X61 visual comparisons - Videos.

NBR has made some excellent reviews of the ThinkPad X61, but for visual assessment there are only pictures.

Hence, for those of you who have not seen a X61 in real life, here is the next best thing.

It should give you a good idea of how small it is. Not as tiny as certain Japanese ultraportables like the Panasonic R-series, but for a 12.1" 4:3 format notebook it is certainly amongst the smallest ones (with 4-cell battery). Definitely the most powerful in its class, in terms of raw processing power.

X61 vs R61 size comparison:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7rQxmpc_dc

X61 vs Lenovo V200 (Widescreen):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi1OLt9QckM

EDIT: I added a picture (taken from ThinkPad forums) to show the size difference of the X61 and X61 Tablet. Quite noticeable.

 

Excellent video. I have T61, X61, and now an X61 tablet ... size is astonishing.

 

Yes, I agree. Compared to most notebooks the X-series is very small.

Although, a while ago I brought my X61 to a business associates' home and when he saw it, he was acting all excited about the size. That was until he, with a big smirk on his face, pulled out his new 2 lbs/10.6" Panasonic R6 . That thing is extremely tiny. See the attached pictures of the Panasonic R-series vs. Y-series (14.1") and W/T-series (12.1") which has more or less the same footprint as the ThinkPad X61.

But then again the X61 is so much faster than even the latest Panasonic R7, which makes me feel better .

 

Speed over size ... I can stand the 3.1 pound form factor.

 

i wouldn't want a notebook that small anyways..i always thought the x series was the perfect size...I'm kind of dissapointed that I didn't order that instead of the T series...but I do like the widescreen better on the T

When the x series comes out in wide screen...my notebooks going on ebay and im getting that immedietly

 

I agree to a large extent.

I find the X60/61 to have the perfect size as well.

I however wouldn't be interested in a 12.1" widescreen version of the X-series as that would make the whole notebook a bit too wide in my opinion.

If it came out in a 11.1" widescreen version (like the Sony Vaio TZ) then I'd be interested.

But I am very happy with the X61 form factor. I only wish I could increase the resolution every now and then.

 

That Panasonic probably costs twice as much as a ThinkPad X61 though.

 

If you compare US import prices for the Panasonics with the US prices for the X61 - then yes.

It really is a shame though that they are not more common in the US/Europe. There are many nice notebooks to be found in the US, but when it comes to ultraportables and thin and lights, some of the Japanese notebooks are still in a different class in terms of weight and dimensions.

Take the latest Panasonic Y7. It's a 14.1" (4:3) business notebook with Santa Rosa, L7700 1.8GHz and X3100 GMA. It only weighs 3.3 lbs and will realistically probably give you about 5-6 hours with the standard battery which does not protrude.

 

The Y7 does look very nice for its specs. I would probably buy it if it was the same price as a US ThinkPad.

However, with all the specs aside, I still prefer the ThinkPad look. I like how the design was inspired by the Japanese lunch box.



More X61 pics.







JabbaJabba,

I asked you this a while ago and I'd like to get an updated response. Is the paint on the corners rubbed off yet, or does it still look brand new? My roommate owns a R61 and all the corners are rubbed off on his ThinkPad. I've came to a conclusion that it's natural and will happen to all ThinkPads eventually if you carry it around.

 

I agree Sp00n. I am much more fond of the ThinkPad design than that of the Panasonics. If I was to buy a Panasonic, it would be the R-series which you can get in Jet Black color (see attached pics).

The paint on the corners of my X61 is still intact. But as I've told you, I always put it in a sleeve before throwing it in the messenger bag. In general I take very good care of my things, so that may be the reason I have not had the issue you have. You've gotten a bit obsessive with this haven't you?

 

I am pretty hard on my units, and no the pait has not rubbed off my X61's or T61's for that matter. They are of a sturdier build in general though than the R series boxes. The last R I owned was an R51 which I had for a couple of months. A good machine, but it felt cheap, and I could easily believe that the paint would have rubbed off of that sucker.

 

I would take a machine that is the size of a large suitcase and weighs 30 pounds and has excellent performance over small and ok performance any day

 

that may be going a little to far..but a x61 is the best fit for size and performance

 

That is quite a statement. Try pulling out that 30 lbs monster on the plane

As far as performance is concerned, it of course depends on one's needs. But the X61 does not only deliver "OK performance". The main issue for some would be that it is not suitable for major 3D gaming due to its X3100 GMA. In that case, yes it is only OK or mediocre performance.
But apart from that, it offers spectacular performance - and not only for its size. Up to T7500 2.2 Ghz C2D, 4GB RAM, 5400-7200 RPM drives (or exchange with SSD), Intel 965 chipset.

But of course everyone is not the same and do not have the same needs. To each his own. Even if that means getting a 30 lbs suitcase for a notebook

 

Well me personally, I want something on the smallish side while retaining excellent gaming performance, thus i went with a T61 14" with the NVS 140, but yes i would realistically go for the 30 pounder if it had say an 8Ghz Processor and Dual 8800's and 8Gb RAM. It all depends on priorties.

 

I just stumbled over a picture on ThinkPad forums, showing the difference between the X61 and X61 Tablet. I seem to recall people asking about a size comparison between the two, so I added it to the original post.