Just received my T60!

After almost having to wait until Monday to pick it up at the UPS depot, my wife was able to get home in time to sign for it.

I have unpacked it and am getting ready to fire this bad mamba-jamba up. I'll be sure to follow up shortly with initial thoughts, and concerns if any. This could result in a very long night.

 

Congrats, I have a feeling you'll love it. Please do a little write up if you don't mind after you're finished playing around .

 

Okay, just finished playing around for a few hours. A few comments regarding the setup and evaluation process thus far.

Here are some specs:

Intel Centrino Core 2 Duo T7200 (2.0Ghz)
2GB RAM
14.1 SXGA+
ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 - 128MB
120 GB - Serial ATA-150 5400 RPM
8X DVD/RW
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
Integrated WAN - Sierra CDMA 2000
Integrated Fingerprint Reader
9 Cell Battery
Windows Vista Business
Office Small Business 2007
3YR On-Site Repair w/ ThinkPad Protection

Here are some random thoughts after a few hours of playing (in no particular order and lacking in any technical detail)...

1) As soon as I hooked up my battery, I noticed the problem others have alluded to regarding the fit. While there is some play, I don't anticipate removing and replacing the battery that often so I don't view it as a major problem. However, if the connection points wear over time, it could cause a larger issue.

2) Set up was rather easy. I didn't run into any major glitches. With that said, I can't seem to get rid of the "Get Started with Windows" and "Make the most of your Lenovo" options that automatically pull up at startup. I have set up most everything manually so I am searching for a way to get rid of all that crap. I've restarted it a few times, but they still seem to be coming back.

3) Windows Vista has been great so far. I've never been too knowledgeable regarding XP (which I run on my Dell) so maybe that has tempered my reaction. While Apple's attempt to deride the security features in Vista are quite funny, I haven't found them to be too annoying. Personally, I'd rather be safe than sorry. So far, its been tolerable.

4) The fan on this thing is extremely quiet. It turned on once and I hardly even noticed. I had my Dell running right next to my T60 and I had to turn off the Dell just so I could hear the T60.

5) So far, I haven't run into any issues with compatibility. I had some concerns regarding my switch to Vista. Most of what I've heard has been rumor and I can't recall seeing anything on here regarding compatibility issues. While I may be preaching to the choir, I have installed several pieces of software and hardware and haven't run into any problems.

6) Having been accustomed to a T43, the keyboard layout changes are a bit dramatic. I've become a fan of the ThinkPad simplicity so its like a lot of stuff. To Lenovo's credi, it is still failry simple and I can see myself getting used to things quite quickly.

7) This morning, I was given a laptop for work, a T60. Due to shipping issues with my personal laptop, I had the priveledge of getting two T60s in one day. While it was kindof a buzz-kill to get my work laptop first, my company is still using XP, so I had Vista to look forward to when I got home. While at work, I marveled at the T60 for a bit but then had to get some actual work done. At the end of the day I was shutting down and noticed that the IBM logo was gone from the laptop. It was replaced by a ThinkPad logo, with a red dot above the "i". I was a bit heartbroken, but I understood the reasoning behind the change. In opening my personal T60, I assumed that it would be the same. No go. My personal laptop still has an IBM logo in all of its red, green, and blue splendor. I guess it was my lucky day.

That's about it. I'm sure I'll have some more info and questions as I play around some more. So far, I would give the T60 a solid A, but theres a lot of time for that to change. I'll be sure to keep you posted.

 

Psst... download System Update 3 to make sure you have the latest versions of software (link in my sig). Just FYI

 

Congratulations!

To respond to a few of your points:

1) How much play do you have? I know someone on this forum put two strips of duct tape or electrical tape on the battery (the plastic part so that the tape is between the battery and the laptop) which fixed the wiggle issue. That might be something to consider if you aren't going to be taking out and putting in your battery often.

2) I may be misunderstanding you, but I think there's a check box on the window somewhere near the bottom that tells it to stop displaying at startup. Though I might be thinking of a different window.

3) If you ever do find the notifications, you can turn them off in the control panel, just fyi.

4) The fan is very quiet. I can't hear it usually because I listen to music while I work.

5) Nothing to really say about this, except that the only software I can't get to work is Adobe Reader.

6) What are the keyboard layout changes? To my knowledge the only one is the change in colour and the addition of the windows key.

7) Do you mean the logo on the casing of the computer at the bottom right of the lid and palmrest? I was aware that they were going to change it, but I didn't know they had begun to produce the new logo-cases.

Again, congrats on your purchase!

 

Congrats on your Thinkpad purchase!

 

Chaosrl,

Thanks for the tips...

1) I may just try the tape. The play is minimal so I think a slight "shim" may stop it altogether.

2) You were correct. After starting up this morning, I found the check box and removed it from my life.

3) At this point, the notifications aren't bad. I found a tip on the net about how to turn them off so I may eventually use it. I'll wait and see.

4) Ditto. I usually have something going on in the background so fan noise is usually not an issue. However, I am in the hypercritical stage so I am concious of every little detail.

5) I haven't had to use Adobe yet. I'll try to test it out, see what results I get, and follow up.

6) You're correct. I was only talking about color, sorry for lack of clarification. They've also added a few symbols on keys. For some reason, the color changes made a big impact on me. I'm already used to them though.

7) Yes, case and palmrest. I'll attach a side by side comparison later.

 

I too noticed how quiet my T60p is compared to my Z60t. Nice bright screen and a quiet computer make for a happy camper.

 

I'm glad you like it! Just a quick question, what kind of Dell did you have before?

 

Dell, Inspiron 6000, Pentium M, 1.73Ghz, 500MB RAM, 15.4" Display. Running XP Pro and Office 2003. It got the job done and still does. However, I needed a new laptop for personal/business reasons.

Also, I used a T43 for my previous job. It was 1.63Ghz, 512MB RAM.

I never thought about getting a ThinkPad until I used the T43. It was reliable and simple and I started wishing I had one for personal use.

 

I ordered a near identical setup Friday. I however, opted for XP Home (Since I'll be running Ubuntu) and the 100GB 7200 rpm hdd.

I guess I'll be getting the new case design when I receive mine. (Shipping Mar. 30th)

 

Congrats, autiger, I know from experience you'll love it.

Matt

 

what is this new case design global fear is talking about?? (post #11)

 

The lack of a thinkpad logo that chaosrl and autiger mentioned.
Case design was the wrong choice of words.

 

I don't understand this battery talk. The fit and finish on the battery pack is perfect for (re)moving.

Any tighter, and it would be a problem to deal with; there'd be friction on the sides abrading the surfaces. I'm a big fan of fit and finish--it's one of the reasons why ThinkPad is the only notebook I've ever purchased.

The battery pack cartridge is fine.

 

As I mentioned in my initial post, I am not too concerned about it. However, knowing how plastics and metals can wear and bend over time it could become an issue. However, there is a slight rattle from the battery when I pickup the laptop which is a bit bothersome.

 

Could I get a pic of your work laptop? I'm interested in seeing waht the new logo looks like.

Thanks.

 

Hope this worked. Sorry for the poor picture quality. My camera sucks in low light settings

 

Just wondering, but does it say something below "Thinkpad" (where it says "Thinkpad" on the old logo beneath the big colorful "IBM")? I seem to remember a picture of a new X60s logo and it said "ThinkPad" where the "IBM" used to be and it said "X60s" where the "ThinkPad" used to be. Let me know if that was confusing.

 

I saw the pictures you sent.... OMG, they really DID that!!

 

wow...they really changed it!

 

Chaosrl,

It says TSeries. The reason it doesn't show up is that it is engraved and there is not coloring in the font. You can barely make it out in the picture but you can start to make it out. With the low light, the color of the computer case, and my camera, it is quite difficult to obtain focus.

 

Maybe in the next release there will be another engraved for R series or Z series too? (In assumption they dont ditch the Z...)