Difference between T61 and T60?

Hi, I'm a bit confused with the differences between T61 and T60. It seems to me that T61 is a newer generation but when I searched around the shops, I found that T60 was usually priced higher than the T61 with similar configuration. Why is it like that? Anyone can advise the new comer to the Thinkpad world?

 

Don't pay attention to the price; older laptops are usually priced higher than the newer ones.

Basically the T61 uses the new Santa Rosa platform while the T60 uses the older Napa platform. There's no reason to get the T60 unless you want a standard ratio screen. However, a T61 with a standard ratio screen is just around the corner.

 

Old technology is for some reason more expensive. Even DDR memory is more expensive than DDR2 memory.

 

true, DDR is more expensive than DDR2, despite the fact that DDR max out at around 400 mhz, while DDR2 is about 800 mhz. Correct me if im wrong

 

For laptop memory, yes.

 

T 60 lid- carbon fiber reinforced plastic (15.0, 15.4); magnesium (14.1)
T 61 lid- superelastic polycarbonate + roll cage.

T 61 is about a tenth of an inch thicker than T 60.

Newer cooling system on t 61.

Offset display on t 61, centered on t 60.

The 6 cell battery fits flush on T 60.
Only the 4 cell fits flush on 14.1" T 61.

T 60- xga, wxga, wsxga+, sxga+ (w or w/o flexview), uxga (flexview)
T 61- (xga, sxga+), wxga, wxga+, wsxga+, wuxga (no flexview available)

Optional webcam, turbo memory on t 61, and of course santa rosa, and nvidia vs ati graphics.

 

Leon, you're so willing to type up all that even though the OP could easily find out in Google. I gotta give you reps.

 

Does a T60 run obviously hotter than a T61?

What's the advantage of nvidia?

 

Depends. My t 60 (ati x1300) runs cooler than the t 61 they sent me, and the 61 had integrated graphics. Total heat (and where heat is felt) depends on more than just how hot the graphics run- processor, hard drive speed, size of the case, and fans/vents.

Probably a 14.1" t 60 runs hotter than a 14.1" t 61 all else being equal.

 

Thank you Leon for your perfect reply. I have read the specs a dozen times but you short posts makes the difference very clear.

 

I wanted to say that, too, Leon. I'm very grateful for your clear summary of the differences. I hope there are more such summaries re different models. You saved me time

 

The nvidia 140m is relatively inexpensive but not as good at gaming as others. When comparing a video card for gaming, bear in mind that video ram is not the most important factor.

Whether one model is hotter than the other will likely depend on the quality of its assembly. For the first several months, there were quite a few overheating T60's equipped with the X1400 or FireGL, until they worked out the bugs - such as with the refreshed T60 (Core2Duo) which generally run coolest, unless you get one improperly assembled. With a new model T61, you will most likely encounter another series of new bugs, especially as its assembly has been moved to another location. A number of the 14" T61's with nvidia have improperly assembled heatsinks. For the T61, you should monitor your CPU & GPU temperatures and be prepared to send it in for service, or ideally open it up and fix the heatsink assembly yourself if you can.

 

The T61 also has Firewire port and Bluetooth whereas the T60 has neither of these.