Lenovo ThinkPad Z60 First Thoughts Review (pics, specs)

UPDATE: This is NOT the full review, please see the full review of the Z60t by clickinghere

by Andrew Baxter, New York USA

Welcome indeed, it's the new IBM ThinkPad Z60t (view larger image)

The Lenovo ThinkPad Z60t is a 14.1" widescreen (WXGA) notebook that can be configured with a high end 2.13GHz Pentium M processor or cost saving Intel Celeron M 1.5GHz processor. A good amount of multimedia ports and hardware buttons, a windows key, optional titanium cover, integrated WWAN (in the form of cellular EVDO) and of course the widescreen display make this ThinkPad unlike any other ThinkPad.

The box the Z60tcame in, sealed for freshness and quality

Everything from in the box wrapped up (view larger image)

Z60t, and everything from in the box unwrapped (view larger image)

ThinkPad Z60t specs as reviewed:

• Processor - Intel Pentium M 760 2.0GHz (2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
• Screen - 14.1" WXGA screen (1280 x 768), 200 nit
• Memory - 1,024GB DDR2 533MHz SDRAM
• Hard Drive - 100GB 5400RPM
• Ports - Infrared, 3 USB 2.0, S-video out, dock/port replicator, external display output, AC adapter, LAN port (ethernet), modem port, audio, headphone, external microphone, IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
• Slots -1 Type 2 PC card slot (no ExpressCard slot)
• Dimensions - 13.1" x 9.0" x 1 - 1.2" (width x depth x height)
• Weight -about 5lbs with 7-cell battery and titanium cover lid
• Wireless -802.11 a/b/g, Bluetooth, Infrared, EVDO antenna(Verizon as service provider)
• Battery - 7-cell (non-flushed) quoted up to 4 hours of life
• Hard Drive Active Protection System- Yes
• OS - Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Price as configured: $2,299
• SKU: 2511-E7U

Z60t right side view(view larger image)

Z60t left side view (view larger image)

Z60t front side view, notice the wi-fi switch, SD card reader and headphone/microphone jacks on the front(view larger image)

Z60t back side view (view larger image)

Z60t under side view

The power adapter is about the size of a standard sizedoptical mouse

Anddefinitely a little shorter than the thickness of an optical mouse

Check it out, you can connect via regular Wi-Fi or a Verizon EVDO connection (that costs $80/month for a subscription -- cough) (view larger image)

First Thoughts

It feels a bit odd using the ThinkPad Z60t. Not because there's anything wrong with the keyboard -- it's still the same high quality ThinkPad 7-row keyboard feel with a couple of extra buttons (windows key, menu button key, media playback shortcut function keys). The same quality sturdy metal hinges are used in this ThinkPad as those in the past, meaning the screenwon't wobble unless the nearest fault line slips a bit. And the trackpoint and pointing stick navigation works as well as ever. But for those that have used a ThinkPad T or X series for years now, you can't help but feel the ThinkPad Z is a bit weird looking and maybecame as a result of the T series being shrunk in the wash, and upon trying to pull it back to size and shape it gotstretched a bit too far horizontally.

Whatever the case, that horizontal stretch has given Lenovo product designers room to put more stuff in that consumers like to have (translation - every day people like you and me) and so the horizontally stretched Z is ahealthy mutation for the ThinkPad line.

So what is the "more stuff" that we get with the Z and haven't had in the past. Well, continuing with thetheme, here's a laundry list:

• Secure Digital card slot
• Wi-Fi on/off hard button switch at the front of the notebook
• Windows key between Ctrl and Alt on the left side, a first for a ThinkPad
• Menu shortcut key between Alt and Ctrl on right side
• Media buttons (play, stop, forward, back) via Fn key and arrows
• IEEE 1394 (FireWire) port
• Widescreen display
• ThinkVantage key (gone is the Access IBM button)
• WWAN antenna, meaning you can use cellular communication via the Verizon EVDO network for near broadband access speeds from anywhere
• Headphone and Microphone ports at the front of the notebook

Let's take a look at the keyboard similarities and differences between the Z60t and X41 and T43:

IBM ThinkPad Z60t (left) next to IBM ThinkPad X41 (right)(view larger image)

IBM T43 keyboard / TouchPad / TrackPoint view (view larger image)

Notice we lost the red and blue markings on the Z60t trackpoint buttons, that's kind of sad actually as I felt it made the ThinkPadtrackpoint all the more usable visually -- and the color trim looked cool for some reason. Ahh, but notice how we gain a couple of keys on the Z60t -- check that bottom row of keys, there's a windows key and menu key and you also have the ability to use the arrows on the Z60t as media keys (using the Fn button in conjunction). A ThinkPad that finally admits itcan be used for playing movies/music. Most avid consumers wanting to use a laptop for movie playback would have preferred to see actual hardware buttons for these media functions and maybe a remote control, but come on now, baby steps.

Notice the fingerprint reader is becoming quite standard now across all ThinkPads (it's still an option, but more available specifically), we see it on the keyboard here on the Z. It's placed quite differently to both the T and the X. The X puts the reader right under the trackpoint navigation, the T puts it all the way to the right but the Z has it right there next to the trackpoint. This location proves no problem, at least not so far.

The keyboard feel is overall the same. The Z60t keyboard feels slightly lessstiff than the X41 keysI have, after 5 minutes I forget about the vaguely different feel though. The fact the keyboard is wider means plenty of space and a regular keyboard feel, but since I'm used to not having a Windows key at this point, doing an ALT-TAB combo to switch windows means I have to stretch my thumb and forefinger much farther to reach during this combo -- it's a subtle difference but I keep missing the ALT key at the moment so my brain needs to be trained. For those used to having a Windows key, you'll like this, for those that have been weened on a ThinkPad keyboard since a young lad, you might find yourself tripping over the key. Individual preference will be the determinant of whether you think this key making it in there is good or bad -- or just a non-issue.

Performance and Processor Initial Thoughts

Now let's get this straight, the Z60t is more consumer oriented but it is NOT a widescreen thin-and-light meant for gaming. This is obvious because Lenovo doesn't even give you the option of a dedicated graphics card. You'll have to wait for the Z60m 15.4" screen notebook (Oct. 11 scheduled release) with a dedicated graphics card (something equivalent to the ATI X600) to get a widescreen ThinkPad that could be used for gaming.

However, the Z60t does come configurable with up to a 2.13GHz Pentium M processor (Pentium M 770), at least a 5400RPM hard drive is standard (thank you Lenovo!) and up to 2GB of DDR2 533MHz SDRAM can be installed so although you won't get a graphics powerhouse style machine, you can configure it so the Z60t will chew up and spit out any office or most media applications you'll throw at it. In my experience so far I'm gleeful with the Z60t performance because I've been using a 1.6GHz Pentium M ThinkPad X41 with a sloooow 4200RPM hard drive. I ran Super Pi on the Z60t and achieved a 1m 44s calculation of Pi to 2 million digits -- that's a sign of a healthy processor (mine happens to be a 2.0GHz Pentium M).

I haven't pushed the laptop yet and it's been running as cool as a cucumber with no fan noise so far and has been breezing through every program I've used (email, web, photo editing) and my job over the next few days is to give the Z60t a little more abuse and report how it handles it.

Initial Complaints

Most people want to know if the build is as good as all past ThinkPads. Well, my initial take is -- kind of. The hinges are great, as always, you can feel and see they're never going to fail you. The titanium cover is solid, and probably slightly better than the regular old black top you get on a ThinkPad, it certainly looks cooler. But, on the right side palm rest I'm getting some flex, and it's creaking. I find that I'm able to lift the keyboard cover here quite easily, and I've never been able to do that on a past ThinkPad without really prying at the sides. On the right side palm rest area there's a lot going on --we havethe pc card slot, FireWire port, 2 USB ports, SD card slot, wireless on/off switch and infrared port all located on the lower right side corner. I'm wondering if it's creaky over there because there's a bit of space above all these components and they're not providing as much upward resistance as intended. It's quite possible that my review unit, being an early version, is not an absolute final release and kinks are being worked out in the way the z60 is being put together.

There's a bit of flex on the right hand palm and the keyboard area was able to lift more easily than usual for a ThinkPad (view larger image)

But don't get me wrong, the ThinkPad Z60t is still tough as nails overall and could be used to grind an Averatec laptop to plastic shreds. It's hinges and case are solid outside of the right-side concern here. I have to try extra hard to find something to complain about, but am always determined to find such things.

The screen is pretty and without defects -- but it's notthebrightest star in the sky in regards to boldness and brightness (view larger image)

The widescreen is nice, but it's not as bright and nice as other widescreen displays out there. It's a 200 nit display on this Z60t, the Z60m will have a 300+ nit display option, and I can certainly see room for brightness improvement here. Plus, consumers are really enamored by the glossy display finish,and I think if you put the Z60t next to say an HP dv1000 glossy display or Crystal View display of the Fujitsu S7000 series, it's going to look like the Z60t display is just plain dull. People need to realize that if working at a screen all day a glossy bright display can start to become an unhappy thing, but for those looking at a screen for just a few minutes or even a 2 hour stretch for a movie, the average consumer is going to run over to the brighter, glossier display.

Final First Thoughts and more to come

My initial thoughts having used this laptop for a few hours is that it's a great compromise between a business and consumer oriented notebook. I in fact think it's perfect for a business user that wants a few consumer features. A widescreen is great for spreadsheets, a core application for business people, so it's not necessarily a pure consumer feature there. And the EVDO is of course great for sales people in the field that must be connected whenever and wherever possible -- the average consumer would in fact balk at paying $80 a month for that connectivity service. All the typical IBM APS security and protection is built-in and better than ever, but a pure consumer doesn't care quite as much about that. And a pure consumer would still go for a glossy screen, remote control, built-in TV style multimedia style widescreen over the Lenovo ThinkPad Z.So if you're a business user first then a consumer type buyer, the Z is perfect. If you just want a laptop for fun things and communicating, the Z is not the answer for you.

There's a lot more to investigate with the Z60t and time is needed to do that, and questions you might have are welcome. We'll have battery life answers, benchmarks, performance, more pushing and prodding for build quality, EVDO tests, speaker wars withthe built in speakers and drop tests to see how rugged it is and if the Active Protection System enhancements are up to snuff. Okay, maybe no real drop tests. But feel free to reply to this article in the discussion area and ask questions, or send questions on the Z60tto me via an email with the subject "Z60 question" at [email protected] . I have a spam filter and don't need extra prescription drugs spammers, so don't even try it.

Pricing and Availability

Click here to see the ThinkPad Z60 Product Page at Lenovo.com

 

Sweet, great review Andrew!

The build looks like it has declined a bit, but overall, its a ThinkPad allright!

Can't wait to see the rest of it..

I kinda want to see a drop test LOL

 

You're right, it does look as if the build quality has declined in this model, weird. Its great to finally see an IBM with a widescreen. No offense, but I find IBM laptops to be very ugly looking, but thats just my opinion.

 

I had a thinkpad way back in 2000 and its build quality was so good. It worked even after droping on the ground twice from table top height. It looks like the new thinkpads by lenovo are a bit flimsier but still nice overall. Since then ive used toshibas and compaq which are good but still not as good as IBM. I would still use IBMs if there wernt so expensive in canada.

 

Great start... IBM/Lenovo should attract a lot of buyers with this.
Although after seeing more pictures, I think I'd rather a T43...

 

Great review Andrew, enjoyed your review. Looking forward to the next one!!

Coolness!

Chaz

 

Thanks for the review, Andrew.

One question about the screen - is it a regular TN panel (i.e. gets dark when viewed from below and bright when viewed from above) or is it something better, like IPS/Flexview?

 

Very dissapointing about the build quality. Let's see about the next T-series, and if the quality goes down there as well, that could be the end for corporate business using Thinkpads.

 

I liked the review overall. I am highly considering getting this notebook, but I still upset at the fact that if I ordered it today, that I wouldn't receive it before October 24th (which I really needed a laptop by). I'm still going back and forth between the two middle z60t (the 1599 and 1999) notebooks. But then again, if I cant get the notebook before Oct. 24, then I'll probally wait until Jan. or so to get a notebook.


Thank you very much for the reviews. Can't wait to see the battery test.

 

I hear what you're saying, the higher price is a big factor when buying a ThinkPad and something you have to be able to justify -- or just be willing to spend the money for.

 

IBM makes no claims on what special features this screen has outside of the fact they say it's a WXGA 200nit brightness screen and while the viewing angles are pretty decent, there's nothing clever going on such as FlexView.

 

Nice review.

I was wondering if you could photograph the 14.1" T4x next to the Z60t as a reference shot to show the size difference between the two, since it seems most people are deciding between these two thinkpad models. Thanks and keep up the good work.

 

Holy cow, it looks like you could peel the panel off that thing....

 

I'm surprised that he didn't snap that part of the case when taking that picture!!

 

When I saw that picture, my eyes just bugged out... isn't it bad to be able to lift it up like that?

 

I see. Well, one can only hope that the 15.4" MaxBright screens are gonna be better.

 

Well, the 14" widescreen TFT-Panels used inside the Z60t series are manufactored by Samsung and LG and thus are by no means IPS FlexView panels.

Also most of the 15.4" Z60m series widescreen panels are taken from Samsung or LG with the exception from the 15.4" MaxBright panel. The MaxBright panel is manufactored by IDTech, which usually have build all the IPS FlexView panels for IBM (nowadays Lenovo) so far. So the only panel which might be of higher IPS FlexView like quality will be that 15.4" MaxBright panel from IDTech.

 

Sorry for the double post, but

I went to place an order for the laptop, but when I got to the checkout menu it said I could talk to a live rep online, so that's just what I did. I wasnt to be sure that it was just the upper priced lines that had the titanium cover, which is exactly what the rep. said.
After confirming that there is a 4-week expecting period to get the laptop, I asked what were the likelyhood of getting the laptop on or before October 24th since I'm flying out of country on the 25th of October and basically if I don't get it before I fly out I probally wont be ordering the thinkpad until after christmas or I'll pick up a different brand, the rep. said that he cannot say for sure that I'll get it before then but he can try to expediate the order and with 2nd day air, its possible that I can get it. If not, he said I can always cancel the order and that it wouldn't be hard to do that (I hope he's telling the truth??)

This brings me to my next point, and VERY IMPORTANT point. I would like to have this notebook for a while, something that is durable (which I know it is). I just dont know which model/setup I want. I'll briefly let you know what I'd be using the notebook for:

1) watching dvds or doing web design while flying
2) using the notebook with a GPS usb addon connection in my car (using it for navigation)
3) while visiting my girlfriend, using the wireless network she has to connect and surf the internet (she has a thinkpad R-series).
4) Microsoft Office

that is basically all I'd be doing, so I dont know how critical everything would be. As much as I love the 2299 notebook, thats just too rich for my blood and I think it'd be a waste since I would do 80-85% of my computer use on my home PC. The model below that is very nice, especially that titanium cover (I'm in love with that) but at 1999, I think that too is too much for me. So basically How do the bottom 3 models compare, with the very slim possibility of the 1999 one as an otpion. Like I said, the computer would be used as my secondary computer. Before I laid my eyes on this series, I was eyeballing the dell i6000, d810, d610, and hp dv1000. The ThinkPad has what I am looking for, the 14" screen, and 1.1-1.2 thinkness and less than 5 pounds.

Thanks for your help everyone.

 

I have a T40 that I'll do this with and will post sometime next week, I've got somebody borrowing that machine right now and have to get it back!

 

One thing that Lenovo said they changed in the design is using less screws so that users can more easily access things and upgrade/fix them. I'm not sure if this is a side affect of that change.

Remember though, the hard drive now has a newly designed protection cage so you get better protection on that than with existing T and X notebooks and the chassis has been updated to give 30% more shock absorbtion during drops so although that's hard for me to test, the Z is not a sacrifice in build quality -- but yes I did find this odd that there was so much flex in this area and the keyboard also lifted easily there.

 

Hmm, actually I can't say much about the Z series overall build qualtity before I've tested/reviewed one myself. But what you reported in your so far fine preview...

...sounds indeed very odd for a notebook of a Thinkpad line. In the past Thinkpad Notebooks have been well known for a more rock solid build quality, especially also in the whole areas of the keyboard and the palm rests. - At least this is what long time Thinkpad users would usually expect from a Thinkpad notebook.

Let's hope that it might be an exception with the early preview model you got and that it will not be the permanent impression for all of the Z serie models. - However, let's wait and see if other Z60t models and also Z60m models might suffer from the same problems here or not.

 

Thanks, looking forward to it!

 

Abaxter, since Lenovo lent this to you for a review, do you think you can address the flexing/creaking issue to them and maybe they might make an assessment of it and do a 'quickfix' ? Seems like a not-so-good thing if the previous notebooks of the ThinkPad line were more sturdier in every degree.

 

Creaking wrist pads aren't new with the Z Series. There are lots of discussions regarding creaking on the T series the last couple years.

 

I can tell you just really like that titanium cover

1) It'll be fine for that, as far as doing web design while flying, the widescreen is better than a regular screen for that because it is shorter (and a tall screen becomes unwieldy on a plane).

2) Well, any laptop these days will have a USB port and allow you to do that, so no issues. I wish the screen were a little brighter because then it'd be easier to read the maps while in the car. If you're wanting the audible directions, the speakers will be loud enough for that if you set to top volume, and they're pointed up which is good.

3) Make sure not to ignore your girlfriend by using a laptop while visiting, it might be a bad purchase in this case

4) Yah, no problem running Office, any laptop will do that for you though as long as it's got enough RAM (>= 256MB)

My only concern for you is that the Z60 is not a 3-year warranty standard like the T series is, and you state that it's important for this to last without problems. I don't think you'll have problems, but that 3-year IBM warranty usually has is kind of nice and disappointing not to see for this machine (unless you pay extra for it). Since you can always cancel your order (the rep is not lying, you can do this easily) you could order and then try and think about how important that titanium lid really is and if you can't wait for it to be available at a lower price with the lid option -- if you decide you can wait just cancel. But if you feel you need it now and just really want that titanium lid for the looks and protection, well, it's one of those things that you do knowing you're spending more money than you need to based on desires.

 

Yes, I'll send them an email with an attachment of the picture and see what they say (hopefully they don't get mad I was pulling like that at the keyboard). I'm also going to be seeing their PR folks on Oct. 12 and should have access to other Z's at that time and can show them this issue in person.

 

true some have complained about this, but I've never had that issue on the T. this is the first time I put my wrists down on a ThinkPad and thought "uhh, something doesn't feel right here" and then started pushing and playing and found the right side to be not up to par with what i'd expect from a ThinkPad. Again, this is an early unit and I'll send an email to Lenovo to see if they can confirm or deny there's any issue.

 

Yes, that is VERY true, I do very much like the cover. I also think it might be a little bit more dorable in terms of constantly going in my bag and back out of my bag. I'm a freak when it comes to scratches, and I think it'd freak out more with scratches on a black plastic cover compared to a metal cover. However, I also like all that bluetooth snizzle stuff. The wireless stuff is very important.

Cool, thanks for that info

I have read many times that the screen wasn't very "bright" but I also think it depends on the end-user with this. The "bright" one might like, I might hate...anywho, wouldn't that waste more battery, and 85% of the time the notebook won't be plugged in.

HAHA, that got me laughing lol. No, of course I wouldn't be ignoring her. However, she is currently in Vet. school, and the fact that I'm visiting for 6 days means that she will still need to study a lot. So, while she's studying or in class/lab I'll be on my notebook chilling out.

 

You're right on the warranty, you can certainly pay extra and upgrade to a 3-year. I don't know if they'll default to one year warranty going forward, there will be no more notebooks released this year, the Thinkpad T60 and R60 in Jan/Feb of 2006 will be the next notebook so we'll see then.

I just don't know when they'll offer the titanium lid at a lower price config or how much you'll save. One thing you could rest easier knowing is that ThinkPad notebooks retain their value very well and if you get a high-end configuration now and take care of it, it's going to be a lot more appealing if you sell it on eBay even 3-years from now. Just search eBay now and you'll see what I mean by a ThinkPad retaining its value much better than an Inspiron, you'll certainly be able to sell a 3-year old good condition ThinkPad that cost $2K for about $1K in three years even. Something to keep in mind.

 

BTW, in a Thinkpad related forum somebody said, related to the palmrest/keyboard area lifting etc. the following...

...so if this statement is true, it might be more a problem with this specific review model here (?).

 

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Let me add a line,
I love my Z60T's build & ThankVantage Software.

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