T60 Post set-up impressions

For those who have been following along my previous posts, I just wanted to finally offer my feedback on my new machine now that I have all my apps up and running (and have had time to play around with it). I am not a particularly effective writer so bear with me.

SXGA+ IPS Screen
I was coming from an Inspiron 8000 (5 years old) 15" UXGA. At first, I definitely noticed the slight decrease in resolution--which is to be expected. However, the IPS Flexview is the way to go. I really enjoy not having to adjust the angle of my monitor everytime I sit back/lean/move. Thanks for all the suggestions to go with the IPS screen. Other than having a trackpoint style mouse, screen quality was my number one desire. Lenovo's IPS delivers the goods.

Trackpoint
I still can't figure out why people choose the touchpad. I love trackpoint and its even better than the dell variety on my inspiron. I appreciate the larger eraser tip that lenovo offers and it has great response. I can't wait to do
spreadsheets.

Keyboard/Build

In general, the keyboard is more comfortable than my Inspiron. However, I do notice if I don't hit the keys in the center (I am not the greatest typist) I can get a strange (read different) response from the keys. No biggie. The build appears to be quite stout. I really enjoy the feel of the monitor when adjusting. MUCH different then the bouncing flex of the old Inspiron. Two questionable things (not bad, just annoying): 1) the casing where your palms rest while typing pick up palm prints, finger prints, etc. Its actually quite strange. I would never have guessed that a material such as this would pick up prints the way it does. The net effect is that you have two palm prints on the palm rests. No biggie. 2) The 9 cell battery doesnt seem firmly locked into the underside/back of the machine. Don't get me wrong--it is not falling out or anything but it does flex/shift/slightly move even if you just put your hands under the machine. No worries yet but tell me if this should not be happening (yes, the lock is in the right position).

ATI x1400 DG
I am not well versed in the dedicated graphics cards capabilities but so far I am thrilled with the x1400/2.16 C2D performance. I downloaded and ran some 1080p vids and they look OUTSTANDING. I have really sensitive eyes and excellent vision and these clips blew me away. Obviously, if I had a larger widescreen monitor, I would better be able to take advantage of the full 1080p resolution but the downscaled 1080p vids look amazing on this machine. One is supposed to be running a 3ghz processor with 256MB dedicate graphics in order to really see 1080p but my 2.16 C2D, x1400 and 1GB ram seemed to handle it with ease. I love hi-res video so this was a welcomed benefit.

2.16 C2D Processor

I haven't slammed the cpu just yet but it hasn't blinked so far. Runs virtual earth 3D with no problems while playing music and having several windows and folders open. I will let you know if or when it slips up but I am not expecting it to for my uses.

1 GB Ram

I was worried that with XP, Excel with macros, security software, music and virtual earth running that the 1GB might be a bit light. So far, no problems. Although I think I am going to be safe and install another 1GB stick just so I have everything covered. So far, no issues whatsoever. I am running at 400MB with no apps open though. I tried to shut off a number of unnecessary XP services (per advice in a digg.com post) but ended up having to reformat on day 1. I don't think I'll attempt that again without an expert with me.

XP-PRO
I insisted on the PRO due to my nightmares with consumer OS's coupled with the stellar stability of 2000pro. So far, I am just getting used to the different layout. Nothing really to report here.

Heat/Fan

Not as hot or as loud as my Inspiron 8000 but it can get warm after prolonged use and the fan is on a lot of the time. These things do not bother me at all.

Battery

I have the 9 cell and haven't tested it to the limit but I have spent hours on the couch working, surfing, etc. and have not had to plug in. I will post the exact performance after I test it with my normal stuff running on batt power. It seemed to start losing power rather quickly just after I unplugged it but it then settles and loses power much more slowly. see KEYBOARD/
BUILD for more info.

Intel Wireless Radio

At first, the card seemed to be running a bit slow. I have since tested the bandwidth performance at some sites that I know run fast and I can get ~1MB download speeds for files (I test at 6MB on speakeasy, 3MB on cnet). So, nothing spectacular and nothing mediocre. I haven't tweaked/optimized any settings yet.


General

You have to take into consideration that I was coming from the aforementioned 5 (close to 6) year old Inspiron 8000, which at the time was a top of the line business machine. With that said, I love the speed, weight, feel and look of the thinkpad. I am not going to say that it makes the inspiron look like a piece of trash but the thinkpad does give me a renewed sense of gratification. It isnt the supermodel that the macbook pro is but I like the classic look (rather than the trendy macbook). This appears to be USER machine rather than the YUPPIE/TEENY BOPPER machine.

All in all, I am extraordinarily pleased with my purchase and look forward to many years of ownership. I don't think I could have been happier with my purchase (unless there was a widescreen T60 with IPS).

Once again, thanks to all of you whose posts I have been reading for the better part of a year. A repeat special thanks to dietcokefiend for suggesting this particular model (20077KU).

 

Anyone? Thoughts on battery movement?

 

If you waited more than an hour it would give people more time to respond. Running the CPU in low power mode, dimming the screen more and turning off WiFi/Bluetooth if not in use are good candidates for increasing battery life.

 

battery movement is normal although I wish that wasn't the case. I have it with my T60p as do many people experience similar issue.

 

What is the 1080p? Where can we go to test this out?

 

1080p is super ri res video. You might be more familiar with 720p or 1080i. 720p and 1080i are the two broadcast standards used in todays HDTV. I.E. if you are watching a football game on FOX in HD, it is in 720p. If you are watching INHD on TimeWarner Cable, it is in 1080i.

1080p is the next iteration/generation. While 720p is 1366x768, 1080p is 1920x1080. If you were blown away by HD when it first came out, 1080p will knock you down. The images are unbelievably clear.

Go to yahoo/google and search for 1080p clips on windows media/quicktime/your choice media player. Be aware that some systems will not be able to play the clips.

You will need at least 1080 horizontal lines in order to see the image. They say you need a 3 ghz procesor but mine worked fine at 2.16...ditto 256 VRAM vs my 128. Anyway, try it out and see if it works. If you can't find any, I will post a link later.

Finally, the files are really large due to the super hi-res. So, beware. If you don't have high speed broadband, I woudn't attempt downloading.

 

This is going to take a while to D/L. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/musicandvideo/hdvideo/contentshowcase.aspx < One of those, 1080 clips.
They seem to be .exe clips and need to be 'run' once downloaded.

 

They might be zipped. So yes, you may need to unzip. That is the correct webpage. Like I said, if you don't have broadband, it may not be worth your while. If you do have broadband, by all means download some clips.

Start with a 720P file (much smaller file size)...then download a 1080p...or do like I do and go straight for the 1080p.

 

Zaz,

I was not asking about battery life. But thanks for the pointers anyway.

 

I don't believe you are watching it in 1080p since your screen only has 1050 lines of resolution.

 

Correct. I did state that it would have been better to have a larger monitor (1920x1080). I was more concerned if the vids would play on my system since I do not meet the requirements (3 ghz, 256 vram, etc.)

 

Zaz,

Here is the line from the post...

"Obviously, if I had a larger widescreen monitor, I would better be able to take advantage of the full 1080p resolution but the downscaled 1080p vids look amazing on this machine."