New user
2 posts
Posted: 20/07/2008 1:07 PM
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My first time writing notebook review, too lazy to think about the format, I would use the same as suggested.
1.Killer features
My Lenovo T61 Thinkpad machine type is 7663-12U, was obtained in Mid-2007.
It was the top Thinkpad performer at that time (except the T61p monster), a great upgrade from my old T42 Thinkpad. My main complain over T42 is the CPU, not able to cope my day-to-day heavy work, Lotus Notes, Photoshop, VMWare, etc. A wide screen is also an attractive point to me as I want movies on my laptop as well, higher resolution means more space on desktop.
2.Specifications
CPU: T7500(2.2GHz)
RAM: 2GB RAM
HDD: 160GB 5400rpm
Screen: 14.1in 1440x900 LCD
Graphic: 128MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
Optical: CDRW/DVDRW
Connectivity: Intel 802.11agn(n-disabled), Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, 1394 firewire
Other features: UltraNav, Secure chip
Battery: 7c Li-Ion
O/S: WinXP Pro
3.Design
The overall design is good on this T61 machine, has most of Thinkpad traditional appearance plus some sign of Lenovo engineering. Trackpoint is a must feature I expect from my laptop, it's much faster and accurate than touchpad, especially playing shooting games it can replace mouse ;-) (although I don't play it anymore).
Ricoh 4-in-1 card reader is a bonus from this PC, it reads SD, Memory Stick, MMC & xD formats.
Roller cage design is tough and strong, no squeeze noise when putting both hands on palm rest (wrist rest).
Keyboard is much the same as other Thinkpad but the comfort is less than T4x series.
4.Durability
After a year of intensive use (with care), the keyboard is starting to ware out, LCD lid is a bit of wobbly on it's stand but not too bad.
5.Usability
Keyboard is much the same as other Thinkpad but the comfort is less than T4x series. Weight is a bit heavier than I expected, at around 2.4Kg. The temperature is surprises good on this 2.2GMhz CPU, after a whole day running the grill outside of fan is only warm, keyboard is just noticeable warm. This is much cooler than T4x, not to mention the roast R3x Thinkpad. Putting the T61 on leg or use in bed without worry of temperature.
Battery is 7 cells (odd number), which gives me 3-4 hours normal user per charge. But charging a flat battery could take hours!
6.Connectors
There is no ports/output at rear, all ports located on left, right and front. On the right side there is an USB port and DVDRW drive, on the other side there are 2 USB ports, VGA output, RJ21, RJ45, 4-in-1 card readers, PCMCIA slot and the fan. The front has Microphone, audio jack, 1394 firewire and the wireless switch.
7.Performance
I am very happy with the performance thanks to the 2.2GMhz CPU and stand alone nVidia video card. It runs smoothly even VMWare has virtual machine on. The graphic recorded 16xx points from 3DMark06, it plays H.264 HD video at around 30% CPU usage.
8.Expandability & accessories
So far I have not seen any compatibility issue with other peripherals, all working well if proper driver is loaded.
9.Value
Lenovo T series is designed for high performance and technologies, the price is relatively low compare to R series. Lenovo has promotion from time to time, the discounted price is very competitive to other brands.
10.Driver support, OS compatibility
Lenovo provides all the drivers to Windows client platforms, full support for Win2000/XP/Vista. But since Thinkpad has so much its own technologies, ended up with lots of drivers to install. The registry is pack of Thinkpad drivers on start up. Installing an O/S could be a pain, fortunately Lenovo has a system update program to look after you.
11.Service & warranty
Never have any fault from this T61, so not aware of the service from Lenovo support.
12.Your personal stories/thoughts
As a work machine, T61 satisfies most of my needs and I am enjoy using it. No excemption it has Pros and Cons like any other laptops. Comparing T61 with T42, there are some obvious benefits from upgrading, the performance, more powerful Video card, wide-screen (first from T series).
The nVidia video 140M card is reasonable fast, although I don't run any games on but its power should be OK to most of 3D games at lower resolution. However compared to T42 and T43, the output is "flat", in both brightness and sharpness, there is always feel like a foggy on screen, initially I thought it's the LCD quality but compare them on a Sony full-HD LCD TV, the result is the same and obvious. Side-by-side comparison would make this newer model shame, blurry and lack of color. Not suggest for media centre as it "kills" a good movie.
One of the biggest complain from my friend, is the imbalance of screen, it has a fairly wide border on left and top, where the right is normal as same as other Thinkpad. So the LCD "shifted" to right. This could be due to the same casing for both 14" and 15", but I am not 100% sure about this.
Unlike T4x you can't open the lid by one hand, have to hold the base and open it by another hand.
The last complain from myself, is the volume control, it has 25 levels from 0 to Max. But 1 is too loud to earphone and 25 is too low on speaker, have to remember to reduce to 1 or 2 after playing a music on speaker otherwise will be deaf when plug in earphone. The volume buttons is linked to the Windows volume, so when you press them the Windows volume follows (unlike T42 is separate). In some video player the buttons just don't work, have to minimize the video and change volume then get back to video, this is most annoying to me.
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