New T60 for me! :)

Message

Temetka · #1 Post by **Temetka** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:30 am

My boss had a 15" T60 sitting around.

It is now mine.

This machine is a 1953-EAU model which I upgraded to 1.5GB of RAM and Vista Ultimate. I love the speed of it and know if I max the RAM, and upgrade the CPU to a C2D as well as a 7200RPM drive I should be all set. Unfortunately the 9-cell is dead and needs to be replaced.

I believe I can go to a UXGA (1600x1200) panel on this. However I would be better served by a SXGA (1400x1050) panel as the higher rez makes my eyes bleed.

I'll post more information on the machine and my impressions in a following post as it is 1:30AM here and I want to go to bed.

So:

Yay!

...and more to come!

Wentworth · #2 Post by **Wentworth** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:48 am

is your battery eligible for an exchange???

yak · #3 Post by **yak** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:31 am

I'm happy for you.

I have a similar setup but in 14.1" form factor (see sig). I like it very much. I know it's kind of low-end compared to T60 of other people here but it was a nice upgrade to my old T41 anyway.

I also have an XGA screen which I want to upgrade to SXGA+. Right now I'm looking for the LCD. I'm willing to buy a generic one and force it to work on a ThinkPad (you have to program the EEPROM in the screen to do it). This will let me keep the cost down as ThinkPad panels cost much more. It seems that I should be able to use a DELL D600 panel for this.

You might want to just buy a ThinkPad panel as 15" ones seem to be cheaper.

Have fun with your new ThinkPad.

ajkula66 · #4 Post by **ajkula66** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:25 am

Your machine with the Intel integrated video may not run an IPS LCD properly...so be careful when upgrading, personally, I'd try to test it out first, if possible...

Good luck.

dr_st · #5 Post by **dr_st** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:50 am

ajkula66 wrote:Your machine with the Intel integrated video may not run an IPS LCD properly...

Why wouldn't it? If it can drive SXGA+ (and it can), why would IPS make a difference?

Crunch · #6 Post by **Crunch** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:56 am

Your new T60 doesn't have any graphics card?? And why wouldn't IPS work?

Congrats on your new machine!

Temetka · #7 Post by **Temetka** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:07 pm

Of course it has a video card.

It is an Intel 945GM chipset and runs World of Warcraft @ 1024x768 just fine.

I'm looking into a new 15" LCD, but am curious about cost. Since I want to get up and running as quickly as possible, I'll just grab an actual IBM/Lenovo screen instead of having to deal with re-programming an EEPROM.

I am at work right now and will post more information tonight.

ajkula66 · #8 Post by **ajkula66** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:08 pm

Well, forgive me for being the voice of doom and gloom...but SXGA+ panels should have worked on T43s with integrated graphics, and yet no one-at least to my knowledge- managed to get to the point of LCD actually displaying a picture...

Has anyone actually installed a 15" IPS LCD on a T60 with Intel graphics, and can confirm that this swap works? Not that it should work...

dr_st · #9 Post by **dr_st** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:21 pm

What I'm trying to understand, George, is why would SXGA+ IPS would be a bigger thing than SXGA+ non-IPS for the integrated video.

I have a T60 14" SXGA+ with GMA950, so I know it can drive SXGA+. Is anything different on the motherboard of the 15" model? Does the IPS screen require a different cable/inverter/etc?

ajkula66 · #10 Post by **ajkula66** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:35 pm

@ dr_st:

Oh I understand where you're coming from...and you make sense, as always.

However, it's IBM/Lenovo that doesn't always make sense...so please forgive my skepticism.

The same chipset that won't drive SXGA+ on an Intel-based T43 drives SXGA+ on my daughter's HP...

I'm not saying it can't be done, but would be VERY careful before spending money on a new IPS LCD for an untested upgrade, that's all...

Temetka · #11 Post by **Temetka** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:22 am

I don't care about IPS.

I just want to add a 1400x1050 LCD to the machine if it is easily possible. I guess I can live with XGA if I have to, but would prefer not to of course.

I know I can take the machine to 3GB of RAM.

What I am curious about is CPU upgrades. I am not too much of a speed freak and would be satiated with a simple upgrade from the CoreDuo I have now to a Core2Duo CPU if possible.

Other than that I will (over time) be adding the following:

A DL DVD burner.

A 7200RPM HD or a huge 5400RPM HD with a large enough areal density to offset the speed differences between the two.

I do have some great news though!

My battery is covered under the lenovo battery recall program. As such I have filled out the online request form for a new battery. The website says to please allow up to 4 weeks for delivery. I am of course hoping that I receive my new shiny 9-cell in a lesser amount of time.

Other than that I continue to be impressed by the overall performance of the machine. Although vista gives me a performance rating of 2.3 due to the Intel graphics, frankly I don't care. The most graphic intensive game I play is World of Warcraft which is running great. Standard office apps and web broswing are very fast and I am glad for the A/B/G card that is installed as I do a lot of large network transfers via wifi.

So until later....(or read as: I don't know how to finish the post).

Temetka · #12 Post by **Temetka** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:51 am

I removed the HD and noticed that it uses rubber rails. The problem (I think) is that I only have 1 of them. Also I noticed there is about 3/4
" of an inch 'empty space' between the rear edge of the hard drive and the right hand side of the laptop.

Is this normal?

Thanks.

/runs off to read more threads on T60's.

Temetka · #13 Post by **Temetka** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:59 am

Next question:

Does my system support Intel Turbo Memory.

If so: in what sizes and how do I determine if it is installed already or what do I need to know about installing it.

Thanks again.

Temetka · #14 Post by **Temetka** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 4:25 pm

Bump for some answers to my previous unanswered questions.

Marin85 · #15 Post by **Marin85** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 4:30 pm

I believe your system doesn´t support Intel Turbo Memory alias Robson Chip. The latter was introduced together with the Santa Rosa platform if I remember correctly.

Cheers

Marin

Temetka · #16 Post by **Temetka** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 1:03 am

I got an e-mail from Lenovo with a 2-day FedEx tracking # for my new 9-cell. With luck I should have it by Wednesday which would far quicker than their estimated 4-6 weeks for delivery.

New T60 for me! :)

New T60 for me! :)

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