Lenovo ThinkPad R61 vs IdeaPad Y510?

[BetaLyr]

I've been spending the last few hours looking for a decent laptop >$800 (so that my dad would buy it for me), and came up with these two:

R61:
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
14.1 WXGA+ TFT (1440x900)
nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Enhanced

Y510:
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5450 (1.66GHz)
Vista Home Premium
15.4 WXGA (1280x800)
Intel GMA X3100
2GB
TouchPad
160GB, 5400rpm
DL-DVD burner

They're just under $780 each. (The Y510 is a bit more, and there's shipping costs.) I would get the Y510 with nV 8600M, but it's only available at J&R and is $1000.

The R61 is a much more powerful machine--Penryn (T8100) and dedicated graphics. But it isn't as attractive as the Y510, and its built-in speakers are nowhere near as good.
The Y510 has only Merom (T5450), integrated graphics, and is 1280x800. But, as I have stated before, it's much more attractive [click] and has much better speakers.

However, I don't know anything about the build quality about these two.
Can anyone with either of these two machines (or just a ThinkPad/IdeaPad in general) chime in with their opinions?

In the end, I guess it's more of a form vs function question.
If you could have a choice of either one of these, which would you choose?

[Arainach]

I'd definitely go with the Thinkpad. The look is timeless and rather professional, and 1280x800 is far less screen real estate than you think.

[vulc4n]

1280x800 on a 15.4" screen is unacceptable imo.

[ilikemonkeys]

The Thinkpad can double as a weapon in a pinch. They're built like tanks. I love mine and will always own one.

[roastpuff]

ThinkPad for sure. If I was a Windows kinda guy that's what I'd go for.

[milkpowder]

Like others have said, I would go for the Thinkpad too. It will run much faster. The 1280x800 is simply not good enough for 15.4" either.

I used to have an R series Thinkpad and it was superb. The fans were a bit noisy though and it ran a bit hot (that was back in the days of the Pentium 4-m ).

[slwiser]

Thinkpad...built to take punishment.

[BetaLyr]

I've definitely decided to go with the ThinkPad. With the coupons and everything that I've found, I can upgrade to to Penryn T8300, and maybe some others.

Thanks for helping me, everyone!

Also, if anyone knows, what's 1440x900 like on a 14" screen?
I'm using a 17" screen with the same resolution, and it's fine.
Would text size be significantly smaller on a smaller screen with this resolution?

[Punnisher]

Yes the dot pitch is going to be quite small, though pictures and games will look fantastic on it.

Where are you getting that deal on the Thinkpad? That laptop is matching my requirements as well and the equivalent model on newegg is $1200.00

[Arainach]

I wouldn't call it quite small. I've got a 14.1" widescreen (Dell Latitude D620) and to be honest I wish it was 1680x1050. 1440x900's a nice size, but not too small.

Then again, my last laptop was a 15.4" with a 1900x1200 screen.