Thinkpad T61p second hand..Good idea?

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viktormadarasz · #1 Post by **viktormadarasz** » Fri Jun 07, 2013 5:56 am

Hi,

I decided after looking around to get a Thinkpad T61p in the best condition I can for around 300 euros tops.
As far as I saw one of the laptops of the series with the least complaints....I tought about T400 / R400 but
I saw in other places ,,Not to buy cause of ridicuolusly built and falling apart and full with problems "

Correct me if Im wrong..

Is it a good idea? Im aware of the specifications and the technical details perfectly fit with my needs...
Im just afraid to buy something which wont hold itself together caused by problems and errors and poor build quality.

Any opinion?

Thanks,

Totoro-kun · #2 Post by **Totoro-kun** » Fri Jun 07, 2013 2:26 pm

Hi,
T61/p are nice and durable ThinkPad's, but they do have some "weak points". Most notably, these issues are quite common for T61 series:

Hinges becoming wobbly - They normally would not break, just tend to annoy a little bit. (This problem is also present on many T400 and probably T500 machines.
T61 that were manufactured before 2008-08 featuring Nvidia video chip generally are considered unreliable, because of defect in nvidia chip (you can search this forum for a lot of information regarding this problem).
They use more expensive DDR2 memory.

Other than that, they are well built and durable machines. If compared T61 14'1" wide screen model with a T400. I would say the build quality is more or less equal between these machines. T61 has better quality keyboard (with backplate), while T400 uses bendy perforated keyboard, which on some variations of T400 can flex as you type. These keyboards are compatible tough, so you could use T61 keyboard on T400. Other than that, T400 is just as well made as T61.

So far as optional modules are concerned, it is rare to find things like card reader, webcam, 3g modem in T61. Possible if you look hard enough, but these things are much easier to find on T400.

Performance wise, T400 can offer slightly faster CPU and memory options. Optional Led screens (but samsung wxga+ led panels found in these laptops can be plain horrible), slightly better battery life. If compared Nvidia video chip of T61 to Ati Radeon found in T400, I think nvidia would be slightly faster, but T400 offers switchable graphics. T61 can be flashed with Middleton bios, to get rid of white lists on Mini PCI-e cards, unlock Sata 2 speeds for ssd and do other nice things.

So, I would not call T400 inferior, as they are in many ways the same as T61. But offers somewhat newer technologies. But, if you can find a T61p which you like, with a safe manufacturing date, then I would say go for it.

viktormadarasz · #3 Post by **viktormadarasz** » Fri Jun 07, 2013 4:56 pm

Thanks that was really in-depth and helped a lot, so If I find a T61p manufactured after 2008 / 08 I buy if not I should go with the T400 and interswap to the T61p keyboard

Price wise they are the same more or less so The details You mentioned will be in play and decide where to go from there....

I have a look how to check that build date on a T61p

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ajkula66 · #4 Post by **ajkula66** » Fri Jun 07, 2013 9:50 pm

I happen to be in possession of a dead mint, as-loaded-as-they-got, 15.4" WUXGA T61p with a build date of 08/08. The machine looks like it left the factory a week ago. Seriously.

If you're seriously interested in having the best one there is, feel free to PM me.

A word of friendly warning: it will NOT come cheap.