From R40 -> T60 (2007-63U)

[astro]

I know, I know -- there are heaps of "review" threads out there at the moment. I just wanted to add what I hope are a few insights which have not been covered before.

Good:

• Fingerprint reader works very well for me.
• The screen (Samsung 14.1" SXGA+) is brilliant, such more more brightness and contrast than the 14.1" XGA in the R40. I can't believe I have lived without SXGA+ for this long... Loser! And for the record: No dead or stuck pixels.
• It only took 1/2 a day and a CD, DVD and an iPod to transfer files, install corporate apps and now the T60 is my production machine.

Bad:

• The Fujitsu HD (100GB/5400RPM) is noisy. No, I am not confusing it with the fan. I can hear it when the fan turns off (yes, it turns off sometimes). The HD makes a constant whooshing sound, rather like the sound a fan makes, as funny as that seems. The 'seek' sound is quiet and un-disturbing, though.
• The Windows keys are more annoying than I thought they would be. I now realise that I used to use my thumb to press Ctrl+Alt at the same time, e.g. when formatting stuff in MSWord, or pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del with one hand. I also use the Alt key a lot and it is annoying that it is smaller, but I am getting used to it.
• Access Connections 4.12 still has the same problem it had with my R40 when I used it over a year ago. It will lock up at "Renewing IP address" if you have set a static IP address (i.e. why the hell is it trying to "renew" when I am not using DHCP). With much grumbling, I changed my router config to DHCP a few addresses.
• The Lenovo parts lookup is dodgy. It lists that my machine has 2x 512MB sticks in it. I almost crapped myself. I wasn't ready to try taking the palmrest off yet! I did anyway and found, to my relief, a single 1GB stick. Also, the palmrest was a cinch to put back on. It was so easy, I took it off again to make sure I had done it right. I only undid 4 screws to take it off. Also, I didn't have to "bow" it or anything, I just applied pressure from the front to get the back parts to sit in.

Undecided:

• The keyboard is a Chicony and it is very "clacky". The spacebar is especially noisy. Now, let it be said that the Chicony on my R40 is absolutely brilliant. Quiet and solid with just the right amount of resistance. This new Chicony is different -- the action is lighter and it doesn't have the "rubber skirt" that the R40 one did, which I think made it a lot quieter. All this said, I tried out a colleague's T43 with NMB. The only difference was that it was firmer. It was no less "clacky" and generally noisy. So that's why I'm undecided about this keyboard. I have used it for work for a full day now, and the only thing that bothers me is the noise.
• Clickety-click left palm rest. This is a weird one. For some reason, when you push down on the left edge of the left palmrest it bows the subframe a little and then "click" the ExpressCard door bounces back and makes a clicking sound against the palm rest. This is weird, but I can't say that I am too worried about it. Time will tell.

All in all, I am loving this machine. You wouldn't think so, going from an R40 with P-M1.4/512MB/40GB@4200RPM, would you?

[archer6]

The screen (Samsung 14.1" SXGA+) is brilliant, such more more brightness and contrast than the 14.1" XGA
All in all, I am loving this machine. You wouldn't think so, going from an R40 with P-M1.4/512MB/40GB@4200RPM, would you?

Nice Post

I am also really enjoying my new T60.

Being from Australia, I'm sure that you can appreciate this: Tomorrow my new Crumpler Back Pack arrives..... really cool.... and how do I know this? It's a replacement for my old Crumpler!

[astro]

Yes, Crumpler do make great bags, very well padded. I have a "Sport Guy 1.0" for my Panasonic DMC-FZ5 camera.

That company certainly has a strange sense of humour... Even by Australian standards!