T61: is it the coolest running ThinkPad ever?

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danila.benhur · #1 Post by **danila.benhur** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:59 am

Greetings!

Month ago I bought T60 and unfortunately I have the same fan noise problem as everyone else. But after some research on the web I found that Lenovo announced that new T61 model has improved cooling system. So, currently I'm trying to figure out is it worth to sell my T60 and switch to T61 laptop.

Guys, owners of T61, could You please post here output from TP Fan Controller to find out is this model has improved cooling system.

For those, how are interested in reviews I mentioned, here they are:

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... =T61andR61
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... inkPad+T61

In the last review they mentioned the following:

Notebook Temperature when Idling Temp. After running 3DMark05
ThinkPad T43 (2.0GHz Pentium M) 57C 68C
ThinkPad T61 (2.0GHz Core 2 Duo) 42C 50C

Is it true?

Please give some advice nad thanks in advance.

#2 Post by **ryengineer** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:02 pm

I don't own a T61 but have had my hands on it. All I remember is, on idle the cores were hitting around 21-27 degress.

It is true that T61 is the coolest (in terms of temperature) as of yet, however it is also true that it is bulky, thicker as compared to it's predecessors, little heavy to carry around with 6-cell battery (which sticks out btw), and has poor viewing angles.

Lenovo has sacrificed many things to make few others better.

danila.benhur · #3 Post by **danila.benhur** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 2:29 am

Thanks for Your reply.

You said it has lowest temperature. And what about fan noise?

#4 Post by **ryengineer** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:43 am

Initially I felt the fan made as much noise as T60 but I was wrong it was definitely quieter. The machine was in my possession for only a day or two so that's based on it.

sokos · #5 Post by **sokos** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:13 pm

If temperature and fan noise are your primary concerns, go get it now! It's by far the most quiet and cool notebool i've ever worked with (and due to my job i ve seen quite a few)

Ryan, size or viewing angles aren't as bad as you mention.
Screen quality had amazed me, specially comparing it to the Zseries i have, it's day with night difference!
Size is just about perfect (considering the wide screen) not too small (X-series) nor too big (R/G Series).
But one thing is for sure, it's sturdy as HELL!

I m really crazy with it!

#6 Post by **ryengineer** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:42 pm

sokos wrote: Ryan, size or viewing angles aren't as bad as you mention.
Screen quality had amazed me, specially comparing it to the Zseries i have, it's day with night difference!

I assume you have not owned one with flexview/IPS.

The angles on T61 were definitely poor. I encourage you to do some testing. Play a full screen movie and move the lcd backwards and see what happens and also try to peep from the side angles/views.

However the lcd is bright for sure.

sokos · #7 Post by **sokos** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:56 pm

well, they don't make flexview anymore, so why cry over spilled milk?
Maybe the T80 in 2 years time might have, but once you go widescreen you can't stand the 4:3 !

That's why I ordered the docking station and now i m looking for a good TFT (IPS or PVA). That will beat any Thinkpad screen

#8 Post by **ryengineer** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:07 pm

sokos wrote:well, they don't make flexview anymore, so why cry over spilled milk?

Ofcourse they are not.

However, think from the perspective of a person who owns a flexview and does a comparison between IPS and non IPS lcd.

sokos · #9 Post by **sokos** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:17 pm

yes true but... you win some, you lose some.

I think the gains are great with the new technology and features the new Thinkpads are bringing. The stiffness and sturdy feeling the T61 has, is something i've never felt before.
And this wide screen is amazing to work with, seriously i can't stand 4:3 screens now.

One has to put a scale, balance the pro's and the con's and then decide. But eventually we are in an industry that you have to follow the train. As much as i dislike the Vista, eventually i ll have to start using them.. same with the hardware.

- no Flexview screen

+ stiffness
+ ultra quiet
+ ultra cool
+ new chipset, support for Turbomem
+ 802.11n and/or WWAN

let's stay on topic before the mods come in with machine guns and take us out

#10 Post by **ryengineer** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:33 pm

Well, I do agree with you.

But lcd screen (viewing angles most importantly) is very important (including the things you mentioned), atleast for me, that's something you stare at most of the time while working, if not all. The view, the feel, the crisp sharpness can make your day...

Pascal_TTH · #11 Post by **Pascal_TTH** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 6:25 am

danila.benhur wrote:Greetings!

Month ago I bought T60 and unfortunately I have the same fan noise problem as everyone else. But after some research on the web I found that Lenovo announced that new T61 model has improved cooling system. So, currently I'm trying to figure out is it worth to sell my T60 and switch to T61 laptop.

Guys, owners of T61, could You please post here output from TP Fan Controller to find out is this model has improved cooling system.

For those, how are interested in reviews I mentioned, here they are:

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... =T61andR61
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... inkPad+T61

In the last review they mentioned the following:

Notebook Temperature when Idling Temp. After running 3DMark05
ThinkPad T43 (2.0GHz Pentium M) 57C 68C
ThinkPad T61 (2.0GHz Core 2 Duo) 42C 50C

Is it true?

Please give some advice nad thanks in advance.

The reviewed T61 got a integrated graphic chip so it does not bring so much heat. Performances are also poor then your T60 with Radeon X1400. Having low temps does not meant silent...

mattbiernat · #12 Post by **mattbiernat** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:01 pm

sokos wrote:well, they don't make flexview anymore, so why cry over spilled milk?
Maybe the T80 in 2 years time might have, but once you go widescreen you can't stand the 4:3 !

That's why I ordered the docking station and now i m looking for a good TFT (IPS or PVA). That will beat any Thinkpad screen

i don't own flexview but i can understand others' dispair. imagine buying top of the line machine for your adobe photoshop: your laptop is packed with 4gb of RAM, 7200 RPM drive, 256VRAM but the LCD is completely useless as it is from the 90s. In other words if you work graphics and have many people around you who need to know what the heck are you doing... you are pretty much screwed.

T61: is it the coolest running ThinkPad ever?

T61: is it the coolest running ThinkPad ever?

Re: T61: is it the coolest running ThinkPad ever?

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