IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad T60 2623D6U review

[cubensis]

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