z61t, some questions.

[Crazycow]

Hello everybody

recently I got for myself a z61t-9443.
I don’t want this laptop to be a replacement of my desktop, I would like to upgrade it abit but my knowledge around laptops is really poor.

So here are some questions.

1)In some reviews people showed benchmarks for graphics which included the intel 950 but also with a geforce go 6600
I could not find any serious information neither about geforce go or ati mobility , only some salvaged parts on ebay and they were all mini-pci
So what is the case? Does the machine has a mini-pci? How they managed to use a geforce 6600 on a z61t? as far as I searched there are no mini-pci-e gpus.
Is there any way to upgrade the cpu?

2)I read about mini-pcie ssds and some intels turbo memory technology which can be used to boost the boot times a lot, can they be used on z61t’s second mini-pcie?

3)Would you buy a second battery or an ultrabay battery? (I need to state I don’t find dvd really usefull)

4)If I upgrade the processor to a core 2 and use windows 7 x64, will it be able to detect and use all 4 gbs of ram. Or system will just be using 3gbs?

5)if I upgrade the cpu will my computer “melt”?

6)if I get a disk with more rpms will it have an effect on system temperature?

7)why I couldn’t find drivers from Lenovo for the card reader on windows 7 and I had to use some of dell I found on the internet? (yes that is irony )

what is the use of a pc card? I haven’t found anything usefull that can go in the pc card slot until now :S

anyway mates I hope you are not tired from my essay lol. Thanx anyway for the trouble reading it and a bigger thanx if you reply

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.
See this general description of the Z61t: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 64171.html
I'll try to answer your questions where possible.
1) Your machine has integrated Intel GMA950 graphics, this is not upgradable.
-- No miniPCI slot, but 2x mini-PCIexpress for your wifi LAN and optional WAN cards.
-- The CPU can be upgraded to a Core 2 Duo T7400, and possibly T7600.
2) don't know about miniPCIe SSD, if they exist, they'll be very expensive and probably small in capacity.
-- Intel's turbo memory seems to be overrated and AFAIK is not available on your Z61t
3) ultrabay batteries do not have a large capacity. Handy for swapping out the main battery while the machine is running.
4) 64bit OS will use the full 4GB RAM
5) with the appropriate cooler, no problem, however battery life shortens! Greece is hot enough without the extra heat of an expensive CPU.
-- You want a cool-running machine.
6) 7200rpm HDs usually run hotter than 5400rpm HDs. See point 5)
7) If no W7 drivers available, use those from Vista.

For PC Cards, see this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_Card

[dr_st]

Hi and welcome.

I can answer some of your questions, not all.

1)In some reviews people showed benchmarks for graphics which included the intel 950 but also with a geforce go 6600
I could not find any serious information neither about geforce go or ati mobility , only some salvaged parts on ebay and they were all mini-pci
So what is the case? Does the machine has a mini-pci? How they managed to use a geforce 6600 on a z61t? as far as I searched there are no mini-pci-e gpus.

I presume they may have used a PCIe GPU in the Advanced Dock.

Is there any way to upgrade the cpu?

The Z61t can take Core Duo CPUs up to T2700 and Core 2 Duo up to T7600 (Merom Socket M only). Which CPU do you have now?

4)If I upgrade the processor to a core 2 and use windows 7 x64, will it be able to detect and use all 4 gbs of ram. Or system will just be using 3gbs?

3GB only, unfortunately. Same chipset as T60/R60/X60, same limitations.

5)if I upgrade the cpu will my computer “melt”?

No.

6)if I get a disk with more rpms will it have an effect on system temperature?

Depends on the actual disk probably.

7)why I couldn’t find drivers from Lenovo for the card reader on windows 7 and I had to use some of dell I found on the internet? (yes that is irony )

Z61 series was discontinued way before Win7 was even in public beta stages, that's probably why.

what is the use of a pc card? I haven’t found anything usefull that can go in the pc card slot until now

Various expansion cards (network/USB/firewire/wireless/card readers), but seeing as Z61t is equipped with all these, I doubt you will find them useful.

Perhaps a cellular modem.

[RealBlackStuff]

The text from Lenovo (see my link above) is ambiguous about memory:

Memory: 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and supports up to 3GB maximum memory
Note: Only 64-bit operating systems support more than 3GB of system memory (RAM).

From the Model number 61, I thought this Z61t was a T61 derivative

[dr_st]

From the Model number 61, I thought this Z61t was a T61 derivative

It's not. I guess it will forever remain a source of confusion.

[Crazycow]

Hi and welcome.
I presume they may have used a PCIe GPU in the Advanced Dock.

The Z61t can take Core Duo CPUs up to T2700 and Core 2 Duo up to T7600 (Merom Socket M only). Which CPU do you have now?

3GB only, unfortunately. Same chipset as T60/R60/X60, same limitations.

Perhaps a cellular modem.

hello mates
first thank you for all the replies especialy dr_st and realblackstuff.
i am sorry i didn't reply back earlier but i was bussy, but i apriciate your help

well now i have a t2400, its not that bad and i think i will not upgrade it yet, the t2400 is good enought for my needs.

the machine i have was used as a "typewriter" for the last 5 years and the 3cell battery is at 61% of original capacity, so its keeps the machine running for only 1 hour, i guess ill buy a 7cell battery, its not as if i need to work while flying or waiting in some airport, but it will for sure make the long waiting times easier to stand.

and about the heat, desktops and especialy laptops are not designed to work outdoors where there are degrees around 35 during the summer. and even for buisness use i can imagine very few cases when someone would be forced to work outside and not in some airconditioned space.
and even if you manage to have a machine as cold as ice, you will still have problems with your sweat droping on it lol.
but since i had problems with overheating when i was using a desktop with an oven D processor (ups wanted to say pentium ) i think a cool machine is really important.

anyway people thank you for the help again

[sjthinkpader]

...
2)I read about mini-pcie ssds and some intels turbo memory technology which can be used to boost the boot times a lot, can they be used on z61t’s second mini-pcie?
...

PCIe SSD doesn't work in a T60 slot. Probably will not work in a Z61t. I have a 1GB intel Turbo memory on order and will try it in my Z61t when it arrives.

[sparta.rising]

As the owner of 2 z61t's I can verify some of the statements.

2) The chipset does not support turbo memory (I've tried).

3) If you don't use the DVD (I don't) and don't mind the extra weight, ultrabay batteries are great. You can also use a plastic blank in the slot to cut down on weight

4) The architecture of the z61t board limits it to 32-bit and will not boot with 4GB of memory installed.

5) Just make sure to reapply quality thermal paste.

7) I'm using Windows 7 without any hardware problems. I think the driver auto-installed from Microsoft.

As much as I love the z61t form factor, I have a hard time recommending putting money into it to upgrade. I've often thought of it has an overlooked gem. However, between the limitations in the architecture and the dwindling supply of replacement parts, its a better choice to go with a newer model. As an example, the z61t battery is only compatible with the z60t and its next to impossible to find a new genuine Lenovo battery (while T60 and T61 can be found).

[ikkoku]

3) If you don't use the DVD (I don't) and don't mind the extra weight, ultrabay batteries are great. You can also use a plastic blank in the slot to cut down on weight

do you have the part number for the plastic blank you mentioned?

[sparta.rising]

Quick ebay search says 62P4331