Lenovo Thinkpad T60

Pictures are available here.

I'm not going to mention battery life or performance or any other of a multitude of things people might want to know, simply because I haven't tested them yet. I'll add on as I get more info.

But, what I will mention are my thoughts after having set it up yesterday, and my general thoughts of ownership after about 24 hours of use. What I will focus on is this laptop in comparison to the last two notebooks I owned, a top of the line 14.1" T43 (I opted to not go with the -P since FireGLs gave me issues with gaming and my T41P & T42P), and an Acer Ferrari (mentioning it as it was my last widescreen), as well as the Dell E1705 I currently own.

Specs for all systems in question:

Ferrari 4005 (July 2005-Nov 2005)
2.0ghz Turion 64 ML37
2gb PC3200 DDR
100gb 5400rpm IDE hdd
DVDDL
15.4" SXGA+ LCD
128mb X700
Broadcomm BG
GigE
Bluetooth
XP Pro x64

Dell E1705 (July 2006-present)
1.66ghz Core Duo T2300e
2gb PC4200DDR2
80gb 5400rpm SATA hdd
DVDDL
17" Samsung WXGA+ LCD
256mb 7800Go
Dell 1390 BG
10/100 Ethernet
XP MCE

T43 (Nov 2005-Feb 2007)
2.13ghz Pentium M 770
2gb PC4200 DDR2
2x 80gb 7200rpm IDE hdd (1 in ultrabay slim)
DVDRW (swapped with one of the hdds)
14.1" SXGA+ LCD
64mb X300
Atheros ABG
Gig Ethernet
Bluetooth
XP Pro


T60 (Feb 2007-present
2.0ghz Core 2 Duo T7200
2gb PC5300 DDR2
2x 100gb 7200rpm SATA hdd (1 in ultrabay)
DVDDL (swapped with one of the hdds)
15.4" LG WSXGA+ LCD
128mb X1400
Intel 3945 ABG
Gig Ethernet
Bluetooth
Vista Business


First off: Why I upgraded
I'm upgrading from the T43. Why? My E1705 is too large to take to class, resolution is too low, doesn't have a docking station, the battery doesn't last all that long. So, it's going to remain my multimedia machine. The T43's lack of Core Duo was apparent when running VMWare; performance on the E1705 was well above that of the T43, thanks to the dual core.

Really, that was the only compelling reason to make the switch. The decision to go widescreen was a simple one - I prefer the extra screen space. I missed it when I went from the Ferrari to the T43, and I wanted it back.

The competition:
I was looking at a few systems as potential systems. Dell D820, Asus V1JP, Lenovo T60 Widescreen. The Asus would have given me a better card for gaming, but I have an E1705 to game with. I wanted portable power, but with a greater emphasis on portable. I knew I wanted a Core 2 Duo, and I did not want a castrated chip (the T2300e model has virtualization disabled- and it was a feature I definitely wanted to use w/ VMWare).

The Asus was the first one I wrote off, simply due to the glossy screen (I like the brightness and contrast, but I don't like my reflection. Also, it had a weaker warranty (only 2 years vs. 3), and lacked a trackpoint. It's docking station options were the most limited. It looked like a great system, but had some major things I wasn't a fan of.

The Dell D820 was the last one I looked at. While it looked like a great system, and I know their warranty is pretty damned good, the D620s the school has left a lot to be desired. The keyboard didn't feel as good as my T43's, the Trackpoint wasn't as good. I based the D820 off the experiences with the D620 (for better or worse). It had a much better videocard, and was built very well, but I'm not a touchpad kind of guy

The Lenovo T60 was the one I settled on. It had the weakest videocard of them all, lacked firewire, and had a pretty substantial input change from my T43 (with the addition of the Windows & Function keys on the keyboard - I'm still hitting the right alt out of habit, and the reshaping of the mouse keys & touchpad). But, it had a fairly proud history to it, if it would have lived up to the Thinkpad T series' legacy. I went ahead and bit a very expensive bullet. $2048 out the door w/tax. 3 year at home warranty & ultrabay slim SATA adapter.


In Comparison:

T43:
Ignoring the obvious things like it weighs more, it's bigger...
The T60 runs much more quietly and cooler than the T43 did - I typically run my laptops at the slowest speed, as I don't need the CPU, and the heat output (and battery life) is much better. I haven't heard this fan spin up on high once, where the T43 would routinely spin up for about 10 seconds every few minutes. <UPDATE!> I apparently typed this entire review out with the CPU running at 2.0ghz, rather than the normal 1.0ghz. I never noticed a heat or noise increase. I think that says a lot for this system/CPU.

Keyboard:
It took a little getting used to, as I'm still somewhat hardwired into pressing the right alt key (which I had mapped to the windows key). However, the keys feel about the same as the T43 did. Very comfortable to type on, and otherwise no learning curve. Bonus points for the media changing buttons on the arrow keys, I listen to MP3s enough that I am glad to have this functionality.

Trackpoint and touchpad:
While they're shaped differently, and the touchpad is smaller(and currently disabled), they key depression is about as soft but firm(it's hard to describe. They're easy to push in, but feel like there's more meat to them than the Latitude's, for example.) as the T43's were. I basically notice no difference when I'm using them.

Display
Since one of the main differences between this and the T43 was the screen, I should mention it. I lucked out and got an LG Phillips panel, rather than the supposedly crappy Samsung panel (and based off my E1705 w/ a Samsung and my parents' 9300 with an LG, the differences probably were rather substantial). No dead pixels, no light leakage to speak of, and better viewing angles. Certainly no complaints about it. The resolution is perfect at 1680x1050. As can be seen in the pictures, it's literally a wider 14", so the transition from 1400x1050 to 1680x1050 was more or less transparent. Text and icons are the same size.

Audio
Speakers on the widescreen units were moved me to above the keyboard, rather than under the wrists. This is about as perfect a position as I could ask for. They're better than the T43's, but still pale in comparison to the E1705's.

Build quality
At least with this laptop, Lenovo seems to have stepped up the quality a bit. I can pick it up by the sides, and not hear a creak. I can push in on the palmrests, or just about anywhere on the unit, and it's solid. The only place that doesn't feel 100% solid is the area where the PCMCIA and Express cards plug in, which is understandable. I guess that roll cage helped out. One thing I noticed when I bought the unit is that the entire unti is made out of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP). The T43 had a magnesium alloy lid, and titanium-reinforced CFRP bottom. I can't tell any difference. I push in on the middle of the lid, and see no ripples. If I could describe the unit in one word, solid is the word I'd use.

Acer Ferrari 4005
Again, this runs more quietly, but about as cool. When I had the Ferrari 4005, the fan always ran, but put out cool air.

Keyboard
The Acer had a curved keyboard, that I actually liked quite a bit. I still prefer the layout of the IBM though. The main thing here that I preferred on the Ferrari was the palmrest - rubberized. It showed marks more than the plastic of the Thinkpads do, but it felt good.

Touchpad
I really can't compare it that much, but I do have to say I liked the wide format of the Ferrari's touchpad. I don't use touchpads on the thinkpad, but I would have preferred to see it be wide to match the screen. I'll give the edge to the Ferrari's.

Display
Same resolution, both matte. I think this might have a bit better color, but it's negligible enough that I probably wouldn't know the difference. The T43's hinges are better though...probably the best hinges of any laptop I've used.

Audio
I don't remember enough, probably comparable.

Build Quality
The Ferrari was plastic (maybe CFRP) everywhere, and emphasized the Carbon Fiber on the lid, but didn't feel nearly as sturdy as this thing does.


E1705
This is a very unfair comparison. Different type of system, different expectations. But, it's good to mention why I bought a separate laptop instead of making this system pull double duty.


Keyboard
Thinkpads have the best keyboard in the business. I don't typically use the E1705's (I have keyboard and mouse plugged into it), but the layout always gets me when I do (with the FN key moved).

Touchpad
It has a wide touchpad, but the feel is different to it. The E1705's is more smooth to the touch, but feels more plasticy in a way. I'd go for the Thinkpad's instead (and definitely for the Ferrari's over the Dell's).

Display
Smaller display on the T60, but a higher resolution. I'd have preferred a WUXGA glossy on the E1705, but went where my budget allowed. Since the E1705 was originally bought for gaming and TV, the lower resolution could yield native resolution gaming, and the matte screen would have helped prevent glare when used as a TV at college. As said, it's a Samsung panel...and at least for the unit I have, vs the T60, the T60's the winner.

Audio
E1705 has the best speakers of any laptop I've seen. No comparison or question who wins here.

Build Quality
I'm told that the Inspirons are plastic w/ metal reinforcements. There's really no comparison here, the E1705 just doesn't feel as sturdy or solid as the T60. Hinges aren't as sturdy, and while it generally feels like it's better built than many of the Toshiba Satellite and Gateways I've worked on for other people, it just doesn't compare to the T60.



I'll add more as time and circumstances allow, but for now, I have to cut this short and get some homework done.

I have been using this Thinkpad for about 2 weeks now, and I can say that of all the machines I hav used, this is the best. I wanted a T60P, but i couldn't justify the additional $800 right now, I just need something to travel with.
The laptop itself was $1200
I got a 3 year accidental damage warranty for $129
And a worthless "asset tag" which is basically a sticker with my name, for $6
Out the door including tax it was about $1400
The Specs: Intel Core Duo 1.83ghz
512mb RAM/80GB 5400 RPM HD
14" SXGA screen, 4:3 ratio
Radeon x1300 64mb***
Intel PROwireless A/B/G/Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
Type III PC Card slots/Express Card slot
Biometric Security system
DVD-R Ultrabay

Design:
My previous notebook was a Dell XPS, this is a lot more business like. Basic matte black, with the famous 3 color IBM logo on the lid. No fancy color changing LED's screaming STEAL ME.

Keyboard: The keyboard is basic black, with a greyish blue Enter key and the Thinkvantage button, and the famous red Trackpoint in the center. On the bottom of the screen is a row of green LEDs that display pretty much everything. Bluetooth, battery status, wireless, bt, lots of stuff. VERY comfortable to type on, not too loud or soft. The mouse buttons make ZERO noise. Only gripe I have is that the Function and Control keys are switched, so you have to be careful. It also includes the great Thinklight, you press Fn and Page Up. Not as cool as the MacBook Pro light up keyboard, but just as effective.

Screen: I chose the regular screen over the widescreen Z series of Thinkpads because pretty much all the media I have on my HD is for regular screens. The screen is actually pretty good for a "business" notebook, it isn't as sharp as a Truelife or Crystal view, but it is pretty close. All angles are viewable, except from top down.

Connectivity: You get pretty standard ports, 3 USB2, Gigabit Ethernet, 56k Modem, VGA out. No DVI out port, but you can get one on the optional docking station or buy a PC Card adaptor.

Noise and heat: Completely silent fan, you can only hear something if you put it up to your ear, it sounds like rushing air from your car A/C. The vents are located on the left top corner, most of the time just cool air rushes out, if you are playing any games, the air gets warmer, but the noise stays the same, almost nothing. I have had this on my lap with bittorrent running full blast, and it only got a tad warm.

Batterylife: I havent used all the different schemes, running on battery, wireless off, I get 4 hours, with wireless on, 3:45.
Weight: I am simply in awe. Going from a nearly 9 pound "laptop" to a 5 pounder makes a huge difference.

Speakers. Hmm, not the best, if you are in a crowded room, nobody will hear them. They are right on the bottom edge of the front lip.

Trackpad/Trackpoint. Well, you either love it or hate it. I love it, since I was used to the Toshibas Accupoint. You have an incredible 4 different ways of scrolling. You can use the trackpoint to grab a windows control arms, you can use the trackpoint and the keyboards middle mouse, you can drag your finger along the right edge of the trackpad, and, if you keep your finger sort of in the middle right of the trackpad, you can quickly scroll up and down.

Graphics: I am a hardcore gamer, but I decided against getting a gaming laptop again because of their terrible batterylife. But I avoided getting a Intel GMA sysatem, I wanted something midrange. I also am a 3d artist, i run 3D studio max and Maya, I havent installed them yet.
Here is a link to my 3D Mark01 score, http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=9022985
***I remember when I ordered my Thinkpad, it was a 64mb chip, but 3Dmark reports it as a 128mb chip.

Software: Unfortunately my laptop didn't come with a WinXP disc, I will need to call them on that issue. It also comes with the Thinkvantage suite, and all those different programs are assigned to the Thinkvantage button, which is near the top left corner of the kb. Security, wifi, bluetooth, automated backup, and lots more functions can all be accessed by this one button.


Security: If you have secrets to hide, this thing is a freakin vault. You have the biometric scanner, along with a password for the HD. Even if someone steals your laptop, and takes the HD and tries to use it on another machine, they won't be able to get in.

Bottom line, Thinkpads rock, they are the best IMO. Yeah other laptops are fancier and include more gadgets, but IBM is the Toyota of the laptop world, a bit ugly and plain, but rock solid and reliable.
5/5 stars

And since I am getting so many PM's about it, the program I use to make the icons look like that is called DESKVIEW.EXE, get it here, http://www.jimcofer.com/geekstuff.htm