Core Duo Z Series

Are there any news or speculations currently regarding a refresh of the Z series with Core Duo processors? That is to say, are there any widescreen Core Duo ThinkPads in the works?

 

The Z61 is going to have Core Duo processors.

 

I really wish that z61t would come out with a dedicated graphics card....

 

I'd say it is unlikely since it is a business class notebook not meant for gaming.

 

eagerly waiting for the z61. I have waited for nearly 3 months now. Do you people have any clue on when is the release. I heard May 12th but not sure....

 

I certainly hope that's not the case. First, is the Z series a business class notebook? The formfactor makes me think it is entertainment oriented. Second, dedicated graphics doesn't automatically equal gaming. The T60p justifies that by including a workstation-type graphics card.

Is it confirmed, then, that the Z61t won't have dedicated graphic?

 

I do not have any firsthand knowledge, but I can't imagine they'd put anything decent in there. Small notebooks with good gpus are a rare breed. Despite its formfactor, the magnesium lid, modular drive, pointing stick, hard drive protection, etc. are things you do not see on consumer notebooks with any regularity. As you can see with the new Dell Latitudes the widescreen with its lower profile is catching on in the busines segment. I don't think Lenovo would discourage you from using it for entertainment purposes if you are inclined.

 

If it is a business laptop, why won't Lenovo equip it with workstation-class graphics (i.e. Mobility FireGL V5200) as with the T60p series? Indeed, why does Lenovo insist on giving the Z series inferior graphics to the T series? Does that mean that if one needs to deal with graphics-intensive tasks, be it gaming or content creation, one should look to the T series instead?

 

I wish the z61t would come with WXGA+. Dedicated graphics doesn't bother me.

 

common misconception. many people think widescreen is entertainment oriented due to:
1) dvds
2) many consumer notebooks have it

but in fact, for business users, widescreen will make it much easier to use spreadsheets, program, and other similar tasks.

 

I'm pretty sure the Z61t will NOT have dedicated graphics from the initial looks of things (but not confirmed ).

 

I'm meeting with Lenovo on May 11th to learn about their product refreshes, I'll ask about a graphics card in the Z61t at that time -- assume not though.

May 16th was the rumored date for a Z61 refresh, I'm assuming it's been pushed back since they're not ready to even talk about anything until May 11th. Here's an article I posted regarding this stuff:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1310541

 

Wonderful, hope to hear from you soon.

I won't disagree that the Z series like the T series is business oriented. I just don't understand why Lenovo would treat the Z series like a budget version of the T series by not giving it a "p" version like the T60p with awesome workstation graphics. With widescreen laptops growing in popularity, this is especially perplexing.

 

Maybe they see the Z as the more consumer orientated of the two and the T as the business machine. Just a guess on my part anyway.

 

Looks like I'd best go with a T60p then. Alas, widescreen was not to be for me.

 

Dell is releasing the XPS M1210 during the middle of may; core duo, 12.1" WXGA, and the choice of GMA 950 or geforce 7300 w/128mb dedicated.

 

Okay, it is confirmed that the release will be May 16th for these and the Z61t will *not* have dedicated graphics, the Z61m will have up to X1400 128MB available. I'll post full specs in another thread.

 

Any idea if we will see a noticable price drop in the z60 line once the z61 is out?

thanks for the info

Twill

 

sorry, but I don't have any information on that. You can safely assume there will be some type of slight drop though, but not huge, core duo processor prices recently dropped so the price differential between Pentium M and Core Duo really isn't all that much.

 

Will the Z61t have an optional integrated Webcam and mic? I thought I saw this offered in certain higher education places in their specs online.

All info is appreciated!

Thanks,
Hayden

 

I am a bit outdated here... I thought the price drop's slated for late May... Core duo prices have fallen already?

 

Abaxter, did the meeting happen and was anything new and fruitful learned from them? Pricing, exact specs, battery life etc?

Thanks

Twill

 

specs were posted here

not sure why this wasn't bigger news.

 

thanks much for that link, sorry I didnt see it earlier

Specs look good, hope the battery life estimates are realistic and not just marketing.

Twill

 

I'm glad to see the WXGA+ will be offered for the Z61t. That was really the only reason why I was considering something other than Lenovo. Will they be Vista compatible?