ThinkPad Appreciation Thread!

I must say, that after 1 month of everyday use of this T61, I absolutely love it ! I've owned my fair share of laptops (Compaq Presario, HP DV6700T, Toshiba Satellite, etc.) and out of all of them, this T61 blows them all out of the water. They might not look like the most modern piece of laptop technology, but it's the most ruggedly built, most sturdy, most secure, and most reliable laptop that I can think of thus far. Besides having the best keyboard on the market, it also has the best protection out there as well. The trackpoint is way cool. I was always used to using the trackpad, but ever since I started using the trackpoint, I have never used the trackpad, in fact, I've shut it off, and only use the trackpoint (When I'm away from my desk, and portable, otherwise, I always have my Logitech wireless laser mouse hooked up I bought the 15.4 inch model as a desktop replacement, and with the new Penryn processor, and all I can say is WOW is this thing is super COOL (temp. wise lol).
Prior to getting this T61, I have searched rigorously on what new laptop to get, and had it down to three models, the HP DV6700T (which I did get at first in the beginning, but ended up returning it), the Dell M1530, and the T61. After extensive reading, and model comparisons, and looking at the problems of each make, customer service issues, reliability, etc. the winner was hands down the Lenovo T61. Now, on the other hand performence wise, I am NOT a gamer by any means. In fact, I hardly play any computer games at all. I just use it to watch DVD's, surf the net, print out documents, download music, etc. If I was a gamer, i would've gotten the T61p. But, as of now, the T8300 processor is probably overkill for what I want to use out of this computer
All in all, I am very happy I made the new transition of my first Thinkpad. I can't wait to get another one now lol (although several years down the road, because I did have plans on keeping this one at least 4 years). I hope to see many great years of usage on this computer.

 

I've only owned my R61i for a few days now but I can already tell that it is a superb piece of engineering. I've owned VAIOs and HPs in the past but none of them can compare to the excellent build quality and design of this laptop.

For starters, the 14.1" WXGA+ screen is very vibrant and maintains good contrast all the way down to the low brightness settings. The keyboard, one of the main selling points of Thinkpads, is exceptional. The key layout is great but could be better if they swapped positions of the Fn and Ctrl keys! I love the Trackpoint so far. It lets me type and mouse without readjusting my hand position. The monitor and body cage are very resistant against flex and compression, and although I wouldn't dare try it, I'm confident that it could withstand a tumble down a flight of stairs.

The battery life is great once the power settings are tweaked on it. I get roughly 5+ hours of normal use out of my 9-cell and 6+ hours of internet browsing only use. The internal components are well put together and after benchmarking the processor and memory subsystem with wprime, I pulled a cool 49.5 seconds on the 32M from the T5450, 1GB, and (gasp!) Windows Vista while running AVG and all the ThinkVantage software in the system tray. The system is dead quiet most of the time because it runs so cool, with the fan only kicking in when I'm stressing the system hard. I love the ease of removing the DVD drive. Perhaps I'll look into getting the expansion battery at a later time. Wireless range is excellent. Total weight (feels around 5.7 lbs with the battery) is very manageable.

I love the business-like looks of the laptop. Clean lines tell me that the engineers were more important than the marketing people in making decisions, which I respect in a tech company.

Lastly, the ThinkVantage Utilities are great. Hard drive shock protection is something that may save my bacon one day. The restore and recovery utility is full featured and very intuitive to use. Kudos to Lenovo/IBM for having a recovery partition. Would I buy again? Definitely.

 

I agree with everything you said. I went to a local computer shop myself and was browsing through the laptops that they had. Their lineup consisted of HPs, Dells, Toshibas, Acers, and another brand I didn't know. As I was toying with these laptops I just couldn't believe the night-and-day difference in build quality compared to my ThinkPad. The lid hinge was very loose compared to my ThinkPad's and the keyboards were just subpar.

The only warning I would give to potential ThinkPad owners is that once you get a ThinkPad, you might not want to get any other system. It's sounds kind of silly, but it's true.

Thanks for the post MikesDell.

 

Amazing remarks zoogle. You summed it up very nicely. The R61i is a great model for those looking for the most "bang for the" notebook computer; not just specs-wise but also the physical attributes of the system that you have mentioned.

Again, thank you for the post!

I'll make sure both of your posts are moved to the front.

 

Not a problem ! This is a very popular thread, I'm glad that we have so many happy T61 user's out there

 

I hope I got a lemon because so far my experience with my t61p has sucked. Lower than expected 3D mark scores. CPU whine, hard drive rumbing whenever I access programs, raspy speakers on high volumes. Not what I expected.

 

"The key layout is great but could be better if they swapped positions of the Fn and Ctrl keys!"

AGREED!

Speaking of which, I'm gonna check now if there's a way to switch em via. software or settings patch...

 

ThinkPads Kick ASS!

 

Well put. Well put indeed.

 

My T61 arrived home yesterday. Oh, boy, it's tooooo perfect.
Arkit3kt: I'll installing XP on this baby using your Guide ASAP. Thanks a lot for your time.

 

I absolutely love my new thinkpad T61p... I keep thinking of excuses to open it.

"Hey baby? Wanna go see a movie tonight?"
"Sure!" *sprints to bedroom* "I'll check the times on my new thinkpad"

I especially dig the little LED they included to illuminate the keyboard in the dark. I have an eclipse keyboard with backlighting (which is better), but the LED will come in handy way more than a webcam will.

I paid less than one would pay for the low-end MacBook... and I'm playing Bioshock on this thing.

 

Awesome. I definitely recommend a clean install. It'll get rid of a lot of possible headaches.

*even with a wristwatch already on*

I'm definitely putting this on front page.

 

Well,i decided to post here!

I own 4.5 years old IBM x40 ,and i absolutely love it!it works better then my new laptops!i never had an single problem with it!and after ~5 years it still flies!!well,it cant play Crysis,but it is perfect for its N1 priority-Internet surfing!so....IBM/LENOVO ROCKS!

P.S. i ve still factory battery and it keeps my notebook on for ~4.5 hours(on power saver mod) )

 

That's pretty amazing.

I'll definitely put this up. Thanks Xirurg.

 

Yeah Baby,thinkpad Forever!!!!! :d

 

I have several reasons why I love my thinkpad:
ADJUST FAN SPEED: Keeps things cool, Lets me overclock like crazy on the gpu
SEPC lid: I love feeling the smooth rubber texture
Ultrabay: Extra HD? no problem, throw in an extra 40 mb/s while at it. Need a couple extra hours on the go? or just want to switch to your 9 or 6 cell battery? don't want to carry that extra weight of a cd drive? Share accessories amongst all your thinkpad friends!
Touchpad & trackpoint: Ahh the old "eraser mouse" i use to hate that thing until i started using it on the thinkpad. My hate has turned into laziness with this and with no loss in pointing accuracy. IBM touchpad: Wow i love this, you wouldn't want to play me in CS while i'm using it. My friend's R51 touchpad was absolutely amazing and i longed for a thinkpad ever since

Something that fuels an inferno .. LCD refresh rate: Listen up everybody. Thinkpad t61's with nvidia dedicated graphics cards have screen refresh rate "overclocking and underclocking." Want some fluid frames in your games? Jack up the refresh rate to 100hz! heck go for 150hz! that's right. one five zero. one-hundred-and-fifty hertz. Or when you are on the go, need to save some battery, turn your refresh rate down to 15hz save a few watts. (that is if your not playing videos or games)

 

eatbuckshot,

What do you use to tune the LCD refresh rate?

Thanks

 

I dont understand this refresh rate thing, did not even know that the screen was able to go so high? how do you do that?

 

This is inside the Nvidia Control Panel, under 'Manage Custom Resolutions', is that it?

 

Great points for gamers! Thanks!

I'll make sure to add you to the original post.

 

Before my t61 windows shot itself from vista updates, i would have absolutely no problems with it. My friends at college would complain about their laptops having hardware problems; heck, one of my hallmates had his mobo completely replaced because it burned out, and he hasnt even had it for a year!

I enjoy the t61 because it is very solid and protected. The graphics are decent enough to run Team Fortress 2 and FEAR in low-med settings... Wireless internet hasnt been much of a problem either; T61 is solid!

Both my dad and my brother have IBM laptops also, and theirs are many years older than mine. Its awesome.

 

Very good examples of durability and reliability. Thank you.

Fronted!

 

Its actually somewhat complicated since i can't use powerstrip(NVidia didn't release info about 8 series cards)
Someone did pm me about this and i replied with the procedure i came up with

I don't know if all laptops support this. I think I've only been able to set refresh rates on laptops with newer nvidia graphics cards. I don't think it'll work with integrated and i don't think it'll work for the older t60p's ati graphics card but i ahvn'tr tried. I just know so far 4:3 570m thinkpad and asus v6j can do it.

 

thanks eatbuckshot


also

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=60695

apparently changing out the termal paste and a slight bend to the heatsink pipe (to increase pressure) can increase 3d performace 70%

 

Rather than the in-your-face beauty of a Mac or a Vaio, or a Ferrari, the Thinkpad is form following function, and every bit of it is precise and tightly molded to be skin tight. No excess. Like a Porsche, it may look the same all through the years, and may even look bland to some, but it is such beautifully engineered that the beauty reveals from with in.

When I received the package this morning, it wasn't joy or elation that went through me, but, rather, the feeling that, "Oh, yeah. Let's get down to business."

Though, evidently, after Lenovo's purchase of IBM's notebook section, compromises have been made, but the Thinkpad still retains it's no-nonsense attitude of professionalism and it's rugged toughness. And this, is what I love.

 

Very well put zephyrus17.

I'll edit you to the OP.

 

I have a Thinkpad T42,given from the company.It was un impressive with 256MB RAM running Vista then I added another 512MB and now it;s working great.I use it 24/7 and no problems like over heating,crashes etc etc.

This is the most stablest workhorse I have ever used.Great job thinkpad

 

ThinkPads are definitely workhorses, even the older models. Thanks for the input, I'll put you up front.

 

t61's heatsink system allows for 50% overclock, stock

was able to play and beat assassin's creed on the t61, nvidia quardo 140m (game set to the lowest settings)

(had to occasionally go from full screen to windowed mode to get past some heavy crowd parts but still playable)

 

Good news for budget gamers. Thanks, batman5315!

 

Does anyone use a T61 as a desktop replacement (connected to a large hires LCD?). One thing that is holding me back from spending the money is the VGA-only video out. I would have liked to see DVI or even HDMI. I'd like to know how it will look on my Dell 27" LCD (1920x1200 native res, and I'd get WUXGA on a T61). I would only travel about 4-12 weeks of the year and the rest is going between home and office, where it would likely be parked at a normal workstation setup.

 

You can always get a dock. Those have a DVI port, IIRC.

 

Just saying, 4 months in and my T61p is still flawless. Very happy user here.

 

my history IBM/Lenovo
thinkpad 600 E
thinkpad R30
thinkpad R40
thinkpad R51
thinkpad Z60m
thinkpad t61 T7500
now

Thinkpad T61 T7700 4G 200G (7200) BT WI-FI FP 9CELL

I LOVE THINKPAD

 

My T61p->

Qty Part # Product Description Unit Cost Total
1 SYS.6459CT CONFIGURED SYSTEM
Serial#:

6459CTO THINKPAD T61 WIDESCREEN-1Y
42V8297 SBB UN(TRCKP TOUCHPAD)FINGERRE
42V8169 SBB 100GB HDD,7200RPM
42V8172 SBB DVD REC.8XMAXDUAL LAY UB-S
42X0805 VBB PC CARDSLOT EX CARDSLOT
42V8177 SBB INT.WIRE.WIFI/LINK4965AGN
39T4822 VBB WWAN
42X1484 SBB INTGWIRL WIDEAREA NET UPGR
41W1508 SBB 6 CELL LI-ION BATTERY
39T6442 SBB COUNTRY PACK NORTH AMERICA
42X1524 SBB LP-US ENGLISH
43Y3426 SBB INTEL CORE2DUO PROC.T9300
42X1486 SBB INTGWWAN ANT:15.4"FOR WWAN
42V8609 SBB WWAN MISC PARTS
42X5979 SBB NVIDI QUA FX570M W/WW,AMT
42X1333 SBB WAU ENGLISHNA-U MOD 64BIT
42X1232 SBB NEWINTELLAB_DUALCORE/CEPRO
42V9665 SBB FCC, LABEL
42V8630 SBB 15WSXGAW/OBTW/VERIZW/OUWB
39T6440 SBB 56K V.92 DESIGNED MODEM
42V8659 SBB CL.PLATE T61P WL WWAN
41W1748 SBB GEO LABEL US WLAN
42V8173 VBB MS WIN VISTA BUSSINESS 64
93P7250 SBB THINKPAD LOGOPLATET-SERIES
42X0877 SBB MT 6459 SYSTEM LABEL
42X0850 SBB MECH MISC PARTS
42W7002 SBB FCC-ID/LABEL FOR WWAN
42V7972 SBB MS LABEL (VISTA PREMIUM)
42V8601 SBB NO UWB ANTENNA
42X0995 SBB PC CARD SLOT EXP.CARD SLOT
42V8612 SBB ST LCD COVER/BEZEL 15.4"
42V8300 SBB 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 667MHZ
42T6638 SBB PACK. US, 15.4"
42V8472 SBB MS WIN VISTA BUSS.64 US EN
42X5602 SBB MS XP PROF. US ENG.RCD
42V8287 SBB 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
42X5976 SBB NVID QUA FX570M-256MB OPGL
41W2060 VBB 1GB PC2-5300 667MHZ 1DIMM
42V8195 SBB KEYBOARD US ENGLISH

added 4GB ram from newegg->
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Laptop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231135

I'm coming from a Dell Inspiron 9100 with a P4 3.2Ghz 478 pin desktop processor to the T9300 2.5Ghz Core2duo. In a word-WOW. Running Nero recode, the T9300 is at least 1/3 faster than the P4 3.2Ghz chip. In the ballpark of my Xeon 3060. Runs cool, quiet. System is very responsive with 4Gb ram. I changed the setting in the bios for my dvd writer (quiet-normal-performance?) to performance; greatly improved dvd ripping and writing ...
The Lenovo is a well crafted work of art. Solid, understated chassis. Fine keyboard. Display is a little less vivid than I am used to, but not a problem.

I am very pleased with my Lenovo laptop.

 

All added to the OP. Thanks for the input everybody, this will surely help potential buyers.

 

i adore thinkpads, they rule

my history A31 for 3 years, then T42P for 3.6 years so far (im posting this post from it) and yesterday my X300 arrived

my next target is W500 or so

 

I like my Thinkpad R61 so much.

 

My history of Thinkpad
X31 (some memory issues,sold to a friend)
T43 (battery died@3rd year,my wife using it)
X60 (battery died right after its warranty time but I must say its the most sturdy laptop I've ever seen . it dropped from my desk/bed/chest several times and also survived under spray of tea/coffe)
T400 (will be a new story)
Overall,I love my thinkpad.

 

I just wanted to join the thinkpad love-fest and say:

I love my thinkpad so much that every time I use it, its like a nerdy lap dance.

BTW, my T500 just shipped...peace.

pastafarian

 

All added to the first post. Thanks everybody.

 

Arkit3kt is the man! =P

 

Good stuf for me too.
I started with an A31. 7 years later it stil runs fine. The problem is it wont break down and give me a real excuse to buy a new one. It just runs and runs.
But now with a shiny new T500 I will be giving the old one to a family member.

I'll be back in 5-7 years to repeat the process.

 

Just got a T500 myself. Very nice machine!

 

Thinkpads are great machines, its so good I bought two literally! Used Dell, HP Compaq, Acer, Toshiba, Sony and none of them compared to it in terms of sheer usability. My first one is still my favourite of all the laptops I owned which is the IBM Thinkpad R50e - rugged, reliable and a joy to use. Currently using the 15.4" R61e for work now and it is a brilliant machine, but should be getting my newly acquired T61 tomorrow which is suppose to be even better! I don't think I buy another brand of laptop again, it seems to be a downgrade compared to the legendary Thinkpad experience.

 

i've had a thinkpad T42 for almost 4 years now, and it still works wonderfully.

it's got a fair amount of duct tape holding it together at this point and it's missing a few keys, but it's traveled all over the world with me and shows no signs of giving up the ghost.

it hasn't cost me a dime in the 4 years i've had it, and i just think that's the greatest thing ever. even though i'm going to be upgrading to a new laptop soon, i'm still gonna keep this baby around.
ALL HAIL THE THINKPAD

 

I've been using thinkpad along with other brand like Acer, Asus, Vaio, macbook pro, and HP.

I end up using x61 now, the best laptop I've ever used to be honest, great battery life, awesome keyboard ( quite and responsive), extreme soild as well as light.

Great job lenovo.

I probably gonna buy a New t400 with KB support in few month .

Just can't leave trackpoint

 

Just got a T400 after much handwringing. It is OK BUT I am seriously considering sending it back. I expected to be dazzled. It does not have that lean, rugged, brilliant feel that "I think" that I would get with a mac book. The mac seems innovative. Tell me what I am missing. I hate all the junkware, I have the ThinkVantage button. The camera is mediocre, the battery hangs out like an afterthought, the plastic encasement is flimsy, it boots up very slowly, and there is a constant hassle with antivirus etc. The Lenovo support call I placed regarding the camera was a dismal experience.

 

Seems you posted in the wrong thread, lol.

My Thinkpad is nearly 4 years old and I've been through 2 different screen replacements. Lenovo went above and beyond both times with the repair. Thanks!

 

I'm impressed with the T-Series Thinkpads. I have dabbled with many machines and have a Penchant for Toughbooks but a buyer of one of my machines told me about these so I picked up a few at auction (not Ebay). Like many OEM's I could do without all the Utilities but then again there is so much Security and Reliability that I can't complain too much about these units. Bought T60's and T61's and am quite happy. I totally recommend buying Business or Corporate Laptops because of the reliability factor and the resale is good.

SIN