Z61m the "bastard child" ThinkPad?

Any idea why they pulled the plug on it after just one short year? Is this laptop supposed to be an experiment?

 

Well, there was the Z60m/t before the z61 ... but I think the the Z-series was IBM's widescreen notebook before the offered widescreen versions of the T-series. With the option for a wide T60/T61, there is no longer a need for the Z.

 

I have a Z61m from work as a DTR in the alternative office location. It's not bad, but my T61 is much better for my normal use.

 

the Z series was redundant to the lineup especially since the T series was better and even slightly cheaper. From what I understand though, the Z series is still sold in other parts of the world.

 

Yes, you can still get the Z Series through Lenovo-Education-CA-Products-Notebooks. But then its the whole contract thing all over again.

 

The Z61m with a titanium lid that I just sold was the most beautiful notebook I have ever seen.

 

The Z60m was the first widescreen ThinkPad, then they released the Z61m and the widescreen version of the T60 and it wasn't cost effective to keep both of them since they aren't that different (only case material and some ports and features), that's way they merged the Z61m and the T60 into the T61...

/end of story.

 

What's the difference in case material between the Z61m and T60/T61? They look almost identical to me. Thanks!

 

The Z61m came with the option of having a titanium top cover (as opposed to the regular black ABS plastic that all Thinkpads come wrapped in). With the T61 series, they realized that the metal top cover was actually deflecting/blocking wireless signals (as the WLAN and WWAN antennas were wired inside the top cover), giving the users poor coverage. So they gave that option the boot and instead added a magnesium-alloy rollcage frame INSIDE the plastic housing.

 

I really liked the Z61m I got to review. The thing was built like a tank and the sliver lid was a nice change of pace. I never had any issues with WiFi reception.

 

The Z61m was PC/ABS plastic with optional titanium lid while the 15.4" T60 was carbon-fiber reinforced plastic and it's thinner and lighter... that's the difference.

The new T61 is carbon-fiber reinforced plastic with additional magnesium roll-cage in the lid while the 15.4" T60 and the Z61m have rollcage only in the bottom.

 

No wonder my Z61m feels flimsy on the lid. Glad I didn't try to step on it to see how "strong" it is.

 

The Z61m was basically an R61 15.4", some may relate it closer to a T61 15.4". Either way, there are now both T61 & R61 15.4" models - why keep it?

There are also now T61 & R61 14.1" widescreens, which the Z61t was the first of. Again, why keep it?

I agree though, the titanium cover was neat. Hopefully they'll do something like that down the road

 

Does R61 have carbon fiber reinforced plastic case?

 

The 14.1" T61 and R61 are made from the same materials, so yes.

The 15.4" R61 is still PC/ABS plastic and no roll-cage in the lid.