Best T series ever? things I should know?T60/4x...

[vtohthree]

Hey guys, I'm planning to buy a 14.1'' T60 very soon, the battery life seems to be decent with the right settings and plus I don't want to switch to Vista any time soon, hence I'm picking the T60 over the T61. Though I'm leaningn towards the T60, I would be interested in hearing opinions about some of the T4x series, I've read some saying that they would take/consider the T4x as some of the best laptops ever made.

I wanted something for daily transporting. Something pretty light weight(5.5lbs or less), sturdy/durable, and not too hot when it sits on my lap. I would assume the T61 is infact the coolest of the bunch, but again I'm putting it almost out of the question.

Anyways, I was just wondering if there is anything I should know before buying it? Are there are gripes that may recommend someone to steer away from it? I've searched the forums and and found some that have complained about (dedicated)GPU overheating and some freezes/lockups(seemed to have been fixed by bios/driver updates).


Last but not least, is there any preference in model numbers within the T60 series? I've read somewhere on here that by deciphering the code it usually(but not always) refers to where that laptop shipped from. But I have the choice between these two models of T60's:

200763U

and

2613EBU

Is one more desireable than the other?

Thanks for your help!

[carbon_unit]

While the T42 is thinner and slightly lighter I think the T60 is sturdier and runs cooler and comes in 4:3 or widescreen models. The T61 is even sturdier than the T60 and faster while running just as cool, but it is widescreen only right now. If you could configure a T61 with XP and the 4:3 1400x1050 screen, that would be the best.

[vtohthree]

A T61 with 4:3 SXGA+ resolution? Did you mean T60? Because I didn't think a standard 4:3 14.1'' existed in the T61.

But yes, I plan to get a 14.1'' SXGA+ T60.

[carbon_unit]

I know it doesn't exist, but it would be the best if you could get it. Maybe someday they will make it.

[tomh009]

Well, T61 with 14.1" SXGA+ certainly does exist ... the only question remaining is whether Lenovo will make them available at the retail level.

[vtohthree]

Wow I did not know that. However, yes it certainly sounds feasible, and they're holding it back for whatever reasons.


So anyways, would/could you guys recommend a T60 with confidence? Nothing really surprising to suspect from what in a negative way? For example, I had a Dell Inspiron 5150, big mistake, gets blistering hot on the bottom, and beyond that the frame creaks and flexes to the point where it can kill the motherboard, thanks to Dell's warranty, I have had 4 motherboards! That notebook is pretty much stationary and should not be moved.

Heh, but I know I shouldnl't see any of that in a thinkpad...and to think I came very close to getting a T43 at the time, instead I opted for a 5150 3 years ago...tsk tsk.

[pianowizard]

I've read some saying that they would take/consider the T4x as some of the best laptops ever made.[/b]

Actually, the T43 is one of the worst Thinkpads ever made. Build quality is mediocre, and the loud fan and HDD error are annoying.

I had a Dell Inspiron 5150, big mistake, gets blistering hot on the bottom

My T60 got quite hot on its palm rest. But other than that, it's a superb machine. One of the most impressive Thinkpads ever.

[sugo]

My T60 got quite hot on its palm rest.

Are you referring to the right palmrest? I also noticed that the SATA 5K100 in an X60s ran 4+ degree 'C hotter than the PATA 5K100 in my T42.

[MD_Lieber]

As someone who just upgraded from a t42 to a t60 (less than two weeks ago), I can say I consider it a good upgrade. There are a couple of little niceties like:

* Thinklight doesn't shine in one's eyes anymore
* There is now a dedicated AC LED in the LED panel (good if you used to go to a school where a bunch of outlets didn't actually provide power)
* 3 USB ports, as well as relocation of many to make them more comfortable (esp. the VGA)

Some downs:
* Touchpad significantly smaller (if you use it, I don't)
* Loss of SVideo port
* Windows key will throw many who use keyboard shortcuts alot off for awhile

Overall, I'm impressed with it, and I think it's close a lateral trade (in terms of quality and usability) while stepping up in terms of component performance (CPU now dual core, better/faster GPU, HDD, RAM, etc)

[vtohthree]

Ok, I suppose I'm pretty sold by now, I was always leaning towards the T60 more to begin with but I just wanted to be assured that I was leaning towards the right way.


I suppose one last question before I go and order it, and that would be model numbers:

*200763U

*2613EBU

These are the two that I will likely be purchasing, either or. I've deduced here that either way it seemed to be luck of the draw in terms of what components you get(lcd panel, keyboard, battery brand), no? But out of the two, is there any one that would be more desireable than the other(specs aside, specs can be changed by me any time, hdd, ram, cpu especially)?

[sugo]

They both have T2500(2GHz), 14.1in 1400x1050 LCD, 128MB ATI Radeon X1400, Bluetooth and Fingerprint reader. Everything else are easy to change. Get the cheaper one with longer warranty.

[tomh009]

Like sugo says, there seems to be very little difference between the two -- even warranty looks to be three years on each one (though I would verify that). That being the case, it's a question of the best deal you can get ...

[Aroc]

Personally for your use, I would consider the X61 or X61s instead. It's lighter and more portable. YMMV.

[pianowizard]

I would consider the X61 or X61s instead. It's lighter and more portable.

But many people don't like having only 1024x768 resolution.

vtohthree, to minimize the weight of the T60, you can replace the optical drive with a travel bezel, and the 90W AC adapter with the smaller 65W one.

[vtohthree]

Thanks for the input and suggestion Pianowizard.

Yes it's true, I do prefer the higher resolution of the T60, also the full package that it comes with.

I'll consider the options you suggested, especially the 65W A/C plug. However, I'd probably leave the optical drive in despite it's weight since I'd probably be using it very often.


I'm pretty sold on the T60 right now, sounds great, and I've been browsing through these forums for more information on the different model codes within the T60's, I was curious to know if it affected date of manufacture as well, but all of it aside I suppose I'll take the general assumption that getting the better model for the best price as my intiative.

Only one gripe I have about the T60 after reading around, is the battery recharge time. I'm not quite sure why but from what I've read it takes about 4.5 hours(give or take). Most laptops usually have "smart charge", similar to cellphones in which within a very short amount of time it regains about 80-90% of it's capacity back, then in no more than 2 hours it should be able to recharge the whole battery. I wish it recharged faster or else I will definately need to buy another spare battery. Only a small price to pay when I put it up against the Dell D630.

[Techgurl]

I must be lucky because my T-43 fan is not loud and I have not had a single problem in two years with it.

[mattbiernat]

yeah T60 is very solid, no flex whatsoever, etc... however get the one with integrated graphics and you won't have any heat issues. once you get it i would also highly recommend downloading and installing tpfancontrol.

[ulrich.von.lich]

Personally I think T4s are the best looking ThinkPads ever made. Maybe the X4s too but I agree with pianowizard, it's kinda difficult to work on a XGA screen. If you are looking for a T4x, a T42 with a SXGA+ and 9600 is a good choice. (The 9600 seems to be less prone to the GPU loose problem than the 7500)

Actually I would've also recommended a T43 if it's not because many people don't like it. I own one myself and I've spent two trouble free years with it. I'm very satisfied with its performance and build quality. I don't have another T4x to compare but I do have a T60p. The T60p is certainly more solid thanks to its superior design (rollcage, more logical ports layout etc..) but the T43 is not any worse in terms of build quality. Actually I find the T43 has the better keyboard and plastics (many parts were still made in Japan). The fan noise could be a problem for some people; and the heat too. If you want a cool machine, you should try to stay below the 1.8Ghz

[ThinkPad]

From my experience with using a T42 and T60, the T60 is a bit more firm in body, but for some reason I felt the T60 body is rather rough and not smooth as the T42. The palm rest on the T42 is smooth and the T60 has a rough texture.

The T60 did not feel like a ThinkPad, I have been using thinkpads for many decades and the new lenovos seems be cutting corners. They did a redesign and even changed the IBM plug! I think that plug has been the same for the past 15 years which was easy because one adapter could power all my laptops.

I recently got an X41 tablet which follows through the older IBM design before Lenovo changed things with the X61. This might be the last thinkpad I purchase if I want to upgrade to something newer.

[whizkid]

Only one gripe I have about the T60 after reading around, is the battery recharge time.

Then you'll want the 90W adapter for sure. That one will at least charge while you use the machine. I have three of them for my T60: One in the living room, one on the dock in the office, and one in my laptop bag.

[w0qj]

Think the T42 is still very good on the secondary market... going to computer malls (at least, here in HK), there's NO second-hand T42 computers on sale here...

The only one I finally saw was snapped up very quickly...


This attest to its sellability--
a) no annoying HDD error (a la T43 style)
b) S-Video out
c) good price as compared to T60
d) Win'XP !!

[ThinkPad]

d) Win'XP !!

That is always a plus for me.

[mgo]

Hey guys, I'm planning to buy a 14.1'' T60 very soonThanks for your help!

I am a happy owner of two T60 units. One has Verizon WWLAN (sure, like I want to spend $70.00 a month to check email)
And it has fingerprint security.

The other is just a plain old T60.

The differences are:
2007-64U Core Duo T2500 2.00 1GB 14.1" SXGA+ 128MB 100G 5400 DVD±RW, Intel 11a/b/g Verizon Blue Finger Feb 06

2007-66U Core Duo T2500 2.00 1GB 14.1" SXGA+ 128MB 100G 5400 Combo, Intel 11a/b/g Blue G Feb 06

One runs hotter than the other. (I can't really figure out why, except maybe it's the GPU thermal compound. The hotter GPU runs 67-73 deg C, which is not excessive but still 10-15 warmer than the other. Other temperature parameters are about the same on both machines.

Services and programs are nearly identical, so again it may be the manufacturing of the unit. Others mention GPU readings in the 60s, also.

Keyboards are bar none, speed is super-duper in XP, and pretty fast when you run Vista in Classic mode.

Go for the 2gig RAM...you will be spoiled. A 7200 rpm drive would be an added plus, too.

Wi-Fi is great, secreens are vivid, and Office '07 and all the other usual programs run very fast.