X61s Cnet review 8/10

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#1 Post by **ryengineer** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 5:36 am

Even though Cnet's reviews are biased but they do give some idea to a certain extent. Full review can be found here.

The $1,964 Lenovo ThinkPad X61s we tested included a low-voltage Core 2 Duo L7500 processor built on Intel's latest Centrino Pro platform. It also runs Windows Vista Business, though companies who haven't yet made the switch to Microsoft's latest operating system can choose Windows XP for the same price. We were pleased with the ThinkPad X61s's performance on CNET Labs' application benchmarks, where it kept pace or finished slightly ahead of systems with normal-voltage Core 2 Duo processors and Intel's previous-generation platform. Unsurprisingly, the ThinkPad X61s largely outpaced its ultraportable competition, the Sony VAIO TXN17P and Fujitsu LifeBook P7230, both of which are built on Core Solo processors. For business users who multitask heavily or spend a lot of time working with Microsoft Office applications, the ThinkPad X61s provides dual-core performance in a lightweight, compact package.

#2 Post by **tomh009** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 6:17 am

Thanks for the link! Here is their plus/minus summary:

The good: Solid performance, thanks to the latest Core 2 Duo processor; extremely portable design; excellent keyboard; fingerprint reader; easy-to-use ThinkVantage utility; lengthy battery life with extended battery.

The bad: Lacks built-in optical drive; standard-aspect display feels outdated.

So if you don't care for wide-format screens, or need to carry around an optical drive, there really is little to complain about. And the X61s did very well in their benchmarks, the 1.4 GHz X61s matching the performance of the 1.66 GHz Acer and Toshiba.

Oh, and they measured the Ultralight LCD at 222 nits (rated at 180).

pianowizard · #3 Post by **pianowizard** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:47 am

tomh009 wrote:So if you don't care for wide-format screens, or need to carry around an optical drive, there really is little to complain about.

You forgot about the XGA resolution! If I were a CNET editor, I would have taken 4 points off for that!

roblim · #4 Post by **roblim** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 2:04 pm

Nice review, makes me wish my x61s was here instead of "in process" That screen is really bright, even though it is not LED.

#5 Post by **tomh009** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 4:04 pm

pianowizard wrote:
tomh009 wrote:So if you don't care for wide-format screens, or need to carry around an optical drive, there really is little to complain about.
You forgot about the XGA resolution! If I were a CNET editor, I would have taken 4 points off for that!

Oh, I didn't forget. But maybe the CNET editors take four points off for a widescreen instead?

qviri · #6 Post by **qviri** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 4:48 pm

pianowizard wrote:
tomh009 wrote:So if you don't care for wide-format screens, or need to carry around an optical drive, there really is little to complain about.
You forgot about the XGA resolution! If I were a CNET editor, I would have taken 4 points off for that!

It's an ultraportable. Ultraportables are not supposed to have QWERTYGA screens.

pianowizard · #7 Post by **pianowizard** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 5:05 pm

qviri wrote:It's an ultraportable. Ultraportables are not supposed to have QWERTYGA screens.

A 12.1" screen is pretty big and can easily hold a lot more than 1024x768 pixels. Sony, HP, Dell and Panasonic all have ultraportable (i.e. <4 lb) laptops with higher resolutions, namely 1280x768, 1280x800 and 1400x1050. In fact, the Thinkpad X60 and X61 tablets also have 1400x1050. Many people on this forum are disappointed that 1400x1050 is not an option for the non-tablet X-series.

#8 Post by **tomh009** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 5:12 pm

pianowizard wrote:Many people on this forum are disappointed that 1400x1050 is not an option for the non-tablet X-series.

I'd phrase that just slightly differently: many people on this forum would like to see 1400x1050 as an option on the Xseries.

I think may others, like me, would like to see that option, but don't feel quite "disappointed" about it as there are many other things to like about an X61 or X61s.

Antioch · #9 Post by **Antioch** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:00 am

pianowizard wrote:
qviri wrote:It's an ultraportable. Ultraportables are not supposed to have QWERTYGA screens.
A 12.1" screen is pretty big and can easily hold a lot more than 1024x768 pixels. Sony, HP, Dell and Panasonic all have ultraportable (i.e. <4 lb) laptops with higher resolutions, namely 1280x768, 1280x800 and 1400x1050. In fact, the Thinkpad X60 and X61 tablets also have 1400x1050. Many people on this forum are disappointed that 1400x1050 is not an option for the non-tablet X-series.

Yes, because of that I'm going to hold off on ordering an X61s until the end of the summer. Hopefully by then Lenovo will decide to offer 1400x1050 as an option on non-tablet x61's.

I'd hate to get one now only to see that in a few months Lenovo upgraded the resolution. But on the other hand, I don't want to wait forever and not get the machine.

pianowizard · #10 Post by **pianowizard** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 11:02 am

Antioch wrote:But on the other hand, I don't want to wait forever and not get the machine.

If you want to get a nice ultrapotable laptop with 14.1" SXGA+ (and internal optical drive!) right now, get the Panasonic Y5 or Y7.

#11 Post by **ryengineer** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:54 pm

pianowizard wrote:If you want to get a nice ultrapotable laptop with 14.1" SXGA+ (and internal optical drive!) right now, get the Panasonic Y5 or Y7.

If your pocket permits you, Panasonic Y5/Y7 are a very good choice.

sugo · #12 Post by **sugo** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:35 pm

CNet used to have MobileMark Battery numbers. Now they only have the DVD playback battery test. Business users do not play DVDs for day to day work. The DVD playback battery test is not helping us understand how the battery life of X61/s compares with X60/s.

krutoj · #13 Post by **krutoj** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:02 pm

ryengineer wrote:Even though Cnet's reviews are biased but they do give some idea to a certain extent. Full review can be found here.

How exactly are Cnet's reviews biased? I used to hear this sentence but still confused about it's true meaning. Biased against Thinkpads or otherwise?

#14 Post by **ryengineer** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:29 am

krutoj wrote:Biased against Thinkpads or otherwise?

Otherwise, in general.

#15 Post by **tomh009** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:31 pm

ryengineer wrote:If your pocket permits you, Panasonic Y5/Y7 are a very good choice.

There is no Trackpoint equivalent, though, is there?

#16 Post by **ryengineer** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:36 pm

tomh009 wrote:
ryengineer wrote:If your pocket permits you, Panasonic Y5/Y7 are a very good choice.
There is no Trackpoint equivalent, though, is there?

Well, there isn't. However sacrificing it for 14.1" SXGA+ (and internal optical drive) could be worth it perhaps.

#17 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:48 pm

ryengineer wrote:Well, there isn't. However sacrificing it for 14.1" SXGA+ (and internal optical drive) could be worth it perhaps.

That's sounding like a T-series then.

Given a choice between SXGA+ and no TrackPoint vs XGA with a TrackPoint. I would have to choose the later.

#18 Post by **tomh009** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:34 am

GomJabbar wrote:Given a choice between SXGA+ and no TrackPoint vs XGA with a TrackPoint. I would have to choose the later.

So would I ... and internal optical drive is neither here nor there for me. I have an Ultrabase at the office and an external DVD burner at home, and I can't recall when I last wanted to use an optical drive on the road.

#19 Post by **ryengineer** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:47 am

I do agree with you guys however trackpoint is substitutable to touchpad and the lcd screen is not.

Also, choice of internal or external optical drive merely depends on one's needs. Some people, especially those who travel alot by air between cities even countries will prefer to have an internal one.

pianowizard · #20 Post by **pianowizard** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:10 am

GomJabbar wrote:
ryengineer wrote:Well, there isn't. However sacrificing it for 14.1" SXGA+ (and internal optical drive) could be worth it perhaps.
Given a choice between SXGA+ and no TrackPoint vs XGA with a TrackPoint. I would have to choose the later.

I never realized that certain forum members have such a strong preference for the TrackPoint. Impressive.

#21 Post by **tomh009** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:43 am

ryengineer wrote:I do agree with you guys however trackpoint is substitutable to touchpad ...

I beg to disagree -- at least not for me, it isn't!

ryengineer wrote:Also, choice of internal or external optical drive merely depends on one's needs. Some people, especially those who travel alot by air between cities even countries will prefer to have an internal one.

I'm in Japan this week and in Europe the next. I'm not feeling the need for any optical drives (and, no, I don't have an external one with me).

smvp6459 · #22 Post by **smvp6459** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:43 am

pianowizard wrote:I never realized that certain forum members have such a strong preference for the TrackPoint. Impressive.

The trackpoint is good, but I despise trackpads. It is what keeps me away from the Macbook Pros (and most other laptops).

#23 Post by **tomh009** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:46 am

pianowizard wrote:
GomJabbar wrote:Given a choice between SXGA+ and no TrackPoint vs XGA with a TrackPoint. I would have to choose the later.
I never realized that certain forum members have such a strong preference for the TrackPoint. Impressive.

Though I definitely prefer ThinkPads, I'd be willing to consider another brand such as HP or (ugh) Dell, provided that it has a TrackPoint equivalent. But I will not buy a touchpad-only laptop, as long as ones with TrackPoints are available.

#24 Post by **ryengineer** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:59 am

tomh009 wrote:...at least not for me, it isn't!

You said it.

I'm in Japan this week and in Europe the next. I'm not feeling the need for any optical drives (and, no, I don't have an external one with me).

I see. Again, it depends on one's requirement and preference as well. Speaking on my behalf, I am one of those people who like to have one since from past experiences I am forced to follow this little principle of "If you don't have it then you never know when you're gonna need it".

berlin · #25 Post by **berlin** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:32 pm

i found the review biased against standard screen laptops. to get a good review nowadays, a widescreen is required?

one of these days, thinkpads will get reviewed by someone who hates the black finish which will result in a much lower score. and what if the reviewer prefers mac?

about trackpoints: I stop buying the T series after they added a touchpad.

sugo · #26 Post by **sugo** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:36 pm

berlin wrote:about trackpoints: I stop buying the T series after they added a touchpad.

There are touchpad-less palmrest for T4x. I don't like touchpad so I simply disabled it on my T42.

#27 Post by **tomh009** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:00 pm

ryengineer wrote:I see. Again, it depends on one's requirement and preference as well. Speaking on my behalf, I am one of those people who like to have one since from past experiences I am forced to follow this little principle of "If you don't have it then you never know when you're gonna need it".

I understand that -- but that's the enemy of traveling light (with carry-on luggage only)!

Kamika007z · #28 Post by **Kamika007z** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:50 pm

I think the X6x's have the perfect business ultra portable design. Straight, professional, and to the point.

I would like to get an X61, but my main question is: Can it run Counter-Strike: Source?

I know it's a silly question, but since it has the new Intel graphics, has anyone tried this? I heard the new imbedded vcard is better by leaps and bounds.

Thanks in advance!

X61s Cnet review 8/10

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