Upgrading Z61t with Bluetooth/Fingerprint

[dr_st]

Consider a Z61t, more specifically the 9440-A23, which came without Bluetooth and Fingerprint.

Should I want to upgrade and add these features, what needs to be done?

For a fingerprint reader, am I right that I just need to obtain a palmrest with fingerprint reader (FRU 41W4842)?

Regarding the Bluetooth, I am not quite sure. I know there exists a part called Bluetooth Daughter Card (FRU 39T0497) and that the procedure to add it is detailed in the HMM. However, what about antennas? The HMM mentions nothing regarding them. Are they required? Does the laptop already have them, even though it doesn't have the card?

[ZaZ]

Should I want to upgrade and add these features

Do you think you'd use them? I've had notebooks with fingerprint readers. I never really used them, except to log-on.

[yak]

Regarding the Bluetooth, I am not quite sure. I know there exists a part called Bluetooth Daughter Card (FRU 39T0497) and that the procedure to add it is detailed in the HMM. However, what about antennas? The HMM mentions nothing regarding them. Are they required? Does the laptop already have them, even though it doesn't have the card?

I did upgrade my T60 with Bluetooth. Z61t uses the same procedure I guess especially that the daughter card you've linked to is the one I used.

There are no antennas. The daughter card itself is placed in the LCD assembly where it can get a good signal using its build-in antenna.

Not sure what's the case with Z61t but in T60 it can happen that the LCD cable the daughter card is attached to doesn't have a socket. That was a case in my notebook. I found such a socket on eBay and soldered it myself. Alternatively one can get a new LCD cable with the socket already on but this is a bit more expensive and soldering was not a problem for me.

Another thing is the so called clear plate, a sticker where the Bluetooth LED indicator (and other indicators) is. The LED itself is probably there (I know that all T60 have it) but you will have to replace the whole clear plate to be able to see it lit.

The rest is software. The daughter card works as an USB device so the laptop will detect a new device and you will be able to use System Update to get the software from Lenovo.

[dr_st]

Not sure what's the case with Z61t but in T60 it can happen that the LCD cable the daughter card is attached to doesn't have a socket. That was a case in my notebook. I found such a socket on eBay and soldered it myself. Alternatively one can get a new LCD cable with the socket already on but this is a bit more expensive and soldering was not a problem for me.

I understand what you mean. Indeed the T60 HMM shows that there are different LCD cables - one with Bluetooth and one without. So anyone upgrading to Bluetooth on the T60 will have to go through the same thing you went.

For the Z61t however, the HMM also mentions two possible variants: without microphone/camera and with microphone/camera. Bluetooth isn't mentioned, so I would assume it is present by default, otherwise they would have to mention it at least for the Bluetooth-equipped models.

Another thing is the so called clear plate, a sticker where the Bluetooth LED indicator (and other indicators) is. The LED itself is probably there (I know that all T60 have it) but you will have to replace the whole clear plate to be able to see it lit.

Yes, this I know.

Thank you for the helpful information!

[yak]

I understand what you mean. Indeed the T60 HMM shows that there are different LCD cables - one with Bluetooth and one without. So anyone upgrading to Bluetooth on the T60 will have to go through the same thing you went.

For the Z61t however, the HMM also mentions two possible variants: without microphone/camera and with microphone/camera. Bluetooth isn't mentioned, so I would assume it is present by default, otherwise they would have to mention it at least for the Bluetooth-equipped models.

Yes, this should mean then that the socket is always there.