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"Stick to the T43"
1.0 starson by ravishingrPros: Built in Verizon Internet card, IBM Core Duo
Cons: Many Many Problems, poor design, a step backwords for the t40 series
Summary: It is with the T60 that the unfortunate effects of the Lenovo takeover of the thinkpad line becomes evident. While the T40 series machines were all incremental upgrades to the T40 design, the T60 seems to be the first model designed by Lenovo, and it is apparent that they have lost much of the design talent that made thinkpads the best laptops around for so many years. Usually when a new model of laptop comes out, it is thinner and lighter than the model it replaces. Not so with the T60, which is substantially thicker, larger, and heavier than the T43 which it replaces, even if you exclude the tumor-like growth that portrudes from the right of the screen. Seeming to learn nothing from companies such as apple, much less previous incarnations of the T-series thinkpads, the T60 suffers from terrible industrial design. While in the T40 line, adding ram required the removal of one screw from the back of the machine, on the T60, one must remove 5 screws, including the one holding the keyboard in place, and remove the entire palm rest on the top of the laptop. All of this must be done with severely inadequate documentation, and believe me when I tell you that putting the palm plate rest back on and into place is not an easy task. The quality of materials used in construction is subpar, especially when compared to thinkpads of the past. The plastic feels cheap and brittle. It is sad to see what Lenovo has done to a once great line of computers. Oh, and if you want to add firewire capabilities to your T60 by adding a PCMCIA card, forget about it. They don't work with this computer and will crash it. A call to support revealed that Lenovo "has no documentation whatsover regarding using firewire with the T60." Oh, and Lenovo's customer service and support sucks. I've never been an anti-globalization, or an anti made in china person, but if this what we have to look forward to, American companies better stop selling out to Chinese ones.
- 10 replies to this review
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A rating of 2? That's a bit harsh even if the T60 is step down from the T41 in terms of design. Design means quite a lot but you forget everything else.
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Everyone can have their opinion. And my opinion is that this review lead me to have some fears about the T60. Despite that I bought it anyway...I very critically analyzed the laptop, and am extremely happy with it. <br><br>See my review for more...Or at least see other reviews that aren't needlessly negative.
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I have both a T43 and a T60 (1951-A31) and I can't believe that he and I are dealing with the same machine (the T60). For starters, there is no bump on the side of the lid of mine. Also, the access door on the bottom of mine has a single screw. As for thickness, I haven't measured them, but my T43 and T60 certainly appear to be the same (with, in my opinion, a slight edge given to the T60 if anything). Perhaps these are model type differences? Finally, I find the build quality of my T60 to be every bit as good as my T43. Maybe he bought the wrong T60 model.
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After long doubting I bought a T60 to replace my T40. The negative comments of Rav and others was one of the reasons I doubted. My model is the 1.66 Ghz version with 14.1" screen. This is what I found:<br><br>1 Size: my 14.1" T40 and T60 are exactly the same size, although the T60 might be a fraction thicker. There might be a problem with the 15" model, but the 14.1" model is just perfect to me.<br><br>2 Weight: I did not put them on scales, but holding them in my hands I find no difference.<br><br>3 Materials: the plastic of the T60 is a little but more rough. It makes no difference to me.<br><br>4 Sturdyness: the T60 is clearly stiffer than the T40.<br><br>5 Heat: whereas the T40 got unconfortably hot, the T60 is very cool indeed. Also the power adapter is very much cooler, and in addition smaller. Of course, the 1.8 or 2.0 Ghz versions might be warmer.<br><br>6 Battery life: very long.<br><br>7 Keyboard: the keyboard of the T40 feels a bit better (smoother) to me, but this may be the effect of usage.<br><br>8 Memory: it is true that installing additional memory in the T60 is complicated. But you do it only once, and in my case the supplier offered to do it.<br><br>9 Usage: just fine, exactly as I was used with all other Thinkpads that I have had over the years. American or Chinese built, I don't care as long as they continue the same way.<br><br>10 Warantee: the motherboard of my T40 burned up just one week before ending three-years warantee. It got replaced in a week.<br><br>This brings me to the conclusion that Ravishing is either an HP salesman trying to gain marketshare (he nearly succeeded with me) or simply in need of medical assistance.<br><br>So is there nothing wrong with the T60? Yes there is. The procedure of ordering is. When ordering your Thinkpad you must go through a complex process of comparing models. However, the specifications of these models are inconsistently specified and riddled with errors, which becomes evident after comparing models. For example, my model was supposed to have neither Bluetooth nor Infrared. The sales person rightly convinced me it had Bluetooth, and out of the box it appeared to have Ir as well. The size was incorrectly specified as well (15" dimensions casing instead of 14.1"). Thinkpad, get your act together and make sure all technical specifications are correct and presented in exactly the same manner for all models!
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I have both a T43 at work, and a T60 for school. So I can make a good comparison. The thickness is almost identical between the two, the T60 *might* be 0.1" thicker. But the dimensions for the T43 is: 12.2"x10"x1.1"<br><br>Both have the 14.1" screen so maybe the 15" screen is more bloated.<br><br>As far as weight goes they way about the same too, I feel no noticeable difference.<br><br>Build quality you are correct that the T60 does seem to feel a bit cheaper in places, but its pretty minor.<br><br>It just really seems like you are exaggerating the differences a LOT. I would buy a T60 again.
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I couldn't agree more with the user's comments. I have 8 IBM made T42 & T42p units in the field. They are the best laptop I have ever sent out. I have a new T60 on my desk and it is a definite step backwards. The unit seems cheaply constructed of sub-par materials. If this is what to expect from LENOVO then I will have to find a new source on Laptops. IBM ThinkPads rocked, I cannot say the same for the Lenovo.
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I am a previous user of T42, and I recently purchased the T60. What i thought should have been an upgrade to the T42 is simply a fantasy. The T60 is not only bigger, heavier, and thicker, the perks that are previously on the T42 is not on the T60 anymore (no printer port, no nicely colored keys on the keybaord). And yes, I only purchased the 512 RAM version, so I needed to add more RAM, and the process in doing so is just absolutely horrendous (have to take out 5 screws, then take out the keyboard cover, etc. in order to do so). <br><br>Not only this, even after adding 2Gs of RAM onto the T60, I still find my previous T42 with just 512 RAM faster. I am guessing they must have opted for a cheaper version of the motherboard...<br><br>This is really unfortunate. A perfectly good brand of laptop ruined by the mainland chinese. If this is what we are going to expect from IBM (or should we say lencrapvo) from now on, or simply any china brand, we just simply have to boycot them. I know I am from now on, refuse to buy any china products. The old saying is simply so so true--all china products are crap.
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ThinkPad is a well-designed, solid-built product, argubly the best laptop you can find on the market.<br><br>The "protrusion" you mentioned is the WiFi antenna, and it is no longer visible in the newest T60. Lenovo has integrated it into the cover of the display. I have to mention the advantage of the built-in antenna. It offers excellent reception of Wireless signal. With this antenna and ThinkVantage Access Connection software, I can reliable connect to internet even when Windows wireless showes no signal at all.<br><br>You also mentioned that the thickness of T60 is a problem for you. I don't know whether you are a Mac person, but if you prefer thiness, go back to your Apple or you can buy ThinkPad X series. T60 is a serious business laptop with an optimal thickness to pack so many great functions and ensure reliability (slim machines tend to overheat and freeze).<br><br>Yes, indeed, T60 does not offer firewire capabilities. But how many of us use firewire anyway? Talking about features, ThinkPad is the most complete. Come standard with T60 are Built-in bluetooth, wireless, infra-red, and LAN connections. I even find it comes with a built-in microphone. Let alone the ThinkPad exclusive features: keyboard light and Trackpoint - two features that are extremely useful and you won't find anywhere else.<br><br>I one word, ThinkPad T60 is a great laptop computer. I don't care who makes it, Lenovo or IBM. Don't let your emotion run over your objectivity.
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Hey <br><br>I feel the lenovo tuch to but just because its different doesn't necessarily mean its terrible when i replaced my ThinkPad R51 with my new ThinkPad Z60M i had the same feeling but then i came to know and understand that things change and still though my Z60 is a great and rock solid notebook <br><br>Take it easy my friend and enjoy the new <br>ThinkPad T60 <img border="0" src="http://www.cnet.com/i/mb/emoticons/happy.gif" alt=":)"> we are used to IBM and Lenovo<br>is not IBM but they are tryig so lets give them a chance .)
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I just got my T60. The service with Lenovo in my opinion was great. They were able to answer my emails within a few hours and have answered all my questions honestly and professionally. Although my T60 isn't a "hip" as Mac, it is a great powerful machine. The SXGA screen looks great, the key broad feels the same and although it is .2in thicker, you can't even tell. The finger print reader is also great. No problems as of yet. I do wish however, that it had a DVI connection.
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