Thinkpads Forum

Hi all.

Received my T60 yesterday, and here are a few impressions ...

Some specifications:

- T2400 Dual Core
- 80MB 5400 rmp harddrive
- 512 MB RAM
- M a t s u s h i t a DVD-RAM
- 15" FlexView 1400x1050
- ATI X1300

Inserted the battery, connected the AC and started the machine. Immediately it started changing the filesystem from Fat32 to NTFS so I had to sit and wait a few minutes for this. Skipped most of the configurations and registrations and got straight down to Rescue & Recovery. When I first started this it automatically made a backup to the hidden partition, so afterwards I decided to go for the CD/DVD variant. This all took something like 1.5 hours, maybe a bit less. Just wanted to make sure that I had a complete backup before I do anything at all (didn't even connect to internet to download new drivers / updates ...).

My plan is simply to use this computer for about a week at first and to see if it suits my needs, after this I will upgrade it with more memory and a new harddrive. I will probably also do a clean install with English XPP (since it came preloaded with Norwegian XPP).

So far I think:

- The boot up time for Windows XPP is terrible, too slow for my taste. My 4 year old desktop computer loads faster and it has the same amount of ram (512MB), but the harddrive is faster. Does anybody know if updating memory, buying a faster harddrive (7200 rmp) and / or removing "bloatware" will actually help? Or is the clean install the only option?

- The 15" FlexView is good, I have the one with 1400x1050 resolution. No dead pixels as I can see, and I do not see the irregularities in the corners which some members have reported here. Will do a more thorough check with some LCD-helper software later today.

-Keyboard feels solid (I have no idea which type it is, NMB / ALPS / CHICONY etc).

-Some of the "innards" of the machine is certainly visible when the battery is not installed, I suppose I will just have to keep the battery in place, even when I run only on AC (just hope this doesn't affect life span of the battery).

-Surprisingly quiet DVD-drive, even when running DVD movies. Maybe there is some software that controls rotation speed?

-DVD-movie playback has "hiccups", and skips sometimes. I have read about this already on the forum and will try to disable the ATI Hotkey Poller service to see if it helps.

-The machine is cool to the touch, the palmrests are not hot at all and the air vent only dissapates luke warm air.

-Seemingly the heat fan ran for the whole time when I had my first session with the machine, and it is audible (but not noisy). In my mind at least it seems sensible, considering that the machine seems to have a stable and almost cool temperature level. If compared to the Acer Ferrari 3200 the fan is more audible, but the machine doesn't get half as hot. And I am not sure that starting and stopping the fan regularly is such a great idea on the Ferrari, just to have a few moments of "complete" silence.

-The palmrests are certainly not the most sturdy part(s) of the machine. On the right side there seems to be a bit of freeplay in vertical position, like it is flexing upwards a bit. But there is no squeaking like some have reported, just some very light flex like can be seen on most of todays notebooks. The left side is also a bit "flimsy", as it acts like some roof for the express card and other slot, but is not very well secured.


Of course, it is too early for any final conclusions, but in my eyes it looks like a keeper. There has been made some compromises when making this notebook, but at least for now it seems for the better when thinking about overall quality, durability and stability.

Now if only Lenovo could learn from Apple how to give the consumer that fuzzy warm feeling when you open their packaging ...

Cheers,
Rick in Norway

cool! someone else from norway. If you happen to be in Oslo, where from did you get your thinkpad?

You'll get a faster bootup with a faster harddrive. but I don't know how much you going to gain, since I've only tried the switch from 4200 to 7200.

sw-rick wrote:Hi all.

Received my T60 yesterday, and here are a few impressions ...
Some specifications:

- T2400 Dual Core
- 80MB 5400 rmp harddrive
- 512 MB RAM
- M a t s u s h i t a DVD-RAM
- 15" FlexView 1400x1050
- ATI X1300

When I first started this it automatically made a backup to the hidden partition, so afterwards I decided to go for the CD/DVD variant. This all took something like 1.5 hours, maybe a bit less.

1.5 hours is average, so it sounds like that went well.

sw-rick wrote: The boot up time for Windows XPP is terrible, Does anybody know if updating memory, buying a faster harddrive (7200 rmp)

I too find bootup time slow, so a 7200rpm drive is on my list. A friend did this upgrade on his T60 and there is a noticable difference, much better.

sw-rick wrote:The 15" FlexView is good, I have the one with 1400x1050 resolution. No dead pixels as I can see, and I do not see the irregularities in the corners which some members have reported here. Will do a more thorough check with some LCD-helper software later today.

My flexview is also quite good, has a little darkness in the corners, but it's the same as my other ThinkPads and very minor. Only noticeable if I focus on it, not a problem.

sw-rick wrote:Keyboard feels solid (I have no idea which type it is, NMB / ALPS / CHICONY etc).

Here is the link that will list the components that comprize your ThinkPad.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... yle=lenovo

sw-rick wrote:The machine is cool to the touch, the palmrests are not hot at all and the air vent only dissapates luke warm air.Seemingly the heat fan ran for the whole time when I had my first session with the machine, and it is audible (but not noisy). In my mind at least it seems sensible

This is exactly the same experience I had. Now it's really quite and I have a lot of time on it.

sw-rick wrote:The palmrests are certainly not the most sturdy part(s) of the machine. On the right side there seems to be a bit of freeplay in vertical position, like it is flexing upwards a bit. The left side is also a bit "flimsy", as it acts like some roof for the express card and other slot, but is not very well secured.

This is because the material is of very high grade (tough) plastic composite, which reduces the weight of the computer. It's designed to flex, however it's not subject to fracturing or failure.

sw-rick wrote:Of course, it is too early for any final conclusions, but in my eyes it looks like a keeper at least for now it seems for the better when thinking about overall quality, durability and stability.

I have had 10 ThinkPads over the years and they all have been extremely durable and reliable.

sw-rick wrote:Now if only Lenovo could learn from Apple how to give the consumer that fuzzy warm feeling when you open their packaging ...

I could not agree more, as I have had a several PowerBooks as well!

Please let me know what kind of keyboard you have after you look it up.

Congratulations on your new ThinkPad!
Enjoy,
Archer in California

kwramm: Hi! I am currently located in Trondheim, and got my TP through authorized dealer (just check Lenovo's Norwegian pages, and there are a few dealers listed). If you want I can PM you the name of the supplier I used.

kimx: I ran HD-tune yesterday and concluded that the drive in my desktop is about x2 faster than the one in my TP. I have ordered the Hitachi Travelstar 1k700 7200 rmp today, so I will keep you posted on my progress on speeding up things But I suspect I will need that RAM update at the same time as well

archer6: 7200 rmp drive on the way! Also ran a LCD diagnostics tool yesterday, and found 1 black pixel when the screen was saturated with base red color. Hardly anything to get "excited" about in my mind. Will check the parts list when I get back home today.

After my 2nd day of using the TP I am getting more comfortable with it. I am really starting to like the TrackPoint, and also the on/off switch for wireless is a nice touch (I am a sucker for hard wired control )

I also resolved the problem with the DVD-movie playback, it was indeed the ATI Hotkey Poller. I will probably switch this service to manual when I do the re-install.

Will try to post some pictures a bit later.

Cheers,
Rick

archer6: Seems like the parts lookup doesn't work for my TP. The format of my type and serial nuber is : 2007 XX-XXXXX .

Maybe this lookup only works for North Amercia?

Cheers,
Rick

sw-rick wrote:archer6: Seems like the parts lookup doesn't work for my TP. The format of my type and serial nuber is : 2007 XX-XXXXX .
Maybe this lookup only works for North Amercia?

Yes, I was not thinking as this is a tool for USA.

sw-rick wrote:7200 rmp drive on the way! Also ran a LCD diagnostics tool yesterday, and found 1 black pixel when the screen was saturated with base red color. Hardly anything to get "excited" about in my mind. Will check the parts list when I get back home today.

After a month, I developed a pixel problem. It was white on a colored background, this is considered a "stuck" pixel, as compared to a black pixel which is considered a "dead" pixel. However it's important to know that it may "appear" black when indeed it is simply a very dark color. Here is a link with a process that easily fixed mine! I was amazed at the result. Try it and let me know how it works for you. Also I'm interested in hearing from you once you have the 7200rpm drive installed.

http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Stuck-Pixe ... CD-Monitor

Regards,
Archer

whats the word with putting harddrives that arent directly from IBM/Lenovo into the T series? is it like the T42/43's where you get the boot message about the harddrive not being compatible? Or have they fixed it so you can put any SATA 2.5" drive in without issue?

As far as I can see it is possible to buy your own 2.5" SATA drive and install it. The maintenance and service manual does not state anything specific, other than that you can order a drive from Lenovo or your dealer.

I see no reason why this should not work, but I will know later today for sure

Cheers,
Rick

jaybert wrote:whats the word with putting harddrives that arent directly from IBM/Lenovo into the T series? is it like the T42/43's where you get the boot message about the harddrive not being compatible? Or have they fixed it so you can put any SATA 2.5" drive in without issue?

This is not an issue for the boot drive but should still be a problem for drives mounted in the SATA UltraBay Slim adapter as that is still doing SATA to PATA conversion and mounting the drive on the IDE chain.

-darren

Well ... isn't that just typical!!!

Going to the local post office to pick up my new 100 GB 7200 rmp hard drive this evening, and guess what??? On the surface everything looks fine ... it even says that it is a SATA drive ... but what do we find inside of the protective pacaging??? Ack, a fricken ATA drive with regular parallell pins ....

Yes, I am a bit ticked off right now. It seems I have to spend another week waiting for my TP to be like I want it.

By the way, Lenovo has no part in this whatsoever, I am using some third party supplier for the disk.

Slightly ticked off,
Rick

sw-rick wrote:Well ... isn't that just typical!!!

Going to the local post office to pick up my new 100 GB 7200 rmp hard drive this evening, and guess what??? On the surface everything looks fine ... it even says that it is a SATA drive ... but what do we find inside of the protective pacaging??? Ack, a fricken ATA drive with regular parallell pins ....

Who did you get that drive from?
Good luck getting your ThinkPad setup the way you want, I know it's another week which is a pain... however once you have it the way you want it, you will really enjoy it.

Keep me posted.
Archer

Small update ...
Finally this company has confirmed that they shipped a new drive to me today, so I am hopeful I will have it in my hands this weekend. Apparently they got a new batch of the Hitachi drive, so this is still the one I am getting, and not the Seagate.

Will post as soon as I have installed the new drive

On another note, I got a sleeve for my TP this week, the Dicota SecondSkin 15.4". I knew that it would be a bit too wide for the 15" TP, but I figured what the hey ... right? ... Wrong! To say it is not a perfect fit is an understatement, so stay away from this product. I will probably be looking into the Waterfield as I am not a fan of zippers either ...

Cheers,
Rick

archer6 wrote:After a month, I developed a pixel problem. It was white on a colored background, this is considered a "stuck" pixel, as compared to a black pixel which is considered a "dead" pixel. However it's important to know that it may "appear" black when indeed it is simply a very dark color. Here is a link with a process that easily fixed mine! I was amazed at the result. Try it and let me know how it works for you. Also I'm interested in hearing from you once you have the 7200rpm drive installed.

White/Gray/Black pixels can all be stuck, not necessarily dead; pixels, however, that are stuck on bright red, green, or blue are generally considered dead pixels.

christopher_wolf wrote:

archer6 wrote:After a month, I developed a pixel problem. It was white on a colored background, this is considered a "stuck" pixel, as compared to a black pixel which is considered a "dead" pixel. However it's important to know that it may "appear" black when indeed it is simply a very dark color. Here is a link with a process that easily fixed mine! I was amazed at the result. Try it and let me know how it works for you. Also I'm interested in hearing from you once you have the 7200rpm drive installed.

White/Gray/Black pixels can all be stuck, not necessarily dead; pixels, however, that are stuck on bright red, green, or blue are generally considered dead pixels.

Yes, good point I stand corrected.
Thanks,
Archer6

Ah, I finally received my new 7200 rpm drive. But guess what, they had changed it into the Seagate Momentus anyway.

Well, I figured what the heck anyway and went ahead and installed it. The installation of the disk itself was a breeze, just remove one screw, take out the disk and unmount the rubber rails on the sides of the old disk and put them on the new one.

I did encounter some strange problem when restoring my system from the R&R disc set I had made. I chose to reset system to factory settings, but this failed after the first reboot when the system asked for the first disk in the set. I suspect you need R&R discs directly from Lenovo to do this.

I started over again and chose to restore from a backup instead (the first radio button you can choose) and after the first reboot it gladly accepted my dvd with the backup image.

I have not had the new disk up and running for more than 48 hours yet, so it is too early for any conclusions. But the disk is faster than the 5400 rmp Hitachi drive it originally shipped with. As for the noise level on the disk, if you can speak about noise at all from these two 2.5" disks, it may be a tiny bit less audible. But it seems to me that the sounds from accessing the disk has just different type of sound than the Hitachi, so it is up to your own personal taste do decide.

Now the second most interesting thing for me, apart from the speed, was what kind of heat this drive would generate. It seems that if the drive is used extensively for a period it gets a bit warmer than the Hitachi, but still the right palmrest is not uncomfortable. It seems that with normal use the disk will have practically the same heat level as the Hitachi.

So all in all, I am quite pleased with the upgrade to the Seagate Momentus 7200 rmp 100GB.

I will report back more in the coming weeks as I will have all my development tools installed and start to put my TP through the daily grind

Cheers,
Rick

Thanks for the info, Rick!

sw-rick wrote:Ah, I finally received my new 7200 rpm drive. But guess what, they had changed it into the Seagate Momentus anyway.

Where did you purchase it?

sw-rick wrote:Now the second most interesting thing for me, apart from the speed, was what kind of heat this drive would generate. It seems that if the drive is used extensively for a period it gets a bit warmer than the Hitachi, but still the right palmrest is not uncomfortable. It seems that with normal use the disk will have practically the same heat level as the Hitachi.
I will report back more in the coming weeks as I will have all my development tools installed and start to put my TP through the daily grind

Cheers,
Rick

Yes, the differenct in rpm and the heat generated when doing disk intensive work is noticeable but not objectionable. IMHO

Thanks Rick, for the report. I look forward to reading your follow up.
Archer6

I had what could almost be described as a relevation yesterday. After using my TP exclusively for a little more than a month, I had small session with my wife's Acer Ferrari 3000 series yesterday. My God ... ... ... I knew there was a difference, but so big? Personally I find the Acer machines of quite good build, but yesterday the keyboard felt "clickety" and the keys themselves unsolid. What also struck me was hot much warmer the machine itself was. I am starting to suspect that a lot of people have lost the perspective when they are discussing the "noise" and the heat level of the TP60, in my mind it has a very good balance of both.

We also have a few different trademarks of notebooks at work, I will probably expose myself to them as well just to see if I will have the same experience.

I love my T60! Yeah!

Cheers, Rick

archer6: I bought my Momentus drive from a Norwegian online computer & parts supplier (PCUtstyr).