Z60t - what kind of material for the base cover?

[K. Eng]

TABook says that it's CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer). I didn't get to pick up the Z60t at Office Depot to examine it more closely, since it was tied down under a plastic cage.

Is the base cover material of the Z60t CFRP or just standard ABS plastic?

[a31pguy]

Don't know about the Z60t. The z60m is a magnesium subframe surrounded by a reinforced polymer. Seems pretty tough. I think they did a better job. It's rather like a car subframe rather than the clamshell design. Construction is very similar in to my a31p. They keyboard is a bit different. Not the same positive response that the a31p had - but similar in quality - a bit lower profile.

[K. Eng]

In your opinion is the polymer tougher stuff than the normal ABS plastic?

Don't know about the Z60t. The z60m is a magnesium subframe surrounded by a reinforced polymer. Seems pretty tough. I think they did a better job. It's rather like a car subframe rather than the clamshell design.

[smek]

All i can say is that the z60t material seems weaker than the t42s, especially when you try to flex it. The t42s material also seems to be more scratch resistant, than again it only seems like it.

[a31pguy]

All I can say is that on the z60m the places that flex are the same as on the a31p. Which is pretty much the area around the thinkpad button. The bottom piece is pretty strong - but the cover of z60 is metal instead of plastic - so I couldn't tell you on that front.

[sco1984]

Hello,
I am a ThinkPad® owner and also a fan. I am from India. I read about
Lenovo's "Z" series release in IBM news e-letter. by looks, Z series looks
dashing. It now comes in 2 casing, Titanium and normal 1. I havent read
feedback anywhere. Just reading out here. 1 person from India asked
me about this series performance, I sent him link of this forum Where he'll
probabbly find detailed information and feedbak about Z series. In USA
all computer products launch quickly, and thus american peoples can
try out soon. Last month Z series became available in India.
I dont no but i hope this series also will not break if fallen from
stairs or effect of high temperature like countries in India temp in
summer is too much .. Here temp right now 36 Degree celcius...Unbeleivable, and to tell , my Thinkpad® running smoothly . How
ever mine is an entry level model > R50e-1834-EQ1 . I was scared but
as for now no problem. I run my laptop almost 15-16 hours everyday .
8 hours connected to internet, remaining hours i study . I always recomand Thinkpad®'s to buyer's. I am not a dealer or whole seller,
just a Thinkpad® fan like you all

Regards,
Amey Abhyankar.

[K. Eng]

Thanks for the replies...

Ok - so if I am reading everything right, the base material of the Z60 series is similar to the A series, and less sturdy than the T series.

This probably means it's ABS plastic or some derivative. I can't say that's all that great, but the magnesium internal structure probably adds a lot of strength that is lacking in most other plastic notebooks.

All i can say is that the z60t material seems weaker than the t42s, especially when you try to flex it. The t42s material also seems to be more scratch resistant, than again it only seems like it.

[wantathinkpad]

Don't forget the new rollcage.

[K. Eng]

Yup, that's what I meant by magnesium internal structure

[smek]

Actually i didnt even know there was a rollcage inside the my z60t, the t42 just seems a lot sturdier, not to say the z60 isnt. It may be helpful to note that the t42 is 14in, but when i try to flex a corner of both laptops the t42 jsut doesnt give, yet doing the same thing to the z60 you cna defently make an imprint in the plastic and raise the edge a few milimiters up.

However if both were droped i think they would both do exceptionally well, my huntch is that the z60 would even survive a higher drop if the screens doens pop open.

[K. Eng]

According to Lenovo, the roll cage is on the Z60 series is supposed to reduce stress on the internal components by about 30% over the T4x.

I'll try to dig up a link that talks about the Z series... notebookreview's T60 article gives the 30% figure on the roll cage.

link

The hard drive is shock mounted and the entire chassis is a newly designed magnesium "roll cage" (it offers 30% more protection that past T-series chassis)

[K. Eng]

Ok... the answer to my original question - The Z60t DOES use CFPR, but it's not the same type of composite as the T4x

IBM Japan has some interesting info:

link

In the top cover of the ThinkPad Z60t " ThinkPad black " model, carrying, in order strength and the lightness which designate that you use as prerequisite balance to be compatible well, the technical hybrid CFRP which is adopted for also the body of the aircraft and the car * You adopt.
It maintains the hardness which protects the liquid crystal panel, it actualizes the lightweight constitution which is suited for Mobile simultaneously.

* Hybrid CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics): Inserts the foaming material layer whose relative importance is light between the carbon fiber which is made 2 layer the compound material which

This partly explains why Z60t machines start at a higher price point than Z60ms. At the very least their exterior casing is probably more expensive to make.

[pizzaboy_2000]

well, i would say that the plastic palm rest is really weak, it generates noise every time when you press them even slightly. but, reason could be that the internal roll-cage will take care the weight supporting mission, not the palm rest itself anymore.

[amitra]

In your opinion is the polymer tougher stuff than the normal ABS plastic?

Don't know about the Z60t. The z60m is a magnesium subframe surrounded by a reinforced polymer. Seems pretty tough. I think they did a better job. It's rather like a car subframe rather than the clamshell design.

dunno, if this would help, but I dropped my Z60t, on the floor (carpeted) 4 ft drop test.

Here are the results: It's a high-res pic, so pls download it first and then view it. The bottom base has also developed an inch long crack.

http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~amitra/deadZ60t/z60t_dropped.JPG

http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~amitra/deadZ60t/ ... bottom.jpg

[Talon88]

:::

Sorry to hear that. But you are lucky that you have got an
IBM. The screen LCD & the main board is already break
if you are using other brand name. At least, I think you
Z60 is working properly after drop....!

:::

In your opinion is the polymer tougher stuff than the normal ABS plastic?

dunno, if this would help, but I dropped my Z60t, on the floor (carpeted) 4 ft drop test.

Here are the results: It's a high-res pic, so pls download it first and then view it. The bottom base has also developed an inch long crack.

http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~amitra/deadZ60t/z60t_dropped.JPG

http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~amitra/deadZ60t/ ... bottom.jpg

[ericssonboi]

In your opinion is the polymer tougher stuff than the normal ABS plastic?

dunno, if this would help, but I dropped my Z60t, on the floor (carpeted) 4 ft drop test.

Here are the results: It's a high-res pic, so pls download it first and then view it. The bottom base has also developed an inch long crack.

http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~amitra/deadZ60t/z60t_dropped.JPG

http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~amitra/deadZ60t/ ... bottom.jpg

Wow.. sorry about the crack..
Like Talon88 said.. if it was another laptop.. it would have been toasted already..