Thinkpad Z or T?

It's been a while (8 years) since I've bought a laptop, so I'm a little behind the power curve on what I need in it. My principal choices are the T and Z series Thinkpads, but I don't know which of the two will suit me best, which sub-model to get, and whether or not I should be waiting for the next iteration of the T series (whenever that might be, and whatever it might bring). In the hopes of enlightening myself, I offer the following answers to the FAQs and respectfully request any and all input. Thanks in advance...

1) Machine will be used primarily for business functions: word processing, e-mail, Internet. No heavy gaming, no video editing, no heavy photo editing, no CADD.

2) Daily mobility is not a concern; I will need only occasional mobility. Most likely, the machine will spend a substantial amount of time in a docking station, and most movement will be from room-to-room within my house. In other words, I need something between an ultraportable and DTR.

3) I would like the machine to be viable for 3-4 years with some salvage value at that point.

4) Big hard drive is a must. I will be using multiple apps at once (e.g., Word, Outlook, and IE for legal research). CD burning is a must; DVD burning is an option (I can always get an extrnal for the dock).

5) Screen size, resoluion, and aspect ratio are negotiable. I'm not wedded to any particular dimensions subject to my answer to (2), above. Highest comfortable resolution (the T43p 15" UXGA is out as uncomfortable for me).

6) WiFi (at least bg) and Bluetooth are a must. WWAN is a nice-to-have (I can always add a card, and I don't know that I'd use it anyway).

7) Money is not a huge issue, but I'd like to stay in the $2500 ballpark if at all possible.

 

I'd say to wait for the Z-series, but only after the new Z review is published here, since for your needs, the T42/43 or any of the new z-series will fit your needs - and when the new ones are released, you may find the widescreen not very familiar, etc.

You have plenty of choices, I envy you

Good luck!

 

I'd definitely wait for that Z review.

As for which one you should get...well, you'll be fine with both. It all comes wether or not you want widescreen. If you don't care, get the T, it's more widely avaliable and it has an excellent reputation. If you're not sure which screen you want, wait for the review, then decide.

ThinkPad's hold their value well.

 

I like the T42 for you. It is quieter and better battery life. Plus you can probably get it cheaper. Good Luck.

 

It's not worth waiting for a T series update or refresh, that's not going to come for some time and when it does it'll be to incorporate the new Intel processors due for next Spring. But, for what you do, you don't need the latest and greatest processor, just a really good one and they're available now. I can't speak for the Z at the moment (still don't have the one I'm promised by Lenovo), but it doesn't seem like you need the extra multimedia functions it offers and the fact it comes with a 1-year and not 3-year default warranty that you'd have to cough up an extra $200 then I'd lean to the T to save you some money. Also, the T is a proven popular machine, you will be able to recoup some cost on it after 3-years if you decide to sell.

 

If you have $2500 to spend, either a fully loaded T43 or a Z60M. The Z60M will have a 15.4widescreen. I wouldn't go for a high resolution monitor due to the fact that the screens are really too small for 1280X1024. I have a 19" lcd at home with 1280x1024 and when people see it they say my fonts seem pretty small. Realistically you will be running 1024x768 unless you've got eagle eye vision.

The T42 with fingerprint recognition or T43 will suit your needs. Both are like a very fine suit, which command attention in the boardroom or at Starbucks.

 

Screen resolution is a personal preference. If you can check some out to see what you like better, I'd recommend it. The 1400x1050 on my T42 seems fine to me.

 

SXGA+ is no problem for me (I've seen it and like it in both 14 and 15 versions). UXGA worries me. The only UXGA machine I've seen is a Sony Vaio 17" WUXGA, and it was pushing my comfort level. However, since a 15" standard screen has just about the same vertical dimension as a 17" wide screen, I might be OK with it. I'd have to see it to find out.

Thus, I think my options are:
1) Loaded T43p (2687-EJU)
2) Loaded Z60t
3) Loaded Z60m

All three are about $2500 out the door. I'm waiting on the Z60 review and knowledge about my new work computer to decide. A favorable Z60 review means I'll go for one of them (the t if work gives me a desktop, the m if work gives me a thin-and-light laptop). If I go the T43p route, and decide it's too small to see, I'll drop back to standard T43.

 

okay, well i should have a z60t by tomorrow or friday (supposedly) so i can offer more insight after playing with it for a while. i will do my best to post first thoughts and pictures this week.

 

I think, wait for Z60t review. Then decide between this and the T42/43.

 

The more I think about what I want out of the notebook, the more I lean towards a T series. Widescreen isn't a must for me. Sure, it would be nice to have a word document and a LEXIS research screen or such open side-by-side, but that would be awfully tiny on the Z60t. WWAN is nice, but I don't think I'd get its full value...that's principally what a Blackberry or Treo would be for when truly mobile, and what WiFi and LAN are for when in a hotel on the road. Besides, it's easy enough to add via PC card. Firewire and SD card slots? Easy PC card fixes...if I ever need them.

15" T43 seems like the way to go--the best way to get a desktop-quality system in a mobile package. Even though it's about as heavy as the Z60m, its shape is much more conducive to mobility than the widescreen. The 14" SXGA+ T43p is still a consideration, though I really like the idea of Flexview (and I can CTO a 15" for about 2/3 what a 14" p costs).

Thanks all for your input--very helpful orienting me to a market I haven't explored in nearly a decade and a manufacturer I've never before considered.

 

try looking at r52 too. i think t series's palm rest is also plastic.
The differences are t4x's front cover is covered by magnesium (i read somewhere that fingerprints are easily attached to it), r52 is covered with the same plastic as the one used for palm rest.
r52 body is bigger, allowing better air flow i guess.

in terms of feature, both are the same, fingerprint, chip, bluetooth & some r52 with firewire

 

The T-series front cover is made of a magnesium composite while the bottom chasis is titanium reinforced CFRP(Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer). The R-Series is dressed in ABS plastic. As I understand, the z60t is built like the T-series except the bottom doesn't use the titanium reinforced CFRP, but is housed in all magnesium composite with the magnesium "roll-cage" inside it. The z60m uses the magnesium "roll-cage" but is housed by the same ABS as the R-series. This is what i gathered by looking at the tabook from the Lenovo/IBM site, which gives you the specs of all the models available.

 

Yep, the R-series looks exactly the same as the T-series (I had a difficult time telling the two 15" apart), but the feel is different. The T feels cool to touch, while the R is your normal plastic. Talking about the palmrest, underside.

 

oh yea sorry i only compared them once, didnt really look through

cfrp: carbon fibre reinforced plastic
is polymer = plastic?

 

I think you should get a Z60t, from what I have read, it seems perfect for you

 

Hang on a second...

I'm looking at your post, and I see an R series in your future...

No docking support (unless IBM hid the dock connector somehow), so USB will be the way to connect your peripherals, but it'll otherwise meet your needs (if you get a config with a hi-res screen). It'll also be cheaper than a T series.

 

Negative on the R series, since I need the dock support.

I've ruled out the Z series: 14" WXGA simply doesn't provide the screen real estate that I want, and 15" SXGA+ is too bulky (not heavy, just oddly shaped to carry conveniently). That means T series. I'm either going to go for the special offer T42 that they have now and then upgrade in a year for Merom, or wait until they release Yonah in Jan/Feb. I don't really need 64-bit, which is the primary difference of Merom over Yonah. For that matter, I don't really need dual core. But I would like to see if they add a FireWire port, integrated Verizon WWAN, and the "space frame" construction to the next T series iteration before I buy. If I recall correctly, at least space frame is expected, and I'd be surprised if they didn't also offer integrated WWAN on their flagship business machines.

 

And a Windows key. Now that they put it on the Z series, no reason not to put it on others.

 

Except, aren't they saying that the wide form factor of the Z made room for a Windows key?

They could still not put one on the new Ts.

 

Nah, there's plenty of room on my 15" T42 for a Windows key without shrinking the other keys (empty room on the sides of the keyboard). And if you are OK with shrinking the Ctrl and Alt a bit, you can add those on a 14" T-series laptop too.

 

Meh. Only use the thing when I have a full screen program stop responding (such as a game) and need a quick way to get the taskbar back. Couldn't care less if it's there or not otherwise.

 

Well, I'm perfectly happy with right Alt being my Windows key...

 

i think R52 can use dock.. not sure tho
edit: http://www.costcentral.com/proddetail/IBM_ThinkPad_Dock_II/287710U/895440/

 

OK, MP5 is correct.

The R50e and R51e do NOT have docking connectors. However, all other R5x systems have them.

The R50e and R51e are the base budget models (graphics appear to be the difference - the R51e has ATI graphics, the R50e has iEG2.)

 

I'd rather have my right Alt function as Alt, if I can. Right now it's my Windows key and I can live with that, but I'd prefer a dedicated one.

 

Learned not to use Windows Key.

 

i'd prefer they swap left ctrl position with the Fn than having another windows key slipping in between them.

 

Ideally, they'd put the Fn one row below where it currently is, thus making room for the Ctrl to be on the far left and for the Windows key to be where it should be. I also think they could stick the function keys together, to make room for the Escape key on its native row. But even at its current state, it still is the best keyboard.