NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Dell Notebook Forums › Dell Legacy (single-core notebooks) › IBM Thinkpad z60t or Dell Inspiron 630m?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

IBM Thinkpad z60t or Dell Inspiron 630m?

post #1 of 27
3/20/06 at 5:03pm
Thread Starter 
I'm a first time laptop user and I spend about 15 hours a day in front of a computer. I've been doing this for about 9 years and I've decided it's finally time to join planet laptop.

This laptop will be used for development, browsing, accessing online media, movies, music...the problem is I know very little about laptops and I've very scared I'm going to pick a laptop that I'm not going to like (I don't want to deal with a crappy machine for two third of the day). I've used dell desktops all my life so my first look was obviously at a dell laptop. However, I can also get the IBM employee discount so I'm looking at their thinkpads as well. Here are two very similar configurations for 14'1, 2Ghz machines. Please let me know which one you would pick and why. Thanks!

ThinkPad z60t (titanium cover)
Intel Pentium M Processor 760 (2GHz, 2MB L2, 533MHz FSB)
Windows XP Home
256 MB (1 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-4200)
80GB 5400 rpm SATA Hard Drive
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 (Standard)
ThinkPad CDRW/DV-ROM Drive
56K V.92 Designed Modem (Standard)
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet (Standard)
Wi-Fi wireless upgradable (Standard)
ThinkPad Z60t Series 4 Cell Li-Ion Battery
3 USB 2.0 (Standard)
Integrated fingerprint reader (Standard)
No extended warranty on anything
Starting at 4.1 lbs

Price: $1032+TAX (Planning to upgrade RAM with 1GB for $73 from egghead.com)

Inspiron 630m Intel® Pentium® M Processor 760 (2GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
Operating System Re-Installation CD
14.1 inch WXGA TrueLife™ LCD Panel
512MB Shared DDR2 SDRAM 1 Dimms (wanted 256 but this is the smallest 1 Dimms available)
80GB 5400rpm Hard Drive edit
Free! 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer write capability
Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900
6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (53 WHr)
Spare Power Adapter
Wireless Networking Cards
Dell 1370 Internal Wireless (802.11b/g, 54Mbps)
Starting at 5.7 lbs

Price: 1,053+TAX (also upgrading to bigger RAM)

Which one would you go for? I'm leaning towards the Thinkpad but I want to hear from as many people as possible before pulling the trigger Thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 27
3/20/06 at 6:59pm
Thread Starter 
wow tough crowd

Noone has any opinion on these two laptops? I thought they were pretty popular.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 27
3/20/06 at 7:52pm
Between those 2, I'd go with the IBM. They are famous for having a great constrution, solid notebooks and good support... Dell on the other hand, has lots of horror stories.

However if I were you, I'd consider getting the Acer 5672 wich comes with the Core Duo processor, Ati X1400 video card, 100GB HD and 1GB of RAM for $1200..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834115223
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 27
3/20/06 at 9:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Filippo
Between those 2, I'd go with the IBM. They are famous for having a great constrution, solid notebooks and good support... Dell on the other hand, has lots of horror stories.

However if I were you, I'd consider getting the Acer 5672 wich comes with the Core Duo processor, Ati X1400 video card, 100GB HD and 1GB of RAM for $1200..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834115223
I would love to based on its performance and all around rave reviews but it is not what you might call a portable laptop. It weighs close to 7lbs and that's the reason why I lost interest in the dell e1505, which was about the same price and had similar features... Thanks for the feedback by the way. That's 1 for the IBM.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 27
3/21/06 at 2:51am
the ibm is hands down better quality and will give you more years of trouble free service... my .02
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 27
3/21/06 at 4:32pm
I would go for the Dell
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 27
3/21/06 at 6:41pm
i've had two dell laptops and one ibm laptop, and I'd say ibm is the way to go. The thinkpads are thinner, lighter, and have better build quality. The only reason I see for going dell is that they generally have cheaper prices, but since you have the epp discount, I think it's a no brainer to get the z60t.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 27
3/21/06 at 8:54pm
The Lenovo one. (IBM)

I've used a couple of IBM laptops and Dell laptops and I'd pick the IBMs for overall solidness. Sure, they're not exactly too attractive looking, but they definitely make up for it and some more in quality.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 27
3/21/06 at 8:55pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys, that's 4-1 in favor of the Thinkpad! It's turning into a rout.

Does anyone know if anyone makes the plastic fillers for these Thinkpads? I asked the IBM people and they said they don't make them.

Thanks.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 27
3/21/06 at 8:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck232
The Lenovo one. (IBM)

I've used a couple of IBM laptops and Dell laptops and I'd pick the IBMs for overall solidness. Sure, they're not exactly too attractive looking, but they definitely make up for it and some more in quality.
Yeah, they're not attractive. That's why I'm trying to get the titanium top. It's a very unusual looking Lenovo/IBM... or I guess it's more Lenovo than IBM
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 27
3/21/06 at 10:08pm
You are comparing a Thinkpad with an Inspiron, for god sake!

At least compare it with a Latitude...
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 27
3/21/06 at 10:20pm
Becasue of my distain for Dell...Go for the IBM...much better build quailty and tech support is located in America....not heavy accents to deal with.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 27
3/21/06 at 10:38pm
Thread Starter 
Wow I feel bad for the Dell.

Well so far it's 6-1 in favor of the Thinkpad. Where are all the dell owners? They can't be in business if they didn't have a loyal customer base.

Btw, mike, the reason I didn't compare it to a latitude is because a latitude with a similar configuration would cost way more than the 1000-1100 range.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 27
3/22/06 at 11:55am
i guess it's just that the dell owners realize that the quality of Lenovos is better, and you are clearly looking for one with great chassis quality. i don't think they don't like their dells, but you got the idea.

remember that you are not getting the dvdrw drive in the lenovo, and also not as much RAM (256 vs. 512). if you really want to get those, maybe you could exchange a little of processor performance for RAM amount.

and what "Wi-Fi wireless upgradable" means? honestly, at first glance I thought it had only the slot, allowing you to put the card, but nowadays that seems stupid, so who knows... :\

another vote for lenovo.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 27
3/22/06 at 12:48pm
I own both. On the Dell side I have a Latitude D810 and a Precision M70. On the IBM side I have a Thinkpad 600X and a T41p. I've previously owned many laptops, like Latitude CPi, C610, D600, D800, M60, Thinkpad T21, T30. I must say, I know what I am talking about.

I must state something very clearly: IBM (Lenovo now) wins hands down compared to any other brand. Just the energonomics of a Thinkpad are better than any other and you realize it when you have owned many. Most brands doesn't include a trackpoint. Latitudes usually have it, but it really sucks balls. Not to mention the keyboard, wich is simply legendary.

So if IBM produces such great products, why do I own more Dells than IBMs? Well, it's simple:

Dells are cheaper.
Dells are pretty common and readly available. Accesories are abundant and cheap.
Dell usually offers more powerful designs.
Dell's hardware is more friendly. It accepts unkown wireless cards without complain or other unkown hardware. And they are generally modular while thinkpads are not.

If they release a successor to the Z60t with a decent graphics card and a WXGA+ screen, I will not look elsewhere. But since it's very unlikely that they will do so, I have to buy a Dell to get the hardware I want.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 27
3/22/06 at 2:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kuchu
I would love to based on its performance and all around rave reviews but it is not what you might call a portable laptop. It weighs close to 7lbs and that's the reason why I lost interest in the dell e1505, which was about the same price and had similar features... Thanks for the feedback by the way. That's 1 for the IBM.
hrumm......i dunno about you, but the material that ibm uses......i havent held a light thinkpad.........EVER......and honestly, 6 pounds isnt much to hold in a case (i have a 6000d and ordering the 5672) i carry with me to my brothers and my dads, no problem

soulsaver
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 27
3/22/06 at 4:54pm
IBM z60t...hands down...don't even think Inspiron...god I miss my IBM...
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 27
3/22/06 at 6:43pm
I have never owned a Dell laptop but I use a Z60t for work and I have no complaints. I would not hesitate to recommend it to someone looking for this type of laptop. Others that I work seem to like the Z60t as well.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 27
3/22/06 at 7:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by soulsaver_8229
hrumm......i dunno about you, but the material that ibm uses......i havent held a light thinkpad.........EVER......and honestly, 6 pounds isnt much to hold in a case (i have a 6000d and ordering the 5672) i carry with me to my brothers and my dads, no problem

soulsaver
I went to office depot and they have the z60t but they wouldn't let me lift it up so I don't know just how heavy or light it is. Based on the specs, it's supposed to be around 4.5 with 4 cell battery and 5 lb with the 7 cell battery. But talking to some people, I've heard that there are in fact light thinkpads and I was actually hoping that this one would reasonably light, considering that it starts at 4.1 lbs. Also, what I hear from long time laptop users is that even 1 lb could make a hell of a difference if you take it around with you all the time

But from your post, I take it you're in the group that would actually pick the Dell. If only Dell would reward you for your loyalty
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 27
3/23/06 at 12:34am
Yes, 1.6lbs is a LOT when you're talking about a laptop.

As for the plastic fillers, they do make them, but they're a bit hard to get. Unfortunately you have to call and order it through IBM parts, not acessories where all the normal stuff is sold from. The part number is 13N5108, and shipping ends up being much more than the actual plastic part. However, for how often I use it (~90% of the time), it was worth it.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Dell Notebook Forums › Dell Legacy (single-core notebooks) › IBM Thinkpad z60t or Dell Inspiron 630m?