Build quality of T61 vs my older T40.

[vinny77]

I have had a T40 for about a year now and I love it. All that I dont like is the screen, to low of a resolution, but I deal with it fine.

Anyhow, my brother is now in the market for a laptop and wants a thinkpad. H wants the T61, but I am not to sure,

We went to a store near us in manhattan to see them and to be honest the T61 was really big and felt really flimsy. It felt no where near as strong and tough as my T40. though I must say the T60 was pretty close, it was still lacking. I mostly felt the weakness in the palm rests.

I am kinda worried that these new t61's are not as good and he may be better off with another company.

[tomh009]

The difference you felt in the palmrest was due to the fact that in the T40 the palmrest was structural -- it is thick and strong in order to strengthen the T40 case -- while the T61 relies on its internal "roll cage", and the external plastics, like the palmrest, are non-structural "skin" that simply covers the internals.

[mattbiernat]

The difference you felt in the palmrest was due to the fact that in the T40 the palmrest was structural -- it is thick and strong in order to strengthen the T40 case -- while the T61 relies on its internal "roll cage", and the external plastics, like the palmrest, are non-structural "skin" that simply covers the internals.

now this makes me wonder... hit T40 with a hammer and hit T61 with a hammer. it you hit T60 in between roll cage, you will potentially damage its internal organs. but on the other side T61's internals could better withstand fall because of this re-enforced cage. ehh.... just my $0.02.

[crashnburn]

The difference you felt in the palmrest was due to the fact that in the T40 the palmrest was structural -- it is thick and strong in order to strengthen the T40 case -- while the T61 relies on its internal "roll cage", and the external plastics, like the palmrest, are non-structural "skin" that simply covers the internals.

now this makes me wonder... hit T40 with a hammer and hit T61 with a hammer. it you hit T60 in between roll cage, you will potentially damage its internal organs. but on the other side T61's internals could better withstand fall because of this re-enforced cage. ehh.... just my $0.02.

Interesting thought. Can we actually figure out a way to validate it?

[AlphaKilo470]

Yean, anyone have a hammer and a T61?

You'll probably damage any laptop if you hit it with a hammer.

[stator]

I just moved from a T40 that I used for several years to a T61. The T61 is definitely stronger. Pick up the T40 in the corner near the keyboard with the lid open and you will see the difference (this is not really recommended). The T40 flexes too much there.

The reason why I purchased a T61 was that my video went out on the T40 due to the flexing and the BGA mount of the video unit to the motherboard.

A design flaw in the lower case is the major weakness of the T40 series, IMO. It is just not strong enough which stresses the motherboard.

Of course my T40 survived for several years commuting in the saddle bags of my hog, but my T23 has survived four years and is still going strong. HP and Dells will last less than a year with this torture test.

[andrewb]

I agree with the observations of the original poster.

My new T60 has palm rests made out of what can only be described as flexi-plastic. A huge difference when compared to my T43 and X41, both of which are rock solid.

Whilst other aspects of the T60 are fine, and, indeed, probably worthy of commendation, the palm rest quality (and that of the keyboard itself) is sadly lacking.

Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I am inclined towards thinking that this reflects cost cutting by Lenovo.

[pianowizard]

My new T60 has palm rests made out of what can only be described as flexi-plastic. A huge difference when compared to my T43 and X41, both of which are rock solid.

Many forum members, including myself, have had opposite experiences. My T60 was very nearly as well built as the 600/600E series, whereas my T43 was one of the most delicate Thinkpads I have ever owned. My X60s was also as solid as my X40.

[dr_st]

I have a T42 15" and a T60 14". Both are very solid. The T60 flexes less when picked up by the corner with an open lid. This is probably in part to a strengthened case, and in part due to being smaller (better weight distribution). The keyboard quality isn't any lower either.