t400 vs t61

I've done a fair bit of reading in this forum about the two models, but can anyone out there who has actual experience with both answer this for me:

Is there any real reason *not* to try to upgrade from the t61 to the t400?

I'm aware of the keyboard flex and the keyboard light. But with battery life and GPU, the t400 seems like a significantly better model -- like a Ferrari vs. Chevy (if the Ferrari also got great gas mileage). Am I correct in this analogy? Is there anyone out there who would argue that I am wrong?

 

I think you can not compare T61 with chevy ... unless it's the new Z06 Corvette

 

No, in terms of raw performance I'd say both machines are 'very similar'. Of course the T400 has newer and faster processor, faster FSB, faster memory, LED technology on the LCD, better battery life.

It comes down also to your preferences, I bought a T61 primarily based on: 1)Form factor: 4:3 SXGA+ (no longer offered in newer Thinkpads), 2) Budget

Undervolting the processor on a T61 will give you a longer battery life, so to me the difference between those two in practice is not to shocking, maybe only the battery life and the hybrid graphics.

But I would recommend you vastly the T400

And no, a T61 is not a Chevy. Thinkpads are like the Cadillacs in the laptops world. I consider Acer to be the Chevy's of laptops

 

I have a 4-week old T61 (given to me by my company) and a 4-day old T400 (I purchased and just received for my personal use).

Side-by-side comparison:

• They look exactly the same; aside from the larger TouchPad on the T400 (which I disable -- I am a total TrackPoint addictee and one reason I love ThinkPads).
• The build of the T400 appears to be more solid - the palm rest and speaker covers on the T61 are not as 'tight' on the ends where they meet the side as the T400. You can press these parts on the T61 and they flex whereas on the T400 they are solid (construction is identical on both machines).
• The display on the T400 (I have the LED backlight) is much better than the T61 (1280x800 LCD).
• IMO - I prefer the keyboard on the T400. I know! SHOCK!!! Before receiving the T400, and after reading the posts in this forum, I didn't know what to expect -- the T400 is my 6th ThinkPad and I love their keyboards! The T400 is every bit as solid as the keyboard on my T61 (and T42p and T30); however, it is not as 'clicky' sounding as the T61. It is very responsive -- typical ThinkPad quality. And I don't notice any 'flex' in the T400 keyboard. People that are reporting there is flex must be pressing pretty darn hard!
• The keyboard light is a bit bright (and annoying) on the T400 vs. the T61, but heck, I haven't used the light more than a dozen times combined over the past 6-7 years. And it is easy to accommodate -- just make sure your eye-level is above the light or the screen is angled down.

My recommendation -- definitely go with the T400. The LED backlight display is terrific (and I did get the LG). The keyboard is a non-issue. The T9400 processor and Intel WiFi Link 5300 on the T400 are SWEET! The machine is FAST! I love it!!!

Let me know if you have any specific questions and I will be glad to assist. Good luck with your decision -- you won't go wrong with either machine.

 

Nice review abbjr.
One thing i find rather annoying on my less than 2 months T61 is the clicky keyboard. I also owned a T42p and T30 on the past, what a coincidence!

Yes, definitely go for the T400

 

Great forum. Thanks for the info.

The issue is basically that my ancient t41p, which I loved, died in July and I had to get a quick replacement. Top of the line for what I wanted at that time was the t61.

So this is what I have:

t61 wide screen highest resolution possible (1400x900), w/camera
t9300 2.53GHz chipset
3GB RAM
160GB 7200rpm HD
NVIDIA quadro NVS 140m graphics
Intel 4695 AGN wireless
etc.

Would I see a significant enough difference in a t400 that it would justify the cost of upgrading?

The extra battery life seems huge to me, and the graphics card and screen seem to be major upgrades as well. But if in reality I'm not going to see all that much of a performance boost, I won't bother.

 

Depends on your usage. For the T400 you're going to pay a huge premium due to that Intel Centrino 2 platform. I have a X61 and although its a bit old, I have no issues.

 

I'd recommend you to read the Undervolting Guide:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=235824

First thing I did after installing the usual software on my new T61 was to get up and running the RMClock utility to improve battery life and reduce heat. It's so easy that you could add about 30 minutes extra to your battery running time.

Enjoy your T61, it's really a good machine. I also had an old T4x machine, but like the design of the T61 even though the unleveled left bezel.

 

If you already have a T61 in hand, and it is a good machine, I would keep it. I have both and there is no discernable difference between the two. They are both great. As I said before -- you won't go wrong with either machine.

 

Interesting, and very helpful. If the general consensus is that the difference in performance between my t61 (yes, it seems to be a well-built machine) and a similarly decked out t400 with DDR3 RAM is not $300-500 , then I definitely won't bother.

And I even won't see much difference with the graphics? The new ATI card seems to be 33% faster than the NVIDIA. (Or am I reading the specs wrong?) And then if the LED screen is significantly much better...