The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    CNET Review

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by jmwein, May 24, 2007.

  1. jmwein

    jmwein Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    310
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
  2. Charr

    Charr Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    415
    Messages:
    1,564
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    What did they cram into it, a T7700?
     
  3. stgben

    stgben Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    7
    Messages:
    77
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Price as reviewed / Starting price $2,399 / $1,399
    Processor 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300
    Chipset Intel Mobile 965 Express
    Memory 2GB, 667MHz DDR2
    Hard drive 100GB 7,200rpm
    Graphics Intel GMA X3100
    Operating system Windows Vista Business
    Dimensions (WDH) 13.1 x 9.4 x 1.4 inches
    Screen size (diagonal) 14.1 inches
    System weight / weight with AC adapter 5.4 / 6.0 pounds
    Category Mainstream
     
  4. Playmaker

    Playmaker Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    266
    Messages:
    1,534
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    CNET is seriously on crack. In this T61 review, they cite the 2 hours, 20 minutes 6-cell battery life in their DVD test to be "impressive," yet four-odd months ago, they claimed the 3 hours and 19 minutes battery life on a T60p 6-cell to be "decent but not spectacular and perhaps too short for a productive workday on the go."

    http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-t60p-windows/4505-3121_7-32328020.html?tag=also

    I guess CNET is finally getting paid by Lenovo, something HP also probably regetted not doing after CNET listed "loud buzzing of the optical drive when pressure is placed on the chassis" as a con of the dv2000t. Wow, excessive force on the laptop chassis will cause physical damage, what a bummer!

    http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/hp-pavilion-dv2000t/4505-3121_7-32000604.html?tag=prod.txt.1

    CNET writes the worst reviews. There's no consistency whatsoever. In one review, something might be a con, and in a review for another laptop, that exact detail might be completely glossed over. And many times, their pros and cons for the laptop might be completely frivolous things. If your laptop offers awesome performance, it is too expensive, and if it is very cheap and an excellent value, it is too slow and weak. Sounds like someone didn't take Econ 101 in college.

    I ordered Computer Shopper for 2 years, and that was the dumbest decision of my life. Thanks for reading my rant.
     
  5. grahm

    grahm Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I have hope for battery life with the discrete graphics card because cnet's DVD drain test of the T61 with integrated graphics only lasted 20ish minutes longer than their drain test of the R61 with discrete graphics. For me, having the extra graphics power is completely worth the 20 minutes of DVD time I would give up.
     
  6. Playmaker

    Playmaker Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    266
    Messages:
    1,534
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    When it comes to CNET, there is no hope. Don't bother using their information to craft your opinion.
     
  7. grahm

    grahm Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Yeah I would normally agree with you but I'm trying to do everything I cant to convince myself that the battery life on the T61 I ordered is going to be okay. :( .
     
  8. jmwein

    jmwein Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    310
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I don't think that is necessarily a fair assessment. Many CNET editors are VERY good and some aren't so you can't lump them all together. I don't know anything about this reviewer but he doesn't seem to be one of their more knowledgeable staff members.
     
  9. Playmaker

    Playmaker Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    266
    Messages:
    1,534
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Well, if it helps, from my two links to absurd CNET reviews, I've already called out 3 of CNET's editors. :D
     
  10. jmwein

    jmwein Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    310
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
  11. Playmaker

    Playmaker Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    266
    Messages:
    1,534
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    But PC Magazine gave T61 the Editor's Choice over the D630!!! GASP WHAT SHALL WE EVER DO?!?!? Get both.
     
  12. jmwein

    jmwein Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    310
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Lol I know but I feel like screen brightness is very important being that it IS what you are looking at whenever you use your computer!! I'm a little nervous that the T61's screen is going to be dim!
     
  13. grahm

    grahm Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Wow... the D630 has great battery life, too. 4 hours and 45 minutes on the DVD drain test is insane. Though it IS a 9-cell battery and the computer IS running XP... which both contribute.

    I'm sure I'll be happy with my T61... I hope.
     
  14. jd1010

    jd1010 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    513
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I wonder what the dimensions would be of that d630. I imagine it would be much bigger and heavier than the t61.
     
  15. Playmaker

    Playmaker Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    266
    Messages:
    1,534
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    It is probably true that the D630 has better battery life (even if equipped with a battery with the same amount of cells as a T61) and a brighter screen. But look at it this way: how much did you pay for the T61 and how much did you save choosing it over the D630, especially if u used the EPP deal??? Plus the T61 is thinner. :)
     
  16. SkiBunny

    SkiBunny Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    209
    Messages:
    1,200
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Read some of the reviews here on notebookreview by ppl who've owned both the T60 and D620. They expressed very strong opinions about which overall is the superior laptop experience. Instead of picking on a single issue, you gotta look at the whole package, much like when you buy a new car.
     
  17. SkiBunny

    SkiBunny Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    209
    Messages:
    1,200
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Yes if one is running dedicated graphics and the other has the feeble integrated graphics (which could be perfectly fine depending on your needs).

    Read the reviews of the T60 and D620 on this forum written by a reviewer who owned both machines... There is a more than just "brightness" when it comes to what makes for a good screen... look at the reviewers' pics and see which he strongly preferred. Not the brighter one after all, hmmm. I'm not saying the T60 screen is great, I'm just saying that don't simply conclude brighter is always better (if that's the case, why dont you stare at a 1000-watt lightbulb LOL)
     
  18. cayden

    cayden Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    26
    Messages:
    69
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    For years thinkpads have been known as great machines but expensive. I still believe thinkpads are some of the best machines available today but I find it somewhat concerning that thinkpads are starting to be recommended because they are cheaper than Dells!

    Just like everyone else I am always up for saving a dollar but I hope that these savings do not come at the cost of quality. I am willing to pay more if I am getting a quality machine.
     
  19. Playmaker

    Playmaker Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    266
    Messages:
    1,534
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    It's quite probable that T60 vs. D620 may not be analogous to the T61 vs. D630. That's why so far (unfortunately) some of us are using CNET to strike a comparison.

    Also, no one is saying that brightness can sufficiently tell us about a screen's quality. Rather, most of us believe that a certain level of brightness is necessary for a screen to have in order to be considered good. Right now, many are worried that the T61 will not meet that prerequisite.
     
  20. Tailic

    Tailic Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    775
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I would think both the T61 and the D630 screens are taken from the same pool of 14.1 screens. Depending on what manufacturer they decide to use. The old T60 used a 15.4 inch screen so its in a different class from the D620. Not to mention the problems that Dell had with early D620's screens.

    There was a theory on the Anandtech forums about 14 inch screens and the lack of quality of the A8J's screen. Something about the small screen and high resolution would make screens look dimmer and throw off the viewing angels. It should also apply to all 14.1 inch screens.

    I'm also concerned with the T61's brightness so I'm leaning toward the D630. A review of a D630 on this site would help though.
     
  21. Jimco

    Jimco Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    104
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    In large part, this will be a matter of user preference. However, if you get the WXGA+, the brightness of the T61's screen is 200 nits which is plenty bright in my opinion.