Thinkpads Forum

Hey all,

I need some advice with this system. I was excited for getting this machine. My friend's T43p 15" is an amazing machine and I had hoped for that as well when ordering my first TP. I received the machine and I was somewhat dissapointed with it. While it was amazing in terms of performance, it seemed large and rediculously heavy (especially with the 9 cell battery). Now I was upset. I thought long and hard as to what it was that made me this upset and I realized that I like a machine that is a great performer and a great looking machine. I found the T43 to look amazing, and from seeing all the pictures of the T60 I thought this was true as well, even though they had changed a few things here and there. I have an older Dell Inspiron 15" and even though that machine is just as large and even thicker, it still looks good (in my eyes). What I also realized is that during the time I had my Inspiron 8200 is that I wanted to get a 14.1" variant (the Inspiron 4150), but never did because it didn't have the same video card performance capabilities.

Also on top of it all, the right side of my ThinkPad, near the fingerprint reader the plastics creak, as if it's not put together properly. This made me even more upset because I spent over $2600 for this machine so I deserve to be a little nit-picky. Now I'm really considering to return this system and get a 14.1" model with all the same specs, however, I know I'll be missing out on the flexview screen (which is amazing looking).

What do you all think? Any thoughts on any of this? Right now I feel like I'm just rambling, but I figured, I'd write out my thoughts to see what you guys here think. Also, am I responsible for shipping costs? Even when I want to exchange the system?

My current specs are as follows:
It is the 2007-73U model. Everything is fully loaded, except I don't have the Verizon EVDO built in, and just 1GB memory.

Another question: On my V5200 FireGL the drivers and the system reports 512MB, is this true on other people's systems? I was told that it's really 256MB but due to Hypermemory, it reports 512. Do others with the 15" T60p (even the T60p 14.1") have the system reporting their V5200 card with 512MB? I'm really curious. I'd post a ss, but I can't get it to unless it's a hosted link.


Thank you in advance

I would recommend you go with the 14.1" system if you don't need a large amount of screen space for what you do with it. I have a 14.1" form factor and I am pretty happy with it.

The physical VRAM available to the v5200 is actually 256MB, and extra 256MB of system RAM is optimized for performance throughput during graphics intensive computations; most of the optimizations that are performed are along the lines of pre-caching, further index, etc. It does improve performance.

I have the 2623D8U (T60p) with the 14.1 screen and I'm very satisfied with mine. The 1400x1050 is more than enough for my needs. I'm constantly mobile so the 14.1 version with the 9-cell battery works better for me. Although I've never seen the 15 flexview screen, I have read many great things about it on this forum.

Btw..mine reports 512mb video ram as well. I believe there was a thread talking about this a while back. Looks like they all report 512 even though it truly is only 256mb.

Just get a six-cell battery and stay with the 15".

dr_st wrote:Just get a six-cell battery and stay with the 15".

I was about to suggest the exact same thing. This definitely alleviates a chunk of the bulk woes.

I think unless you live in a cave, you know the difference in the monitor before you make a purchase. Also, it seems like if you look at the computer with a magnifying glass, you will also find hairline scratches and fractures. The computer is going to creak. That is what things do. Especially things made of plastic.

What you need is a magic 8-ball. That will save you time and avoid future posts such as this.

Doof!

Wow - what a response. . .and not in a good "Wow" way -

I'd say return it - I'm in a similar boat - I was going to get an X31 - but I wanted something with a little more oomph - but not some huge thing that I couldnt pick up and go -

I say get the 14.1 - the case imperfections (on a NEW unit eb23air) should only seal the deal.

Someone actually stole my computer and posted that comment. Someone stole my computer!

So I have a T43p 14.1 and it's awesome. I would go for the more portable things. Kamikaka, have you considered other portable electronic devices that you may own, i.e. a PSP and do you like portable things? If so, then go with the 14.1. You will enjoy the smaller footprint. As for the creaking noises, i agree with "AND$" that should be it for you and that machine. Call Levono and tell them you used to have an 8200 and that you custom built that machine and it creaked, but creaking on this is unacceptable. Tell Levono they are slipping and demand a new loptop...

Peacfer keebler!

I'll take your word for it, but be sure to keep your computer secure. That post was really uncalled for.

eb23air wrote:Someone actually stole my computer and posted that comment. Someone stole my computer!

eb23air wrote:I think unless you live in a cave, you know the difference in the monitor before you make a purchase. Also, it seems like if you look at the computer with a magnifying glass, you will also find hairline scratches and fractures. The computer is going to creak. That is what things do. Especially things made of plastic.

What you need is a magic 8-ball. That will save you time and avoid future posts such as this.

Doof!

I would, if I were you, ratchet down the likelihood of such posts occuring again in the future.

Kamika007z wrote: Also on top of it all, the right side of my ThinkPad, near the fingerprint reader the plastics creak, as if it's not put together properly. This made me even more upset because I spent over $2600 for this machine so I deserve to be a little nit-picky.

I also have this creak problem on my T60 15" model. The creak comes from border between palm rest and HDD and it's very annoying.

I would like to know the other 15" T60 owners whether you have this same problem. Thanks.

Thanks everyone for the positive posts... I think I'm going to go for the 14.1. It even looks nicer and less bulky. My only loss is the LCD quiality. Thanks all.

Also, does anyone know if I am responsible for shipping costs?

Thank you again! I appreciate it.

Kamika007z wrote:Thanks everyone for the positive posts... I think I'm going to go for the 14.1. It even looks nicer and less bulky. My only loss is the LCD quiality. Thanks all.

Also, does anyone know if I am responsible for shipping costs?

Thank you again! I appreciate it.

When I returned my first z60m because of dead pixels, I had to pay for my own shipping (I waited until near the expiration of the 30-day trial; you get 30 days from the day it was shipped for IBM to 'receive' it in their return center). I used FedEx. Reliable and cheapest ($20 or so for my 13lbs box).

I read somewhere here where a poster was able to get the shipping paid for (if it's a defect of some kind). Or maybe he complained enough. Mine wasn't a defect, because you need 13 or more dead pixels on the high-res widescreen LCD to qualify for a free return.

good decision to go with 14". I had the 14" and 15" side by side to compare and while flexview rocked, I settled for the 14" because I personally felt the build quality was slightly better.

And ofcourse the 15" flexview just does not justify the $130+ price difference, what the increased weight and size as well....

bart wrote:And ofcourse the 15" flexview just does not justify the $130+ price difference

To me it does. I also prefer the looks of the 15" model.

I had seen several threads recently on the "squeeky palmrest" and had given this some thought after reading through those...because I've never heard a squeek outta mine.

My T60p creaks. But it creaks less than any other lappy I've ever had...

Dells are the Creakiest!

jeremivw wrote: Dells are the Creakiest!

I have a dell D610, and the build is really good. Though not as good as the thinkpad, I'd say the palm rest area is solid on the D610 than on my T60.

I just want to make sure on something for the LCD quality. Exactly what is the benefit with the "IPS" LCD? Does it offer a brighter screen? Better color? Or just viewing angles are better?

Also, are they ever going to offer an IPS screen for the 14.1's? Any talk about it?

Kamika007z wrote:I just want to make sure on something for the LCD quality. Exactly what is the benefit with the "IPS" LCD? Does it offer a brighter screen? Better color? Or just viewing angles are better?

All of the above, and higher resolution, and just more pleasing to stare at in general.

Kamika007z wrote:Also, are they ever going to offer an IPS screen for the 14.1's? Any talk about it?

Historically, no.

Hmmm, so this isn't a new form of technology? It's been used on the T43's and so forth?

Also, what are the benefits to it?

Thanks all, great forum.

Kamika007z wrote:Hmmm, so this isn't a new form of technology? It's been used on the T43's and so forth?

Also, what are the benefits to it?

It exists on the T43ps and so forth. How many more benefits do you need? We've just listed like 4--5 a few times now.

IPS=Flexview.

IPS is the technology used, Flexview is the marketing name.

the pixels are switched to a horizontal plane and two transisitors are used to render each pixel, opposed to one vertically alligned pixel with a TN (what everything else uses, pretty much) panel. This accounts for the better viewing angle, backlight, and all the other cool stuff... but also accounts for much larger power draw of an IPS panel, which is why you rarely see them on laptops. They also have higher refresh rates typically.

For me, I love my 14" SXGA+ T40, just like I loved my 14" T23 before it. Ive seen the 15" models, and don't care for them. Too large. On the flip side, ive used an X31 (owned one for a while) and felt it was too small, and the loss in resolution and optical drive was really getting to me.

Perfect, thank you. Also, does the IPS have better color handling? What I mean is, are the colors more vivid or the same?

Thanks again all

I have heard that, Yes.

However, the colors on my Samsung 14" SXGA+ screen are very good as is.

The thing about colors is that the basic property of TN panels that makes colors look different depending on the angle creates problems not only with extreme viewing angles, where the screen is completely dark or washed out, but also when you look at it almost head on, even a slight shift in angle makes the colors look a bit different. IPS screens have no such problem - no matter the viewing angle, no matter the exact spot on the screen, colors look the same.

Hey all,

I just wanted to keep the thread going and let you know my status. I called Lenovo and they told me I am reponsible for shipping it back to them. I also got a quote for the T60p 14.1" and on it it says that it's a 1450 x 1050 24-bit. Is that correct? Does that mean in Display Properties I can only go as high as 24 bit not 32? Is the V5200 from the 15" model different than the 14.1" one?

Thank you

EDIT: I just looked at my previous order for the 15" and it states 16.7 billion colors "24-bit" so if anyone would shed some educational light on this matter, would be appreciated greatly.

dr_st wrote:Just get a six-cell battery and stay with the 15".

With the V5200 and FlexView that will render what, like 30 minutes of power?

[sorry for the sarcasm - I'm pretty disappointed with the power consumption of the -p models]

-darren

darrenf wrote:

dr_st wrote:Just get a six-cell battery and stay with the 15".

With the V5200 and FlexView that will render what, like 30 minutes of power?

[sorry for the sarcasm - I'm pretty disappointed with the power consumption of the -p models]

-darren

Actually, I was able to play Counter-Strike: Source at around 40-60FPS running on battery (9-cell) for about 45 minutes and when I went back into windows it said I still had 44% battery. Also, the video card was running on balanced mode.

Pretty sweet if you ask me

Agreed. My complaint is that the power consumption is so high when *not* tasking the GPU.

-darren

Kamika007z wrote:Hey all,

I just wanted to keep the thread going and let you know my status. I called Lenovo and they told me I am reponsible for shipping it back to them. I also got a quote for the T60p 14.1" and on it it says that it's a 1450 x 1050 24-bit. Is that correct? Does that mean in Display Properties I can only go as high as 24 bit not 32? Is the V5200 from the 15" model different than the 14.1" one?

Thank you

EDIT: I just looked at my previous order for the 15" and it states 16.7 billion colors "24-bit" so if anyone would shed some educational light on this matter, would be appreciated greatly.

You can go to 32bit in control panel. Your screen will only display 18bit color anyway, but it might look nicer with the gradients and whatever Windows applies there.