My Z60m has a new sibling!

[invictus]

Couple weeks ago I purchased a refurbished Z61t laptop off of eBay, and have received it a few days ago. While not quite as powerful as my Z60m, the Z61t is quite svelte compared to the Z60m.

I'm planning on getting a bigger hard drive and more RAM (it currently has an 80GB HHD and 512MB RAM). I would also like to put in a WXGA+ screen in (currently has the WXGA screen).

As like my Z60m, the Z61t has a titanium cover, but is a bit... discolored? I'm not sure how to describe it. I guess it's the thin clear coating that Lenovo put on the titanium covers and is wearing off? My Z60m never has anything like this as I take quite care of my laptops.

Would it be possible to anodize the titanium cover? Since I'm planning on replacing the LCD screen to a WXGA+ screen might as well correct the cover while I'm at it. I've been searching the forum and haven't found a definitive answer. I guess I could try and experiment...

And lastly, does anyone know how much RAM I can put in if I put in a 64-bit OS (most likely XP X64)? At least I think the z61t can handle a 64-bit OS. Yes/No?

- Jon

[ajkula66]

You'd need to upgrade the CPU to Core 2 Duo to be able to run a 64-bit OS. Please be advised that Lenovo does not support 64-bit version of XP so you'll be having driver issues if you proceed down that path.

Maximum RAM that you chipset can address is 3GB.

Hope this helps.

[sparta.rising]

The clear-coat on the Z61t titanium covers wears off. You can remove it with normal rubbing alcohol, but the oil in your hands will discolor the cover wherever you touch it. I believe its possible to reapply a clear-coat, and I plan to do that to mine once I find the time. It is possible to anodize aluminum, you would just have to find a place that has the equipment to do it.

[invictus]

Well shoot. I didn't think the memory limit wouldn't be set at 3GB by the chipset. I guess I wouldn't need to upgrade the processor then since the 32-bit processor can only see 3GB of memory.

How would I go about the RAM then - just a 1GB stick and a 2GB stick, or go with 2 - 2GB sticks? Does the Z61t chipset support dual-channel (if it does I would probably go with the 2 - 2GB sticks).

Later on I'll look into anodizing. I'm sure I can find a place around town that does it. Is the cover all aluminum with some sort of titanium coating or is it all titanium? I wouldn't think it would be all titanium. Sparta.rising let me know when you do reapply the clear coat and how it turns out. I might go that route instead of anodizing.

[ajkula66]

Your Z61t does support dual-channel memory...as does your Z60m...

[invictus]

Your Z61t does support dual-channel memory...as does your Z60m...

Sweet. I had forgotten about the Z60m supporting dual-channgel memory. Don't know why I didn't think the Z61t couldn't when the Z60m could. D'oh...

[doog]

Here is 2 gig for a good price.
I bought some for my Z61 and it worked great.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145172

Then I ended up selling the Z61. Probably setting under the persons tree right now.
Kind of wished I would have kept it.