Thinkpads Forum

I'm looking at getting a T61(probably T61p) And I was doing some reading that there is/was a problem with the 8400/8600 (which is the basis for the quadros in them). If I buy a new one of the outlet what are the odds it'll have the solder problem? Will Lenovo's warranty cover this issue?

The outlet machines have a max. warranty of only 1 year.
The GPU usually gives out after that, so you wouldn't be covered...
The Quadro NVS 140M seems to be failing the most often.

RealBlackStuff wrote:The outlet machines have a max. warranty of only 1 year.
The GPU usually gives out after that, so you wouldn't be covered...
The Quadro NVS 140M seems to be failing the most often.

Hmm so basically you are saying if possible avoid the quadro 140 for sure the upper end one isn't so bad.

Maybe I really like the machine maybe I'll see about an intel card

Well, there is no 'Intel card'. In order to change out the graphics on 'most' Thinkpads (T60's for sure) you have to replace the entire systemboard since they are soldered on. If you think you might want an Intel chipset machine, buy it now.

Harryc, I ment just buy a machine that has the intel chipset onboard. I don't play many games, esp not any new games, so the nvidia while nice isn't totally needed

It is not a solder problem (like T4x); the chip fails. It seems heat related, so if you don't do things with heavy video usage, you are less likely to have a problem. Having said that, if you are not a game player, the Intel-based video uses less power (longer battery life), runs cooler and is cheaper. Also Quadro has nothing to do with the CPU. It is just what NVIDIA calls the thing.