My Z61T has been SHIPPED!!!

I copied AGNI's thread title

So, I took AGNI's advice and called lenovos EPP number and asked to buy a laptop that was not for sale on the website. He was very nice and said this would be not be problem. I told him the model number of the thinkpad and that I wanted the 3 yr warranty also. Specs:

ThinkPad Z61t 944026U 9440-26U $1,299
(60.0 GB/5400 rpm,
Intel Core Duo processor
T2300E, 512 MB, 14.1-in
widescreen TFT (1280 x 768),
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo,
Intel 945GM, Intel Graphics
Media Accelerator 950 chipset,
4-cell battery,
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG,
Client Security Solution,
fingerprint reader, IEEE 1394,
titanium top cover,
Windows XP Professional)

+ 3yr Depot warranty $92.60
+ 2 Day Shipping $43.00

TOTAL with EPP Discount: $1245.07

I think this is a decent price for this computer.
One more important thing he told me NO RETURN/EXCHANGES ON EPP PRODUCTS! So make sure you know what you want before they ship it.

EDIT: As of now the ship date is 6/13/06. But I expect this will change soon.

 

!!!!
Well as I told you in this thread, I ordered a z61t on 6/6/06.

Well it looks like they are shipping something to me.
The only thing I ordered is a Z61T, not any accessories. They also have billed my credit card already for the full price of the computer. The serial number of the computer is also listed on the Order status page. The warranty of the computer says it starts on 6/16/06. They gave me a UPS tracking Number, and the package looks like it is coming from RALEIGH, NC, US.

It should arrive on 6/8/06. I will keep you posted if I actually receive the Z61T.

 

Wow, a Z series ThinkPad from Lenovo that ships on time. There must have been something weird about that 6/6/06 date yesterday

Keep us posted on how things go, just post back in this thread, I merged the two threads you have so we can do one stop shopping in our reading

 

Also interested in your initial impressions. I'm thinking about making an epp purchase soon too. I would really like to see a WXGA+ screen in real life.

 

I'm impressed they actually got one out the door.. Can't wait to hear about it.

 

I hope my z61t WXGA+ will ship soon. My status hasn't changed. Today they split my order in to 2. one for laptop and one for docking. Atleast some progress !!

I feel that if you don't customize, they will ship it soon. I didn't customize anything in the laptop. Hopefully I get it soon.

 

Abaxter,

Are you in NJ/NY area. I can send my z61t for review when it arrives. I have seen some pretty good laptop reviews from you. How come you didn't to do for z61 yet ???

 

yes it came, and yes its a Z61T. More later.

 

atleast 10 hi-res pictures please

 

Very nice. Could you let us know, does it run as cool as the z60t was supposed to have (which according to the review here on notebook review barely produced any heat)? I've had enough of my dell burning up my hand after I've been working on it for a few hours.

 

I dont have a digital camera. I do have this crappy, crappy camera phone. The pictures show that it is a Z61T (case you didnt believe me I never owned a z60t, but I have seen a few of them and would say they are pretty much the same thing design-wise. So if you know what a z60t looks like, the z61t is the same thing.

Alright, so I have had about an hour to play with this thing. It seems really snappy even with all of the software Lenovo bundles with the computer, this is probably because of the Core Duo processor. The screen is pretty bright. It is very clear and easy to read. The speakers dont get really loud, but they are adequate for mp3s and probably movies if you arent trying to fill a big room. As of now, the heat doesnt seem to be an issue. I will comment more about this after I run it longer. Of course the build quality is top notch. Overall, no complaints so far.

 

Congratulations on your new purchase. Please comment on battery life (wifi on).

 

I can get a solid 3hrs when i'm sufing the web and the screen is at medium brightness. (4 cell battery)

As far as the heat is concerened, it gets a little warm when its on my lap, but it is still comfortable to use. The laptop is really, really quiet. I hardly ever hear the fan on.

 

do you know what is the weight. How does it feel to carry ??
Is the screen bright to wath movies ??

 

The weight is right around 5lbs I think. It is really easy to carry and has a very solid feel to the system. The screen is definitely bright enough to watch movies.

I do like the standard WXGA resolution screen. The font is small enough already, I can only imagine what WXGA+ is like. (just my opinion)

 

So I have this annoying high pitched noise when I plug in my USB mouse. It only happens when i'm running the computer on the battery, when its pluged in - its fine. I read about other people having this problem with laptops in general. Anyone find a fix?

Also, im gonna run some benchmarks on the Z61t soon. So stay tuned.

 

Thanks for the info.
I have some questions, Is there any light leakage? Almost every laptop has a small leakage at the bottom of the screen but z60m doesn't have any
so I want to know how's Z61t.
Also, Is there any flex around the palm rest area??
I'll appreciate your answers.

 

I really can't see any backlight leakage. If there is any, its VERY minimal. My screen has zero dead pixles. Overall, i'm pretty impressed with the screen.

There is a slight amout of "flex" on the palmrest, but only if you press hard. The right side has less flex then the left side. Don't take this "flex" as being cheap or poor quality, becuase it is anything but. Also, the "flex" only happens right next to the bottom of the keyboard.

 

i have the same problem on a T60...kinda of annoying.

 

Just ran 2 benchmarks real quick.

3dMark Score = 467
Super PI to 2m = 1m 23sec

Keep in mind, I ran these benchmarks with all the default IBM software installed.

 

Just out of curiosity, does the z61 use the same battery as the z60?

I know Lenovo has been changing battery specs with new models (a la the x60s) but it would be great to be able to switch batteries around.

I know you dont have the z60, but a camera pic of the current one, or the serial/model/part/FRU number of your battery would work wonders.

Thanks a million
Twill

 

Battery info from my Z61T battery:

"For use only with ThinkPad 2511, 2512, 2513 and 2514"

NOM 14.4V 2.6AH
ASM P/N 92P1122
FRU P/N 92P1121

Hope that helps.

 

I have returned a couple laptops that were on EPP discounts. Same protection as any other purchase from Lenovo.

 

Yes I did return an laptop with a EPP discount also, but they must have just changed their policy. According to the website:

"EPP returns policy

In order to continue providing Lenovo/IBM employees with the lowest pricing possible on our line of Notebooks, Desktops and accessories, Lenovo will not accept returns, exchanges or offer refunds on products purchased through the Employee Purchase Program."

 

Our EPP vendor says the same thing, sadly.

 

Brilliant, they are compatible with the old batteries, good to know indeed.

I hate to ask, but if anyone is/knows an employee I have been dying to get my hands on one of these before they go live on the site and the delivery time jumps to 2 months.

Thanks again bman for checking!

Twill

 

bman22

can you comment more on the heat of the z61t? both on the palmrest and underneith. You said it was getting warm but not too hot, where were you talking about. I'm thinking about taking the plunge soon but heat is a showstopper for me. Also anything bad about the machine that might disuade potential buyers.

thanks

 

As for heat on the keyboard/palmrest, there is pretty much none. Maybe one or two degrees warmer then if the computer was off (very minimal). On the underside of the laptop is different. Im feeling the underside now (after 2hrs of use) and it is warm. Especially in the middle of the underside. To me, this is an acceptable amout of heat. Like I said before, it is still comfortable to use on my lap without feeling that warming sensation on my legs. I guess heat tolerance is a personal preference.

As for my satisfaction with the Z61t, it has been very postitive. Everyone who has seen it comments on how small it is. When I was shopping for a new laptop, I was looking at the T60, Z61t, and Z61m. I wanted widescreen, so the t60 was out. I had a z60m in the past and felt that it was slightly bigger then I really wanted again (really thick screen housing, but I did really like the discrete graphics). So I decided on the more portable z61t. The thing I wanted to make sure was the graphics card was Vista Aero compatible and the GMA950 apparently is. The z61t is very sexy and sleek, and I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one.

 

Bman,

Do you think lack of Expresscard is an issue ???.

 

Yeah I did notice that the z61t lacks an expresscard slot, but I am not really concerned about it. Yeah its suppose to replace the PCMCIA slot, but as of now, there is nothing to really to take advantage of the expresscard (correct me if im wrong). Even in the future, I dont know exactly what they plan on using it for. Im sure for high speed, high transfer rate devices which I dont know what they are. If I need an external harddrive, I will use the firewire connection and be done with it. Really what else do you upgrade in a laptop that needs an expresscard slot? Everything now is pretty much in PCMCIA format, so I have great compatibility with everything. Thats my take on it.

 

what about a TV Tuner card for the express slot?

What other input options are there for a tv tuner card?

 

I can use a TV tuner card with a PCMCIA interface just fine on a Z61T. I wouldn't be able to use a TV tuner card with an ExpressCard interface on a Z61T.

 

congrats bman. I'd love to see some more pictures if you can find a camera. As for the expresscard, the expresscard slot in my year-old t43 is still waiting to be used.

 

yeh i never used my express card either. Now I just need to decide between the z60t or z61t. You can get a a 60t really cheap on epp right now. but I want the core duo/wxga+. Just can't decide if I want it for $500 more.

 

Any recommendations for how to purchase a Z61t on epp? Thanks!

 

Yeah if you have EPP access, go the webiste and see what you want. Then give Lenovo a call if you want to order. The only way to get EPP access to be an employee of Ibm/Lenovo or know somebody who works for them.

I have had dozens of people ask me for help with an EPP account. I have EPP through a friend and do not work for IBM. So I cant really give out his EPP account.

 

Anyone know where I can find a battery for my Z62t?

 

I would look on the back of the Z62t, in the battery receptacle. There should be one plugged in there.

 

no sorry there isnt. Mine doesnt have one I need to se if someone might have one.

 

Flash80 was just being a jerk. Search eBay, search lenovo.com store to purchase the battery.

And this will be the only time I'll say "start a new thread." This thread is over a year old, don't bring back old threads.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried both and the Z series was discontinued and the series was discontinued prior to the release of the z62t. I purchased a battery for a z60 and it did not fit. This unit was a prototype that functions properly without the battery, but it sucks that it cant be carried around.

 

Actually, Anyone who is interesting in the Z series can order one through this link

http://shoprel.i2.com/SEUILibrary/c...1NLCwMjCQtfQ2MwIADaFB3E0AAAA&ts=1186795980397

If it won't work, go to lenovo.com >eduacation, high education > choose whatever state you want > products > thinkpads notebook. you will see all the thinkpads
They still have it for education and some organizations or universties