OK to use old version of Lenovo Power Manager on older Thinkpad models?

[axur-delmeria]

I'm currently setting up an X60 with Windows 7, but hesitating to install Lenovo Power Manager-- I've noticed that even with my X220 with SSD, it doesn't start up quickly, which leads me to suspect that it's a bloated piece of software.

I've managed to get an older version (3.67) which is smaller (15mb exe file vs. 25mb on the current version) and also supports Win 7. Is it a good idea to install this version instead?

[ajkula66]

Is it a good idea to install this version instead?

If it does what you need it to do without hindering the performance, I see no reason why it wouldn't be.

[dr_st]

Yep, it did get progressively more and more bloated. And I did experience some glitches trying to use new versions on old Thinkpads, so using an older version may actually work better for you. In any case, you can always experiment until you find one that works well for you.

[MisterB]

All of my Thinkpads have the version of Power Manager they came with from the restore partition image or the one I installed when I first set it up. Once it works, I never upgrade. In the case of my newer Thinkpads, the W520, X201T, X220T and W701, I use the most recent version because I downloaded drivers and software for them in the last two years. In these Thinkpads, the Power Manager has a running wattage meter which is nice but it doesn't work in the W500, W700 and T6X and X6x and older Thinkpads so there is no reason to have the extra bloat. In one of my T60Ps, I downgraded to a version that originally was for Vista but compatible with Win7. I can't remember the exact reason but I think it had something to do with being able to transfer settings from my T40 running Xp to a T60 with Win7. It was a while back.

As long as the basic power management functions work, I don't see any problem using an older version. In the case of older Thinkpads running Xp and older OSes, it is the only option. The T60P I'm typing this on is using 1.85 dated 2005 and 2010 in the about splash screen.

[kfzhu1229]

Well the thing is, if you use new enough version of power manager on old enough version of ThinkPads (for example, the T4x family), it simply gets unstable and freezes the system. I had that plaguing my T42 and my T43, thinking that my battery was the one to blame, until I learnt that the hard way.

[axur-delmeria]

Thanks for the encouraging replies. I went ahead and installed Power Manager 3.67. No problems s far.