T61 pictures + a mini review

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#1 Post by **ryengineer** » Wed May 23, 2007 2:59 pm

Alright guys, this is not my machine at all, nevertheless I got a chance to see and play around with this T61 for few hours, which is in the possession of my co-worker.

The keyboard feels awful as compared to T60 WS (the model I own). The fan generates as much noise as T60's however the temperature surely stays very cool. At Idle the cores were hitting 20-27. I will post the detailed temperature specs later if I get a chance. (my T60 has got a microsoft bug, I just updated the windows and it has refused to open particular websites including this one, no spywares or viruses being reported)

The weight is somewhat little heavy for 14.1 screen and the battery looks strange if not too funny to look at. If you hold the notebook in your hands it will lean towards the battery, following the newton's equations of gravity, which is very normal.

One design flaw is, ALL usb ports are placed vertical as contrary to T60's 1 vertical and two horizontal, making it very impossible to insert a usb jump drive/key while the notebook is lying on a smooth table/surface unless you start counting your options of buying a new smaller one to placing it on your laptop (very unlikely during business meetings).

Vista score was 4 with C2D 2GHZ T300 @ 1GB memory, 120HDD and nVidia gpu.

Lastly, Lenovo kept the IBM logo, atleast with the machine I saw.

I will add more info again when and if I get a chance to get my hands on it again.

You can find some snaps I took with my work camera at Here.

pianowizard · #2 Post by **pianowizard** » Wed May 23, 2007 3:07 pm

Thanks for this report. How many cells does the battery have? The 4-cell battery shouldn't stick out and would make the laptop quite a bit lighter, right?

I am sorry to hear that your overall impression isn't very positive, but at least the IBM logo is retained!

#3 Post by **gator** » Wed May 23, 2007 3:28 pm

rye, thanks for this review and pics. The off-centered screen does not seen to be that bad, but I might be wrong. What is view on this? The machine also seems pretty thick compared to T4x and T60(especially this pic).

Sad to hear that the keyboard is worse than the T60, which itself I consider a step back from the T4x. Best part about reivew is the temperatures, 20-27C idling is half of T60 idle temps! The new fan seems to have worked.

I'll also be posting a review soon, once we get the machines. I spoke to the dept. IT guy and he still says we are getting 14" WSXGA+ while all reports here and elesewhere suggest otherwise. I'll get this clarified once and for all tomorrow.

nepats778 · #4 Post by **nepats778** » Wed May 23, 2007 3:29 pm

Thanks for the pics! Do you know how long he had to wait to receive his laptop? What was the total turnaround time? Eagerly, awaiting my T61!

bin.dong · #5 Post by **bin.dong** » Wed May 23, 2007 3:40 pm

The wide screen is good enough? I mean comparing to the old IPS ones?

#6 Post by **RonS** » Wed May 23, 2007 4:01 pm

I can't believe that Lenovo released the T61 with the screen off-center.

I don't see an IR port anywhere. Did it get removed?

#7 Post by **gator** » Wed May 23, 2007 4:08 pm

RonS wrote: I don't see an IR port anywhere. Did it get removed?

Yes.

#8 Post by **ryengineer** » Wed May 23, 2007 5:06 pm

pianowizard wrote:Thanks for this report. How many cells does the battery have? The 4-cell battery shouldn't stick out and would make the laptop quite a bit lighter, right?

That's a 6-cell battery in the picture. I have not seen 4-cell battery but reports say they don't stick out as you quoted too. Also, very odd thing I noted, I had a very hard time inserting the battery in the machine. To my curiosity I tried 3 times putting it in and out and it took me atleast no more than 2 minutes everytime. The reason is merely they've added a small latch on the right side of the battery that helps that side to slide in more quickly than the left, thus causing the battery to stuck in there and leaving you trying for a while till you hit the right spot at the simultaneous momentum.

gator wrote:rye, thanks for this review and pics. The off-centered screen does not seen to be that bad, but I might be wrong. What is view on this? The machine also seems pretty thick compared to T4x and T60(especially this pic).

The machine itself is a beauty but most people who have owned a T60/p will find it a downstep from lenovo towards T4x series in somewhat built and most importantly thickness, unless they're planning to surprise us with T61p looks. I have updated the pics with the comparison between T60 WS and T61. I took as many pics as I could but due to work and an unexpected computer problem couldn't post them.

Edit: Forgot to mention, the machine is definitely thicker than noraml T60 and T4x. However comparing it to T60 WS shows mixed results, in few angels it looked thicker and I will support this viewpoint.

I'll also be posting a review soon, once we get the machines. I spoke to the dept. IT guy and he still says we are getting 14" WSXGA+ while all reports here and elesewhere suggest otherwise. I'll get this clarified once and for all tomorrow.

Nice. I forgot to mention, this machine is 14.1 WXGA+ TFT 1440x900.

#9 Post by **ryengineer** » Wed May 23, 2007 5:16 pm

nepats778 wrote:Thanks for the pics! Do you know how long he had to wait to receive his laptop? What was the total turnaround time? Eagerly, awaiting my T61!

I'm not sure, but he ordered it as soon as it was announced and flashed it today at work. So I'm thinking of 1.5 weeks perhaps, but honestly I'm sure.

#10 Post by **gator** » Wed May 23, 2007 5:38 pm

rye, thanks for the new pics, they show what I wanted to see. I don't like this machine, but I'll reserve my final comment till I see and handle one.

pipspeak · #11 Post by **pipspeak** » Wed May 23, 2007 8:09 pm

Thanks from me too.

IMO the T61 is scrappy-looking and certainly not on par with the tight (if basic) designs that the T's have been known for.

As a writer I'm also disappointed the keyboard has gone downhill. That was one of the biggest selling points to me. How has t changed? I presume it just got just sloppier but is the key travel about the same?

And how was build quality? Does it still *feel* like a T-series?

Tholek · #12 Post by **Tholek** » Wed May 23, 2007 8:46 pm

Did he buy it himself as a standard customer, or through his job or EPP? I ask, because I thought the IBM logo was only available to those who buy as a business, rather than an individual...

#13 Post by **Kyocera** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:26 pm

I definately like picture #21, I will be glad to get my hands on one too, after handling this t60 14" for about 8 months now it will be interesting to see if the t61 feels as solid, Never liked battery sticking out the back, added to much bulk.

#14 Post by **ryengineer** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:31 pm

gator wrote:I don't like this machine.

Neither did I.

pipspeak wrote:How has t changed? I presume it just got just sloppier but is the key travel about the same?

The notebook has got thicker and I will call it somewhat unfit for mobility due to it's battery mass if not battery life.

The key travel and feel was not as good as T60's.

And how was build quality? Does it still *feel* like a T-series?

I felt it for a moment and it's build quality and texture was very robust and rigid. I won't be surprised if you drop it on the ground a few times and report back of having no problem with it's functionality. In my opinion lenovo has sacrificed somethings for others, few things to name here could be battery life for machine's temperature stability and perhaps build quality for rigidness.

Tholek wrote:Did he buy it himself as a standard customer, or through his job or EPP? I ask, because I thought the IBM logo was only available to those who buy as a business, rather than an individual...

I simply don't know. I was under the impression that since he had his with IBM logo, so lenovo kept the trend and decided to pass on the inheritance to T61.

Tholek · #15 Post by **Tholek** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:59 pm

ryengineer wrote:
Tholek wrote:Did he buy it himself as a standard customer, or through his job or EPP? I ask, because I thought the IBM logo was only available to those who buy as a business, rather than an individual...
I simply don't know. I was under the impression that since he had his with IBM logo, so lenovo kept the trend and decided to pass on the inheritance to T61.

Supposedly there are both out there with Thinkpad or IBM logos, just that they are distributed as I mentioned. I'd love to know for sure though. I guess I'll find out when I get mine.

agarny · #16 Post by **agarny** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:40 am

ryengineer wrote: One design flaw is, ALL usb ports are placed vertical as contrary to T60's 1 vertical and two horizontal, making it very impossible to insert a usb jump drive/key while the notebook is lying on a smooth table/surface unless you start counting your options of buying a new smaller one to placing it on your laptop (very unlikely during business meetings).

Hmm... *that* I am not I like at all...

I will have to check all the USB devices I normally use and see how it goes. I don't intend to get the T61 but T61p, still I cannot imagine it being different for the T61p.

ryengineer wrote: Vista score was 4 with C2D 2GHZ T300 @ 1GB memory, 120HDD and nVidia gpu.

I guess it's not that bad considering that the processor is not the best one available, RAM could also be improved and the hard disk is a 5400 RPM one? My T42p scores 3.4, mainly because of the graphics card.

#17 Post by **ryengineer** » Thu May 24, 2007 1:38 am

agarny wrote:I guess it's not that bad considering that the processor is not the best one available, RAM could also be improved and the hard disk is a 5400 RPM one? My T42p scores 3.4, mainly because of the graphics card.

I think it must be 5400rpm as 7200rpm is recently announced. The cpu score was the highest 4.9.

Dimitri_P · #18 Post by **Dimitri_P** » Thu May 24, 2007 1:45 am

ryengineer wrote:... the keyboard feels awful as compared to T60 WS (the model I own) ...

... all usb ports are placed vertical as contrary to T60's 1 vertical and two horizontal, making it very impossible to insert a usb jump drive/key while the notebook is lying on a smooth table/surface unless you start counting your options of buying a new smaller one to placing it on your laptop (very unlikely during business meetings) ...

With each of those small revies T61 sinks deeper and deeper.

Great job, Lenovo!

FRiC · #19 Post by **FRiC** » Thu May 24, 2007 2:46 am

ryengineer wrote:One design flaw is, ALL usb ports are placed vertical as contrary to T60's 1 vertical and two horizontal, making it very impossible to insert a usb jump drive/key while the notebook is lying on a smooth table/surface unless you start counting your options of buying a new smaller one to placing it on your laptop (very unlikely during business meetings).

I noticed the vertical USB flaw the very first time I saw the T61 pics, so I decided to buy the T60 right away. The T60's horizontal USB ports could block the optical drive, but it's a lesser problem than vertical ports.

I'm very happy with my T60 purchase (upgraded from R52). The T60 runs cooler compared to my R52, and despite all the opinions I read here, the TMD 14.1" SXGA+ panel is clear and bright.

agarny · #20 Post by **agarny** » Thu May 24, 2007 2:47 am

ryengineer wrote:
agarny wrote:I guess it's not that bad considering that the processor is not the best one available, RAM could also be improved and the hard disk is a 5400 RPM one? My T42p scores 3.4, mainly because of the graphics card.
I think it must be 5400rpm as 7200rpm is recently announced. The cpu score was the highest 4.9.

From http://tinyurl.com/347pcf, it would seem that it is the case indeed...

Good to see that the CPU is performing well on the Vista Performance test (my Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 2.00GHz gives 3.9).

#21 Post by **K. Eng** » Thu May 24, 2007 6:59 pm

What exactly about the keyboard feels awful? I've only typed on the T60, which seemed fairly solid and maybe a bit better than my old T40.

#22 Post by **ryengineer** » Thu May 24, 2007 8:19 pm

K. Eng wrote:What exactly about the keyboard feels awful? I've only typed on the T60, which seemed fairly solid and maybe a bit better than my old T40.

After typing on T61 for about 15 mins I felt a strange feeling of foreignness that I had never felt on any thinkpad keyboards as of yet (have been an owner of A31p, two X31, R51, T60 and T60WS).

Keyboard build quality itself was fairly solid but it lacked the sweet touch and feel of previous keyboards I've seen in any thinkpad.

I did the FRU checkup on lenovo site and came with no results, so either they've changed the previous fru numbers or have introduced a new keyboard of this kind.

Apparently it's only me who did not like the keyboard and felt the difference as my co-worker is fairly new to thinkpads (macbook user). So what I think now is, those who have no or little experience with T61 pre-thinkpads will definitely adore this machine, excluding the battery perhaps.

Kyocera wrote:now it will be interesting to see if the t61 feels as solid, Never liked battery sticking out the back, added to much bulk.

Trust me Mike, it was solid as rock. Lenovo's "The most secure, strongest....." claim is quite true, you can do boxing with it and it will still live on.

However the battery's (6 and 7 cell) sticking out is surely something lenovo should've worked on. Their answer of 4 cell battery (assuming it does not stick out) for that wouldn't make much sense as that's just decreasing your already low battery life under Vista with discrete gpu like nVidia.

#23 Post by **gator** » Thu May 24, 2007 8:56 pm

Is there a battery indicator on the battery? What is the orange battery icon I see on the battery in this pic?
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w21/ ... 59b735.jpg

#24 Post by **ryengineer** » Thu May 24, 2007 9:26 pm

gator wrote:Is there a battery indicator on the battery? What is the orange battery icon I see on the battery in this pic?

I did not notice it at all. Looks like an indicator though. I will surely check it out tomorrow and report back.

I'm thinking of possibility of some sort of button on it to check the battery level through that, if there is (ofcourse), like all HP notebook batteries I've seen, had one.

XIII · #25 Post by **XIII** » Thu May 24, 2007 9:39 pm

How do you get yours so early? I ordered mine on the day T61 is released and it is not even shipped at the moment.

#26 Post by **ryengineer** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:05 pm

XIII wrote:How do you get yours so early? I ordered mine on the day T61 is released and it is not even shipped at the moment.

Again, it's not mine and I don't know how the owner purchased it and received it earlier than you.

wackydan · #27 Post by **wackydan** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:10 pm

XIII wrote:How do you get yours so early? I ordered mine on the day T61 is released and it is not even shipped at the moment.

Corporate orders get filled before anything else. Plus the config may have been different than yours and more readily available.

#28 Post by **gator** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:31 pm

ryengineer wrote:I did not notice it at all. Looks like an indicator though. I will surely check it out tomorrow and report back.

I'm thinking of possibility of some sort of button on it to check the battery level through that, if there is (ofcourse), like all HP notebook batteries I've seen, had one.

Please do check and tell us, this is a very nice feature to have.

#29 Post by **ryengineer** » Fri May 25, 2007 6:04 am

gator wrote:Please do check and tell us, this is a very nice feature to have.

I did not find any functional button on the battery to press and light the... so called an indicator. Apparently upon touching that area, my thumb nail made a small mark on the orange battery sign, revealing the whole region was just a fancy sticker.

However I have come across some very important info. regarding upcoming models.

T61 and R61 (no 14.1 offering for R61) will be offered in 14.1, 14.1 WS, and 15.4 WS very soon in the future.

T61 14.1 will not be offered with an integrated camera. The usb ports will be placed in the same format as 14.1 WS.
However the headphone jacks will be on the left side (could be a good news for some critics here) and speakers will be placed
on the bottom. All models will have firewire and 4-in-1 media card option except no 4-in-1 media card option for 14.1.

T61 15.4 WS will not be offered with a camera either. The usb ports will be in 2 horizontal and 1 vertical format like T60 WS. Speakers will be next to volume buttons also as T60 WS model, i.e. not beside the keyboard as T61 14.1 WS. The headphone jacks will be on the left hand side too. Built-in microphone will be available on 15.4 and 14.1 models. Security keyholes will be on the left hand side of both models (15.4 WS and 14.1) as opposed to 14.1 Widescreen's on the back.

Updated pics (drafts) can be found Here.

Above details only applies to strictly T61, I have not looked into R61 options yet, except model offerings (14.1 WS and 15.4 WS). I will post it's details later.

In all this post 14.1, 14.1 WS, 15.4 WS are referring to T61 unless otherwise specified.

agarny · #30 Post by **agarny** » Fri May 25, 2007 6:31 am

ryengineer wrote: Updated pics (drafts) can be found Here.

Thanks a lot for that! I am glad to see that there are two horizontal USB slots in the end!

T61 pictures + a mini review

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