (9452J4U) Retails: $2529CAD Ibm.ca site, which I can probably get on ebay for under $1200US since the Z series is being discontinued / phased out due to the T61. And than of course there is the T61 (64634XU) Retails: $1900CAD ibm.ca site.

Both laptops will have the following minimum specs (at least close to it):

Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0GHz
1GB RAM
120GB HD
15.4in 1680x1050 LCD WSXGA + TFT
128MB ATI Radeon X1400
CDRW/DVDRW Dual Layer DVD Burner
802.11abg wireless
Modem
1Gb Ethernet
UltraNav
Secure chip
Fingerprint reader
IEEE 1394
9c Li-Ion battery
VISTA OS

I am leaning towards the Z61m since I can get it much cheaper on ebay or IBM retailers since the Z series is being discontinued.. from what I can see, both acts (performance wise), looks (style) and feels (size and quality) the same.

Thanks for your help.. newbie = )

 

The Z61m is heavier and thicker (about 1lb heavier and 0.4inches thicker). Whether thats worth the savings is up to you.

 

The z61m is heavier (~ 3+ kg) and thicker because the chassis is made from ABS plastic instead of carbon fibre, the same goes for the lid unless you get the titanium version. Also, it has robust speakers while the T61 most probably will have mediocre ones.

But then again, the z61m is bulky, they even advertised it as a desktop replacement, not something that most people would want to carry around, so depends on how you plan on using it. Otherwise, they are the same notebook besides the diffrence in specifiactions.

 

the Z series isnt even sold anymore through lenovo. unless you can get a killer deal through an authorized reseller, the T61 wins!

 

Z series has been replaced by T61/R61 14.1" widescreen models. Finally, Lenovo has made it right. There is such a thing for ThinkPad as "Entertainment" models. The idea of designing Z series is just as stupid as making an ThinkPad style MacBook.

 

thanks all for your votes and honest posts! found other posts on the z61m and decided to go with the z61m for a summer buy ... hoping to find myself a great $$ deal since the z61 is discontinued. If I can't find a deal, i may wait a little longer for the T61 to drop in price and or being available for a decent delivery time ... this from what i have been reading on the forums of T61 shipment delays. Thinkpad forever = )