Z61m vs T60 Widescreen

I've been doing some research while considering purchasing a new thinkpad, and I've basically narrowed things down to two options

First is the Z61m Advanced:

• Integrated Bluetooth PAN
• IntelR Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB)
• Operating system: Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
• 15.4" WSXGA+, Titanium
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 128MB
• 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
• Integrated fingerprint reader
• 120 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
• DVD Recordable 8x Max, Dual Layer, Ultrabay Enhanced
• ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ
• 9 cell Li-Ion Battery

The second option is the T60:

• Integrated Bluetooth PAN
• Core 2 Duo processor T7200
• 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 128MB
• 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
• Fingerprint reader: Integrated fingerprint reader
• 120 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
• DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
• ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ
• 9 cell Li-Ion Battery

As you can see, the configurable options are identical, the price is only ten dollars more for the T60 with the current upgrade offers.

The Z61m has the keyboard light, card reader, and s video out, which the T60 does not. I have also read that the Z61 is a tad heavier and thicker.

I am really at a bypass here and don't know which to choose. Are there any recommendations from the people here, or are there any important things that I am overlooking?

 

I thought all T60's had the keyboard light. I have the T60 WS and love it. I travel with so I went with the thinner notebook.

Scott

 

The T60 does have a keyboard light, AFAIk it's a white LED while the z-series has an amber colored LED.

The z-series is more multi-media oriented as you can tell, it also has a firewire port which the t60 lacks. The z will be a little thicker, and has a titanium lid. The T has a thinner ultrabay than the Z. I'd get the Z if you are dead set on a widescreen, any reason not to look at a 14.1 4:3 T60? There are other sturdy WS notebooks made by other manufacturers.

 

I was unable to find information about the Thinklight for the T60 series on Lenovos page. If its in there somewhere, it sure isn't as easy to find as it is for the other models. I trust the people (here) that own them, and now know that the T series has the light as well.

As for considering a 14 inch, portability is not the biggest concern for me, as this laptop wont be moved around more than a few times per week. Also downgrading to the 14.1" SXGA+ T60 is only ten dollars less than the widescreen T60, and the same price as the Z61m that I have configured.

 

Z series has a multimedia card reader and firewire. It is also a little thicker and heavier and has a titanium lid option.

T series has no multimedia card reader or firewire. It is slightly thinner and lighter - particularly without the titanium lid which is .5lbs heavier than the black lid.

Otherwise, feedback indicates that the machines are basically the same with comparable build quality. So choose between card reader/firewire and thinner/lighter.

I like me Z61m a lot, but something slightly thinner/lighter would be nice. I don't really travel with it, so it's not an issue. Would I give up the card reader for this? Not sure. It was a non-issue when I ordered, as the price difference was more than $300-400 between the T60 widescreen and Z61M with the employee pricing deal they were running for students/alumni at the time, so I went with the z series.

 

Something else I just realized, the T60 and Z61 have different ultrabays, are there ultrabay batteries available for both types?

 

Yes, they should both be listed under accessories for each series.

 

So the only advantage of T60 vs Z61 is being slightly thinner & lighter?

 

Z61 has the card reader and S-Video out, also has the option of the "titanium" screen. I think that i can give up these features, and would rather have the slightly lighter and thinner T60.

So ill probably end up getting the T60 for ten dollars more, before the 150 dollar savings offer runs out.

 

The Z61m also has the MaxBright option.

 

hey don't forget about the integrated webcam and microphone

Z61 = camera, firewire, s-video, card reader, titanium, not that thick

T60 ws = does not have what is stated above, 'some' have light leakage and is THINNER

i got the Z because of the webcam and the mic. i do not need other stuff connected to my USB port when i talk via yahoo messenger or skype. mic's reception is clean and good, worked well for me. speakers are of course a bit of tin in sound (no sub-woofs here hehe)

oh, by the way, i love the thick lid of my machine. adds strength to it. i won't worry about thin lids, as i tend to feel they are weaker in some aspects. i mean let's say the sony SZ's cover... wow they are thin alright. but you can bend the cover and damage the LCD, but not the cover itself such strong material

as some say... choose over 'thin' and the 'bulky add-ons'

 

Do the Z's have a metal chassis ?

 

it has the "roll cage" if thats what you mean

 

I too am looking in between the Z61m vs the T60WS. I like the T60's slimness/weight, but the Z61m's titanium lid is appealing. Does anyone know if Lenovo may put the titanium lid on a T60WS? I'm personally holding off until CEntrino Pro comes out, but am still looking so i am prepared for my purchase.

 

the T60ws will not have the titanium lid as far as i can tell slapping it with the titanium will give it bulk and weight.

maybe they have this kind of monicker on their products...
T = sexy and thin
Z = fat?!
X = cute
R = regular