Differences between R500 and T500?

If i wanted, for example an intergrated graphics card, centrino 2 processor, 2 gb of 1067mhz ram, and 160 5400rpm HD, what's the difference for me between the R500 and the T500 (except the $100)?
For example:
R500:
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W1
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic12
2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Ultrabay Enhanced5
ThinkPad 11b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter III10
6 cell Li-Ion Battery ( 2.4 Ah )60
Total: $916

T500:

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W1
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic12
2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)5
10
Integrated Wireless Wide Area Network upgradable65
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
Total: $1,005

Thanks!

 

Generally T series were traditionally the premier Thinkpad model. The R500 do not have the magnesium-titanium LCD cover, R series use some kind of rugged plastic so they are a little more 'fragile'. IMO go for the T500 is far more robust.

 

OK, so now i guess the only question remains is whether i need dedicated graphics or the intergrated will be enough.
The uses are web development, photo editing in photoshop and web design in photoshop (more cpu consuming than gpu).
Also i want to be able to output 1080p video to my lcd tv via the displayport and that 1080p video will play smoothly on it.
Is the x4500MHD enough?

Thanks!

 

Hi,

I am either thinking about getting R500 or T500.

However, after seeing this forum, I am concerned about durability of R500.
Does it mean R500 is more likely to break down? I know laptop will have more trouble than desktop since we move it around.

If R500 has durability and performance issue, it is not good laptop to get it.

Let me know.

Thanks.


Generally T series were traditionally the premier Thinkpad model. The R500 do not have the magnesium-titanium LCD cover, R series use some kind of rugged plastic so they are a little more 'fragile'. IMO go for the T500 is far more robust.

 

For $100, get the T series.

 

T series is the flagship Thinkpad, wont regret it

 

It depends on where you live. In Europe for example the difference between same configuration of R500 and T500 is 400-500$ which is too much for some plastic and roll cage. After upgrading R500 with 3 year extended warranty for 100$ more will still save you 300-400$...
About the quality of the plastic - I have 1.5 year old R61i whose plastics are not the best, but still not an issue at all. Have traveled a lot all across Europe by plane and bus on all kinds of roads. Never had a problems up to this point with failing plastics.
If I was in USA I would take T500 instead, because of the little price difference, but living in Europe not. I had T42 before that bought from USA and in my opinion the T500 is not as solid as T42 to be worth the extra expenses.
Those days I will buy R500 after looking at much more expensive business Dell, HP and Toshiba models I turn back to R series because of its stability and durability as a machine.
Hope my experience with this helps.

 

Based on the specs you posted, go with the R500... they're essentially identical except for the R being about 3-4mm thicker than the T. The R also has the same roll cage technology as the T from what I've seen.

DD

 

According to the spec, the main difference between R500 and T500 is
display type and system graphic.

R500:
1. Display type: 15.4 WXGA TFT
2. System graphics: Intel GMA X4500

T500:
1. 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
2. ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 with 256MB

Also, R500 is basic computing where as T500 is for more business oriented.
I am not using for gaming or graphic intensive application, Movie.

I am just using for programming (mainly small Database driven application). I wonder if I really need more resolution and advanced system graphics (ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 with 256MB).


Additionally, I am wondering less resolution make eye strain or eye sight worse?
I am really concerned about my eye. My eye sight is getting worse since I use computer a lot.

Let me know.

Thanks.

 

On the US site you can configure the R500 to have a WSXGA+ screen for $75 extra, it is an option.

 

Can you provide a source regarding the roll cage/lcd cover? It is my understanding that the R series does not have the complete roll cage like the T series at all.

 

The x4500MHD is adequate for this purpose. Your desktop applications are CPU bound (Photoshop CS4 is GPU accelerated, but I think you need professional graphics cards [FireGL/QuadroFX]) and easily handled by an integrated processor.

I have the x4500MHD in my x200 Tablet and it is able to easily play back 1080P video. This GPU was designed to accelerate decoding of Mpeg2, h264, and VC1 (most common codecs for HD/DVD) and is able to achieve smooth playback with a very slow (800MHz throttled) Core 2 Duo. This is what the HD suffix stands for (High Definition), because there is another non HD variant of the x4500 that doesn't support video decoding (although I think this is only on cheap desktop motherboards). You will want to double check on the DisplayPort output, in particular I don't know if multi-channel audio is presently supported (it should be, but I don't know if anyone has managed to get it to work).

Both the R and T series are fine machines. The R is probably better built than any laptop you can buy from another manufacturer, it just doesn't have a few of the ThinkPad extras (Rollcage/Magnesium Alloy). It also may be a bit thicker/heavier. I would probably recommend the T series at a $100 price difference, but at much more than that, I would say the R series is fine.

 

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...D554F338EB4B3178B3B6554&tab=3#tab-container-5

Security and Protection section shows that both 400 and 500 R's have the rollcage.

DD

 

Both R 500 and T 500 contains
ThinkPad Roll Cage && Backup and recovery tools.

Only difference is weight and graphic.

Backup and recovery tools


for this, I can recover vista operating system too?
Looks like Lenovo R-Series does not come with recovery Operating System CD, but it is preinstalled in the machine.

Am I also able to recover vistat operating system also?


Thanks.

 

You have to make your own recovery media (this is easy to do with the included software). NONE of the current Thinkpads (or for that matter a computer from almost any vendor) ships with Vista media. If you order Vista Business, you can get an XP Pro recovery disc, but Vista discs are a no go (M$ pushed the OEMs to stop providing them).

 

I have one more question.

R500 is considered Basic Computing whereas T500 is Business Computing.

Well, I am not sure what this means.

I saw the specification and the only difference is T500 has better system graphic with ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 with 256MB.

Looks like T500 is better choice for video game or graphic intensive application.

I am using for software programming (more Database intensive) application.

I am kind of confusing. what they mean by "business application"?

Business application is more database application, but don't find any.

any comment is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

The terms "Basic Computing" and "Business Computing" are just marketing stuff as there is no difference in hardware configuration other than ATI Mobility Radeon 3650.
If you can make money from playing games than "business application" can mean gaming as well That is why there is no concrete list of "business application" other than the applications that you do your business with

 

HI..

Generally T series were traditionally the premier Thinkpad model. The R500 do not have the magnesium-titanium LCD cover, R series use some kind of rugged plastic so they are a little more 'fragile'. IMO go for the T500 is far more robust.

Today's quoted prices, for a US buyer, before tax or shipping or any coupon savings:
T500: $1263
R500: $1023...