Finally gave up on T61p & ordered T60p instead.

Update: Lenovo shipped my custom order order on Fri 6/22/2007 2:20 PM. Just 2.5 days after ordering!! See here.

After reading these forums these past months I’ve learned that it is standard protocol to create a thread dedicated to each and every ThinkPad order that one places. Rejoice and be merrry, for I’ve decided to comply.

I've been eagerly awaiting the ideal ThinkPad w/ Santa Rosa inside since late April but I gave up on the T61p this evening and ordered the T60p instead. It’s amazing that the estimated ship date for my T60p is 8/20/07, which really makes you wonder if the T61p will ship before October.

My justifications for going with T60p over T61p:

1. The T60p, tried and true, is at the end of it's lifecycle and the last units produced should sport the latest and final revisions of this series, unlike the upcoming T61p which would be 1st generation.
2. The extra 5-15% off eCoupon brings the T60p down to the lowest consumer price on record when ordered directly from Lenovo.
3. Don't need the heavier & thicker roll cage since I won't be rolling my ThinkPad.
4. Allows for larger cell battery while maintaining flush aesthetics.
5. Surface material will contain the coveted aerospace grade carbon fiber that emits luminous sparkles and provides a rugged metallic feel. Exterior of T61 series is hard plastic.
6. The screen will be perfectly centered, unlike the current T61 abomination.
7. For the greatly preferred 4:3 aspect ratio. T61p may only be available in widescreen initially.
8. For the IPS Flexview (best screen available until LED), which may never be available on the T61 series.
9. No Intel Turbo Memory fiasco (Reviews state that Turbo Memory actually slows you down and so to have or not to have was a paradoxical decision).
10. The T60 series was the final ThinkPad designed by IBM. The T61 is designed by Lenovo.
11. Guaranteed the classic IBM ThinkPad logo.
12. Biggest reason: The T60p is actually available for ordering now.

Good luck to those who still wait for the fabled T61p.
Details of my T60p order can be found in my signature below...

P.S.: For what it's worth, a Lenovo sales rep told me that the T61p would be released in just a few more days.

 

Did the same thing as you here.

http://forums.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=132325

 

ordered my t60p with XP on 6/07 and it shipped 6/12....

 

You like it man, Im so excited? What's it like?

 

I understand but... No bluetooth on that t60p.
That's a show-stopper for lots of ppl.
Hope you dont plan on trying to resell it ever... many ppl will not even consider a laptop that cannot work wirelessly with a cellphone or mouse (usb mice stink).

 

No bluetooth on T60p? How come mine came with bluetooth?

 

The T60p's come with bluetooth standard

 

Good choice, Snap, I would have done the same.

 

Yes bluetooth is standard on t60p laptops

 

which model and when.

 

No bluetooth on any custom T60's #2613currently ordered from Lenovo.

I just double-checked the online inventory. No bluetooth on custom T61p #2613.

 

The 9-cell sticks out the back and weighs in at a bulky 6.5 pounds and nearly 200 square inches. It's a tank.

The 6-cell is the battery that's flush. But you'll be lucky to get 2-hrs use with it because the flexview and v5200 are power hungry. After you have about 200-300 cycles you'll be down to one hour on the battery.

In my past experiences at least.

 

200 square inches?!?! Holy crap...

 

I was comparing the larger flush battery of the 6-cell T60 vs 4-cell T61. The T61 is a step backwards in the battery department. Imagine a T61p with a flush 4-cell. Could be as poor as 1 hour initially & then progressively less life.

I should get 3 hours initially with the 6-cell and + 3-cell Ultrabay battery. I don't use bright contrast either, so may exceed 3 hours. Bright hurts my eyes you see.

I agree, 9-cell is a beast, not my cup of tea.

 

If you bought a maxed out T60p w/ 4gb ram and every option conceivable, you probably bought mine

 

How did you like it and why did you sell it?

 

Where is the online inventory for the T61p? Also I'm glad it doesn't have bluetooth. That's just less options I have to unselect. What do people use bluetooth on a laptop for anyway?

 

I have a customized T60p, model number 2613, and it has bluetooth. Just ordered it earlier this month.

 

That was about T60p, not T61p (typo I guess)
Bluetooth is very convenient for communication with cellphone, mouse, handhelds, hands-free headsets, did I miss anything?

 

Sys.2613ct Configured System

2613cto Tp T60 Series 1 Yr Depot Ts
42r9189 Vbb Integr.wifi Wl 3rd Antenna
62p6054 Vbb Integr.bluetooth Pan
42r9317 Sbb Intel Core Duo Proc. T7600
42x1587 Sbb Mswin Vista Ultimate 32
42x1588 Sbb Ms Winvistault Us Engl 32
42r9210 Sbb 15.0 Sxga+tft Flexview W/w
42r9337 Sbb Ati Mob. Fire Gl V5250 256
27r1797 Vbb 3gb Pc2-4200 533mhz 2dimm
39t6476 Sbb Keyboard Us English
41w1611 Sbb Ultranav - Trackpnt&touchp

 

on all 3 that i have.....

 

Where did you get that? Is that c&p of yours earlier?

I just configured a 4:3 T60p right now and there's no bluetooth on the desc. Bummer.

 

It comes standard.

 

I called Lenovo CSR last week he confirned that bluetooth is standard on all T60p - whatever it's worth

 

I configured this earlier this month. In the configuration page, you don't see the option to choose bluetooth, but like everyone said here, bluetooth comes standard with the T60p, Lenovo just chose not to show it

 

ok ok .... they should show it in case it will delay your order, like so many things right now (eg., any LCD screen on a T61, lol)

 

hmm i don't think bluetooth is currently available on any of the other 4:3 14.1" and 15" t60's (?)

 

No idea. I guess you have to actually order it, and then on your order status page it will show you if bluetooth is there or not. But I am fresh outa of 3K, no pennies to spare to test my theory

 

Seems my recent T60p configuration from the Lenovo website includes Bluetooth, see order status below. Not that I needed Bluetooth and I definitely never selected it.

Question: Will my T60p have the WWAN antenna protruding from the right side of the display? I sure hope not and was hoping someone could reassure me that the funky antenna will not be present. The list below is kinda cryptic, but I'm concerned that "Sbb 15.0 Sxga+tft Flexview W/w" sounds like with WWAN.

Unfortunatley, the estimated ship date still says 08/20/07.

2613ct Configured System
2613cto Lenovo Thinkpad T60 2613 - No Cpu
42r9189 Vbb Integr.wifi Wl 3rd Antenna
62p6054 Vbb Integr.bluetooth Pan
42r9317 Sbb Intel Core Duo Proc. T7600
42x1587 Sbb Mswin Vista Ultimate 32
42x1588 Sbb Ms Winvistault Us Engl 32
42r9210 Sbb 15.0 Sxga+tft Flexview W/w
42r9337 Sbb Ati Mob. Fire Gl V5250 256
41w2057 Vbb 512mb Pc2-5300 667mhz1dimm
39t6476 Sbb Keyboard Us English
27r0300 Vbb Integr. Fingerprint Sensor
41w1613 Sbb Ultranav - Trackp&touchpad
41w5780 Sbb 100gb Hdd 7200rpm
42t7312 Sbb Dvd Rec8xmax Dual Ubayslim
42r9191 Sbb Thinkpad 11n #1
41w1508 Sbb 6 Cell Li-ion Battery
39t6442 Sbb Country Pack North America
27r1769 Sbb Pstn Cable
42t7337 Sbb Lang Pack-english
41w1601 Sbb Packaging Us 15
27r1540 Sbb Ati Label
39t6440 Sbb 56k V.92 Designed Modem
41w1715 Sbb Clear Plate T60p Wlan+bt
41w1721 Sbb Fcc Label
41w1749 Sbb Geo Label Us Wlan Bt
41w1774 Sbb Logo Plate
41w1738 Sbb Mt 2613 System Label
42v7972 Sbb Ms Label (vista Premium)
42t7135 Sbb Intel Label Core-2
41w2070 Sbb 512mb Pc2-5300 667mhz Mem.
1 40y6789 Lenovo Thinkpad Advanced Ultrabay Battery - Notebook Battery - Li-ion - 2700 Mah

 

Since 15" T60 with dedicated graphics is the same model # as T60p w/flexview, namely 2613, it may have bluetooth standard as well.

-yes, 15" T60 with Flexview does have bluetooth

 

There is no option to select for WWAN on the configuration page. I don't think Lenovo mades WWAN for T60p's anymore. Mine doesn't have a protruding antenna.

And about that shipping date, just ignore it. You'll get yours about 2 weeks after you submit your order.

 

Thanks for the reassurance, glad that I don't have to worry about having that fugly antenna.

2 weeks after order date sounds great but I remember the Lenovo website stating 2 to 3 week estimated ship date and then a few days later it changed to "call" (which is when I ordered). At least they don't bill you until it ships.

 

I ordered a T60p (15.4" WS) on 5/22, just checked the order status and it shipped today. Too bad I sent a cancellation email a week ago!!! Don't know now if I'll just keep it or return it and keep waiting for the T61p.

 

Is bluetooth really a shop stopper for a lot of people? I totally don't need it, but if it will get me more when I sell it, then I'll go for it.

 

I heard the T60p with Fire GL V5250 gets too hot and fan always runs. Has it improved now?

 

Where did you hear that?

 

Saw it over at http://forum.thinkpads.com. Don't know how prevalent it is.

 

Hmm ya I saw that post. It seems like a common thing for all laptops with midrange cards. Mine does it as well and I have a GO6600. I don't know what my GPU temperature is but judging by how much my fan is on.. it's hot. And I'm not even doing anything intensive. I'm not even running aero.

 

bs........

 

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=25304

 

Please post your GPU temperature under normal and heavy usage. Thanks.

 

i don't have temp monitors installed.....my observation is based on using it....

it is the coolest, quietest laptop i have ever owned....

 

Wow, it was even sooner than that! I received a shipment confirmation for my customized T60p from Lenovo at 2:20 PM this afternoon.
Order placed: Tue 6/19/2007 1:55 AM
Order shipped: Fri 6/22/2007 2:20 PM

That was only a 60 hour waiting period or just 2.5 days! Sure hope they did everything right with this build. It seems they assembled at record speed for this order ya?

I chose UPS Ground, but since I'm in Memphis, shipments tend to arrive here super fast so I won't be surprised if my Ground shipment arrives next business day (Monday). Memphis has the largest shipping hub in the world, FedEx World headquarters is based here, & we have the most active airport in the world between midnight & 4 AM. However, if it's coming from the west coast then it could be a day or two longer. Anyone know where my laptop would have shipped from? Tracking won't be available online until the next morning the website says.

Yay! Will post my opinions when the new T60p Flexview arrives and maybe some pics too. Good bye August 20th ship date, I'm so relieved.

 

The T60p is a great laptop!

Yeah there were GPU heat issues with the first ones, but seems some progress was made in the core2duo refresh last October.

The FireGL might be warm tho, as is the nvidia in the T61. Those consume more watts and have greater heat dissapation requirements.

 

Mine got shipped out of Hong Kong, then first landed in Louisville, KY. In total it took about 3 days to get to my door. So if yours got shipped out on a Friday, you should expect to see your package Monday morning then

 

Snap, I have almost the same config as you do, except I opted for the 160GB 5400 RPM hard drive, and only 3GB of RAM.

The thing is, after I loaded my copy of Adobe CS3 suite (complete installation), Windows 2007, I only have about 100GB left on the hard drive. Hope that 100GB is enough for your needs.

 

Oh that's very good to hear. Louisville, KY to Memphis, TN has always been next day delivery for UPS Ground. Sure am glad I saved the $50 by avoiding 2-day method since apparently it wouldn’t have been any faster. Unlike USPS & FedEx, UPS never delivers on Saturday or Sunday you see. Even more glad that I didn't put myself through the never-ending torture of waiting for a 4:3 T61p release and then another umpteen weeks for it to actually ship. Arrrrgh that would have been tuff!!!

The 100GB HDD will be overkill and I would have gone with the 60GB 7200 HDD if it would have been an option with Vista Ultimate. My desktop is my main computer which will store the bulk of my data. I'm running Vista Ultimate on my desktop with only 44GB used (rounded up), and I rarely clear internet cache/history. I expect to use < 30GB of storage on the laptop, so yes, 100GB HDD is more than sufficient for me for the foreseeable future.

Besides, upgrading your HDD is easy, and it’s cheap (unless ordered from Lenovo, haha). So if a 10k RPM hybrid laptop HDD (w/ integrated flash memory supporting ReadyBoost) is released, and the reviews are good, then I’ll probably upgrade to that. This way we can still benefit from a similar technology as Intel Turbo memory without having a T61!

 

Do you guys now the dimension of the 15" compared to the 15.4 and 14.1 widescreens. I have a feeling that they are not going to offer the t61p in the 14.1 so I might go with the t60p 15".

 

T60 14.1" 4:3 standard:
Width: 311 mm (12.2 in)
Depth: 255 mm (10.0 in)
Height: 26.6 to 31 mm (1.0 to 1.2 in)
Weight: Configured system: 2.34 kg (5.2 lb)

T60 15.0" 4:3 standard:
Width: 329 mm (13.0 in)
Depth: 268 mm (10.6 in)
Height: 31 to 36 mm (1.2 to 1.4 in)
Weight: Configured system: 2.71 kg (6.0 lb)

T60 15.4" widescreen:
Width: 358 mm (14.1 in)
Depth: 255 mm (10.0 in)
Height: 29 mm (1.13 in)
Travel weight (w/ Optical Drive) = 5.24 kg (5.70 lbs)

T61 14.1" widescreen:
Width: 335 mm (13.2 in)
Depth: 237 mm (9.3 in)
Height: 27.6 - 31.9 mm (1.09 to 1.26 in)
Weight: 2.31 kg (5.1 lbs)

T61 15.4" widescreen:
Dimensions unknown at this time.