Thinkpad T61 vs. new Dell Vostro 1400

I noticed that Dell introduced a new line of small business laptops called Vostro, so I configured a Vostro 1400, their 14.1" widescreen, and set it up against Lenovo's Thinkpad T61 14.1" widescreen with near-identical specifications as follows:

Thinkpad T61
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
Operating System Language: Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic - US English
System graphics: NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M (128MB)
Total memory: 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard: Keyboard US English
Pointing device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Hard drive: 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Optical device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
System expansion slots: PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot
Wireless card: Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Battery: 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Current price: $1495



Vostro 1400
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic
14.1 inch Wide Screen XGA+ LCD Display with TrueLife™
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
160G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
8X CD/DVD Burner w/ double-layer DVD+R write capability, w/o Roxio Creator
128MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8400M GS
Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini-card
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate)
Integrated 2.0 mega pixel Web Camera
Integrated High Definition Audio
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Current price: $1402


Comparisons
Both laptops feature a magnesium roll cage, sealed keyboard, 14.1" widescreen and simple, black appearance suitable for business

Contrasts
The Thinkpad T61 uses 128mb of NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M graphics, while the Vostro 1400 uses the better (?) 128mb of NVIDIA GeForce™ 8400M GS graphics card.

The Vostro looks pretty decent, but I think the T61 still wins in the beauty contest.

Vostro 1400 requires you to have TrueLife (glossy screen) if you want the better resolution. I personally don't like glossy screens.

Now here's the real kicker... if you want to do a few upgrades from the FACTORY, the Vostro 1400 pulls ahead big time: Upping the ram to 3 Gb and adding the 160 Gb 7200rpm hard drive option (not available on T61) bring's Vostro's price to a mere $1597, and Thinkpad's price to an estimated $1930 (assuming price of 160gb 7200rpm HDD same as Vostro's if it were available).
Now we have a 17% price difference, as opposed to 6% difference before.

Unfortunately the Vostro line is so new, there are no reviews to be found yet. The good news is you can order it with NO bloatware and a 30-day money-back guarantee period with no restocking fee. I would really like to get the Thinkpad T61, but the better hard drive and $333 price difference on my preferred configuration is starting to make me think.

Please post your thoughts and research, thanks!

Greg

 

Just FYI, but the Vostro line up is the same as the 1720/1520/1521/1420 and you can use those reviews as a baseline. The build quality will be higher than the Inspirons though.

The laptops JUST got released, so there will be few reviews up and running right now...but some will come soon I'm sure.

We have a 'first thoughts' review and a full review posted here on NBR as well, you might want to read them.

 

I've been a dell customer for years, I've had several of their laptops.

I just purchased my first T61, and the build quality by FAR, is better then any of my previous Dell's. Unless Dell was 50-60% cheaper, I'd much rather, NEVER go back.

 

Here's some additional info:

The Vostro 1400 weighs in at 6.3 lbs and 1.42" thick
The ThinkPad T61 weighs in at 5.0 lbs and 1.26" thick

 

I would go with the T61, as I believe it is lighter, thinner, and not as bulky overall compared to Dell's new Vostros. One thing that is also important to consider is that the Quadro is designed for workstation / 3D / graphical work, as in for graphical designers. The Geforces are meant for media / gaming. Granted this is a specialized kind of thing, and that Quadros will still do many duties meant for the Geforce perfectly fine, just one thing that you may also want to consider. I personally do not like the new T61s due to the design "improvements", but still find that it is the better choice.

 

It would be great to see a comparison of battery life, which I think is T61's biggest weakness.

Even with horrible battery life I can't see anyone picking a Dell over a Thinkpad "at the same price".

Dell's got to start building some notebooks that are more portable in this price range considering the competition from Lenovo / HP.

 

Isn't the Vostra a rebadged Inspiron?

 

Yes, it is.

 

If you don't like glossy screens and just want a well built all-around notebook, take a look at the D630. I had the D620 which I liked a lot, but the screen on my unit was pretty bad. It sounds like they have greatly impoved on the D630s. You can get a pretty decent configuration for around $1k plus it comes with a three year warranty standard. Then just upgrade the memory yourself which is a lot cheaper. You can get 2 1GB sticks for less than $60. Dell has about the best return policy around should you not like it. If I were in the market, I'd look at one.

 

but improved.
has magnesium rollcage
spill-proof keyboard

 

It might weigh that on another planet, but on Earth it weighs 5.39 lbs with a DVD/CD-RW combo drive and 6-cell battery.

 

hey you cant compare both of them. one is a cheap/expensive laptop. it is just the other verison of the of new inspiron. and the thinkpad t-series a ultimate laptop. your just comparing apples and oranges. all i can get tell you that lenovos laptops are great they are strong as hell i have tested it al ready lol. haahha.

i know because i owned a dell laptops for about 4 yrs they are just garabage

 

Vostro is different, as it was already mentioned in this thread. Your old Dell was garbage- this new Dell isn't necessary garbage. Don't judge unless you've actually tried the Vostro or read reviews about it. You aren't psychic.

 

UPDATE: The ACTUAL price difference is $1495 for a T61 versus $1208 for a Vostro 1400! I learned that if you click on the "Smart Values" link on Dell's website, you can customize the 1400 for a whopping $200 less... now the difference is a little more noticeable!

 

I would definitely go with the T61 over the Vostro.

 

Both Dell's I've had required 2 motherboard replacements in less than 2 years. Consequently, I didn't even consider Dell this time around. The few little dollars saved on a cheapo Dell are not really saved dollars at all... when you buy a Dell you're simply delaying the costs of an unreliable machine, in my experience.

I have an HP now, it's alright... but when I bought it I had the screen go bad on a business trip and HP was a real nightmare to work with - I was without my primary business machine for 1 week. Never again!

This time I paid up for a 3 year support contract on a new T61. Depot service only, I don't want to local numbskull messing with the machine!

 

The Dell that's the closest competitor to the T61 is the Latitude D630.
The Vostro 1400 should only be considered for either (1) better price, (2) multimedia features not available on the D630, and/or (3) glossy screen option.

The Vostro will be thicker and heavier than either the D630 or the T61, and won't offer some business features like fingerprint reader or media bay battery, and there's no dock available for it. On the other hand, it does have some multimedia features, and overall, I expect it to be good for its price.

 

I've ordered a Vostro 1400 myself, and it was under $1200 with tax and 3-5 day shipping for the same specs as those on the first page with 1GB instead of 2 and the 120GB HD. It should arrive mid-August, so I'll let you guys know what I think of it then. I want to nuke Vista and put Ubuntu on it though...we'll see how that goes.

 

Hrmph - I would gladly pay a bit more for thinkpads if they could get them out on time and have more uniform build quality. I don't even look at Dell anymore after so many negative experiences with their desktops in the past.

 

Your comparison is inadequate. The Vostro is more in line with the R61. I believe the R61 will still slaughter the Vostro. Especially when you start counting in pricing. You're not supposed to buy RAM from the factory, you're supposed to buy it at NewEgg. I think Dell knew that. Lenovo's counting on Corporate idiots who are too lazy to go buy RAM from NewEgg.

 

Speaking of upgrading memory at Newegg, does anyone know what the maximum memory space is? I assume it is 4GB since that is the max one can specify at purchase.

I'm not as concerned about durability as many of you because I'm looking for a notebook to use only in the house, not for travel. With that in mind, I think the Vostra seems like a better deal then the IBM/Lenovo. However, I must say that service I've received from IBM/Lenovo on a T42 has been great. Their service warranty is worth the money.

Another thing pushing me towards the Dell is the glossy screen. For home use, it will often be an entertainment computer. I guess glossy is better for that.

 

In the first post it was mentioned that the Vostro has spill resistant keyboard and magnesium alloy reinforcements...is that a precise affirmation? I know only the Inspiron has them...but I can't be sure.
I'm on the market for a laptop and I'm thinking for either Vostro or D630 (not considering the T61 or R61 because I just don't like them). For college I guess I'll go with the Vostro because the D630 will set me back more than I can spear and has business features I don't really need...