Thinkpads Forum

I have a T43 that might be dead (motherboard). Instead of fixing it, I might buy a T61 and are there any issues I should be looking for when buying one. I have heard of the Nvidia issue so am aware of that.

No other major issues except nVidia GPU failure. If you can get a hold of a 14.1" T61 with the Intel integrated GPU ... that is a sweet machine. I just bought this one below as a project machine. They are highly upgradeable. One limitation they did have was the HD speed was locked down to SATA1. That has since been fixed via a BIOS hack. They can take up to 8GB RAM too.

Product: ThinkPad T61 7661-BF3

Original description: Based 7661-12U: T7300(2GHz), 2GB RAM, 80GB HD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, Intel X3100, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, FPR, Camera, Turbo Mem, 7c Li-Ion, WinVista Business 64

I am hoping that after the upgrades it will look like this -

T7800(2.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 120GB Intel 320 SSD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, Intel X3100, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, FPR, Camera, 7c Li-Ion, Windows 7 Ultimate

What's a Sec Chip?

Harryc wrote:No other major issues except nVidia GPU failure. If you can get a hold of a 14.1" T61 with the Intel integrated GPU ... that is a sweet machine. I just bought this one below as a project machine. They are highly upgradeable. One limitation they did have was the HD speed was locked down to SATA1. That has since been fixed via a BIOS hack. They can take up to 8GB RAM too.

Product: ThinkPad T61 7661-BF3

Original description: Based 7661-12U: T7300(2GHz), 2GB RAM, 80GB HD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, Intel X3100, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, FPR, Camera, Turbo Mem, 7c Li-Ion, WinVista Business 64

I am hoping that after the upgrades it will look like this -

T7800(2.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 120GB Intel 320 SSD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, Intel X3100, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, FPR, Camera, 7c Li-Ion, Windows 7 Ultimate

Security Chip.
"The Embedded Security Subsystem

The Embedded Security Subsystem is a chip on the ThinkPad's mainboard that can take care of certain security related tasks conforming to the TCPA standard. It was first introduced among the T23 models and is now under the name "Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0". It is an integral part of most of the modern ThinkPads. The functions of the chip fall into three main groups:

Public key functions
Trusted boot functions
Initialization and management functions

The purpose of the Embedded Security Subsystem is to keep the user's sensitive data out of range from software based attacks (like viruses, Internet attacks etc.). One way the chip offers to achieve this is by providing storage for keys along with the necessary functions to handle them within itself, so that a for example a private key never has to leave the chip (can't be seen by any piece of software). Besides this, there are more complex topics covered by the functionality of the chip. If you want to find out more about it you can find good documents on the IBM Research TCPA resources page."
http://domino.research.ibm.com/comm/res ... l.TCG.html

Reference - http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Embedded_ ... _Subsystem

I have over 40 t61 at work with nvidia chip, none of them failed.

The only thing that failed after 3 years are the heatsink fans which recently lubrication process. I have opened, cleaned and relubed all fail fans and they're all back on the road working..

very solid machines

Harryc wrote:I am hoping that after the upgrades it will look like this -

T7800(2.6GHz), 8GB RAM, 120GB Intel 320 SSD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, Intel X3100, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, FPR, Camera, 7c Li-Ion, Windows 7 Ultimate

Where is the Like! button?

Did any T61's come in ~15" type variety without widescreen?

redleaderone wrote:Did any T61's come in ~15" type variety without widescreen?

No.

BTW, if I am not mistaken, the last 15.0" 4:3 laptop was the Dell latitude D530.

\http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 3.html#arc

Detailed specifications - ThinkPad T61, T61p

Processor
-Enhanced Intel SpeedStep technology
-Available processors are:
--Intel Core Duo processor T7100(1.8GHz), T7300(2GHz)
---4 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz front-side bus
--Intel Core Duo processor T7500(2.2GHz), T7700 (2.4 GHz)
---4 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz front-side bus

Video
Display
14.1-inch XGA (1024 x 768 resolution) TFT display
14.1-inch SXGA+ (1400x1050 resolution) TFT display
14.1-inch WXGA (1280 x 800 resolution) TFT display
14.1-inch WXGA+ (1440 x 900 resolution) TFT display
15.4-inch WXGA (1280 x 800 resolution) TFT display
15.4-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200 resolution) TFT display

Graphic Controller
Video chipsets:
•Intel PM965/GM965 graphics
•128MB nVidia Quadro NVS 140M
•256MB nVidia Quadro FX 570M (T61p only)

14.1-inch XGA (1024 x 768 resolution) TFT display ---- 4:3 –800:600------ 1.33
14.1-inch SXGA+ (1400x1050 resolution) TFT display ----------------------- 1.33
14.1-inch WXGA (1280 x 800 resolution) TFT display ---------1,000:600---- 1.66
14.1-inch WXGA+ (1440 x 900 resolution) TFT display ---------------------- 1.66
15.4-inch WXGA (1280 x 800 resolution) TFT display ----------------------- 1.66
15.4-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200 resolution) TFT display --------------------- 1.66

I have this list of types that have 14.1 screens. I have not taken the time to seperate/sort the 4:3's from the wide-screens in the list.
(type 8889, 8890, 8891, 8892, 8893, 8894, 8895, 8896, 8897, 8898, 8899, 8900, 8938, and 8939)

The type of Harry C's 14" T61 is 7661.
This my list of T61 types that have 14.1 4:3 800 x 600 screens -- 8895, 8896, 8897

Does anyone else care to add to this list?

I just want to chip in and say that my FX570M t61p (type 6460) from 2008 is still going strong. I bought it used this winter, probably from a corporate source, and I've been gaming on it sporadically since then. No issues. I do make sure to watch my temps and I'm thinking about just underclocking it now that my warranty is out.

I actually bought it just for the video card, fully aware of the issues. The problem is that mid-range or low-end laptops don't come with video cards, and apparently an i7 computer can't even run minecraft well. I'm really happy I picked up the t61p because I have better video performance than a lot of newer notebooks at a much better price point. I didn't have to pay extra for a CPU power increase that I didn't want.

bricksoup wrote:I just want to chip in and say that my FX570M t61p (type 6460) from 2008 is still going strong. I bought it used this winter, probably from a corporate source, and I've been gaming on it sporadically since then. No issues.

My dad's Hp Dv6000 also was going strong without issues, until it died after 3 years of service, due to nvidia failing. And most of nvidia chips will fail, while I am planing to keep my Intel T61 in working condition, until it develops historic value
P.S.
The thing I hate so much about nvidia defects is that they happen so suddenly. You use your computer in the evening just fine, and then next morning you find it is not working anymore. This can be a real shock some times

I'm using a 15.4" T61 with a WSXGA+ screen and an Intel GPU, which I purchased from our very own underclocker.

I love it.

It's one of the best machines I've ever used -- slightly better than the T500 which I had (although technically slower) due to the chassis design.

Avoid the NVIDIA cards like the plague, but definitely consider the T61. They're a great series apart from that.