Two needed improvements, IMHO, of my T61.

I got my 15.4'' T61 yesterday and basically I am happy. But I feel two improvements are needed.

The plastic under my right palm is not sturdy and I can easilly feel the ups/downs if I put my right hand there and that somehow interferes with mouse/button operations. I dont have finger reader. I really hope this part should be sturdy like rock.

I have a 9-cell battery and a portion of battery extends beyond the back-end view. I feel this is bad in two aspects:

1. Not comfortable for daily use. You have to put the front-end into the bottom of a case.

2. It greatly increases the weight of the back of the computer and if you put T61 on your lap, it intends to slide down. Not stable. Bad.

It is my 2 cents to share with you.

 

You have to expect that with the expanded battery sizes though. The 6-cell doesn't stick out. I also noticed the same thing about bouncing plastic on a T60. Both of the hand rests for my ASUS are rock solid.

 

I asked the forum about this 9-cell sticking out thing or read posts about it. I got wrong information

For people with finger readers, they may feel better.

 

Interesting observations of the 15.4". Good to see a hands on report written in english and not #$@*

My only complaint so far with my 14.1" T61 is the battery life, wish it was a bit more than 4 hrs for having the 7cell. But I think I might pickup the ultrabay battery to gain an hour or so more if it becomes a problem (I do not use the optical drive much).

 

Grentz,

The battery life is so important for you? I am now leaning to a possible fair trade with someone who got 6-cell but wishing for the 9-cell one. Portability and ease of use and decent battery life is what i am looking for. My battery can easily last over 4-5 hours.

David

 

Grentz,
What type of graphic card do you have ? Intel ? Nvidia ?

Im waiting for my T61, 14.1 w/X3100, 4cell batt + ultrabay

 

MDDZ, I also have a 15.4" T61 /w the 9 cell that shipped today but I'm getting it next week. If possible can you weight it and post the results so I can gauge how heavy exactly it's going to be? I'm curious about your weight because the Lenovo website + my estimations are that mine is going to be about 6-6.5 lbs. I'm hoping more on the 6 side.

 

I'll make that trade with you when I get mine. I wont get it for another month or so though. I will have a 6 cell but my laptop hardly ever leaves my desk so my battery isn't too important and bigger is always better whenever it does leave my desk. Couldn't care less about portability.

 

It is so nice of you! Why another month? When did you order it? 15.4'' screen? Are the batteries on 14.1'' and 15.4'' T61s exchangeable?

I ordered my 15.4'' on 06/15 and got it 06/22.

 

Wow you got it in 7 days? Did you order from the Lenovo website or a retailer? I'm waiting for the 15.4" with the NVS 140M before I buy one. I recently bought one with integrated graphics but my est. ship date was 7/24 so I said screw it, if it's that far out I'll just wait for nvidia. That's why it'll probably be a month before I get my laptop. By then, though, hopefully the supply problems will be fixed and I'll get it by late july or early august.

 

I ordered it from Lenovo.com. The first ESD is 7/6, then 7/18, then suddenly got a shipping notice

Sounds like you are awaiting 14.1'' T61. Right?

 

Comparatively poor build quality has been a known issue for a while, beginning around the T42/3 time. Extended batteries on most computers stick out. Manufacturers don't care about the clean look and can't be bothered to package batteries more elegantly. I, for one, think that they should just make the notebook bigger so that it doesn't appear to have a tumor on its back-end.

 

a tumor on its back-end? LOL

 

I'll take tumor as an option, and the choice to keep a lesser battery flush in smaller package.

 

As a start, 15" class notebook is big enough to have flex in some areas compare to their 14,1" one. Because the dimension is larger, some part may loose some rigidity for the increasing size.

I used to have similar problem with Z61m that i have. One solution that i tried it works is to tighten the screws under the notebook. Somehow, whoever built mine did not put the screws firmly. Another poster in this forum told me. I think Zaz if i am not mistaken. After that, the palm area is hard as rock.

But there is some area that still have flex, that is between the power button and thinkvantage button. Since you brought up this issue, can i ask you whether the t61 still have the same?

Thanks for sharing. This is an important issue for prospective owner of t61. As I said, any specific area that feels firm in the 14" model does not necessary mean that the 15" one have it too.

 

>>Somehow, whoever built mine did not put the screws firmly. Another poster in this forum told me. I think Zaz if i am not mistaken. After that, the palm area is hard as rock.

You mean the right palm area, correct? My T61's left palm area is very sturdy and I like that.

Is Z61m 14.1''?

Thanks for sharing the tip and will look to do the same thing.

 

No. Z61m that i have is 15,4", see my sig.