Z60M Initial Impressions

[NeilB]

I took delivery of a ThinkPad Z60M 2529EFU Friday.

Laptops I have owned:
Old Compaq (when they were ok, some time ago).
Dell Inspiron (15" Display, 8lb monster).
New Compaq (Turion processor. Flexy cheap hot running turd).
ThinkPad X22
ThinkPad T30

I have tried many laptops, and spent serious time with those listed above. Here is my best quick impression of the Z60.

It is a nice answer for ThinkPad owners looking for more fun. I dig the Titanium cover. This is the most stiff and robust laptop display I have touched. The UltraNav trackpoint beats the hell out of any other laptop pointer control. Touchpad is there if you must, I'd rather have the option to not have it and shed a bit of weight.

About the weight - a big concern for many of us.
It's heavy, but manageable. I prefer my T30 for longterm lap duty, but can spend hours with the Z60 perched on a couch arm or coffee table. This could be too large for some. I am large (6+ feet, 220lbs) and to me the added weight compared to my T-30 is definitely noticable, but not disconcerting. If you fear the weight, go to a computer store and find another laptop of similar weight. See what you think.

I like the benefits of ATI graphics, Bluetooth, big MaxBright display with no annoying glossy screen, fairly good battery life, fast charge time, nifty capslock display notification. I don't dig hi res displays, so this one seems fine for me. Very nice for DVDs, but could be slightly sharper.

The stiffness/solidity of the Z60M:
Slightly less stiff body than X22 and T-30.

Otherwise, the most robust laptop display on the planet, and second in build quality only to smaller IBMs. In other words, still the Mercedes of laptops. Likely to be unappreciated by the masses with $700 widescreens at the big box stores, and coveted by us nerds who know better.

Cheers,

Neil

[The Bard]

Thanks for the post. Which specific Z60 model do you have? Also, do you find that the screen is (or seems) substantially shorter with the widescreen as compared to a traditional 15" screen. I'm torn between ordering a z60m and a t43. I won't be watching DVDs on my laptop, but but like the idea of the widescreen simply because of real estate. On the other hand, the portability of the T43 is attractive, but I don't want to end up like all the others on this site who complain about the fan noise. What to do...what to do....

[NeilB]

Thanks for the post. Which specific Z60 model do you have? Also, do you find that the screen is (or seems) substantially shorter with the widescreen as compared to a traditional 15" screen. I'm torn between ordering a z60m and a t43. I won't be watching DVDs on my laptop, but but like the idea of the widescreen simply because of real estate. On the other hand, the portability of the T43 is attractive, but I don't want to end up like all the others on this site who complain about the fan noise. What to do...what to do....

I got the last 2529EFU that I could find. My T30 has a 14.1" display, and the depth of the two units is about the same. So a 15" would be a little deeper.

I think this unit is just slightly overpriced if you don't care about the ti display cover. You could get the same config for slighty less with the black cover. But I hate flexy displays.

BTW, the keyboard and palmrest are excellent for my large hands. Not quite as buttery smooth as my other ThinkPads, but still superb.

It's a tough call. It is more quiet than any laptop I've owned, which is a plus. Were I a road warrior, I'd probably get another 14" T series. But for daily commutes from home to office and occaisional trips it's fine. Superb DTR, and the nice big display is very easy on the eyes.

Does anyone know if IBM still sells blanks to fill the optical drive bay if you want to lighten your laptop?

[GomJabbar]

Does anyone know if IBM still sells blanks to fill the optical drive bay if you want to lighten your laptop?

Ultrabay device
Travel cover
All models
13N5354

System service parts - ThinkPad Z60m

[steveharris@OUCL]

Pretty much agree with what was said at the start of the post. I have had a monsterous dell, a T30 and now a Z60M. I have the smaller battery and there's not a heck of a lot of difference between the Z and my old T in weight.

I have the fingerprint reader too, which I wanted to avoid, but now I have used it about 5 times, I'm completely converted!

I really like the layout of the connectors: all of my favourites are out of the way. Especially the USB which is ideally placed for a memory stick.

I miss the little diagonal cut in the top left-hand corner of my T30 - but not sufficiently to have purchased another one.

My only regret is that I could not hold out a couple of months to get one with the same spec as the intel powerbook.

I actually like the slightly noisier keyboard: I appreciate the feedback.

I'll try and report back after a couple of months.

Steve

[NeilB]

Pretty much agree with what was said at the start of the post. I have had a monsterous dell, a T30 and now a Z60M. I have the smaller battery and there's not a heck of a lot of difference between the Z and my old T in weight.

I have the fingerprint reader too, which I wanted to avoid, but now I have used it about 5 times, I'm completely converted!

I really like the layout of the connectors: all of my favourites are out of the way. Especially the USB which is ideally placed for a memory stick.

I miss the little diagonal cut in the top left-hand corner of my T30 - but not sufficiently to have purchased another one.

My only regret is that I could not hold out a couple of months to get one with the same spec as the intel powerbook.

I actually like the slightly noisier keyboard: I appreciate the feedback.

I'll try and report back after a couple of months.

Steve

Still digging mine...kinda kicks [censored] so far.