Which of these will do better

Here are the two choices I am faced with, my needs are modest, no games mostly office software and some Photoshop (modest demands for that). I am thinking that if I can upgrade the HD on the 51, that would be the best deal for me. Any particular differences between the 51 and 52 that are not apparent by the specs?? The Flex view on the first choice seems especially nice, I weigh my choices heavily towards keyboard and screen, speed is not as important.

I had been looking at the T42, but these prices are more reasonable and I don't especially need light weight or long battery life, two apparent advantages for the T series.

About the multi-burners.. are these the same slow options as on the T series??

Apart from wieght and battery life, what are the advantages of the T over the R?

Am I limited to IBM branded upgrades on the optical drive or HD with these models; I have seen lots of discussion on the T forum that mentions this limitation and I didn;t know if it applied to the R as well.

Thanks

BTW, these are EPP prices!



ThinkPad R51

1836Q7U $1,099.00

Intel Pentium M Processor 735 (1.7GHz 2MB L2 Cache 400MHz FSB) (Standard)
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Display type: 15.0 inch SXGA+ IPS (1400x1050) TFT FlexView Display with wide viewing angle and high density display
ThinkPad 512MB Mobile Standard Memory
32MB ATI Mobility RADEON 9000
ThinkPad 80GB Hard Disk Drive (4200 rpm)
Multi-Burner Ultrabay Enhanced Mobile side tray (Rambo 4)
Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet and 56K V.92 designed modem (Standard)
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN: IBM 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless and Bluetooth (Standard)
Battery: 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (Standard)
Special offers: Free 512MB Additional Memory, Customer Installed W7P98E8

OR


ThinkPad R52 18494WU
$1,159.20
Intel Pentium M Processor 750 (1.86GHz 2MB L2 533MHz FSB) (Standard)
Microsoft Windows XP Professional (Standard)
15.0 inch SXGA+ (1400x1050) TFT Display (Standard)
512MB PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM (Standard)
Hard drive: 80GB 5400rpm EIDE ATA (Standard)
64MB ATI Mobility RADEON x300
ThinkPad Multi-Burner Ultrabay Enhanced 24X Max DVD Recordable Drive (Standard)
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet and 56K V.92 designed modem (Standard)
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN: Bluetooth Wireless (Standard)
Battery: 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (Standard)

Free 512MB Additional Memory, Customer Installed
_________________
Stuartf

 

pretty close call there given a $60 differential, you're going to end up spending more on the R51 if you upgrade the drive to 5400RPM+, you might get slightly better battery life with the R51 given the processor is slower and older than the more power hungry (but definitely faster) Sonoma. If you want faster, go with the R52, if you want slower but better battery life and the flexview screen, go with the R51. I'd actually lean to the R52, the flexview screen doesn't really wow me a whole lot.

With the R series you don't give up too much, you still get the Active Protection System that comes with the T-series, it is heavier and you can't configure as high-end a machine with the R-series as you can the T. No built-in biometrics on the R is available. I don't know how the internal chassis compare between the R and T as I've never handled an R-series to be honest, my guess is they cut a few corners on the R as far as allowing for heavier parts/materials in the chassis but probably keep a similar chassis design to the T so the build quality will be close -- just a little fatter and heavier.

yeah, the R series uses the ultrabay -- same as the optical drive module on the t-series, so same story there.

 

I thought Rs used the 12.7mm drives so you can get a 8x burner for it. It is still a Panasonic burner which aren't that great. #1 would be my choice. The FlexView screen is very good. You can always upgrade the hard drive. The screen you are stuck with.

 

Select R52 models have the integrated fingerprint reader. The design of the R series is close to the T series. And don't call the R series fat.

 

I'd go with the R51... like zazonz said, the FlexView screen is great.

 

r52
i dont think u can change vram & processor. and changing a hd after u bought it is not a very cost effective imo. flexview i haven't seen it, from what i heard, costs battery and gives pretty bad ghosting when ur scrolling.

 

the only bigger thing compare to t series is the optical drive imo. therefore it leaves roomier chassis

 

Yes, the R uses Ultrabay Enhanced, while the T uses Ultrabay Slim - more options for burners for the R, some of them are better and not as pricey.

Flexview screen is a big advantage, IMO. It costs some battery, due to being brighter, but the ghosting is not worse than on your average laptop screen. I have never been bothered by it to date.

I'd think about getting the R51, but configuring it with a 5400RPM hard drive. The video card (9000) is also kind of weak, but you said - no gaming, so it's not a big deal. At least it's not integrated.