Help needed for R61i vs T61?

I want to buy thinkpad for commercial and professional purposes.. the spec i selected for R61i 15" and T61 14" are same except T61 has T7250 processor.

Instead of that i get s-video out, pci card in R61 15" .

The cost difference for me around 200 - 250$.

Help me to find the best one?

Is Intel GMA X3100 GM965 is ok or go to Nvidia graphics card?

 

The nVidia option gives better graphics performance but also draws more power from your battery.

 

If you don't want to play games, then X3100 is enough

 

i dont play much games... only some if i am interested..

and what abt R61i or T61... which would be better?

 

You mentioned that the specs of the 2 machines are the same and yet wrote except that the T61 has T7250 processor, and one being 15" and the other being 14". Please note that differences in size and processor already rendered your specs being different.

Can you be consistent and clear with your description of the specs of the 2 machines for all of us to consider.

 

R61i spec:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T5250 (1.5GHz 667MHz 2MBL2)[1]
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium[12]
Glossy 15.4" WXGA,Camera,BT
Intel GMA X3100, GM965, 1394, S-Video, PC Card/PCIe
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)[8]
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
120 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm[4]
DVD Recordable 8x Max Ultrabay Enhanced[5]
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG[10]
6 cell Li-Ion Battery ( 2.4 Ah )[60]
8932: 1Year Express Warranty[7]


T61 spec:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz 800MHz 2MBL2)[1]
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium[12]
14.1 WXGA TFT, w/ Camera
Intel GMA X3100 GM965
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
120GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm[4]
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim[5]
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG[10]
6 cell Li-Ion Battery[60]
7658: 1 Year Depot Warranty - Express[7]


14 inch or 15 inch doesn't matter... for commercial purpose i wud like to have 15" one with webcam.

and processor speed is different. Is it relatively so slow when compared to T61 processor?

Build wise which is effective?

 

Now the picture is so much clearer.

Choose the T61 where possible.

Yes, the T61 in your description is faster in clock-speed and so is the data transfer-rate also being faster.

The T series (being the performance series) is generally better than the R series, which is the mainstream series.

 

I read in some forums that T61 14" with 6-cell batttery has butt popping in the back which looks bit awkward?

and 15" models for R61i and T61 has enough space for 6-cell battery.

is it true?

 

This is true for the 9-cell battery, not the 6-cell. The 9-cell sticks out on both 14 and 15" models

 

That's not completely true. Both the 14" R61 and T61 are the same in every way except a few minor differences (heatsink, ultrabay vs ultrabay slim, thickness). However, the 15.4" R61 is different from the rest of the ThinkPad line in that the case material and the available options are different. The 15.4" R61 is kind of the budget ThinkPad.

My opinion is to pass on the 15.4" R61 because of the glossy screen and the overall feel is not quite as nice as the rest of the ThinkPad line. Opt for a 14" R61/T61 or 15.4" T61.

 

you mean 14" R61i is different from 15.4" R61i. Both have glossy TFT screens.

Is T61 and R61 outside material is same?

or 14 and 15 inch R61 has different build and materials?

because 15.4" R61i gives lot of other options which does not have in t-series and 14" r series

 

Yes, the 14' and 15' R61i's have slightly different build materials, the 14' inch has the same build as the T61, whereas the 15' has more plastic.

Says 14' has Thinkpad rollcage AND top cover rollcage (magnesium) Where 15' has one piece rollcage (magnesium) From reports the 15' top is not as sturdy, but don't let that deter you, it may be fine for your needs. Our 14' R61i also has a matte screen.

Check here.
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitute/psref/tabook.pdf

 

Yes, the 14" R61 is different from the 15.4" R61. Are you looking at these laptops online or in store? The 14" R has been available with glossy, but not online right now. Also, yes, 14 and 15 inch R61 has different build (no top cover roll cage on the 15.4" R) and plastic case material (14" R is the same plastic as the T series).

 

If you're getting a 14" widescreen model, the 4-cell will remain flushed and the 6 and 7-cell batteries will stick out. For 15" widescreens, the 6 cell will remain flushed and the 9-cell will stick out.

However, if you ever consider the 4:3 screen (only on 14" T61s), know that the 6-cell is flush and the 9-cell sticks out.

 

today i came thru a deal from HP 14".

spec:

– Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
– Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5250 (1.5 GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
– 14.1" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
– 75% OFF Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
– 64MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
– HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
– Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
– FREE Upgrade to 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive from 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive!!
– LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
– No TV Tuner w/remote control
– 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
– Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
– HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope


Is HP better or Thinkpad?

sorry for lot of questions... i would like to know everything before invest.. i am not much familiar with hardware and all

Thanks for help

 

So is there a R61i model with a good 15.4" matte screen, or 15.4" R61i ThinkPads are avaivable only with glossy display?

Thanks!