Lenovo ThinkPad R61 Review Discussion

Tired of waiting for a T61 to ship? If you're looking for a powerful (and cheaper) alternative that still offers Thinkpad build quality and design, look no further than the Lenovo Thinkpad R61. Read this in-depth user review to see if the "baby brother" of the T-series pack as much punch as its big brother.

Read the full content of this Article: Lenovo ThinkPad R61 Review

 

Nice review and 4-cell battery gives satisfied result as it can power notebook up to three and and a half hours.

 

Thanks for a very useful review. The performance isn't impressive, but I suspect that another 1GB of RAM would boost many of the test results.

The battery life with a 4 cell battery is very good and gives me hope that my awaited M1330 (X3100 + LED backlight) get near to 5 hours with a 6 cell battery.

John

 

Great review!

I'm very impressed with the 3.5 hour battery life with the 4 cell. I wonder what is the disparity between this and the other people who report 90 minutes of battery life with integrated graphics.

The switched Fn and Ctrl key is somewhat a moot point. It only takes a few days to get used to it. Personally, I prefer it so my little finger doesn't have to stretch out to press Ctrl but rather just move down.

 

yeah 3.5 hours is quite amazing from a 4-cell.

however how can they call this thin and light when it's thicker than the T61?

maybe thin and light compared to the box it came in? LOL

 

i wonder if we could get a T61 vs R61 picture to see the size difference

 

Good review!

 

Thanks for the review. The R61 is on my shortlist, along with a Dell 630.

As for size difference between the R and T61, there is a thread with pictures in the Lenovo forum although I don't recall which thread. It's .2", I believe it's about 3oz heavier as well. For some those are deal breakers for others (like me) it's no big deal.

 

i saw those pics, but they're not good pics showing them side be side.

 

What about off center screen? Was'nt any issue?
The headphone out in front also is a disadvantage as a wire will always be there between you and lap top.
Should we rely on thinkpad of today i.e Lenovo?

 

nice review!...

Those usb ports look like a pain though

 

YSMao, how did you manage to get Vista 64-bit installed? Did Lenovo preinstall 64-bit for you?

 

Haha, my T61 with 768 megs of ram scores faster in Vista (3.1)

Does the R series still use the different ultrabay size compared to the T series?

Nice review though!

 

My current laptop doesn't have the vertically-oriented USB ports, but I wish it did. When two horizontally-oriented USB ports are stacked one on top of the other, it's difficult to get at the bottom one while something's plugged in to the top one.

 

I believe the R series just uses the standard IDE slot for slim optical drives.

While the R series isn't bad, I'd personally fork over the extra $50 for a slightly slimmer and lighter notebook.

 

I really dislike the touchpad area and the buttons above it. I've used several pointing sticks and I have to say I really like the ones on the Thinkpads, but I really think the small mousepad looks awkward.

 

“What about off center screen? Was'nt any issue?” I wonder about that, as did the previous commenter. That probably deserves to be in the 'cons' tally.

Thanks for the nice review and pictures.

 

Great review, it was very enjoyable to read.

I'm a first-time ThinkPad owner myself and I have to say, it's been fantastic thus far. The keyboard is absolutely amazing. I think you made a good choice and this machine should serve you well.

Definitely upgrade that RAM to 2GB for the best performance. One of the reasons your computer is a bit slow right now is because Windows may be out of physical RAM so it is using the page file on the hard drive for virtual RAM (excruciatingly slow). You can always check your RAM usage - right-click the taskbar and open up the Task Manager, then go over to the performance tab.

 

Can R61 install Windows XP ? because i still need Win XP. I hear a lot of notebook with Santo Rosa base system is difficult to install WinXP, example Compaq Presario V35xx series.

I am sorry if myenglish is so bad.

 

You can configure it with XP so I would think yes though I haven't tried myself.

 

Great Review. I'll definitely take another look at the R61 when the money is there to replace our 600X.

FYI...My T60 WS and T41 14.1 both have off center screens. It maybe a little bit more noticeable on the new models but it's not anything new. I'll check my wife's 600X to see if that has the off center screen too.

Scott

 

Oh man.. wow 4-cell running a laptop for that long.. I'd have definitely considered this laptop more seriously if id seen this review earlier... The two main points that turned me away from the T61 were shipping time and the rather crappy battery life.

 

Thanks all for the comments, I'm currently on the other side of the world with my Thinkpad (explains the slow response).

To answer some questions:

1) Battery life was measured with lowest screen brightness, at -40 brightness, (I can see very well with very dim screen. In fact, I much prefer very low brightness since it doesn't make my eyes feel so tired). The laptop was running only basic office work with minimal harddrive use (saving files). Ran from 100% down to 5% in about 3 and a half hours or so give or take 10 mins. Keep in mind, I'm using integrated graphics with no wireless usage and lowest CPU speed. I believe this may be the absolute maximum amount of battery life out of the 4-cell as its almost brand new.

2) I will upgrade to 2 GB of RAM as soon as I get the chance. (Also, should I bother with a 2GB stick of 800 MHz RAM and take out the existing 1 GB or go with 1 GB extra stick of 667 MHz?)

3) I have no access to a T61, so I can't do a size comparison, sorry.

4) The off-center screen doesn't bother me. It's the same size and its a screen, why does it matter if its not perfectly in line with the laptop? It's not like I need to move my chair to the right in order to see the screen

5) Headphones in front seems alright, but I see what people mean when listening to music on the couch with the notebook propped up on one's thighs. Since I've never done that, I forgot to comment on it in the review

6) sp00n, the notebook came with 64-bit Windows Vista version.

7) The ultrabay size is thicker than that of the T60. I can fit my friend's ultra-bay slim DVD recorder while he can't fit mine on his T60p (about 3 mm in height difference)

8) admlam, the whole point of me buying the R61 instead of the T61 was because of the $200 price difference, not $50

9) I dont plan on installing XP on this yet, so I can't answer the question regarding compatibility with Windows XP

Enjoy

 

I think the price difference is quite small in the US.

 

The price difference between comparable machines is small today. Lenovo has a different "sale" every week---this week it favors the T series.

$1315 plus tax for an R61 with 14.1" WXGA+ display, Intel GMA X3100 graphics, T7300 processor, Vista Business, 2GB RAM (2 DIMM), 100 GB 7200 rpm, CD-RW/DVD combo, Intel wireless, 6-cell battery, and a 1-yr. depot warranty.

A T61 with the same options is $1394. The T61 is a little thinner, a little lighter, and it has WWAN.

I'm sold on the R61, though. I bet they're shipping a lot faster (and with less defects, fingers crossed) than the T61.

 

uh... Just to make sure I get it right... basically the only difference between the R61 and the T61 is it's size/weight?

 

Nice review, YSMao!
Although I'm so disappointed that Lenovo only offers wide screen models for R61 right now. Where are all the 4:3 models? The wide screen are so uncomfortable when reading standard pdf files on the laptop (unless u have a tablet which allows you to rotate the screen). I don't see any practical reason why business models like the R61 don't offer standard screens (although the 14inch wide screen does have a smaller viewing area than the 4:3 14inch screens, which saves Lenovo some $$$).

 

So has anyone tried battery life on a R61 with the NVidia graphics card, a 6-cell battery and a bigger, 15.4" screen? And how loud is the DVD unit actually when it's in use, is it noticably annoying?

 

if this is of any help
i m using R61 with two OS installed
Win XP/Win vista
both are working fine.

 

Hi everybody. I’m new here, and I have just bought a R61, and I have find myself in trouble.
Since I didn’t won’t to use/have default Vista business, I had it removed, and uploaded XP Pro (licensed one!)
And now, the ‘fn’ keys and ‘ctrl’ keys are not working. Is this Lenovo bug or MS bug. How can I fix/repair this problem?

Tnx in advance.
B.R.
Bob

 

I need to know this piece of information so would appreciate if anyone could help out. Since the R61 in the review scores such a good battery life with the ordinary 4-cell, is a T61 with integrated graphics going to achieve the same scores? I mean they are essentially identical products so I'm assuming it would?

 

the size difference is minimal
T61 height 1.3 R61 1.4
T61 weight 5.4lbs R61 5.5lbs
width and depth are the same

 

...at least in the R61i that I just got from buy.com

http://forum.notebookreview.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=2500837
Notebook Forums and Laptop Discussion - Reply to TopicThe Lenovo model # is 89329WU, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it

a) has two horizontally-oriented USB ports (right-hand side) and only one that's vertical
b) has the microphone and headphone jacks on the left side, not on the front
c) has an SD card reader and S-video out, neither of which were mentioned on the Lenovo support page description for that model 89329WU.

My only gripe is the 4 cell battery; Buy.com's description said 6-cell.

 

Hello,

I want to ask about temperature on bottom side of notebook.
Could I easily use it in my lap comfortably?
Here is some heat measurements for R61 15,4'':
http://www.notebookcheck.pl/uploads/tx_templavoila/temperaturverteilung_us_copy_b4be38_02.jpg
(44,6 degrees Celsius = 112,28 degrees Fahrenheit)
Is this also true for R61 14,1'' ?

Thx.
Chris

ps. sorry for my english.

 

sorry for the long delay. been very busy lately. Havn't actually read this thread in a long time.

the R61 is quite comfortable on my lap. although it depends on what you do with it. I wouldn't recommend it on skin directly. with jeans its alright. Not sure about actual temperatures as i can't really measure it.

There is a definite difference in temperature if you are running processor/graphics intensive programs compared to normal office work.

if you have any further questions, please post them, but also PM me so i get an e-mail message.

 

Trying to figure out which models have side mounted audio ports is not easy. As what I've found out, it looks like several of the 15.4" R61 models have them on the left side. I'm looking for a light notebook, hence the smaller lcd, but I need the audio ports side-mounted.

Does anyone have a 14.1" or 15" with left-side audio ports? (must be of recent models, 2007)

cheers,

ss

 

i'm not sure, but i believe the older R60 models with standard screens had the audio ports on the left side

I'm fairly sure that the 14-inch widescreen R61 models all have the audio ports on the front

 

Hello, I just ordered the R61 14.1"
Based on your pics, does the R61 really look that...how should I said it...ugly? Or does it look professional and streamlined in person? I want to know because my roommate's T61 looks very nice in person when it's openned...ugly when closed and I don't want to pay a premium for a .2 and .2 improvements.

To put in perspective, I'm comparing it to my current clamshell HP DV2000se series...possibly the sexiest and near-Thinkpad build quality out there for a consumer laptop.

*ugly in the sense that it remarkably manages to look old, i.e. not modern, even in the year 2008.

I should receive mine a week from now

 

How you would describe your notebook's styling is based on opinion. But yeah....thinkpads basically look like black slates when closed. The R61 looks almost exactly like the T61, without close inspection, its hard to tell the two apart. So if you think your friend's T61 looks good when opened, then expect the R61to look the same when opened (except you can see that it says "R61").

I chose the thinkpad line not really because of the look, mostly functionality, durability, three mouse buttons with trackpoint and the keyboard. (It IS the best keyboard available on a notebook)

 

Would like to add my addition to this post, as I ordered my PC a month ago and was initially given a ship date of two weeks ago but Lenovo still hasn't shipped my PC. This has been a nightmare- the worst customer service I have experienced.

I will detail below but to summarize- I have never gotten the runaround like this from any major company. I try to be tolerant but its been a month and I have spent about 5 hours on the phone and still have no idea when I am getting my computer.

I called before my ship date to ask if I could change my hard drive option. Was told that it would delay my ship date 1-2 days but it wouldn't be a problem. Called back after my new listed ship date had passed (which was 5 days later than my first) and was told they had no record of a request change and I could cancel the order entirely and place a new one or keep my original build. I said just to keep it as it was - and called back two days later as it still said it should have already shipped and was told that my laptop build had just been placed on hold. Nothing was actually happening on it and that the estimated build date you get on line basically has no bearing on what is going on. I said I didn't want to have to wait the four weeks they were estimating for a new build and would just cancel my order if that was the case. He stated that wouldn't be the case. I check back on-line and the estimated ship date is for 6- yes 6 weeks. I call to cancel and am told I can't cancel as it is likely already built, because the original order date was from May 29- but this guy doesn't actually have any data to support that and can't send me any email confirmation. He says he can send in a cancel "request" but if it is already built it won't be honored and I will have to receive the laptop then try to return it. I said that would be great- if the laptop was actually about to ship then I would be ok just getting it. Well, it is now one week after that time. My cancel request was not honored and I was told my laptop was scheduled to ship the 26th of this month. It is now the 27th and I am just being told their records indicate it should be shipping anytime now. Bottom line- the people you can talk to have NO control over ANYTHING. They have to send an email to china and get back to you (which they have only done 1 out of 3 times they promised) after 24-48 hours. Save yourself the frustration.

 

I have three ThinkPads (600X, T42, and R52), and just purchased a R61i from Newegg. I had considered ordering one from Lenovo, but why pay $300+ more. The T61i from Newegg included a 1.8GHz T5550 CPU, Integrated Intel GPU, 1GB RAM, FPR, Bluetooth, DVD/CD writers, 14.1" widescreen LCD, 120GB 5,400 RPM HD, WinXP Pro, etc. for $649, including free shipping. This was a "no brainer" for me. Building the exact same ThinkPad on Lenovo's site, it was over $950.

I only use my ThinkPads for business use, so the R61i will fit the bill. However, I don't look forward to vertically-oriented USB ports, but . . . perhaps they are horizontally-oriented on the 15.4" R61i, but I don't like the larger screen for traveling.

 

Maybe a dumb question, but is there any way to get a Lenovo with a slightly glossy screen?

I don't want a mirror, but I'd like something that looks a little more lively for movies.

 

not a dumb question definitely
the SL400 is the new lineup for .. prettier/glossier thinkpads? u can find it here on the forums for the full review of the SL400.

hope that helps