Any design flaw on Thinkpad T61?

do you think there's any design flaw on Thinkpad T61?

One think I don't like is where they put the power plug. When I have it plugged in, I have to be very careful while using the laptop on my lap, you know not to bend the connector.

I think put it on side is a much better idea. Another though is why can't they use a L shape connector, instead of a long long straight one???

 

i don't find any design flaws with the t61. i like it very much actually. even the off center screen is a plus i think.

 

Mine has been fine, not to sure about the quality of the paint on the lid though. Had it a couple of months now and its not as nice on the lid as the original finish when I bought the laptop.

 

Are the corners rubbed off too?

 

This bugs me (a little) too, but it's not really a Thinkpad unique setup. When I'm not in the office in the dock, I will often work with my laptop in my lap (where it should be, right ) and find he same problem, it's digging into my thigh and I wonder what damage I might be doing.

A MagSafe-type connector on the side would be really nice.

A more convenient way to add RAM would be nice too, like the little panel on the bottom in previous generations. However, since you generally need to do this once during the laptop's lifetime, it's not a huge deal.

 

Considering the Move toward "Cheap Chinese Goods" is almost compleate...

It sure ain't no IBM T-41--Magnesium top & Titanium bottom...

 

You might wanna check with Dell...and HP...and Acer...'cuz they all get their stuff from China too genius.

I've found the power connector 60-61 models to be very robust, I wouldn't worry about it having a problem. But then again I get accidental damage coverage, so I don't really have anything to worry about.

 

T41 did not have titanium bottom.

 

I have a t61p with the fingerprint reader and the side of the palm rest wtih the fingerprint reader seems weaker than the side without the reader. It gives in a little when pressed. The same goes for the part right above the battery. But otherwise I think it's pretty solid. I leave it on my desk most of the time so I don't notice any problem with the paint rubbing off.

 

corners on mine start showing wearing now.

 

something like this would be much much better

 

i don't like the front mounted audio ports.. but other than that... it's still a thinkpad!

 

Does the battery protrude on the back of all thinkpads? Some reviews had it and some didnt. Can someone clear this up for me?

 

for 14" standard - 6cell doesn't, 9cell does
for 14" widescreen - 4 cell doesn't, 6cell and 7cell does

for 15" ... I don't know

 

15" 6 cell is flush, 9 cell sticks out.

 

Thanks for the info, I will probably get a 14 widescreen with a 4 cell and a 6 cell for a spare.

 

T61 definitely has less design flaws than MacBook Pro (just sold new MBP 2.2 and bought new T61p 15.4"). T61 does not get as hot, it has better keyboard, much better drivers, more functional, plastic does not bend if you drop, plenty of connectivity options. MBP has only 1 advantage - 300nits.

 

There's nothing that would make me return the machine, but I'm starting to agree that the plastics on the LCD cover aren't glued on firmly enough. They aren't falling off or anything, but I can definitely hear slight squeaks when unfolding the display. By the left hinge the cover is starting delaminate from the body of the LCD cover (I'll avoid picking at it and hopefully it won't get any worse.) This is after owning my T61 for about three months.

In contrast, my HP nc6400 that I have from work is still rock solid like the day I got it. All this to say that I don't think the Thinkpad series deserves to be on any kind of pedestal compared to other manufacturers. At least HP definitely makes a very good machine, but at a price!

 

Like a dot if anything has worn off the corner, laptop hardly gets carried about too! Lives in the dock most of the time.

 

hm, my old Quanta's base was more "rock solid" than T61 - right palm rest bends, area above keyboard bends, right side (above DVD drive) bends, litle plastic strip with power button and volume controls bends too.

EDIT: i'm talking about light-to-moderate pressure...

Also when you close lid with one hand holding by right lid side, left latch does not "hook".
When in closed position there is a small gap between lid and the base.

And one more thing - with all the stories about bad lid paint, i'm now afraid to carry out my notebook

EDIT2: oh, yes - one more flaw - battery "wobbles".

 

I could imagine a better placement and selection of ports as well, referring especially to the 14” widescreen model. Front-mounted Firewire and audio ports, cramped and vertically orientated USB ports, not to mention batteries (except the useless 4-cell) sticking out at the back, belong to the most annoying shortcomings for me.

 

whenever I lift my t61 with one hand, it squeaks.

this didn't happen with the D420 that I had.

I don't know which one has better chance to survive if I stand on it. But for daily use, I think d420 seems to be sturdier.

all this said, i like the T61 a lot. it's fun to use.

 

He probably said that because Lenovo is a Chinese company while HP and Dell aren't.

I'm not sure why you included Acer in that list, because they are terrible quality.

 

I hate ACER. I will never ever buy a PC from them again. Hate it!

 

My 14" Standard has speakers underneath the touchpad.
Audio plugins are on the left side instead of the front.

 

Dell Laptops are Maylasia.

 

They're made in China. Xiamen to be precise.