Z61m - discontinuted (?) - Vista question

[kartak.mahino]

Greetings!

I was looking at z61m through a employee purchase program (relative is IBM emp).

First question is that is Z series discontinued. I was talking to a sales rep. about a certain config I had see 2 weeks back and could not find it anymore so he was mentioning that Z series will be slowly phased out. Any truth to this or he was just trying to get me to buy T60.
(Edit: - Checked out the lenevo site and the config I was looking for appeared once again - was not there for the past week or so)

Second, any idea when the Z series with Vista will come out? The regular site says - available with Windows Vista. But no option is provided. The pre-built models on EPP site do not even mention Vista.

Also if you choose The 5500 processor will it come with 64 bit vista?

Lastly comparing this with HP dv6000t series. Does this notebook play CDs/DVDs without starting the computer? I know there are no buttons as such on the Z series pictures, but would appreciate clarification on this.

Thanks,

[philnicholas]

I don't know what to tell you about the Z series being discontinued, though rumblings have been heard for some time now. I remember that early quality problems causes them to change the outsourcing of manufacture. Perhaps the Z series is ill-fated, I dunno. I hope not as I've been satisfied with my Z61m.

But oh do I have a thing or two to say about the HP!!! I bought a higher end DV 8000 series HP laptop before I got my Z61m. The specs were hot for the price, no doubt about it, and the DVD play feature was attractive, too. But let me make this clear: the machine was unbelievably loaded with adware, payware, games, six internet service providers (yup, including AOL's notorious system-ruining software), more games (50+), and more adware. hours upon hours uninstalling one messy program after another. I couldn't believe it, and I've been using and building systems for years. Get this: They pre-installed Vongo client, which is like Netflix online. But this is NOT just one more thing to uninstall because you can't -- it's self-reinstalling software. Remove it and the embedded "updater" sees that it's missing and "fixes" it for you by reinstalling it. Cancel the install? Nope, the software makes sure a working copy of this craptacular system hog is installed whenever you boot. Even if you can get that turned off, the software reinstalls itself whenever you create a new user account (i.e., want to create a non-admin account for yourself or someone else). Once re-install begins, you can't cancel it and you have to go through it all over again. This is but on example of HP's heavy handed software apps they have installed on the system. Using the system was like walking through a sleazy software bazaar, with adware offering itself like street vendors getting in your face.

"I'd gladly have paid $100 more to not have this payware mess," I thought to myself as I stood in line at Fry's to return the HP DV8xxxx after a week. Well, I paid a bit more and got a nice Z61m. Best laptop I've ever used.

[kartak.mahino]

philnicholas.

Thanks for your response.

Very informative. One more reason to go for Thinkpad (current owner of -slowly dying- A31)

Since you have z series any idea on the playing CD/DVD without starting the computer?

Thanks.

Edit : No Vista update on the site for z series today. Though the main lenevo site claims to have Vista on Z series.

[dsalyers]

philnicholas.

Thanks for your response.

Very informative. One more reason to go for Thinkpad (current owner of -slowly dying- A31)

Since you have z series any idea on the playing CD/DVD without starting the computer?

Thanks.

Edit : No Vista update on the site for z series today. Though the main lenevo site claims to have Vista on Z series.

You may want to try calling in your order and asking for Vista if you really want it. I don't know why that would be a problem. BTW, my z61p will not play DVDs without turning on the power. I don't know for sure that the other z-series will not, but I doubt it.

[kartak.mahino]

You may want to try calling in your order and asking for Vista if you really want it. I don't know why that would be a problem. BTW, my z61p will not play DVDs without turning on the power. I don't know for sure that the other z-series will not, but I doubt it.

That's what I'm planning to do in a few days. Any idea on the 32bit vs. 64 bit Vista on T5500 processor?

[dsalyers]

You may want to try calling in your order and asking for Vista if you really want it. I don't know why that would be a problem. BTW, my z61p will not play DVDs without turning on the power. I don't know for sure that the other z-series will not, but I doubt it.

That's what I'm planning to do in a few days. Any idea on the 32bit vs. 64 bit Vista on T5500 processor?

The T5500 is a core 2 duo, hence it has the 64bit instruction set, so from that aspect you would be fine.

There are some good things and bad things about Vista 64bit.

The Good:
1) Improved security and encryption
2) System files will load at random places in memory which will help prevent buffer overflow attacks

The Bad:
1) Many 32bit applications may not function correctly.
2) Must find 64bit Vista device drivers for all devices (32bit drivers will not work)
3) All drivers must be signed drivers

Now, in the long run, I think it will be safe to assume that 64bit vista will become more mainstream. However, for now, I would think it might be better to stick with 32bit (unless you need 64bit for some reason) until 64bit computers are widely supported and are the standard.


BTW, I currently run Fedora Core 6 x86_64 on my z61p and Windows XP 32bit. I have also run Windows XP 64bit on my machine but due to many of the same issues I took it off in favor of the 32bit.

[kartak.mahino]

That's what I'm planning to do in a few days. Any idea on the 32bit vs. 64 bit Vista on T5500 processor?

The T5500 is a core 2 duo, hence it has the 64bit instruction set, so from that aspect you would be fine.

Actually that's why I asked, since T5500 is a 64 bit processor.

There are some good things and bad things about Vista 64bit.

The Good:
1) Improved security and encryption
2) System files will load at random places in memory which will help prevent buffer overflow attacks

The Bad:
1) Many 32bit applications may not function correctly.
2) Must find 64bit Vista device drivers for all devices (32bit drivers will not work)
3) All drivers must be signed drivers

Now, in the long run, I think it will be safe to assume that 64bit vista will become more mainstream. However, for now, I would think it might be better to stick with 32bit (unless you need 64bit for some reason) until 64bit computers are widely supported and are the standard.


BTW, I currently run Fedora Core 6 x86_64 on my z61p and Windows XP 32bit. I have also run Windows XP 64bit on my machine but due to many of the same issues I took it off in favor of the 32bit.

My question was would Lenevo give me 64bit vista on T5500 by default or do I have to ask or a special order?

Any clues??

[dsalyers]

My question was would Lenevo give me 64bit vista on T5500 by default or do I have to ask or a special order?

Any clues??

Sorry, didn't realize that is what you were asking. I have no idea if Lenovo would put on 64bit vista for you. Although, from what I can tell they do not offer 64bit vista as an option on any of the systems.

[philnicholas]

Since you have z series any idea on the playing CD/DVD without starting the computer?

As far as I know, being able to play a DVD without starting up the system is a feature (HP calls it "QuickPlay") that is exclusive to HP laptops. In fact, it was the only laptop I've ever had that came with a remote control! From a multimedia standpoint, the HP was a good laptop. However, everything from build quality to crappy software just left the system crippled in my opinion. I'm a very mobile person, so the lack of port replicator or docking station solution severely limited HP's offerings.

By the way, I wouldn't get all hyped up about Vista. There's still a ton of stuff that won't work on it -- worse than the 64-bit versions -- and by the time you end up disabling all the system hogging resources and other fancy crap, it really is just a bloated version of WinXP (oh, sorry, DirectX 10, yeah, well there's that... for the few systems that can support it). As for Microsoft taking a perfectly good product at the time and bloating it with a lot of glossy features, well, I've seen this happen before: Win2000 & Win98 released as "Windows Me". Vista is the most tepidly received operating system since "Windows Me" and there are a lot of reasons for it at this stage of the game. Simply put, by the time the Vista really goes mainstream and the prices of the hardware required to fully support it finally come down to earth, your new Lenovo laptop won't be so new anymore and it will be time to replace it anyway. Of course, that's just my opinion.

[philnicholas]

Second, any idea when the Z series with Vista will come out?

Be careful about being all jazzed about getting Vista on current hardware: http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/p ... _cost.html

[kartak.mahino]

Second, any idea when the Z series with Vista will come out?

Be careful about being all jazzed about getting Vista on current hardware: http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/p ... _cost.html

I still need to go through the link you gave, but from what U have read, would U go for Vista or XP Pro?

[tomh009]

Most people would choose Vista, especially on a new system. But if you have big concerns about the digital rights management it incorporates (I don't) then, by all means, run something different.

[snife]

I'm not sure about HPs system but I assume this play DVDs without starting the computer is simply a specialised Linux partition which boots almost instantly - the Lenovo V100 has this feature but none of the ThinkPads do as it is not considered a business need.

I can't really see the point of it anyway - would just stop me checking my email while watching a video without any real benefit (other than saving about 2 minutes from a cold boot), I always use suspend/hibernate so my 'boot' time is low anyway.

The Z series is dead, there will never, ever be a Z62. The Z61m/Z61p are good enough machines but the size is offputing when compared with the T60 wide.

I think your better getting the system with XP and getting the free Express Upgrade to Vista, this gives you the option and might be helpful to transition from XP to Vista.

[thorin_2]

Yes, the Z series WILL be discontinued. I heard it first hand from the Lenovo sales rep I'm dealing with:

"You have heard true that the Z61 will discontinue and merge into the T-series. "

SOrry I won't state the person's name in case he wasn't supposed to say it.

[snife]

Strictly it's not just merging with T series - there will be other widescreen models too

[gotconsultants]

All the features of the Z-Series are being moved into the T-Series. The Lenovo Press Relations team was extremely [censored] off that I knew about it being discontinued back in late December...

[kartak.mahino]

All the features of the Z-Series are being moved into the T-Series.

Is there a timeline on when they are going to do this? Or they will just let the customers buy competitors hardware?

[gotconsultants]

no one seems to know... I would assume with the next refresh in mid to late Q2

[kartak.mahino]

no one seems to know... I would assume with the next refresh in mid to late Q2

Darn! I'm not sure I'll wait till then.

[gotconsultants]

The only two features that have not migrated from the Z-Series is the Titanium cover and the webcam... Other than that I think everything else is now offered in the Z-Series

[kartak.mahino]

The only two features that have not migrated from the Z-Series is the Titanium cover and the webcam... Other than that I think everything else is now offered in the Z-Series

I don't think they offer the memory card reader or the firewire port.

[gotconsultants]

yea you are right... forgot about those... =)

[cj3209]

So glad that I got my z61t. It's nice having the webcam and firewire port. The titanium lid is rock steady - stiffer than the current T60 lids.

I still think they should have kept the Z-series and improved upon it. I think the R-series should be discontinued but that's just MHO.


CJ

[thePCxp]

I still think they should have kept the Z-series and improved upon it. I think the R-series should be discontinued but that's just MHO.

What do you mean that they should discountinue the R series? The R series should not be discontinued and neither should the Z series.

[cj3209]

It was just MHO that if Lenovo was going to discontinue a series, it should be the R-series and not the Z-series.

CJ

[flake]

Not sure If I just can't find it, but no widescreen mobile workstation? UXGA is a minimum for me and the Z61p has/had WUXGA. I've been waiting on ordering a new Z61p for a little bit cause of a condo I'm in the process I'm buying but it really looks like Lenovo is going to make it dificult to get a workstation model when I'm ready.

I was just now able to find a Z61p customization page through back channels, but at the end it's "ships in 1-2 weeks" Hmm, maybe that means a phone call instead "sorry sir, that model is no longer available"?

I guess a T61p is 2nd best for me, but appears similarly unlisted on the lenovo main site other than some bragging (i.e. no links to customize and buy).

I hate calling sales teams. Just let me check the d*** boxes and punch in my CC# please ;)

~Jason

[dsalyers]

I guess a T61p is 2nd best for me, but appears similarly unlisted on the lenovo main site other than some bragging (i.e. no links to customize and buy).
~Jason

Currently, when I check the Lenovo website you can order a T60p widescreen. However it has a max resolution of WSXGA+. If you want a z61p (and yse it has a WUXGA screen), you can purchase it from www.euclidcomputers.com. It looks like they still have them. Or you may want to wait a couple of months and get a new TP with the Santa Rosa chipset.

[flake]

Yea, the more I think about it, the more I think I should wait. Santa Rosa will be more in line with the *ehem* requirements of vista. Plus it'd be nice to have have centrino 802.11n and more than 4GB. I like to run VMs for development and also Audio creation apps which are very demanding RAMwise.

[kartak.mahino]

Currently, when I check the Lenovo website you can order a T60p widescreen. However it has a max resolution of WSXGA+. If you want a z61p (and yse it has a WUXGA screen), you can purchase it from www.euclidcomputers.com. It looks like they still have them. Or you may want to wait a couple of months and get a new TP with the Santa Rosa chipset.

So how reliable is this site? Does anybody have any experience ordering from them.

How does the warranty work. It will be still through Lenevo?