Reconsider T61? Get Something Else

I canceled my order from Tues due to misconfiguration and was set to order again. However I have read many threads about BSOD issues and on a different site (thinkpads.com) read about the same probems and motherboard replacements (sometimes multiple replacements) for new systems, overheating, etc. There is some self selection on such boards as one is not likely to post unless they have a problem but then again the common consumer may not even visit such sites at all. This has given me low confidence in the T61 product. I have never owned a notebook where there is such a multitude of problems. Should I get an alternative system from say Dell instead? D630 is better? Losing confidence.

 

From what I’ve read, you can decide after the canceled computer shows up on your doorstep.

 

Yes definitly get a Dell instead. No problem there.

 

I came to the conclusion that the Dell D630 is a better choice in the 14.1" business notebook category.

Reasons:
Battery life is second to none in its class
Comes w/ a standard 3 year warranty
Hardware offered is same as competition (in this case Lenovo)
Has equal business look to it as Lenovo
Comes with NO pre-loaded junk software so no clean install is needed
You actually get the re-install cd's with the D630
Dell outlet offers great deals on the D630 and is a lot easier to use then Lenobo's outlet page.

 

I have had nothing but problems with my Dell D630 and my E-1505 I have on my 3rd replacement. The laptops keep on overheating. So I think either company has its problems. I'd recommend trying Dell, and then you'll be back I suspect. The keyboard alone drives me nuts with the Dells. I am glad I didn't move our 40 laptops to Dell just 3.

 

Each brand can have problems...Some will say Dell is excellent and Lenovo is crap, others will say Lenovo is excellent and Dell is crap

Nothing scientific here...only generalization from personal experiences.

 

i have awesome experience with my current T61. i used to cancel 1 order with Lenovo for the delay in shipment, then i got this one at a retailer and it's been smooth so far. windows vista and the turbo memory thing are the main confidence murderers of T61s. it's better to stick with XP for a while.

the only downside: price could have been less expensive

===thinkhead forever===

 

I'll receive my T61p Saturday. I believe it's by far the best notebook on the market. Were there a better one, I'd be ordering that notebook.

AS to your technical concerns, I've been running Vista for a yer now and everyday, I see people talking about how bad Vista is. Yet, I have never had the first crash on Vista. I could be wrong, but that's how I believe it will be with with the T61. I would truly rather deal with a couple of problems on a thinkpad than own a Dell.

 

I'm in the same boat, getting quite tired of waiting for my t61p. What are the primary differences in overall build quality between the t61 and latitude d630/d830. I am assuming the edge goes to the thinkpad, buy why?

 

no other laptops have the same quality as the T thinkpad does, considering the feel, the functions as well as its cool dark look. some sony business lappies are the competitors but the price is a different story.

 

I have both a d630 and t61p. Here's some random comments/notes.

It will surely come down to preference. I prefer the t61p over the d630, but I will say that the d630 is a good laptop.

Both have done me well.

My t61p CTO was to my doorstep in 5 days, including the weekend, so my experience has been very good with Lenovo.

And speaking on build quality, the only thing that I feel that Dell needs improvement on are the buttons/switches that they use. Some of them are mushy, and a little loose.

I do like the texture on the Dell frame better than the Lenovo.

 

The Dell D630 is easily a balanced-excellent business "performance" notebook in the Latitude family. It is obvious that optimal balance between power vs portability with quality, reigns high in your search.

For something of comparable standing and quality to the ThinkPad, the HP business series is close; not those budget HP Pavilion series.

The HP 6910p has a balance between size and power. It has a 14.1" widescreen for your work and it is anti-glare like those on ThinkPad. This alone assures better view comfort with lesser distraction from surrounding light sources.

For your travelling consideration, you may be surprised that the HP 6910p only weighs a mere 4.7 lb inspite of its 14.1" screen size; easily making the HP 6910p amongst one of the lightest in this size category.

While the Dell D630 is advertised as having shock-mounted harddrive, it is the HP 6910p that is truly equipped with 3D shock-sensor, like those found in ThinkPad and better models in the Fujitsu LifeBook series.

Shock-mounted harddrive suggests more rubber-dampers around the harddrive casing to buffer vibrations. Any well made notebook comes with such dampers; nothing special. However, for a notebook to be adequately protected for crucial business application the 3D shock-sensor is an added protection. Such feature actively monitors vibration and movement which the notebook experiences. When these are strong enough to pose possible crash between the read/write head and the platter, the sensor triggers a complete withdrawal of the read/write head away from the platter.

Like the Dell D630, the HP 6910p is also protected by magnesium-alloy.

The link below highlights the various possible specs configurations for the HP 6910p :
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/en/WF06a/321957-321957-64295-321838-89315-3357377.html

Given the consideration for a possible alternative to the ThinkPad in 14.1" widescreen format, the HP 6910p receives good feedbacks from reviewers. The HP business series has oftenly been well regarded.

Though the ThinkPad is not perfect, non other brand is. There will always be dissatisfied consumers for any brand; but the ThinkPad easily enjoys a very strong following and confidence amongst business and financial circles.


rgds,
Benjamin Chin
26 Oct 07.

 

Last year, when I was looking to buy a laptop, I heard many reports that the HP keyboards were defective, in that they would miss a keystroke every once in a while. Is the same true now ?

Also, I believe the D630 does not have a WSXGA/SXGA+ option, which totally kills it for me.

 

You are correct about the D630 not having the WSXGA/SXGA+ option.

As for the defective HP keyboard issue last year :
a) Were they from Pavilion or business series ?
b) Which model(s) in particular ?

When you are able to determine the above, a post in the HP forum can help verify matters.

 

I absolutely love the ThinkPad look. It's the true business look. No unnecessary angles, corners or colors. And the only other laptop that I can compare design wise is the MBP.

As for build quality, I find it very sturdy. I just wish the screens where better or at least we were given the option to pay more and get a true quality screen but this applies to most brands.