Z61m Owners: Is It That Big????

all - I have researched this to death and dont want to do a generic "which laptop should I buy post" since i am pretty much down to these two.

Quick background - its for work and my company's supplied Dell D620 is an absolute pile of garbage (I HATE DELL). Dell screen is dull and i cannot live without the thinkpad pointer and scroll button on the thinkpads. I travel for work a lot so this thing carries my personal stuff - music, pictures, videos, etc. and i use skype while travelling to see my 2kids. Therefore the criticals to me are Thinkpad scroll pointer button and webcam.

I am down to 61T vs. 61M but of course cannot find a local one to see. All the posts on the M about size make me nervous (particularly for use on a plane). obviously the bigger the screen the better (spreadsheets, video, SLINGBOX IN HOTEL ROOMS), but is the Z61M TOO BIG to open in a plane (coach)? is the unit really a "brick"?

Keep in mind i am a 6' 200lb male weightlifter so i can lug a lot of weight.

 

oh, that is tiny...I take an HP NX9420 (17" display fyi) everywhere I roam and I have a whole 9oz more to carry...of course it is essentially useless on coach class seating. I suspect your Z61m would be tedious also as I never had luck using my Inspiron 8500 on a plane in coach, business class sure but not coach.

Don't be a girly-man get a real laptop...with a manly sized display...

 

i got a z61m and it is exact same size if not smaller than a dell e1505 and same weight. dont listen to these girly owners on this forum, t series is prob the smallest 15.4 inch on the market in weight and size, the z61m is more than fine, i love mine and take it everywhere, i used it on a plane and had no problems at all, im 6' also and 170 pounds male, t is for girls lol

 

but i think z61m is discontiued, no?

 

discontinued is why i want one...cheaper on secondary market. I am paying for this one with my own $$$$s.

did not mean to start a mine is bigger/smaller debate.

thanks for the input.

 

airlines really should not allow seats to recline in coach. i think the recline is the difference between screen open/screen closed, but it does not make the seat at all comfortable.

 

nope. the 61m is not that big at all. i am 5'7" 160lbs, puts the 7lbs package (laptop+charger) in a 3lbs messenger bag and walk around for an hour... you'll notice the weight only if you hold the laptop on the corner (it's like the center of gravity - moment arm thing)

the problem would be if you are going to seat in a coach class.

i agree with grumpy, don't get girly laptops (note: big man + small laptop = girly )

some said that the Z61m's are bricks due to their thickness and weight, which i think is reasonable. maybe this is the reason why the Z runs cooler than T60 (thin=cramped space for components).

 

it definitly looks like a kick ass notebook. I have a dell which is basicly the same size as the T, but i also have a 17" vaio and COULD NOT IMAGINE TOTING THAT BEHOMOTH around.

 

I actually think your size is very important here (not being sarcastic). I'm 6'2" 20o lbs. and a weightlifter as well. I put mine in a sleeve and drop it into a messenger bag along with books and equipment every day. No problem at all.
That being said, my girlfriend is 5'4" 110 lbs. and when she picked up my notebook she commented on the weight. She also has a problem using her ibook after using my Z because she finds the screen size to be so much more suitable and the keyboard more comfortable.
If you get a plastic lid covering (not the titanium) I would suggest buying a sleeve with some rigidity to it because the plastic lid has some flex in the center. Nonetheless, it really feels quite solid.

 

thanks...i just ordered it actually. I will post my reaction once i get it. if it is too big ill just sell it.

thanks for the input.....

GO SKINS (although thinking about the ravens since i live in ATOWN and d snyder is a...........)

 

The 15.4" wide screen really isn't that bad to carry around. I take my Z60m basically everywhere and it's not like it's a big issue to pull it out anywhere. Fits on the tiny desks we have at school....

 

i decided to get the z61m (C2D 2ghz) from reading this thread. since it's been discontinued, i can afford it now. Looks and probably feels close to the T61 15.4 widescreen anyways for half the price with the same specs... this is going to be probably my summer electronic treat which will also replace my trusty T42. = )

 

Zm series is fine, but neither looks nor feels close to T series. Different shape different size. Much thicker than any other thinkpad. Unless you're going Zt (ie you have to have 15.4), I'd stick with T in this size. They are about the same weight though ~6lbs, so you're not losing much there.

I bought a z60m before the 15.4 T series was availabe, or I'd have gone that route. They are just not the same. Unless you're getting the titanium lid Z, it's ALL plastic, weak plastic. My screen, not even two years old, is DEAD. T60-15.4 has a magnesium lid, and t61-15.4 while having a plastic lid, does have the roll cage up there.

No way would I get a Z right now, with as cheap as you can configure a T w/current price structure, to much upside to a T. imo ymmv.

BTW- especially COMING from a t42, no way will you be able to handle the z61m.

(And I can squat more than Mike.)

 

I'll second what he said. My dad got the first thinkpad of the family last fall (a z60m). Next, I bought a t60 in January and he was jealous to say the least.

I would dread having to lug a Z60m to class... but if you are leaving it on a desk, I suppose it wouldn't be a big deal.

As far as flex, Dad's got the Titanium Lid which seems to be as strong as my t60 15.4ws.

If you have bought it yet, I'd advise you to search around a little harder for a used t60. Feeling/seeing in person makes a big difference when it comes to size/weight.