T61 Review (battery, etc).... more to come

Hello all,

I'm new to the forums, once I ordered my T61 I found this place and it has really helped me so thanks.....

If any one wants more info/tests run; please feel free to ask. I will be sending this laptop back to be replaced in 5 days….. So let’s beat it good before I do!

I have my outline written, but have not performed all the tests yet please comment if there is anything else you might like to see done or changed.

I thought I would try and provide some test/info I preformed....

First my System specs:
14.1" WXGA+ w/ camera (LG-Phillips)
Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2.0GHz 800MHz 4mbL2
Windows Vista Ultimate
Integrated Graphics (Intel GMA x3100 GM965 w/1394)
1GB in 1 DIMM (will be replaced with 4GB of corsair)
Fingerprint reader
80 GB 5400 rpm HD (will be replaced with most battery friendly I can find)
1 GB Intel Turbo Memory
DVD Burner
Media Card Slot and PC Card Slot
Intel Wireless WiFi 4965 AGN
Integrated Bluetooth
Batteries:
4 cell - 38.38
3 cell - 29.16 (ultra bay battery) Note: sat for 6 days lost .4Wh of charge.
6 cell - 56.16 Wh is the design capacity. First time I charged it I got 58.5.
7 cell - 65.52, but full capacity is 70

This machine was tested on straight out of the box, it had no tweaking of any such.
Task manager shows 82 processes running.

Battery Charge Tests
Tests were performed charged with a 90 or 60 watt power supply. Charges were from a direct plug and thought the advanced mini dock. The computer was on with no screen saver and sat at idle the entire charge time. Bluetooth and Wireless transmissions were turned off as well.

4 cell Battery/90wt Direct:
Charge Time = 2.5 hours
000min-2%
022min-20%
046min-40%
060min-50%
085min-70%
096min-80%
141min-100%
149min-100% (true full capacity)

4 cell Battery/ 90wt through mini dock:
Charge Time = 2.5 hours
The mini dock, along with powering monitor, 3 usb, and lan, had absolutely no effect on the charge time.

4 cell Battery/65wt Direct:
Charge Time =
000min-2%
024min-20%
049min-40%
061min-50%
085min-70%
120min-90%
170min-100%


3 cell Ultrabay Battery/ 90wt Direct:
Charge Time =

3 cell Ultrabay Battery/ 65wt direct:
Charge Time =

Battery Discharge Test

Normal Use
Performed with normal usage; I used a web browser, an IM client, and a document writer.
Power management was set at maximum battery life and screen at 6 of 12. WiFi on, Bluetooth off. The 4 cell and 3 cell batteries were used. It discharges the 3 cell first and then the 4 cell. I had estimated lengths of 4-6 hours on full charge.

4 cell test
000min- 100%
038min- 70%
066min- 50%
095min- 40%
110min- 30%
125min- 20%
135min- 10%
142min- 5%
148min- 2%

3 cell
98%-0 min
80%-21 min
60%-44 min
50%-54 min
25%-80 min
15%-89 min
10%-94 min
05%-100 min
05%-106 min
02%-112 min

4 cell

Movie Test
Performed with 4 cell battery, at Maximum Battery Life selected from the power Manager, then I turned the screen as bright as it will go on that setting. Sound was played through headphones at #30 of 50.

Movie= “The Ringer”
000min-100%
060min-42%
080min- Asked if I wanted to use battery stretch (no)
086min- 10% (Battery Low Alert)
088min- 5% (Critical battery warning went into hibernate)
095min- I’m guessing it would have lasted this long, since I was able to power it back on see that there was 4% left and play with it for a few minutes.

It lasted 1:28 while playing a movie :-(

MOVIE TEST 2:
I ran the test again with the screen at 1/2 power and it lasted an additional 18 minutes.

 

Please any one with the 6 and 7 cell batter give me your actual (Wh)...... then we can do calculations as to the expected times.....

 

updated with a 3 cell common use test, 65wt charger test and another movie test

 

What's your opinion of T61? I don't care of noise;
* how is DVD playback quality with integrated graphics?
* how is the performance?

 

added 4 cell normal usage test....

I have a 7 cell on the way so i can test it too....

 

I dont feel i can ans your question properly, I am running vista and it only has 1gb in it for now.... I ordered 2x2gb sticks to make it a 4gb..... they are still not here.....

I might try loading linux tonite and see how it really works.....

I debated much over integrated vs discrete.... i really want a good look but was buying a power friendly laptop.....

I watched a few movies and they are all fine to watch, then again i would need to compare side by side to really say....

As for the look, feel, durability, speakers, webcam, etc..... i am satisfied....

It feels like it will be a solid laptop and will make it through the next few years....

plus i called and just got a full 3 year warranty for 80 buxs... i guess that makes me feel confident as well knowing that im covered.....

 

May I ask why you're sending your laptop back?

Can you do some stress tests? eg., stand on top of the notebook

 

how much did you pay for your configuration?