ThinkPad T61 Pics and some Benches

ThinkPad T61 (7658-XFU-V) Specs:

- Processor: Intel T7300 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo
- Graphics: Intel GMA X3100
- Display: 1440 x 900 (LG made)
- Hard Drive: Seagate Momentus 7200.1 100GB 7200RPM HD
- Memory: 2GB RAM
- ExpressCard + PCMCIA Slot
- Vista Professional

All Benchmarks run using factory default settings:

Super Pi Score to 2 Million Digits: 0m 59s

PCMark05 Score: 4,084 PCMarks

3DMark05: 911 3DMarks

Cinebench 9.5 CPU Benchmark (Multi-Core): 616 CB-CPU ( Compare that to 592 for the 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo Napa)

HDTune Results Screenshot Attached

 

That is just cruel...

 

I know what you mean, I've been continually refreshing.

 

Err, nm, see some of the photos now....

I've said it before and I'll say it again; there's just something appealing about the classic ThinkPad design. I think it's probably my favorite "look" for PC business laptops; it just seems rock solid business and durability.

 

I'm considering the thinkpad, but I don't know if I want a trackpoint

 

You tease!

Looking forward to whatever information you can provide for us to supplement those "reviews" from the big name sites.

 

Well, fortunately, the ThinkPads also feature a trackpad, and you could easily never use the trackpoint.

I'm not personally a big fan of the trackpoint, but I think there definitely is something to be said for it..... in particular that you can easily move the trackpoint around without changing the position of your hands on the keyboard.

I think having both pointing devices is sort of the best of both worlds.

Also, I think IBM's implementation of the trackpad is one of the best out there; it definitely seems more natural and easier to control to me than some other trackpoints I've tried.

 

Okay.

Also, to steal from ZaZ's review on some notebook bag:

Is that an issue with trackpoints? I guess it could just be how it was stored in the bag?

 

Uhhg, I ordered my T61 the day they came out and mine isn't even shipping until the 28th

 

Thanks Andrew, looking forward to more updates!

 

Prices just changed on the website....I configured the same t61 I put an order for on friday and it's $100 less now. I'll be calling tomorrow to get a price adjustment.

Oh, and mine isn't set to ship until the 30th.

 

I know! What kind of a sale ends and then prices become lower?!? I just ordered one about 40 minutes ago and am fuming mad. Are you sure they'll do price adjustments?

 

what battery are you using? it seems to be sticking out.

 

Ye, definately. At least that is what they told me.

 

^Who exactly told you? I dunno, I just want some leverage in case a customer service rep wants to play smart with me.

 

Why is the left bezel thicker than the right?

 

I only got one battery, it's a 6-cell.

 

Thanks Andrew! Please provide more information! what about Everest benchmark?

 

Oh no.....this can't be happening....I just bought one of these....


NOOOOOO THE CTRL BUTTON IS ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE FN BUTTON AAGHH SOMEBODY KILL ME!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Eh? The Ctrl button is in the right place.

All 3 notebooks I ever owned have the Fn and Ctrl button switched. I kinda prefer it since I just have to move my pinky finger down instead of stretching out. It's really easy to adapt to for general usage, but not so much for gaming.

The 3dmark05 benchmark for the x3100 looks impressive. Its around the range of a x300. Props to Intel, they're only 2 generations behind now. More power to the average user!

 

Holly cow!! My suspicions are now confirmed. I thought it was just the angle and lighting with previous shots but your link proves just how unsymmetrical that the T61 widescreen display is.

The new Santa Rosa line for the ThinkPad currently means:
No Flexview.
No 4:3, widescreen only.
No more IBM logo.
Lopsided display bezel.
Downgraded battery to 4 cell (unless you accept protrusion).

Hence the "Lenovo" lower price, you get what you pay for. In this case I wish they would sell what we want:
15" UXGA+ IPF Flexview in 4:3 format.
IBM logo, should we choose to have.
A symmetrical bezel, not the lopsided widescreen abomination.
Both an Express Card Slot and a Media Card Slot.
A 6 cell battery that doesn't protrude.

I haven't given up yet, maybe the T61p will having the aforementioned options available.

 

Oh poop, no battery time...

 

So that the WWAN antenna doesn't stick out. I would've preferred if the right bezel is thicker though, since the keyboard is shifted to the left.

 

That's what I was thinking. I know in the old Thinkpads the WWAN antenna protuded out the right side of the display. Isn't the WWAN antenna just a wire like WiFi? Can't they make WWAN antennas built in? The T61 has it built in but it makes the left bezel thicker.

 

My old Thinkpad T43 also has a "lopsided" display bezel as well, it just isn't as obvious.

 

I find the lop sided bezel unacceptable. This combined with many other facts, including the lack of a 15" option and tiny 4 cell battery make the T61 a huge disappointment.

 

What the... I didn't realize the bezel was unequal...

As for the IBM logo. Stop complaining. It's part of the deal between Lenovo and IBM. Lenovo only had 3 years to use the IBM name and 5 years for the ThinkPad name. So it's not like it was Lenovo's choice. Get over it. It's a name. Lenovo's been making the laptop for 2.5 years now and if you've been happy with the quality thus far, you shouldn't mind their name on it.

On the other hand, if you don't like their quality since being acquired by Lenovo, don't buy it.

 

Vendors are selling the IBM sticker on ebay for $2.60 a piece plus shipping.

If you like the stickers so much, I'd just buy a dozen and stick them on your T61's. Personally, I'd stick two of them on there.

 

Omg, it's not symmetrical! At least HP can put the WWAN antennas on the top of the display lid for its nc6400/6515/6910, so why can't Lenovo. This is a poor design excuse.

 

Are you sure about the "5 years to use the ThinkPad" name? I understand the limited amount of time to use the IBM name, but a limit on the ThinkPad name seems kind of bizarre; it's not like IBM will need to use it again, and the ThinkPad brand is incredibly recognizable. It seems silly that Lenovo would buy it but only get the ThinkPad brand for 5 years.

 

Oh gosh i just realized that the screen is off-centered a bit to the left. This is a huge dissapointment.

I dont mind the logo, i dont mind the different-sized hinges, but that bezel really annoys me big time.

Are the 15" models like this? Please make the screen centered. Please...

 

I was going to say something about the off-centered screen,but then I looked down at my T42 and realized it too has more space on the left than the right. Doesn't bother me know, doubt it'll bother me with the new one.

As for the price adjustment, I tried to cancel my R61, and when he asked I told him it was because it was cheaper, he said he can adjust the price - didn't need to cancel to do it. I'm just going to get a T61 anyway, it's still cheaper than the R61 I ordered yesterday.

 

Andrew, can you please make some comments on heat and noise as compared to the T60?

 

Damn it, you boys in the US are making rumor about a pricedifference why here in Europe there isn't even a way to get them

 

I only have a T43 on hand to compare it to, it's much much cooler running than the T43 2.0GHz Pentium I have on hand. Quieter too. But thicker than the T43 as well, which obviously gives better cooling ability.

Idling (in same room on the same table)

T43: 57C
T61: 42C

After 3DMark05 has ru (in same room on the same table)

T43: 68C
T61: 50C

 

Andrew, I don't know if you have a ruler on hand but it would be nice to know the exact measurements of the computer, especially the thickness.

 

It's not really bothering me, but several people have commented on this. I can see how it would bother some.

 

I'm guessing the battery is ok (looks like 7 cell?) with that config instead of the souped up one every other review is doing?

 

I do have a tape measure, closed it is 1.1" thick at the front and 1.3" thick at the back (not including the height of the feet in this). I'll post some pics of it next to the T43 so you can see how that looks comparison wise to the 1" thick T43.


Here's attachments of pictures, T43 on the left T61 on the right.

 

I posted the specs of the battery in another thread, but since this is the thread everyone is paying attention to I guess it serves better purpose over here. Anyway, here are the specs

Hello,

I received some word back from our brand team on the specs of the batteries for our new T61.

4 cell is 8.14" wide x 1.57" deep / weight is 221 grams / battery life is 3.6hrs with integrated graphics, 2.4 hours with dedicated
6 cell is 8.81" wide x 2.51" deep / weight is 325 grams / battery life is 5.5hrs with integrated graphics, 3.7 hours with dedicated
7 cell is 8.81" wide x 2.51" deep (same as 6) / weight is 386 grams / battery life is 6.4hrs with integrated graphics, 4.3 hours with dedicated

 

jd1010: I think we're looking for real battery performance, not absolute best screen dimmed/turned off, full idle like they quote you

 

Thought I'd just give out the info. I mean how far off could they be? Note more than 2 hours, right?

 

With that price difference thing you guys are talking about, I just reconfigured what I bought the day the T61 came out and it's like 20 bucks more expensive. It looks like they lowered the overall price but they took away the free upgrades that they had before.

 

yeah some of the free upgrades are gone, but everything else is lower that I added, so in the end it was lower overall.

 

The thicker body probaby has something to do with the new roll cage and screen reinforcement.

 

Yeah, it's a very good sale. I'm waiting for a formal review before purchasing it.

 

What I have is extremely similiar to what Andrew has, so I'm waiting and hoping for a decent battery life under normal use.

 

Any shots of the screen running Windows?

 

Andrew,

could you please post some picture that show the Thinkpad logo in the lid? Not at below the keyboard but in the lid, which visible when the laptop is closed.

I was wondering if it just the same paint and texture with the inner one.

 

Andrew, would it be too much to ask for to upload the preloaded Thinkpad wallpaper?