***T61*** Did I buy a good one?

[hoax32]

Hi all!!!
I have purchased a Lenovo T61 online!

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... TQ:CA:1123

It's stated as Mnufacturer Refurbished.
Of course I am aware of the nVidia "Bump - Problem" so I contacted the seller prior and asked for hardware info.
HE / SHE tells me that it's a "7665 - 08/08" unit.
It comes with the NVS 140m and a C2D- 2GHz.
I offered $300 and my offer was accepted so Im really happy right now!!!!

Can I be %100 shure that this T61 comes with the "fixed" GPU?
Also does the plastic crack easily on T61's? (my t20 looked like it had blood vessels.... xD )

Thanks for helping me out!!!

[TuuS]

If you get me the full model and serial numbers, AND lenovo's database is working correctly, then I can tell you more, but basically with what you told me so far, it should have the updated nVidia chip.. For an nVidia with 08/08, I'd say it's a fair price, but I'll add that you could have had the larger 15.4" and better system in the same ballpark price range. The smaller 14.1 system sells considerably lower then the 15.4 models, and usually has less powerful components. The smaller model has only 1280x800 or 1440x900 screen, where the 15.4" has 1280x800, 1680x1050 and 1920x1200 options. I can tell you that it has a very basic (older style) Meron CPU @ 2.0ghz, a Penryn cpu would have been nice, but to answer your question, IF it has nVidia and it has an 08/08 date code, then it has the updated GPU so you should be fine. I'd consider asking for a photo of the label of the unit you bought.

The plastics on these is pretty durable, so that shouldn't be a problem.

[hoax32]

Cool!
Thanks!!!
IS there a possibillity that it hs a OLD GPU? (im very "unrelaxed" about this problem)

More questions: ( )

-are all 14" widescreen?
- is there a big difference between the 2 CPU familys?
- why is the plastic on the T60 power jack sticking out a little? lol


Thanks ahed!!!

[TuuS]

The Initial T61 design was a 14" with 4:3 ratio. It was then replaced with a similar but wider 15.4" model with 16:10 ratio, then a totally different and smaller model was made, the 14.1" widescreen. This is smaller then the previous models, uses a different battery and lacks some of the features, but it is a nice unit.

As for your GPU, I find it highly suspicious that the seller made no mention of these being 08/08 date codes, so I would immediately check the label when it arrives. It is possible, since they seem to have many of them that they do have some 08/08, but they are only given to the buyers who know to ask for it.

If you do get an 08/08, boot the bios screen and confirm the serial number matches the one on the bottom label, if it does, then that is the only assurance you can count, the actual dates on the nVidia chips are far from conclusive and direct evidence suggests that both old and new designs were produced with the same model numbers and date codes, so we have to trust that Lenovo removed all boards made with uncertain chips back in July 2008, the new boards were made with a special shipment of GPUs, so you should be fine.

Also note that the "improved" chip is still a 3yo + part, and surely will fail given enough time and use, but failures of 08/08 units are extremely rare so you should be fine.

One possible exception to this is units with model numbers ending in CTR. These are Lenovo factory refurbished units and are dated by the date of remanufacture, so a CTR with 08/08 could be an older model originally produced in one of the prior months.


Regarding the two CPU families, the Penryn does have significant advantages, so I'd consider upgrading your CPU if your board supports it. If it really is an 08/08 system, then it probably has a Penryn board, all that I've seen do, and I've had dozens, although most were the larger 15.4" T61 and T61p.

As for your question about a T60 power jack, I can't see how this fits into the conversation in this post, so I have no idea what your talking about.

[j-dawg]

I don't think a seller with that much positive feedback would risk faking a build date, especially after the question has been explicitly asked. I bought a T61p with FX570m, and nothing about the date was listed in the auction - but it's an 08/08 unit. Most of these sellers are just wholesalers who buy computers in lots, swap in parts until they all work, and move them on the 'Bay - there's little interest in the details of particular models; if you look in your seller's history, he seems to sell every make and model under the sun.

I'm sure the computer you've bought is fine. Enjoy it - this T61p is just the bee's knees.

[bighank]

Had a T61 with 08/08 date fail with Nvidia 140 GPU. No guarantee that 08/08 has the newer GPU.

[hoax32]

ok - so if I keep the CPU / GPU cool - it should last a long time, right?
I am going to put some AS5 and a copper film inbetween CPU and Heatsink.

BTW - does the NVS140m perform better than the ATI X1400 in the high end T60?

[TuuS]

Had a T61 with 08/08 date fail with Nvidia 140 GPU. No guarantee that 08/08 has the newer GPU.

I'd say there is no guarantee that the updated GPU is indestructable, but Lenovo did remove all prior boards from manufacturing in July 2008, so if you have an 08/08 unit, it should have the updated gpu, and the date on the laptop is the only way to tell. It's also possible that other (non-gpu) failure effected this unit, after all, it is well over 3 years old.

does the NVS140m perform better than the ATI X1400 in the high end T60?

I believe so. I can tell you that I've compared the T60p with ATI FireGL 5250 with T61p with nVidia FX570 and the nVidia is much better. The X1400 is a lesser GPU to the FireGL, and the NVS140 is a lesser version to the FX570. I've never directly compared them, but I have several of the NVS140 and I expect it will outperform the X1400.... but this is speculation.


ps. I've seen no conclusive proof that adding a copper shim will have any positive effect. The cooling systems on these units work very well, so I'd be inclined to use it as it is designed. By placing a shim, your creating two "gaps" that the heat has to transfer though instead of only one. I can't see how this could possibly help.

[hoax32]

1st of all thanks for the reply!!!!! [i was refreshing every 5 minutes.... ]
On my desktop I put AS5 on the CPU, copper pad, AS5 on that, copper heatsink - NO FAN. (its a Core 2 Quad) runs cooler than with copper heatsink and fan ONLY....

1 more quesion guys - is the 14.1" T61 smaller than the T60?
(i prefer smaller screen sizes but not smaller than 11.6" lol) Im a netbook freak.....had a x120e, which was pritty slow cause of its e240 single core and the card reader died (solder broke off somewhere inside - had to puch on the top to make it work)

[RealBlackStuff]

T61
For systems with 14.1-in TFT display:
Width: 313mm (12.3 in)
Depth: 255mm (10.0 in)
Height: 27.5-32.4mm (1.1 in to 1.3 in)


T60
For systems with (14.1-in) TFT display:
Width: 311 mm (12.2 in) to 316 mm (12.4 in)
Depth: 255 mm (10.0 in)
Height: 26.6 to 31 mm (1.0 to 1.2 in)

[hoax32]

is that 14" that you where comparing a widescreen model?
wait - is a "T61 nVidia-Unit 7665 08/08" widescreen?

lol Im asking so many questions...... sorry....just tooo exited!!!!

[rumbero]

is a "T61 nVidia-Unit 7665 08/08" widescreen?

This applies exclusively and only to T61 machines:
- any t61 with a TYPE number starting with 6 (like my 6460) is 15.4" Wide
- any T61 with a TYPE number starting with 7 (like your 7665) is 14.1" Wide
- any T61 with a TYPE number starting with 8 (like my 8895) is 14.1" 4:3

[RealBlackStuff]

The above comparison is of the 14.1" 4:3 Standard (non-WS) models.

To add to the numbering confusion:
I have an R61 type 8933, which is a 15.4" widescreen...
You'd assume that T61/R61 go sort of parallel in the numbering

[hoax32]

Cool guys!!!
Thanks!!!

Say - Are there any other common problems with T61 like "loose hinges" or "other Hardware / Construction failure"

[RealBlackStuff]

Maybe you should start reading some posts on the forum, instead of asking all those questions?

[hoax32]

Maybe you should start reading some posts on the forum, instead of asking all those questions?

maybee i should.....
thanks for helping me so far guys!!!