Lenovo ThinkPad T61 Review Discussion

Anyone seen 3DMark scores that compare the X3100 to the 140?

 

I've posted this in the "what to buy" formum with little reposnse so i'll dare ask here again. Please forgive!

I'm thinking about getting the thinkpad t61, but then the specs to the new HP Compaq 6910 - especially weight and battery - seem great. Any experiences with the comaqs vs. lenovo when it comes to batteries and build? And then... is the Asus V2j (though bad battery life) much bulkier than the t61 / compaq 6910?

Many thanks for any help,
Danny.

 

The X3100 has about the same power as a Radeon X300 or Radeon X1250. The Quadro NVS 140M has about the same power as a Geforce Go 7600.

Radeon X300/Radeon X1250 in 3DMark06: ~500
Quadro NVS 140M/Geforce Go 7600/Radeon X1600 in 3DMark06: ~2,000

 

a newbie questiion..
Does T61 have glossy screen?

 

Maybe there's an option to have it glossy :O

 

No, no, no, there is no glossy screen. There is no option for it and there never has been.

 

Why do some prefer glossy? I know non-glossy reduces glare, but what benefit is there in glossy? Show it off to your friends?

 

Blacks look better on glossy screens and colors seem more vibrant.

 

Agree. non-glossy also looks likes old fashion XD

 

I think you just want to see yourself more often.

 

When you look as good as I do, you can't help it.

 

Also, since Thinkpads have fairly stiff hinges, having a glossy would mean a lot of fidgeting with the screen, requiring more force than normal (or two hands together).

I suppose that might be a hassle, but surely not the sole reason Lenovo doesn't offer a glossy screen option.

 

The business buyer, to which the T61 is geared towards, has no "multimedia" use for a glossy screen. Think of it this way: You want to show a presentation to a partner in a certain location but can't because the excessive reflections make the screen unreadable. Thats lost business for some people and they can't have that.
Too bad if you want a multimedia card reader, you`ll have to give up the ExpressCard slot. I think there should be an option to give up the old PCMCIA slot instead of the ExpressCard.

 

Actually, there are different types of glossy screens, I've seen some VAIO's that are glossy, but the glossy screen is not extremely reflective like the ones on the Acer's or Lenovo 3000's.

Of course, there are different matte screens too. There are ones that look better head-on (Hydis), and ones that look slightly worse head-on, but don't fade out as fast if the angle of view changes slightly (Samsung).

Personally, I prefer watching presentations on glossy screens, since they have a much wider angle of view, and I don't want to sit uncomfortably close to strangers.

 

This is a bummer. I cant imagine that off-centered screen can bugged me so much. And look at the picture on the right side of the T61 where the ultra-slim multi-bay drive located. It have slight bent in the lid, make the lid closure dont get in line together.
I have to skipped this release.

Few questions please :
a. How about the plastic, is it feel the same like the one found in R and Z Series? From the photos i think the black color case seems a bit more washed-out than the previous.
b. There are more ventilator holes spread in the body. Will it get dust problem more? Will this laptop become the one that have to solemnly put in the office environment where dust problem is minimal?
c. What is the hottest part of the notebook when running? Is the right palm rest still get the warmest? I know its getting cooler but i'm just curious.
d. Is the screen have 150 nits? Or 200 nits? Can you a bit more precise about this, which screen do you get in the review? I think 200 nits i adequate but i cant go lower than that.

Great review though, as usual. More comprehensive than ads-bloated pcmag. Thanks, Andrew.

 

Yes, dust is a concern I have as well... when you open up vents like that you've got to wonder. I've seen some old IBM computers hold up in very harsh climates, but I sure hope this doesn't go the way of the dodo with Lenovo steering the ship.

 

Excellent review, thanks

 

The plastic on the lid does not feel like the R-series or the Z-series, it actually doesn't feel like plastic at all, I was surprised when the designers told me it wasn't the same magnesium build.

The vents are mostly on the bottom of the laptop, as long as you blast them with an air spray every month or so I don't think it'll be any more of a problem than in the past. I invite you to read this fantastic post about how the new cooling system mimics some features from owls (yes, the bird) to keep quiet:

http://lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/?p=81

As far as nits and screen brightness, I believe it's about 180 - 200. I'm going to ask to find out more precise information on that.

 

That is a cool article on the owls based fan design... makes me want a T61, but I must wait for the T61P

 

Nice review Andrew. Any news on the web cam first mentioned in the first thoughts review? The pictures shown here and options shown on Lenovo website do not have the camera as an option.

Also does anyone know the difference between Windows Vista Business and Business 64, both options are offered for same price from Lenovo.

 

Business 64 is a 64 bit operating system. If you have any applications you use that are designed to run on a 64 bit OS, they will run great. If not, it would be better to stick with regular (32 bit) OS IMO. Right now there are not a lot of apps ready for 64 bit OS.

 

Does anyone know if the "ThinkPad Advanced Ultrabay Battery" is compatible with the T61? I am looking at Lenovo's Canadian website (since I am Canadian) and it seems to me that it all the stuff there may not be entirely compatible with their systems... I did phone them (annoying since it's Eastern time based) and they said that that particular battery might not be compatible, and that they would ask someone to look into it...

Anyone have some particularly useful insight

 

I was told by Lenovo this past week the camera is indeed an option currently, you might have to call to get that configured.

 

How does the viewing angles of the screen compare to the viewing angles of the A8js?

 

Yo Andrew,

will you be getting the R series for review?
right now, configuring the R61 and T61 gets you the same price
not to mention that the R61 also gets that magnesium (or is it titanium) plate beneath the lid. so i wonder where the key (if any) differences lay between the two.

 

Option for the camera is now available

Display type

14.1 WXGA TFT, w/o Camera

14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/o Camera [add $30.00 $22.50]

14.1 WXGA TFT, w/ Camera [add $30.00 $22.50] [New]

14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ Camera [add $60.00 $45.00] [New]


btw.....this is my first post

 

Cool notebook, cool review.

 

i'm surprised that the battery life is that different between the X3100 and the 140M
i expected maybe 10% ish, but a difference of 4 -> 6 hours is huge!

 

Hah, I was wondering where there are huge gaps in the review, then I noticed that this is a video review, and the videos are hosted on YouTube, which is banned in my country.

 

What horrible place do you live?

 

I believe that's either Thailand or Turkey that bans Youtube.

Back to topic, Andrew, would it be possible for you to conduct a 3DMark06 test and post the scores for us?

Thanks

 

Someone might be getting one

 

OT: Youtube is also blocked by a lot of company networks.

 

If it's blocked by your country, I guess it's still possible to see it using an international proxy.

Yep, an 3D Mark would be nice.

 

Regarding all the previous posts regarding the obsolescence of the standard aspect screens...

Let's be FRANK... (zappa preferably)

Please no more Marketing Manusha about Wide Screens being Bigger...

Here's the Real Deal:

Using Pythagorean Theory (a^2 + b^2 = c^2), the exact area of any right (90 degree) triangle can be calculated, especially if you know the value of c, and the slope (angle of c, or aspect).

Therefore...

A 15.0 screen (measured diagonally) with a Standard Aspect (4:3) would be roughly 9.0" x 12.0" with a total viewing area of 108.0 square inches.

A 15.4 screen (measured diagonally) with a Wide Aspect (16:10) would be roughly 8.2" x 13.1" with a total viewing area of 106.6 square inches.

This appears to be a loss of 0.8" in height, a gain of 1.1" in width, and a loss of 1.4 square inches in total viewing area.

Considering the 14 incher...

A 14.1 screen (measured diagonally) with a Standard Aspect (4:3) would be roughly 8.5" x 11.3" with a total viewing area of 95.4 square inches.

A 14.1 screen (measured diagonally) with a Wide Aspect (16:10) would be roughly 7.5" x 12.0" with a total viewing area of 89.4 square inches.

This appears to be a loss of 1.0" in height, a gain of 0.7" in width, and a loss of 6.1 inches in total viewing area.

I keep looking at my trusty A30 15", which I am desperately trying to replace with a T61p 15" IPS (be careful what you ask for you might NOT get it)... and my mind can't convince my eyes that the wide screens don't look smaller... so I ran some numbers (hope they are right - cheap italian wine)...

I'm ok with change for the good, but this change does not appear to be to my benefit.

Somebody please tell the world why the screen manufacturers are forcing this change on everybody, which is the story given by both Dell and Lenovo when asked this question frankly and directly.

Following that potentially good rational answer (regarding the manufacturers and the changes to the screens), somebody please tell me why the Marketing departments of all laptop manufacturing organizations have seemingly colluded to lie and mislead their customers about these screens actually being 'bigger'.

Lastly, tell me why I had to spend 2 hours drinking cheap italian wine and looking up pythagoreum's theorem to figure out that I'm simply getting ....

 

LOL

I don't think many are arguing that wide = more real estate.

For some of us, we watch lots of movies on our laptops, and widescreen aspect is great. That might not fit everyone's needs, but I think a vert res of 1050 is still enough for most pro apps. 1200 in WUXGA would be even better. But if you are that serious about your apps, why not get an external monitor that better meets your needs? You can't make everyone happy, just try to please as many as you can.

 

They are rights. I did calculate it myself a week or some ago.

 

Does anyone know what the "w/o" and "w/" stands for?

 

w/o=without
w/=with

 

Ohh, that explains the pricing! However, why not just write:
14.1 WXGA TFT
14.1 WXGA+ TFT

Thanks

 

Because there's the option for webcam or no webcam on either of the screen sizes.

 

Lenovo has launched the ThinkPad T61 with the 15.4'' widescreen, unfortunately there is no options for camera or media card read. Any one else knows anything about this ?

 

Hey which video card should i get for optimal battery life? the intel GMA X3100 or the nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M?

And does anyone know the 15.4" screen T61 dimensions and weight?

 

integrated cards as intel GMA always get less power use and so better battery life than dedicated cards as nvidia Quadro
So you will get better battery life with intel X3100

 

Is the T61 come with LED screen?

 

Nope, not yet on the T61.

 

Wow what a review.


Good to see the those temp decreases. So I guess it's not just marketing bs.

And the fact that the case material is more solid than the Z & R series, even if not the magnesium of previous generations, puts this one over the top for me. Time to force priorities in order and overcome my OCD about an offset bezel and possible lack of that beatiful IBM logo. The first I know is coming, the second will be a burn b/c I'll have hope.

Almost the same price as the D630 I almost pulled the trigger on. It'll be less, actually, if Lenovo doesn't charge me with the taxes... (?)




Regarding widescreen debate- to me the bottom line isn't necessarily total real estate. It's all about attractive rectangles.

Putting aside movies, spreadsheets, +/- an inch here or there; to many, certain ratios are simply more pleasing to the eye than others.

 

Andrew,

Excellent review. Those PCMark scores look great. Did you do any tweaks with the system for that, or is this straight out of the box? I'm debating whether or not to go with this or the Dell Latitude D630. Both look very similar as far as specifications go, but I keep hearing that the build quality on the Thinkpads is a little better. What is your personal preference, if you don't mind me asking?

 

I'm a current owner of an R51, going to college next year. I am considering getting this computer with the 15.4 widescreen, but I have a few questions (well alot more, but i want to get the best system- i do baisic video and a lot of photos).

1. how is the screen brightness compared to a R51 (brighter, dimmer)
2. what would i need to get if i wanted the 3 in 1 (or 4 in one, i'm not 100% sure) card reader, and would it have SD function [PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot or PC Card Slot & Smart Card Slot]
3. how much battery life would a 9 cell battery get?
4. i'm good with computers, but turbo memory is new to me, can someone explain the basics? is it worth it?
5. if i am thinking correctly, the offset screen is because of the WWAN (which is the cellular internet, correct me if i am wrong), and if i get turbo memory, i can't get WWAN, so if i get turbo memory then will the screen be evenly split
note- gives me the message "Selection of Intel Turbo Memory hard drive cache does not allow configuration with Wireless WAN. Please deselect if Wireless WAN is required."
6. speakers- can anyone compare them to the R51?
7. does anybody know where i can find specs comparing temp from the two models?
8. does it have the ability to secure the unit with those lock systems


thanks for answering my crazy array of questions, just trying to find out as much info as i can before i make an investment, and become a broke college student (but for a thinkpad, its worth it)

 

Man, the graphics on the T61 are pretty low...But, that's just my opinion.