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Archive 2007 · Think PadT61

Bruce Sawle
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p.1 #1 · Think PadT61

What are those out there that have used the ThinkPad line of laptops for on the go photo editing? I am debating between the Mac book pro and the T61. I would max out the processors and Ram making them basically equal in specs.

Nov 24, 2007 at 04:21 PM

beewee
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p.1 #2 · Think PadT61

I've had the T40 (bought it about 3months after they first came out, over 4.5yrs ago) and it's still ticking. The only problem I had with it was 2 dead pixels after I sat on it by accident, the service guy had to replace the fan due after I had a sand storm inside a work trailer while a Huey helicopter landed 20ft away from me and a network jack problem crept in after 3yrs (it was replaced on site under waranty). Aside from that, the T40 has survived being dropped, kicked, punched (don't ask) and stepped on and keeps chugging along. I don't know of too many computers that can take that much abuse and not feel it.

As for the newer thinkpads, I currently have a X61 tablet, not quite the same as the T series but it's quite fast still and the screen is actually quite good for photo editing (after being calibrated of course). I also like the new CPU fan in the X series (also in the T series) as they are much quieter than the previous generation of CPU fans. They also run quite cool with the Core 2 Duo processors and I find the bundled Think Vantage Apps are quite useful.

I have a friend that owns the T61, the only complaint I've heard is that the models that use the ATI and NVIDIA graphics aren't that great on battery life due to the high power requirements of the graphics chip. The Intel graphics chip on my X61 does quite well with Vista and as long as you're not gaming on it, it will be more than capable of handling any DVD playing, photoshop and web surfing as well as running Aero in Vista.

My vote goes for a ThinkPad. Once you use a thinkpad, you'll never want anything else. Just a tip though, make sure you upgrade your service contract to on-site. It makes any problems you might have later on much easier and faster to deal with. The on-site service guys can take apart your whole laptop and have it put back together within 2hrs.

Nov 24, 2007 at 07:08 PM

veeral
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p.1 #3 · Think PadT61

I have the thinkpad t60p and its good machine however, I recently came across a pcworld review of the macbook pro and they stated it was one of the fastest machines they reviewed.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136649-page,3-c,notebooks/article.html

Nov 25, 2007 at 12:01 AM

HerbChong
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p.1 #4 · Think PadT61

the Thinkpads are among the toughest of the non-ruggedized laptop computers. for me, i can't stand using a touchpad or a machine with only one mouse button.

Herb....

Nov 25, 2007 at 12:43 AM

dweldon
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p.1 #5 · Think PadT61

Typing this on the t60p C2Duo which I purchased last December.
A year of use without a hiccup.

It in not my primary photo editing machine but is my goto computer for everyday non photo use.

Nov 25, 2007 at 01:02 AM

weezintrumpete
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p.1 #6 · Think PadT61

I just got the 14" 4:3 T61 a few weeks ago and I couldn't be happier with it. Tough as nails, quick, GREAT keyboard (I don't like the Macbook's one that much) and two options for the mouse. However, I have to say, my brother has a Macbook and it is also a sweet little computer.

I didn't max out my specs (2ghz, integrated graphics) but it's a quick machine. I would have paid a lot more for a MBP since they don't have nearly the level of customization that the Thinkpad does.

Just watch out...my Thinkpad took a while to arrive due to a back-ordered part. Others have had similar experiences.

Check this forum for some good info!: http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?s=bba6e7e50a4775901143517a2b2a1a8d&f=2

Patrick

Nov 26, 2007 at 04:38 AM

Rodolfo Paiz
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p.1 #7 · Think PadT61

Used a T43 for a few years and now run a T60. Will own another Thinkpad next... love 'em. Tough, nice, love the Trackpoint (don't have to take your hands off the keyboard to move the mouse), and good-looking. The bundled ThinkVantage stuff is great, the fingerprint reader was early to market, the encrypted disk is great, the location switching network tool is fan-bloody-tastic... I'll stop now.

The Mac is a great computer and you'll be happy if you get it. So is the Thinkpad, and you'll be (at least) happy if you get it. Both screens are good, both machines are good. I assume the Mac is reliable and tough, but I know that the Thinkpad is reliable and tough. And I do strongly prefer the Thinkpad's keyboard feel and mouse setup, so my vote goes to the T60 or any of its relatives.

Just had the inverter card fail on my 18-month old T60, and Lenovo was as good as IBM: a box arrived by DHL the next day, I put the computer in the box and shipped it, and the computer returned in about 4 days in another box. 3 year warranty on everything but the battery. God, I love these things.

Nov 26, 2007 at 06:48 AM

AJ Nadershahi
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p.1 #8 · Think PadT61

I have used T60 with 4:3 screen, T61 widescreen, X61 w/high resolution touch screen, and an Apple Macbook Pro.

Favorite machine is the MacBook Pro due to design of the hardware and the robust OS, and the bonus that it can also simultaneously run Windows OS for those applications that are only available in Windows platform.

Second choice is X61 due to form factor and good quality high resolution screen. Just to put it in perspective, the older X40 series were absolute garbage. Not only were they one of the slowest machines I ever used, but my office experienced failure of 5 out of 6 units due to defective mother boards. The X61 are much better quality and have decent performance for the small form factor.

My least favorite is the T61 widescreen due to the quality of the screen - very disappointed with it and would not recommend it for photo editing.

I have used the Lenovo machines with Windows XP, Vista, as well as Linux. Interestingly enough Linux runs quite well on these machines, even on the ones that ran like garbage with Windows, which points to configuration/driver issues. I was able to regain some performance by eliminating several of the Lenovo drivers and "usability" software that pretty much duplicated and ran on top of what already is included in Windows OS.

Another reason for preferring the Macbook Pro is the very robust OS that easily handles traveling with reliable suspend mode and switching to different networks without confusing the OS or applications. With the Windows based machines I can do this a few times before having to reboot to clear things out and regain reliable performance. The Apple laptop just keeps going and going...

Nov 26, 2007 at 08:19 AM

Dave Bachrach
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p.1 #9 · Think PadT61

I have a T61, it's my fourth Thinkpad and 3 old ones still work. They just do not enough horsepower for today's needs.

I looked really hard at everything that was out there and came right back to the Thinkpad. I did consider a Mac notebook but could not justify replacing all of my existing software. Overall, I am very happy with the T61.

I ordered mine with Windows XP Pro instead of Vista, which I think was a good thing. I wanted a faster graphics card, but after I found out that it shortens the battery life a lot , so I went with the standard offering. You may want a faster processor too, but for my needs the T7300 is adequate.

Here's my configuration:

System Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)

Operating System: Genuine Windows XP Professional

Display Panel: 15.4 WSXGA+ TFT

System graphics: Intel GMA X3100 GM965

Total memory: 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)

Hard Drive: 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm

Optical device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim

System expansion slots: PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot

Card Reader: 4 in 1 Media Card Reader

Wireless cards: Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN

Nov 26, 2007 at 04:40 PM


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