Well, I did it-T60p 8744-C9U is on the way!

[Eric Giles]

Yep, my first new Thinkpad in almost 3 years-that is the longest I have ever used the same laptop. I think that says a lot about the T4x series in general-I was really that happy with it all that time. However, some small problems arose and then I got the 'liquid damage' response from EZServ ( http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=37370 ) so it was time to move on.

Thankfully, since I am head of the IT department at a bank, they realize that I need some pretty decent hardware-so this morning I got the go-ahead for a new unit. I had been looking and researching for about a week, but by this morning the cheapest places that had it online had all sold out-and every place I called (including Lenovo) said it would be one to two weeks before they were back in the distribution channel.

But luckily CDW had 8 in stock, but at full price. Since CDW is the primary sponsor of driver Justin Wilson on the RuSport team in the Champ Car World Series, I didn't mind them getting the extra $100 or so. Us die-hard Champ Car fans are very appreciative of our sponsors!

So, due to my impatience, I am having it overnighted-so tomorrow I should be ready to give it a run. Not sure how I am going to like the widescreen and the extra width it adds to the unit, but the 8744-C9U configuration was too good to pass up at that price.

This will make Thinkpad #15 for me and the first one since Lenovo took over. I hope it turns out as well as all the previous ones did.

[SafeHarbor]

Hi, Eric,

Good luck with #15! Some pix would be in order . . .

Lamar

[Eric Giles]

FedEx dropped it off around 11AM today. So far, I have only setup the fingerprint reader, burned the system recovery/preload DVD, and right now I have it downloading all of the Windows updates and new drivers.

I ran the serial number, and it says I have the LG-Phillips LCD. I must say that in my opinion is looks very nice. There is a slight darkening of the brightness right at the extreme edges of the screen, but it personally does not bother me. It seems VERY fast so far. Another member posted of poorer wifi performance, and it does seem not to pick up a distant signal as well as my previous T40 and T23 did, but this is in an extreme case. At my house, there should be no problem at all.

Construction overall seems to hold up the Thinkpad tradition, however to me the palmrest seems a bit flimsy on this widescreen version. I believe it needs to be thicker or slightly reinforced. Personally, I want the old school rubberized covered palmrests back!

More updates as I use the unit more, but so far so good.

[pianowizard]

I'm glad to hear that you like your new toy.

Another member posted of poorer wifi performance, and it does seem not to pick up a distant signal as well as my previous T40 and T23 did

Likewise, my T60 picks up far fewer signals than the X40 and T43 that I used to have.

Construction overall seems to hold up the Thinkpad tradition, however to me the palmrest seems a bit flimsy on this widescreen version.

My T60's palmrest feels much more solid than the T43's, perhaps because it is connected to the touchpad and mouse buttons.

Personally, I want the old school rubberized covered palmrests back!

I hate those! I need the parmrests to be as smooth as possible.

[Eric Giles]

I always loved the rubberized palmrests on the old 600 and 7xx series-it have such a nice feeling of quality. Keeping it clean was another matter entirely!