Z61M Core 2 or HP NC8430 ????

Hello Lenovo group,

I was a click away from buying an HP 8430 t7200 core 2 when I thought I'd check the Lenovo employee site one more time...and sure enough the Core2 went up last night.

So I'm starting over again. Presently own a T40P that has served me well, but need/want a bigger screen and a bit more speed.

The HP is appealing, as it's fast, excellent video, fairly priced and lighter than the 61m. However, lots of posts about heat on the unit, and I do work with the computer in my laptop 95% of the time. Excess heat is not a desired trait. Spec for spec, the biggest difference would be the video card. Otherwise they're identical and similarly priced. While I don't know for certain, would assume the slower video runs somewhat cooler.

I'm not a gamer, the machine will be used for business (I'm a CPA)/email/browsing. Any opinions one way or the other? I could have the HP within a few days, and the Lenovo will probably be 2-3 weeks according to the sales guy.

Thanks for all input,


Mark

 

Read through my review. When you don't play games, the laptop doesn't get uncomfortably hot. So don't play games when the notebook is on your lap. But, I think that this is true for all laptops anyway.

If you don't game though, you might want to look at the nx7400 or nc6400 for lower end cards as well. The nx7400 is basically the nc8430, but without the X1600.

 

I too have been looking at the Z61M for some time, and waiting for the Core 2 Duo refresh. I just spoke to a Lenovo rep who told me that the update should be available for ordering in about a week. (He said they are refreshing the Thinkpads one model at a time; the first was the R60). However, I asked him if the video card would be upgraded or available with more memory and he would not give me any info, only telling me to check the specs next week. Does anyone have any information on this? The 64MB (dedicated) + 64MB (hypermemory) x1400 is the biggest drawback of this machine, IMHO. Otherwise it seems to be ideal for my purposes.

BTW, have you checked out the HP nx9420? It's lightweight for a 17", has an x1600, and they have some great deals going on now. It's my second (or third) choice.

 

The X1400 in Z61M has 128M dedicated memory, another 128M hypermemory from the RAM if needed.
NO X1400 has 64M dedicated and 64M hypermemory as far as I know.

 

Here's a cut and paste from the Lenovo site...it appears to have the same video card as previous. The only change I can see if the updated chip and larger hd.

Mark

ThinkPad Z61m 9450D9U
9450D9U
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 (2GHz, 4MB L2, 667MHz FSB) (Standard) 1
Operating system: Genuine Windows XP Professional (Standard) 1
Display type: 15.4 inch WSXGA+ TFT with integrated camera (1680x1050) (Standard) 1
Memory: 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM (Standard) 1
Graphics: 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 HyperMemory (Standard) 1
Ports: 3 USB 2.0 (back),IEEE 1394,4-1 digital media reader (SD/MMC/MS/XD),S-Video out,External Display,External Microphone/Line-In,Headphone / Line out (Standard) 1
Hard drive: 120GB, 5400rpm Serial ATA (Standard) 1
Optical device: 8x Max DVD Recordable EIDE Ultrabay Enhanced Drive (Standard) 1
Integrated data/fax modem: 56K V.92 Designed Modem (Standard) 1
Integrated Ethernet: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet (Standard) 1
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN: ThinkPad 11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless and Bluetooth (Standard) 1
Keyboard: ThinkPad Fullsize (Standard) 1
Pointing device: ThinkPad UltraNav (Standard) 1
Battery: 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (Standard) 1
Security: Client Security Solution and Integrated fingerprint reader (Standard) 1

 

Great info...given your hands-on time with both and the short description of my useage habits...would you recommend one over the other. $'s and configuration will be very close.

Thanks,

Mark

 

The Z61m is one of the most solid notebooks I have ever used. It was stiffer than my T42 though that was over a year old. The review unit I had was very quiet. If you are a CPA doing email/browsing, I don't think the Core 2 Duo is gonna make a big difference. A faster hard drive will give you a bigger performance boost. One can however always rationalize spending more for latest and greatest. Good Luck.

 

The Z61m would be your best choice. The only reason to go for the nc8430 would be the faster video card and since you're not gaming you really don't have a use for it and the X1600 will just drain the power faster then the X1400. ThinkPads have the superior keyboards and build quality so the HP line won't compare in that area.

 

With the latest ATI driver upgrade form Lenovo, X1400 will have 128 MB dedicated and 512 MB hyper memory. But i think that depends on how much RAM you have (mine configured 1,5 GB RAM in Dual mode).

The laptop is very quiet, very sturdy. Only left side is abit flex (near mic and headphones hole). Occasionally it will get warm, but as many reviewer here said it is still comfortable to work.

It has multi reader format, the one that i particularly like. I have SD and memory stick cards that i use a lot, and the slot really helpfull. And the keyboard.... finally i understand what thinkpad purists have been said in here. Screen is high res and fit with the size (15,4 inch in 1680 X 1050).

Major complaint fell on the weight. This machine is quite heavy. Maybe it is just me but i think Z61 is created for desktop work (or desktop replacement if i could say). Certainly it is not for road warrior.

It is my first Thinkpad, and so far it gives a very good impression. It gives something new in the thinkpad line : widescreen, multi card reader, and firewire... oh, and that low-profile-look webcam.
There always a few things that hold me back from owning a thinkpad (especially when you got used to toshiba or nec), but this Z series is an exception.

You get most features that popular notebook have - all in a thinkpad design package. But remember, although it advertised as a multimedia machine, it is actually business machine for multimedia users. There some things that prevent it to become ultimate multimedia laptop : graphics card should be better and sound card should be better.

At the other side you will get top notch protection most business user have : anti shake and APS harddrive, rollcage design, sturdy hinges, anti-spill keyboard (with two holes under side for water flowing), fingerprint with trusted platform module, etc.

 

A 128 MB video card (plus whatever hypermemory) sounds a lot better than a 64 MB, which is what a Lenovo sales rep told me the Z61M has, apparently in error. BTW, I could find no mention in any material from Lenovo exactly how much of the video card memory is dedicated vs. “hyper.” This is important information and should be clearly stated by Lenovo.

The manner in which it is listed makes one think it is 64 + 64: “Graphics: 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 HyperMemory.” Reference Chaz’ advice (Mobile Graphics Card Info Page) on discerning dedicated vs. shared video memory on ATI cards: “HyperMemory is ATI's version of shared memory. Usually, if a card is advertised as, for example, “256MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 HyperMemory”, the video memory is double what it actually has. So this X1400 would actually be 128MB dedicated, and the other 128MB shared from your main system memory.”

Unfortunately, it does not always work this way and you have to read the fine print. For example Fujitsu advertises its N3530’s X1400 card as having “256 MB HyperMemory” but in the very fine print it specifies this as “256 MB HyperMemory™ is a total of 64 MB dedicated video and 192 MB shared system memory.”

So, one can never be too sure. It'd be nice to see some actual documentation on this (for the Z61M) if anyone has any.

 

Exactly. I red somewhere that hypermemory actually have a double of dedicated video memory. But that is not always the case.

I think hypermemory mostly related to ATI technology, Lenovo just incorporate it to the system. My theory said that, with new driver, it can utilize physical RAM more than double of its dedicated. What I dont know is how to calculate the amount of hypermemory for every physical RAM scenario.

With Sisoft Sandra Z61m show a 128 MB video memory and 512 mb system memory. In dxdiag show that the video memory is 512 MB.

 

The reason to get the HP is it is a bit lighter in which case the previously mentioned nx7400 might not be a bad idea. It doesn't sound like you will benefit all that much from the extra oomph of the x1600. If you are concerned about Vista, I had it running on my T42 with Aero turned on. My T42 had the 64MB Raedon 9600 with no hypermemory. It also ran well on my V3000 without Aero as it has the Intel 950 card.

 

Kinda pointless discussion about "hypermemory".

The X1400 in Z61m has 128 mb dedicated memory and up to 512 mb hypermemory.

Lenovo always announces only the size of the dedicated memory.

 

You nailed my last concern...the HP is a decent amount lighter, and as I do most of the work in my lap, the HP is attractive that way. Haven't even looked at the nx7400 but think I might. And yet, the speed of that 8430 is tempting......

And my t40p has been so good to me, I have a strong respect for the quality of the Thinkpads. I'm beating myself up over this, and will probably love either of them. The good news is no one has much bad to say about either machine. A good position to be in.

Thanks for all the advice,

Mark

 

Are there two versions of the X1400, one with 128MB dedicated and one with 256MB dedicated? I know in the Dell E1505 laptops the X1400 shows as having 256MB of RAM and I'm wondering if that is dedicated or just combined with Hypermemory.

 

I think it is 50/50...check the fine print at the bottom of the page.

 

No. It's HyperMemory.

 

You can configure the NC8430 with the Intel integrated graphics, but only with WXGA.

 

Actually, you cannot do that on the nc8430...the nx7400 is the nc8430 equivalent, but with the GMA 950.

 

Since the Z61m is now shipping with a C2D without sign of a BIOS update on the Lenovo site, do you figure pre-C2D Z61ms are BIOS-compatible with the C2D? Meroms are now slipping out onto the retail scene....

 

I've got a z61m with c2d on pending order, and according to the rep I spoke with they aren't shipping just yet. So the bios update may not show up until then.

I'm waiting to finalize the order 'til the vista coupon is included...hopefully this Friday.

Mark

 

I also looked long and hard at the two bands altho I was torn between the T60P and the NC8430.

I bought the 8430 and use it on my lap on the couch for 1-2 hours in the evenings and weekends. Here in Va it's recently been warm enough to still wear shorts and I haven't burnt my thighs yet! I bought the WXGA+ package because I wanted the capability of the higher res for video and photo editing as I do some light-weight web pages but honestly, I run at 1280X800 80% of the time.
I only miss not having the ThinkLight for dim typing environments otherwise I like the 8430 so much that I just ordered an nx7400 for my wife! She does need the fingerprint reader or the mid keyboard joystick as she does pwerpoint and regular "Office Apps" (the touchpad on the 8430 and the 7400 is identical.)
The battey life is a little shorter on the 7400 as it uses a smaller power supply and smaller battery pack. But it will still do 3-3.5 hours at medium resolution !!

Sounds like our usage patterns are similar too.

Good luck with your decision.