T61 - Bluetooth

[Harryc]

I just noticed that you can no longer get bluetooth if you order a new T61 from Lenovo. That tells me that they have most likely run out of cards or some component needed for bluetooth. I have not had enough T61's apart to answer this question, so maybe you can help me here. Are ALL T61's Bluetooth capable/upgradeable? Also, does the T61 BDC-2 card have an integrated antenna?

[hellosailor]

And for a month or so, I couldn't order an ultra-res screen from them at all, either. Seems like Lenovo has decided to one-up the guys at Dell.

At Dell, when they don't have something they up-sell you or up-grade it. (Like CrackerJack, there's often a surprise in the box.) At Lenovo...they just tell you "that's not available" and try to force you to order something else.

It's like they have no idea that sometimes, some people order a thinkpad precisely because we WANT SPECIFIC HARDWARE and we'd rather see a longer delivery date than hear "NO".

Must be the legacy of Chairman Mao still warping their concept of "salesmanship".<G> Or perhaps, they've seen the chicken salad sandwich scene from Five Easy Pieces once too often?

[Harryc]

Thanks for that fine dissertation...what about my bluetooth question?

[eecon]

I just noticed that you can no longer get bluetooth if you order a new T61 from Lenovo. That tells me that they have most likely run out of cards or some component needed for bluetooth. I have not had enough T61's apart to answer this question, so maybe you can help me here. Are ALL T61's Bluetooth capable/upgradeable? Also, does the T61 BDC-2 card have an integrated antenna?

I just tried a custom configuration this evening at Lenovo's site and still no bluetooth option (unlike when I ordered my T61 a year ago).

That's a shame as I'd like to upgrade my T7500 processer via a new T61 otherwise configured identically

[miro_gt]

^ just curious, why would you want to upgrade the T7500 CPU ?? .. it's a fast CPU nonetheless

[Brad]

From what I have seen the antenna is there at least on a SXGA+ that I upgraded recently. The video cable needs to be replaced also. There is no connector on the video cable for the ThinkPad without Bluetooth.

Brad

[eecon]

^ just curious, why would you want to upgrade the T7500 CPU ?? .. it's a fast CPU nonetheless

Two reasons actually:

1. The newer processors use a little less power than my older 2.2 GHz T7500 processor, and;

2. Most importantly, I'd prefer a discrete ATI graphics card found on the upcoming T500 (and on the older T60s) over the T61's Nvidia graphics card.

Otherwise, I'm pleased with my T61 now that I've got the audio recording issue resolved with an external Express54 slot audio card

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=52527