Lenovo T61p - First Impressions

[goran5]

As I purchased my previous T43p/2GB/60GB7200 some three years ago, I thought it would be the last Thinkpad now that the Chinese took over the divison from IBM. I feared development and quality would drop dramatically.

Having received and configured and used my new T61p for some weeks, I must say my fears were wrong. This is by far the most impressive machine I've ever owned.

What impressed me
- Stunning performance. Fast upstart. Overall much better performance than T42p
- Quite. Much more quieter than my the T43p.
- Brilliant WUXGA graphics. Even brighter screen then before.
- Vista Ultimate really impresses on this machine.

Another important argument for purchasing this machine is the outstanding service from IBM. The few times I had to use them in the passed, service has been great.

Hence, for all you who are thinking of purchasing this machine. It's the best.

Göran

[Crunch]

Awesome and congrats on your new Thinkpad. I am very glad to hear that warranty support apparently continues through IBM. And they don't outsource either. Atlanta, GA if I'm not mistaken.

Does anyone know why that is, and if it will continue, which would be awesome. I have a theory, but I'd like some responses first.

[ThinkPad]

Nice. Im thinking of doing an upgrade from my T42p, but have been kind of skeptical of the newer models.

[nesnet]

I agree... the T61p is fast, well constructed and the screen is bright. I am even starting to like Vista.Count me as another satisfied owner of a T61p.

[pianowizard]

Nice. Im thinking of doing an upgrade from my T42p, but have been kind of skeptical of the newer models.

There's nothing to worry about. I've owned several 14.1" T4*'s, a 14.1" 4:3 T60, and have played with several 14.1" widescreen,15.0" and 15.4" T6*'s owned by my coworkers. All these T6*'s are better built than the T4*'s. The T43 is particularly fragile. The only IBM-era Thinkpad that rivals the T6* in terms of build quality is the 600/E/X series.

Lenovo has also improved the quality of the X series. I had an X60s that was much more solid than the X2* or the 570E.

[pae77]

Since I moved into my T61p, my formerly beloved, but now obsolete T42p hasn't seen any action. And once a few things are tweaked, Vista is very nice as well.

Iirc, IBM does outsource depot repairs. Not sure about onsite.

[STC]

I agree... the T61p is fast, well constructed and the screen is bright. I am even starting to like Vista.Count me as another satisfied owner of a T61p.

me too

though i use xp instead of vista. vista is just beta but not a finished product imho.

[hippy chick]

I had heard really great things about IBM support and that was why i just bought a T61P, however they have recently changed their customer support, and it is now beyond terrible.

.....In fact i think it is possibly illegal, as they are not honouring their statutory oligation to provide warranty support for something they sell, for one year.

There are numerous prolems with the pre-supplied software and little or no info on this...apart of course from this life saving forum, but that is no thanks to Lenovo!

As a purchaser you should be able to use what you bought without problem..instead, lenovo expect you to waste hours setting up your defective software and then when you hit a snag, pay $100 for them to tell you how to reinstall, which they should have done in the first place.

on a more positive note Merry Christmas and a very big Thank You for all the great people that contribute to this forum
There are many aspects i love about this machine, but i would not consider buying Lenovo again until i had heard about a lot of changes within their tech support......which i am sure will happen,,,it is just a matter of time before they realise the problem or get taken to court...which incidentaly i am considering!

[Rochefort]

Nice. Im thinking of doing an upgrade from my T42p, but have been kind of skeptical of the newer models.

The only IBM-era Thinkpad that rivals the T6* in terms of build quality is the 600/E/X series.

Really !?
I remember my 600, it was a really nice "klein panzer"
I've too a T42p 15' IPS and I love it
Is anyone here can compare a 15'IPS with a 15'4 T 61 screen ?
Which is the best ?
Surely , new TPs will come soon with Peryn ...wait'n see

[Puppy]

Is anyone here can compare a 15'IPS with a 15'4 T 61 screen ?

This can not be compared at all. The T61 panel is a TN panel which tells everything. Maybe it has a better brightness but other parameters (contrast, backlight bleeding, colors, viewing angles, dead pixel behavior) will be just horrible ...

[Brad]

I had heard really great things about IBM support and that was why i just bought a T61P, however they have recently changed their customer support, and it is now beyond terrible.

The forum makes the world smaller.

Everyone in the world can share their expierences here.

Support outside of the US appears to be inferior.

I can expect great support here and have received it on an almost 100% basis.

I am not sure why support is different in other parts of the world.

Brad

[goran5]

I had heard really great things about IBM support and that was why i just bought a T61P, however they have recently changed their customer support, and it is now beyond terrible.

The forum makes the world smaller.

Everyone in the world can share their expierences here.

Support outside of the US appears to be inferior.

I can expect great support here and have received it on an almost 100% basis.

I am not sure why support is different in other parts of the world.

Brad

I can only speak for Estonia and Sweden (both EU countries by the way). Here IBM service has been truly great. I might add that I haven't been needing their service for than a couple of times with smaller issues.

[barrywohl]

I've too a T42p 15' IPS and I love it
Is anyone here can compare a 15'IPS with a 15'4 T 61 screen ?
Which is the best ?

I love everything about my T61p EXCEPT the WUXGA 15.4 inch panel. The panel is fine except when I run it side by side with my 15 inch IPS panel on my R50p. The R50p panel is better: clearer, less blue, better viewing angle.

At work, I like 1600 x 1200 or 1920 x 1200 for my medical records program. This lets me see "a full page" equivalent vertical, which I cannot do with fewer than 1200 lines vertical. Even then, I have to move the task bar to the right to see a full page.

The T61p has not replaced the R50p for my day to day medical records work, due to its inferior screen. My office is bright. The IPS panel has no problem, but the T61p WUXGA non-IPS looks washed out at work. This is not a problem at home or in other viewing situations.

Also, the keyboard on my T61p is a bit more "clickety-clackity" and less "definite." I wouldn't notice except that I switch back and forth to the R50p.

Otherwise, I like everything better on the T61p: 7K200 200 gb fast hard drive, fast T7700 processor, Vista Ultimate x64, 4 in 1 card reader, wide screen with extra real estate, reliable DVD recorder, decent battery life, quiet and cool. I'm hoping to add a Blu-Ray Ultrabay Slim player in the first quarter of 2008.

I have no regrets about getting the T61p. I love it and use it all the time. However, every decision involves some compromise.


As far as support, I think it is pretty much as good as ever. IBM still contracts to supply "EasyServ" support to Lenovo. Solectron contracts with IBM to provide depot repair services. Lenovo Direct contracts with Lenovo to sell Lenovo computers in the U.S. Lenovo maintains engineering and administrative offices in North Carolina with Americans who used to do the same jobs for IBM. I've had mostly great service this year on a dozen IBM and Lenovo ThinkPads. DHL is slower than Airborne Express used to be, but everything else is pretty much the same. I think the EasyServ folks are GREAT!

[mitasol]

I received my T61p a few days ago and apart from a dvd drive that failed after 12 hours I'm quite happy with it. My support experience has been good, they are shipping me a replacement drive and there were no questions asked.