Thinkpads Forum

I am looking at purchasing a T60 in the future, with either a 14 or 15 inch 4:3 screen.. not quite sure on the size yet.

I normally have thought that I preferred a model with intel graphics.

How much hotter, and how reduced is the battery life on one with a discrete ATI or Nvidia card?

If I was to get one with a video card, which is most desirable?

In general I considered my preferred model to be either a T60 14 inch with XGA screen, or a T60 15 inch with SXGA (1400X1050) flexview. Both with intel graphics. I know the latter is not a common factory config but switching screens is no issue for me.

With that in mind, is there any reason I should get a discrete graphics card instead of intel graphics? Looking for those of you with better experience.

Thanks a ton. Typing this on my girlfriends Z61T which I think is one of the better widescreen models of this generation. I prefer the 4:3 and more than that I prefer the 6 cell to fit flush in the machine.

Thanks a ton.

As you can see in my sig I have a 14.1" T60 with Intel graphics and an SXGA+ LCD. It originally came with XGA but I've upgraded it since. SXGA+ on a 14.1" screen is no problem at all, I think it's a perfect resolution for this screen size.

I was looking at the same aspects as you when I was buying the machine. I'm not gaming, not doing any 3D stuff so I opted for a longer battery life and a cooler notebook instead. I'm very satisfied. The machine runs cool and Vista's Aero works flawlessly. I wouldn't want any dedicated graphics, especially after reading about the lockups problems some people were having.

I can't tell you exactly how long does it last on the battery since I charging it fully rarely to prolong the battery lifespan. I should be able to get about 4-6 hours depending on what I'm doing, screen brightness and if I'm using wireless or not.

For example, I have the battery at 78% now, I disconnected the AC, screen brightness dropped to minimal and I shut down the WiFi. The power manager shows me 5:12. With WiFi back on I get 4:32. Enabling tpfancontrol in smrt mode gave me 5:00 after some idling.

I would say, pretty good results, especially for Vista.

Be aware that T60 with integrated graphics does not support DVI pass-through on Advanced Mini Dock and Advanced Dock. (T61 does)

I don't have a dock but I read couple of times on this forum that T60 indeed provides DVI even with Intel graphics.

See for example this thread:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=461299

I stand corrected, however it might be true for _some_ T60 models.

I know that only SOME Z61T's have DVI pass through, with Intel video. <shrug>

Any reason to get one with a video card?

Perhaps I will just go with the cheapest T60 14 incher I can get then.. and upgrade the proc.

Cunha wrote:

Perhaps I will just go with the cheapest T60 14 incher I can get then.. and upgrade the proc

Better yet, go with the cheapest 15" and upgrade the LCD to an IPS FlexView one...

Well that was one of my original options.

That will yield less battery life and a bigger heavier machine. So I have to choose. Tough choice.

T61's are available with a 14 inch 4:3 display are they not? Kinda uncommon though?

If you buy a T61 with nVidia card, make sure it has warranty remaining...

Yes, T61/p units were available in the 14" 4:3 format.

ajkula66 wrote:Yes, T61/p units were available in the 14" 4:3 format.

The question of potentially using a 4:3-format T60/p or T61/p motherboard in a 15" T60 case, and in this T60-case use a 4:3-format 15.0" FlexView/IPS LCD is discussed in the thread Parts for the ultimate 15” T60 UXGA FlexView w/T61(p) mobo? although with emphasis on UXGA LCD's (and not SXGA+ as I understand you more head for). There may however be some useful information in that thead...

If anyone would happen to know if (4:3) T60/T61-motherboards with integrated video will support an internal UXGA LCD, please feel free to speak out; that's a core question in the above-mentioned thread!

Johan

I would love the 1600 by 1200 but I believe that the text would be uncomfortably small or me even in a 15 incher. For a 14 inch I think XGA works fine (too bad there arent any XGA flexviews) and SXGA for a 15 inch (flexview)

There are T61 14 inch 4:3 PC's arent there? I wouldnt mind just running that machine even with the cock eyed screen. It is interesting to see if a T61 mobo would work in a square T60 case to make the best T60/61 frankenstein or whatever you want to call it.