z60t Titanium Cover vs Classic Black

[empire29]

I am going to be purchasing a z60t as my personal in home/travel computer. (The in home part will be for use on the couch, or when I am not at my desktop which I use for gaming and other intense tasks).

I want a good system (2Ghz, 1GB+ ram, etc) while maximizing portability which is why i've settled on the z60t. It is the same thickness as the t43, weighs the same/slightly less depending on the configuration, has a shape better suited for carrying and takes up fewer cubic mm. My 2 big gripes with the z60t are of course the integrated video and the lack of power behind the screen -- but the z60ts current solutions for both are adequate for my uses.

I am now trying to decide between the Titanium cover and the Classic Black cover. Does anyone know if the Titanium cover is lighter/heavier than the classic black? I spoke with a lenovo rep and was told they were the same weight - however i got the distinct feeling he didnt really know. Anyone know anything about the weight difference? Anyone have any reason why i should get one over the other?

lasty - is there any word if lenovo/ibm will be introducing the new intel chip into their line up this january?

thanks!

[luko]

I have a 2513-29G that is similarly the same spec you want and with a titanium lid. With black lid its should be slightly ligther (approx. 100gramms) but you'll hardly notice that...
One of my first tasks was to drop it on a kitchen scale (pretty precise! by 1gramm resolution till 5 kilos) to see the weight and surprisesurprise this was lighter than the spec!
I can't remember exactly but it was around 2.1 gramms with 7cell battery (on full charge! ) and with DVD-RW, however lenovo mentions 2.3 kilo for the spec...
titanium looks nice, and makes display very sturdy. fingerprints can stick very quickly but easily cleanable.

video card: NFS Most wanted runs perfect on 640*480 and acceptable on 800*600.
display: yes it's not so bright, but really sharp and enjoyable, however viewing angle is limited. I use it in pair with a 17" TFT in 1280*1024... Thinkpad looks nicer!

as gossip says lenovo will come out with something great during the WinterGames that will be in February. if you can wait till that time, then wait probably dothan based things will be cheaper and you can expect some other advantages...

[K. Eng]

I'm split as to whether I like the black or titanium cover better. The black cover matches the rest of the ThinkPad, but the titanium cover is clearly sturdier.

I would expect a new T series ThinkPad based around the new Intel Centrino Duo platform (Core Duo processor, 945PM/GM chipset, 3945ABG wireless) sometime within the next few days. My guess is that a Z series refresh is not too far off either.

[dr_st]

IMO - black. The Titanium feels kinda out of placed, and adds extra protection that isn't really necessary.

With that said, I'd stay away from the Z60t altogether. Like from a plague.

[empire29]

why stay away? i checked out the built quality at Office Depot and it seems fine - a tad under that of the t43, but that thing is built like a tank!
i am interested in hearing your thoughts on the shortcomings of the z60t.

[dr_st]

why stay away? i checked out the built quality at Office Depot and it seems fine - a tad under that of the t43, but that thing is built like a tank!
i am interested in hearing your thoughts on the shortcomings of the z60t.

I haven't seen it personally, but too many people complain on the display being dark and dim and the thing generally feeling flimsy, plus it's overpriced.

[riceboy54]

I don't think its flimsy at all. The Titanium on the back of the screen is pretty hard to scratch. I mean I had the prongs on the powercord scratch across it by mistake and there was no damage. The black doesn't seems as durable. When I checked them out at OD, the T43 black top was gashed and scratched while the Z60t was perfect.

To make a decision I suggest you go to your local OD to check out both tops.

[empire29]

bill - thanks for your input -- im going to check it out at office depot again and see if they let me pick it up (take it out of its locked setup). I will make sure to feel its build quality and look at its screen (though i didnt notice any real difference between the z60ts display and the t43s sitting right next to it last time i was there. I will be participating in a EPP program so the price will be a bit lower.

[empire29]

rice boy - what is your take on the screen? too dim? i will use it for dvd playing as well as all my other day to day tasks (IM, email, checking my favorite thinkpad forum, etc)

[riceboy54]

Its easily brighter than my previous Sony Z1RA. I don't know how it compares with the extra bright screens but I personally think its good.

I also wouldn't want a screen that too bright, because battery life would suffer.

btw: I use mine for the same uses you would use yours for. The widescreen is really great for the movies cause it makes it much bigger than on a standard 4:3 (which is obvious). Even on a non-wide screen movies, I just use a program that will extend the edges so a little off the top and bottom gets cut off but its fills the whole screen. I love that option.

Also, if you do get it, make sure you underclock it. Mines runs on full power with the fan only on 2 (which is quieter than the hdd). Pretty good if you ask me.

[empire29]

rice,
i dont expect it to me anywhere near as bright at those ultra-bright glossy multimedia displays, i just didnt want it to be dim to the point where it was hard to use in well lit situations.

When you say "underclock" it, is this a software option? or do you have to drop the multiplier/FSB in the bios? does the fan automatically adjust speed? if i dont underclock is the fan loud? - or will my battery life just drain?
Can i set a profile for when the laptop is unplugged to underclock and then run normally when its plugged in?

[riceboy54]

underclock is just using Notebook Hardware Controler. You don't need to touch the multiplier or fsb, its really easy. You just gotta drop the voltage. But even without that it runs quiet, just put it on Adapative as it will extend your fans lifetime and be quiet. the fan only has 4 settings really. You can't hear the first two and the 3rd is a little louder than the HD. The last is the fan going full blast.

Underclock doesn't effect your performance so you would want to do it all the time. I run my pc with the fan off or on the lightest setting (with my processor running at full).

You can adjust the settings with the fan controler in the "Work Utilities" section. Its easy