ThinkPad T61 and R61 First Thoughts Review

I think the US Thinkpad site offers one of the best prices. Any idea if there is a way to purchase it if we're living outside the US?

 

Whoops, I guess I wasn't reading the PCI and Express parts together, hah.

I was comparing the T61 that is currently available (14.1" widescreen) to what will eventually also be available, the 15.4" version. I have noticed with other notebook makers that 15.4" sizes are comparably cheaper than their 14.1" counterparts, assuming the same configurations, when available. Now I could be mistaken, but I also seem to remember workstation level graphics cards to be more expensive than the consumer oriented versions, e.g. Nvidia Quadro Mobile vs. Geforce Go cards. So if the 15.4" T61 offers a comparable mid level card in the 8400M variety, should this not be slightly less expensive (if it's on par with the NVS 140M part)?

 

Yes, the consumer oriented cards costs less, but Lenovo is not likely to include one on the T61p. Maybe the T61, but with it already using the NVS 140M I doubt it will happen in the future.

 

I think when you're talking about the 15.4" to 14.1" range, the price difference is almost negligible, maybe $50. It's pretty much preference.

You're correct, workstation graphics are more expensive. However, I think mryerse is right. The T series is considered to be the ThinkPad's premiere series. I doubt they'll offer consumer market options with the T61 15.4" edition. Even in the lower end series, like R, I don't see consumer level graphics available in the R61. The whole selling point of the ThinkPad line is "It doesn't matter what options you pick, you're getting the best and most reliable stuff out there."

The T61p, like the T60p, is based on a similar premise. Except it's more like, "You're getting the best of everything, just don't ask how much it's going to cost you." The T61p, like the T60p, will not be cheaper than the T61 at base configurations.

 

When I was shopping for a T60P about a month back, the 15.4" was $100 less than the 14.1". The specs were the same as far as I could tell other than the screen size and resolution. Right now they only seem to be offering the T60P in 15.4" on their website though.

The GPU improvement on the T61P (vs T61) will probably cost more than $100 though. Also, hopefully there are other improvements that make it more appealing. Still, I sure hope they don't charge a $300 premium over the T61 14.1". I can't imagine the graphics card really costs that much more, especially when you consider the lower cost of using a 15.4" setup. But I understand they need to make a profit, and I think even at that price it will still be a great buy.

 

So the T61P that will eventually be released has a higher end graphics card offering than the T61, regardless of screen size? Or is the T61 only a 14.1" screen while the T61P is a 15.4"? I suppose I need to do more ThinkPad research. Thanks for all the insight.

 

The T61P is differentiated from other T series ThinkPads with a higher end graphics card. There may be other small changes as well (I'm hoping it'll be offered with blu-ray), but I believe that the GPU the biggest difference. CPU, memory, hard drive options I believe will be same on T61 and T61P.

The fact that the T61P will first come in a 15.4" is just a coincidence. Over time it will probably be offered in other screen sizes as well, just as the T60P was available in 14" and 15.4".

 

$100 is still a relatively small price difference, compared to going from 14.1" to a 12.x", but you are right. They're probably putting their 14.1" panels only in the Santa Rosa laptops, trying to push their latest product, so it makes sense.

I believe the T61 will also eventually offer a Blu-Ray option, as several reviewers have stated it will. I think like the webcam LCDs, the option just isn't available yet.

 

Yeah, I'd certainly pay $100 for a smaller laptop if that is what I wanted/needed.

Chalk me up for the *wants blu-ray with his T61P* list. Hopefully they can compete with Sony's $400 price for blu-ray on their FZ notebook.

 

I just ordered my T61...T7500 2 gigs...Vista Ult...Wxga+ says it will ship 6/4/07... We'll see, Im patient!

Vista Ultimate is 32 according to these specs...

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/notebooks/thinkpad/t-series/techspecs.html

 

I read on some sites that Microsoft is offering a program where you can tell them you have the 32-bit version of a Vista package and you'll be given the 64-bit version for free or just shipping and handling. Is that true?

Just noticed the base T60 configuration is 0.4 pounds lighter than the T61's. Makes me sad.

 

Make sure the number you call is a genuine Microsoft phone number.

I am pretty sure they will ask you tell them your copy of Vista's serial number. If that ever gets leaked into the wrong hands...

 

Right on stiplit, hope you are happy with that powerhouse of a laptop. I'm tempted to order one, but I'm going to wait.

 

Hi guys,

Do you have any idea when lenovo will release T61 with a 15.4 screen? If lenovo will not realese it in a nearest future, i suppose i'll buy T61 with 14.1 wide because i really need to buy a new laptop.

 

Ups.. I found that information. Sorry about the post. You can delete it.

 

Hey Probiotico - care to share where that information is? And perhaps even the date?