Warmpalm rests on x60 and x60s - what is the concensus?

[FredFromNYC]

CyberDude, what temperature do you get after heavy use of the wireless card, for example after you download a large file from the Web or transfer data from one computer to another over the wireless network? Which CPU do you have?

[CyberDude]

I've not measured with real heavy usage but will give it a go and let you know tomorrow. I'm about to call it a day now.

Processor is the Dual core LV 2400 1.6Ghz.

[david25]

Hi everyone, have installed tffancontrol on a 1.66ghz solo x60;

With intel wifi on APS 46'c (fan on constantly)
Without wifi APS 40'c (fan off) CPU temp rising from 35'c to 41'c

Room temp 21'c

Have we determined this is normal behaviour? I've read some reports that Lenovo acknowledge some hot ones as faults.

Regards

[FredFromNYC]

My impression is that any temperatures staying in the 40s or low 50s are not considered too hot.

[domi]

My impression is that any temperatures staying in the 40s or low 50s are not considered too hot.

What software do you use for displaying temperatures?

[getlow]

i think most ppl here use TPfancontrol. just google it and you'll find it no prob

[christopher_wolf]

Or, easier and obvious, look at the forum here dedicated to it.

[snoggin]

I have an x 60s with the l2400 and my aps reads 48 which appears to be consistent or normal. It is a bit warm and I wish it were not so but I cna live with it. i really like the unit everything considered. i think I might have to try a tablet next though

[snoggin]

I have an x 60s with the l2400 and my aps reads 48 which appears to be consistent or normal. It is a bit warm and I wish it were not so but I cna live with it. i really like the unit everything considered. i think I might have to try a tablet next though

[WirelessAndy]

Been considering an X60s.

Has anyone measured the actual palmrest SURFACE temperature with an IR thermometer? I'd like to know.

[CyberDude]

CyberDude, what temperature do you get after heavy use of the wireless card, for example after you download a large file from the Web or transfer data from one computer to another over the wireless network? Which CPU do you have?

Finally got round to measuring the temps under heavy load. This reading was done with battery charging from 45%, heavy disc activity installing a large file and transfering a large file over wifi.

APS peaked at 51C but mostly remained constant at 50C
CPU at 47C
Room temp 26C

I then unplugged the charger so it was running off battery and the APS temp dropped significantly to APS 41C, room at 26C.

The palm rest did get quite warm but I had no way of measuring it. I would guestimate it being around 35C-38C.

[WirelessAndy]

The palm rest did get quite warm but I had no way of measuring it. I would guestimate it being around 35C-38C.

Thanks, CyberDude.

Is your guesstimate based on the plugged in or unplugged?

Are you other X60s owners getting about the same palm rest surface temps?

[CyberDude]

Is your guesstimate based on the plugged in or unplugged?

It's based on being plugged in and charging. Unplugged it's a lot cooler and only feels a little warm - a few degrees above room temperature. I don't have an IR thermometer so can't get an accurate reading and so these are only guesses.

[WirelessAndy]

Thanks again, CyberDude.

Here's to hoping someone can take a reading on a palm rest, plugged & unplugged.

I need to lend someone my IR thermometer... or someone needs to lend me their X60s for.. uh, research!

[gadgetjunkie]

I am a bit confused with all this talk about the wireless card creating heat issues. The hard drive is directly under the plam rest which is creating the heat issue so why is it that everyone keeps talking about other items creating the problem? I can't imagine this ever being fixed unless they simply change the location of the hard drive. I personally have had about 6 thinkpads and could not tell you how disappinted I was that they would make this terrible mistake with such a wonderful little laptop. If anyone knows that they have 100% fixed this issue please let me know because I would love to repurchase this machine again if that is this case.

Thanks!

[WirelessAndy]

I am a bit confused with all this talk about the wireless card creating heat issues. The hard drive is directly under the plam rest which is creating the heat issue so why is it that everyone keeps talking about other items creating the problem? I can't imagine this ever being fixed unless they simply change the location of the hard drive. I personally have had about 6 thinkpads and could not tell you how disappinted I was that they would make this terrible mistake with such a wonderful little laptop. If anyone knows that they have 100% fixed this issue please let me know because I would love to repurchase this machine again if that is this case.

Thanks!

Well, the last ubersmall laptop I had (Dell X1) was mostly roasty-toasty... the teeny 1.8" HD was under the keyboard, and there's no cooling fan to boot.

My current Dell D600 has the HD under the LEFT palm rest, and it reads on average around 35C (surface, measured via IR thermometer) under normal conditions (poking around the web). If I play a game like Half Life 1, it'll peak around 39C.

If the X60s doesn't get much hotter or louder than my current machine, I might be a happy camper. But I won't take the plunge into Thinkpad Nerdvana until someone can verify the surface temps.

[CyberDude]

On the X60s the HDD is further to the back under the keyboard. It is definitely the right palm rest that warms up which is above the USB, IR, mic and speaker sockets.

If it was the HDD causing the heat then the heat wouldn't change as much as it does when the laptop plugged or unplugged to the power given the same HDD activity. I've not seen the inside of the X60s so cannot really comment on what is located directly under the right palm rest.

[lucas]

i opened up my thinkpad x60s completely.. and i guarantee that there are only two things in that area: the modem and the wifi card. there isn't anything else significant on the board.

[archer6]

Definition: Compromise
A settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions.

How can one expect a super thin and light computer like the X60 series to not radiate some warmth? How can one expect the components to be placed in different locations than they are? How can one expect the computer to be built to his/her exact liking? How can one expect perfection in a mass produced product?

This computer was designed by a team of very well educated and experienced engineers. They had to make compromises to satisfy cost control, aesthetic design, manufacturing and assembly, marketing department, and on and on it goes....

So if one has an X model that is truly "hot" and out of spec, then ship it in and take advantage of the comprehensive warranty policy. That applies to any other warranty fault. At times I think we get spoiled here (myself included) and pick apart a great product...

[CyberDude]

I agree. For me it's not really an issue as when I'm using my laptop away from my desk it's normally not plugged in or charging so the heat is minimal. On my desk it's docked so I don't feel the heat as I'm using an external keyborad, mouse and monitor.

This is a great little machine. Super silent, light and performs well.

[duffy]

The heat is definitely generated by the WiFi card and if equipped the WLAN card. My X60s is equipped with the Intel WiFi card. I noticed that it runs warm (not hot by any means) so I just went into the card config and lowered the transmit power and power management. I just lowered each down a notch or two. The APS temps dropped from 47-48C to 40-41C. The palmrest really wasn't that bothersome to me. This was more of an experiment to satisfy my curiosity than anything else. So those with warm palmrests may give this a try.

[FredFromNYC]

I noticed that it runs warm (not hot by any means) so I just went into the card config and lowered the transmit power and power management. I just lowered each down a notch or two. The APS temps dropped from 47-48C to 40-41C.

Interesting observation, duffy. This may also explain why the temperatures are lower when running off battery power, perhaps the transmit power is reduced in that case.