Z61t Windows Vista compatibility

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Trechi · #1 Post by **Trechi** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 2:13 pm

My brother just recently got a Z61t Thinkpad from work, and I was instantly in love when I first got my hands on it. Being a Thinkpad owner myself(T22), and also wanting to upgrade my rather 'old' IBM, I decided to look for one on the internet.

I recently heard about Windows Vista, and really wanted to get it. Since it isn't out yet, though, and also wanting to get a new laptop very soon, I wanted to make sure the one I got was Vista compatible. I've been looking around on the internet, but I can't seem to find out if the Z61t can run Vista. If it can't, well, I guess I'll have to find another IBM.

So question to you; can Z61t run Windows Vista?

warder · #2 Post by **warder** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 4:40 pm

There are many z61t Thinkpads, but I would expect all to run Vista, as most PCs are capable.

The key things with Vista are it requires more memory and prefers a faster CPU and graphics card than XP...

From experience here I'd go for 1GB+, ideally - and I really mean ideally - 2GB+ RAM.

Most Pentium M CPUs and up will be fine.

A slower integrated GPU will mean you have to run Aero is low res, but most current Thinkpads will run Aero in it's better looking modes.

Without seeing a full spec/SKU it would be hard to give a better answer.

warder · #3 Post by **warder** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 4:43 pm

You can see more info from Lenovo here too:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/microsoft/vist ... ended.html

Z series is listed.

warder · #4 Post by **warder** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 5:13 pm

After reading a little more, the Z61t only has an Intel 945GM graphics card, which is badged as Vista Capable, not Vista Premium, meaning it may only run the basic Aero interface.

There is a report here http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=30523 that the 945 might support Vista Premium Aero interface, but reading elsewhere, it doesn't sound like they did that.

So while yes, it will run Vista, it may not be as nice on the eyes as if you were to get say a Z61m or Z61p.

Edit:

Looking into it some more (http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/s ... 606.htm#13) Intel suggest that the 945GM might be made Vista Premium compatible. That page is a good guide on what all this Premium stuff is about.

Trechi · #5 Post by **Trechi** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 6:18 pm

Would you mind telling me a few of the differences between those three Z series?

#6 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 7:44 pm

Trechi wrote:Would you mind telling me a few of the differences between those three Z series?

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:Z_Series

srirams · #7 Post by **srirams** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 11:24 pm

vista (including aero) works fine in my z61t. I don't notice any sluggishness at all.

warder · #8 Post by **warder** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 8:16 am

Hi srirams,

What sort of performance index does Vista give your z61t?

srirams · #9 Post by **srirams** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:11 pm

T5500, 100GB Hitachi 7K100, 1GB Ram

CPU: 4.2
RAM: 4.4
Graphics: 2.2
Gaming: 3.0
HDD: 5.0

The graphics score looks low, but if all you want is aero glass and no gaming it works perfectly fine.

warder · #10 Post by **warder** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:08 pm

If it works fine then that's good to know even if the numbers look low. Some of these discrete GPUs can use quite a lot of power so you probably get reasonable battery life with that.

Z61t Windows Vista compatibility

Z61t Windows Vista compatibility

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