Dell D630 vs Lenovo T61

They seem to have similar prices and specifications. Which should I buy, T61 or D630? What are advantages of each?

 

The T61 has the option for the Quadro NVS 140m (The D630 will have the option for Quadro NVS 135 later). The T61 has a magnesium rollcage, the D630 not. The T61 has PCMCIA aswell as expresscardslot, the D630 only PCMCIA and expresscard 34 by an adapter.

I don't know where you live, but the availability here in The Netherlands where I live is very poor: Thinkpads are rare and overpriced (T5500, 1 GB ram, 1024x768, 60 GB for € 1550)

The Dell is cheaper here and better available.

If you live in the US, I should buy a T61 because of the Magnesium rollcage and the Expresscardslot.

 

I'm struggling with the same decision, so I don't have a real answer for you. A few things I'm thinking about though...

1. Battery life -- all the reviews I've seen suggest that the 630 has better battery life. It fits a bigger battery without sticking out. However, most of the reviews are of a T61 with dedicated graphics and the 630 is only available with integrated for now. I'm planning to get integrated regardless so that might boost the T61 battery life a bit.

2. Overall build quality -- the T61 is probably more durable and has a better keyboard from everything I've heard. Of course, I've been happy with my D600, so this may not be a huge issue.

3. Heat. They make a big deal about the T61 being cooler. I use my current D600 on my lap fairly regularly so I'd like the idea of a cooler computer.

4. Robson. The T61 can be configured to have the turbo memory cache now. Early reviews suggest it may not do much, but it seems like that may have to do with a problematic installation.

5. Media card reader: Only available on the T61 not the D630.

A couple nitpicky things: I'm used to the ctrl key on the outside of the fn key and I'm concerned the reversed placement on the T61 would drive me nuts. The off-center screen on the T61 seems a bit weird. I'd probably get used to it, but I wish they'd centered it. I'm also a little annoyed that neither machine has an s-video out, but I still think I'll go with one of these over the HP Compaq 6910 (the best alternative to these I could find).

Good luck with your decision!

 

I would pick the D630 because all the connections are at the back.

I dont like cables laying on either side.

Now which screen is better and brighter between these two?

 

Battery life is important to me so I'd go with the D630. Dell accessories and extra batteries are also easily available for (a lot) less than retail on ebay. The low battery capacities for the T61 is a deal breaker for me, otherwise in most respects it's the better notebook.

 

A brighter non-glare screen on the 630 tips the scales for me.

 

Gah! I never noticed the off-centered screen and probably never would have if you didn't bring it up! Little off details like that really annoy me...could it have been that hard to make it centered? Also, the Ctrl and Fn key issue is huge for me since I'll be using my desktop and my laptop, so it looks like it's the Dell D630 for sure now.

 

Does the screen look off-centered to anyone? If it is, that would bug the heck out of me.



I personally choose a Latitude over a T61 becuase of no 15.4 and WUXGA.

 

There's a whole discussion on the off-center screen in some of the T61 threads. Apparently it has to do with the placement of the WWAN antennas. Very annoying for those of who don't want one anyone.

I'm leaning toward a D630 right now too, although the possibility of a standard aspect 14in T61 sometime in the next few weeks has me intrigued. (I do a lot more document editing than spreadsheet editing).

 

My sister has a Z61T w/a WXGA+ screen. If the new T61's use the same screens, the D820 i had for a while with the WSXGA+ LG screen was extremely brighter then the one on the Z61T, both at maximum brightness. The speakers on the Lenovo's are extremely quiet as well.

At the moment, i'm debating whether i should wait for a 15.4" T61 to come out, or just purchase the D830.

 

The Dell Latitude D630 has a strong aluminum magnesium case, so it does not need a roll cage. Thinkpads use a less sturdy plastic case that requires a roll cage. As far as durability is concerned, I prefer the Dell Latitude D630. I voted for the T61 because I prefer other features. I am not sure which I will buy.

EDIT: I should expand on the "other features". I hear the T61 has an especially nice keyboard that makes typing easier. I also am still disappointed about many rumors I heard about flawed WXGA+ monitors used in previous D620 laptops. It is also frustrating that Dell chose to use the 135M instead of the 140M. It is not a major issue, but it is annoying.

 

T61 only has a WXGA+ screen, thats a deal breaker for me.

Why would the "off center" screen be bothersome ? I mean the screens are never centered on the vertical axis, and people dont complain about it, why ***** about extra plastic on one side of the screen ?

 

WXGA+ is 1440 x 900, right? This seems sufficient for a 14.1" screen. I've got a 1400x1050 screen at 15" on my current laptop, and the DPI could be less without causing problems.

Here are the dimensions of the two machines:
d630 - 337 x 238 x 32.3mm (13.3" x 9.37" x 1.27"), ~5 lb
t61 - 335 x 237 x (27.6 to 31.9) mm ((13.2 x 9.3 x (1.09 to 1.26) in), ~5 lb

(I assume this is not counting the protruding battery on the t61).

I ordered a t61 on Monday. Lenovo had sales on all the major upgrades components that I wanted (resolution, memory). While some configurations became much cheaper the next day, mine stayed about the same.

So the build-quality seems to be the same (personally I have more confidence in Lenovo, but that's not an issue). I'm looking forward to seeing whether the new cooling technology in the Lenovo makes much of a difference.

 

Any comments from owners of D620?

 

I've got a T61 on order and should be delivered the first week in June, but if the LCD is as bad as my old T43, I'll dump it and get the D630 with the 220 nits LCD.

 

I just went ahead and ordered myself a D630, too bad it will take freaking forever to get here. Well, 6/18 but it feels like a long time.

I chose the D630 because of the better battery life and the supposedly better screen, we'll see about that when my machine arrives.

 

To ease the long wait for the D630 check out this video of D630 (as well as the D830) from Dell's offical blog website.

Direct2Dell D630

 

Is it me or has Dell's pricing become less competitive? Seems like Lenovo, which you used to pay a premium for, has adjusted their prices to make them much more affordable. Granted, it's hard to do an exact comparison because the components don't exactly match up. But in looking at the D630 and the T61, I find that the T61 is more affordable than the D630. When you consider the build quality of the T61, why would you want to spend more for something that isn't built as well?

 

You know I am looked at everyone of my new colleague z61T and the screen are HORRIBLE!

It is not bright at all.

EXCESSIVE light leakage at the bottom of the screen. The taskbar is super bright! In fact, nobody in my work group had realized it until I point it out to them and now they see it.

I am going to give Dell one more change. I had my D620 returned last year after I had it for 45 days. The screen is not bright and grainy and very limited horizontal viewing angle. After all the complaint on Dell forum on the D620, I think they got the message. We shall see about the D630.

 

D630 for me. Build quality is better (yes, I said it. No plastic for me ), battery life is better, support is better, look is better, screen is better, what else could you want?

 

just wondering, did anyone ever get either of these laptops?

for the t61, are the rumors of bad battery life true? even with integrated graphics?

for the d630... are there any complaints? i don't think i've heard a very damning critique of it as of yet.

 

t61 - yes that battery life is poor.

d630 - Mine are sturdy. Can't complain the least bit.

 

So I really like the D630, and think I'm leaning towards getting that, but I was really hoping for an integrated webcam. Anything else that has good build quality, support for a dock or port replicator so that I can use dual external monitors, good battery life, integrated webcam, all in a light weight package for around $2000?

 

i choice dell latitude d630 for it's battery

 

I had these 2 in the running also. I have had my D630 for 2 weeks now and I love it cioimpletely. Possible exception the vertical viewing angle. However, it is a pretty screen and has excellent brightness, which is more important to me. I have the WXGA.

It is a good solid sturdy notebook. I got the 9 cell battery. not sure I'll ever need it, and would love to get Dell to send me a 6 cell for free so I could try it

I really like this notebook. I got the above mentioned plus internal graphics, 2.0 chip with 4meg cache. I added 2 GB of RAM to the one I bought it with. I bought the cheapest hard drive figuring I will get an SSD as soon as they are anywhere near affordable, and then off load some files to an external USB or NAS.

It really feels like a rock solid machine and has a way better keyboard than I expected. Hope this helps, Dave Also, Dell;s web site is a delight compared to ANY other notebook's site that I have ever seen. Real easy to get drivers, updates, etc. I tip my hat, Dell has done a great job on their site and you do not appreciate it until you use/need it.

 

Another D630 owner here, and likewise very happy with mine. A good balance between everything I was looking for in a laptop - performance, portability, reliability, and battery life. Emphasis on reliability because i've never has success trying to crash, stall or BSOD the darn thing, even on bad drivers (another story), and thank goodness for that. Vista on the D630 is a delight, despite what the pundits have said. Screen is nice and bright, too.

They keyboard is fantastic. Kudos to Dell for that. Anyone who used the D600 and earlier know that keyboards were never their forte, but they did good on this one. No flex - just a good sturdy keyboard with very good feedback. It's just a pleasure to bang away at this thing!

Talk about an "unsung hero". I personally would have never discovered this gem if they hadn't deployed Dells at the workplace.

Regards,
P

 

Thought I'd chime in too. I've had my D630 for almost a month now--and love it. The only quibble I have is the onboard sound--not good at all! But, that doesn't affect me too much, as I don't really use the sound very often at all--in fact, most of the time, I have my computer on mute.

dordale

 

Agreed, Vista is sweet on the D630. I intend to take this out in the real world to many offices and it does seem nice and sturdy.

I am considering getting a docking station on eBay for it just to try it out.

Dave

 

Is the sound on the D630 acceptable when hooked up to external speakers?

 

Admittedly, the internal speaker stinks, but it's a biz book. It ought to be fine on external speakers, as it has proper drivers.

 

I too love my D630. Get the dock. I have it plugged in to a cheapo Sony micro stereo and audio is great. I am running Vista x64 on T7300/2GB RAM and it is the best OS/machine I have ever used... and I use a T60 for work ... sold a MacBook recently too. Best balance of features and price. I do like the aesthetics of the T61 better but who cares. The keyboard on the D630 has a better feel than the T60, which is nowhere near as good as an old Thinkpad T42. Lenovo is letting slip on its keyboard superiority grip, it seems. I had a D600 and it had a weird and flexy keyboard.

Does anyone know if you can add the Intel Turbo Memory and Bluetooth module after sales?

 

Both are possible, I believe.

Regards.

 

Let's revive this debate as I think that it is still very valid.

By instinct I much prefer the T61 as for me it has been very reliable and I dislike Dell's because of the unreliable customer support and the constantly varying prices.

 

I own a T60 and I wouldn't consider buying a T61 for that reason alone. I would stare at the off centered screen LOL.

The Latitude series is no slouch and both the T Series and D Series laptops compare in many ways to each other. Both have solid build quality even if the T Series offers a roll cage.

My personal opinion is if you can wait till next month their should be further news regarding the new E- Series Latitudes which look HOT ! They may even launch next month for all we know. July seems to be the best guess right now.

 

I've used both. Easy choice. Kept the D630 and returned the T61. The screen is brighter on the D630, the standard warranty and customer service are superior, and there are no creaks in the palm rest that the T61 suffered. In fact, the D630 just feels more solid.