Lenovo ThinkPad Z60t (2511E4U) PC Notebook

Way more features on this baby than needed, but I'm not complaining! This has got to be one of the ultimate toys for adults.

COOL FEATURES
- Very comprehensive power management and security options in software.
- THREE types of protection against physical shock and jolts: internal laptop "cage", internal hard disk mounted in its own shock absorber, and motion sensor will temporarily separate head from disk drive during periods of vibration or sudden change in altitude (such as if being dropped)

- Battery status reports percentage of power remaining and also calculates estimated time remaining based on current usage pattern.
- Downloads and drivers on Lenovo.com support site frequently updated. The site is well designed. It will even identify your system's model for you so that you can go right to the support that you need.
- System software updates, new drivers, BIOS and software patches can be easily handled by an update manager (similar to Windows Update) that does all of the work for you.
- Internal and external status lights indicate AC/batt and suspend status, even if cover is closed.
- Other lights indicate activity of hard disk, use of the primary USB port (there are a total of 3 USB ports), wireless LAN antenna.
- Most help is in Windows help file format so is highly searchable by keyword and topic.
- There is a keyboard light. This is just a tiny LED that sheds a very faint orange glow over the keyboard. It doesn't emit as much light as the screen, though it could help a wee bit if you need to set the screen brightness to its lowest and work in minimal light. If you need a nice portable light IBM/Lenovo doesn't sell this, but for under ten dollars buy a USB accessory keyboard light on a flexible stem. It plugs into and is completely powered by the USB port.
- Included software videos show how to install memory upgrade and various other tasks.
- The very detailed User Manual and Hardware Guides can be downloaded from Web site and conveniently stored on the computer so that you can access them wherever you are. (Download them now from Lenovo.com if you'd like)
- There are drainage holes if you spill a drink into the keyboard. I haven't field tested this yet. Don't drink, drive, and use a laptop.



INCLUDED SOFTWARE
Bundled software includes InterVideo WinDVD player. This turns the machine into a portable DVD player, so no need to buy one of those. Also included is RecordNow CD audio and data recording software, or DVD recording software if your unit has a DVD recorder, Diskeeper "lite" (basic defragmentation utility), PC Doctor (diagnostics), 90-day use of Symantec Client Security (firewall and antivirus), and Adobe Reader.

The "ThinkVantage" suite is a proprietary bundle of value-added software customized for the current generation of Thinkpads. It includes a slew of utility and maintenance programs such as System Migration Assistant (for porting all of your data to another computer), Away Manager (Automated maintenance scheduler), Rescue and Recovery (backup/restore program), update managers, and fingerprint and security configurators. They seem to be perfectly usable and stable, not like the buggy filler software bundled with some computers. The programs are frequently updated and enhanced. Downloads are free at Lenovo.com. You do not need to register to use the support site.

There are no office applications pre-installed, but on request IBM will send you by mail a single-user CD of Lotus Smartsuite Office (retail). This sells for hundreds of dollars but is free on request to new Thinkpad owners. It includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Webpage maker, etc. Lotus Smartsuite files are interchangeable with Microsoft Office files. Also as a Thinkpad owner you also may request a free CD of Lotus Notes (client version only).

Note that No CD's, diskettes or any other media come with the PC. All of the above software, including Windows, is preloaded on the hard disk. If you ever need to reinstall any of the bundled software, inlcuding Windows, Lenovo claims that it is stored in a portion of the hard disk that can be accessed as a backup. This also allows a technical support person to conduct a remote install if that ever were necessary.

This is a cost saver for Lenovo, but also for us. And it's becoming standard in the industry. For example Windows Professional XP only costs about half as much when preinstalled, compared with the retail boxed version. One clear benefit of the preinstalled software is it's a big time saver on a new computer with a lot of software. Also, no more misplaced or scratched disks. Set-up and customization of the programs on a new system is very easy. Later, the setup files are always with you on the hard disk. A great environmental breakthrough, too? You decide.


WARRANTY
The standard included warranty is 1 year parts and labor for mail-in repairs. There are comprehensive upgrades available at extra cost, for a warranty term lasting up to up to 3 years, and service upgrade to on-site repairs. Worldwide localized support is standard, toll-free in most countries. 24/7 phone support (in U.S.). Unfortunately, when the warranty runs out, so does your privilege to call phone tech support. Fortunately self-support on is always available on ibm.com and Lenovo.com.
One interesting warranty service option is that you can extend your warranty term or upgrade your service level any time during the standard 1-year warranty period. Which means at the end of the first year, you could decide if you want to buy another year or two of technical support and warranty service. Extension of the basic 1 year warranty costs about $50 extra per year, available up to 2 extra years.

REPAIRS
In general, laptops take a beating. Statistically, there is a 1 in 3 chance you will need to send a typical laptop in for service during the first few years of operation. For most laptops, the majority of repairs involve the hard disk, screen, and cover, especially the hinges. Fortunately, the Thinkpad cover has steel hinges. You can also opt for a titanium cover which is very strong and will protect the screen. The hard disk has rubber shock absorbers on the sides which help, but if it crashes, it is a non-proprietary part, so you can replace it yourself if you know how. Instructions are in the help manual. All of these factors mitigate the likelihood that you will need repairs. Some Thinkpads (notably, the T series) have had problems with motherboards failing but this has not affected the Z series.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT
- The comprehensive User Guide and Hardware Guide are downloadable PDF's and also preinstalled on the hard disk in indexed Windows help format. This is convenient if you need to access them on the go. Instructional videos even show how to do things like install more memory. They take up some space on the hard disk, but can be deleted or recorded on to a disc.
- I've made a few calls for support. Phone tech support is based in Atlanta, U.S.A. The people I spoke with were polite but not computer savvy. For example, I asked about the data transfer rate of the hard disk. After searching his system, one rep finally told me it was 5200. However this is the RPM, not the transfer rate, (The RPM is easily found in the product literature-- he would have known if he were familiar with the product.)
He told me he did not have the transfer rate information on his system. Apparently he came in green for this job and simply went through the required training. Not a natural-born geek as I hoped for from the IBM brand. However I was so happy to hear that I wouldn't have to put up with an offshore call center if I had future calls! The guy was in Atlanta. I could easily communicate with someone who wasn't giving me a fake English name, and talking in circles with a contrived American accent.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
- The overall construction of the units is solid. The exterior shell (Lenovo calls it the bezel) is textured black plastic, but it is elegant looking. If you're a road warrior, go for the hard titanium shell cover option for about $50 more. It adds about 4 ounces but a great deal of structural strength.
- The 14.5" Widescreen is proportionally somewhat shorter than the traditional 14" laptop screen. It still measures 14.5" diagonal, but what is gained in width is lost in height. The shorter screen allows the unit to fit deeper into a shoulder bag than most laptops. It's less likely to protrude out the top, a portability and security benefit. However the shorter screen will require you to use the scroll bar more often to scroll down to the bottom of the screen.
- Thinkpads are now made in Shenzhen China, not like the earlier ones made in Japan and costing thousands more. The quality may have fallen slightly but still very good, better than the average laptop, and the best I've seen from a Chinese company. Quality is comparable to Sony Vaio, which is also made in China.
- The keyboard is full-sized. The keys aren't noisy, but not library quiet. They press in solidly, unlike some slim laptops with flat keyboards and cheap plastic key covers. Check out the Compaq keyboards and you'll see what I mean.

- Smart temperature control. Fan is very quiet, and silent when not needed.
- The unit runs much cooler and quieter than earlier generation laptops.
- Overall slim and sleek design, less klunky than other notebooks.

HARDWARE ACCESSORIES AND OPTIONS
- Choice of Pentium M or Intel Celeron chips at various speeds up to 2mHz.
- Hardware options: Bluetooth, fingerprint reader, internal WLAN card, multiformat DVD recorder, titanium (hardshell) cover, physical lock.
- A range of hardware accesories are available, but not really needed. Everything you need is included. I just bought an external mouse. Only buy the docking port if you want some older ports such as PS/2, serial port, parallel printer port, or a monitor stand.
- As well as the traditional laptop touchpad, Thinkpads also include the signature Trackpoint pointing nub (the red eraserhead) embedded in the keyboard. People love it or hate it. Thinkpad is the only notebook manufacturer that still has them. Both the Trackpoint and the touch pad each have their own 2 mouse buttons, and there is a third mouse button which is seldom used. The pointing devices, as well as any optional external Plug-and Play mouse, stylus, trackball, tablet, etc (USB) can be used interchangeably. You don't have to adjust anything in the control panel if you want to use an external mouse and the built in pointing devices simultaneously.
- The motherboard supports state-of the-art Serial ATA (SATA) drives, which are faster than the Ultra ATA drives.

BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL POWER
- The external power supply is not at the plug end of cord, but the middle so it doesn't crowd your other electrical outlets. About 3"x2"x1", it's not at all bulky, and auto-adjusts to worldwide voltage 110-240V. If you lose the AC adapter you will have to buy another one from IBM/Lenovo. The plug tip is very unique and proprietary.
- Battery type is rechargeable Lithium Ion. This is now the preferred battery technology for laptops, cellphones, iPods, etc. It is superior to NiMH because it has more capacity, and there's no memory effect. It also charges in less than half the time, fully charging in just an hour or two. You can buy a 4-cell or 7-cell model. The 7-cell is costlier but holds more energy, enough for a few hours use under normal conditions. Keep in mind that ALL LiIon technology batteries have a life span of a couple of years, or about 500 charge cycles. Capacity declines towards the end of the life cycle. Also many people don't know that their life expectancy is significantly shortened by exposure to warmth. This includes what we would consider room temperature, so I actually keep my battery in the fridge when I'm not planning to use it for a while.



SHORTCOMINGS
- Use of phone Tech support ends when warranty ends.
- Amazingly, there is no reset button. If CTRL-ALT-DELETE doesn't get you out of a snag, you have to completely power down and cold start.
- No USB ports on the left side or in back. They are all on the right side. If you're a leftie, or simply have the computer on the right side of your desk, your mouse and other USB wires will have to drape around the unit.
- No Windows CD media included. This helps drive the price down though. Keep the money in your pocket, not Bill's.
- No printed manuals (except for the 80 page Troubleshooting Guide). All documentation is on the hard disk.
- The built-in speakers are stereo, but only 1 watt each! Fine for system beeps and listening to voice, but for appreciating music you'll need to attach headphones or external speakers.
- Floppy disk drives are no longer standard in laptops. However, in order to make the emergency System Recovery disks the software states you must buy an IBM brand external floppy drive and that other brands may not be compatible. I haven't tested this. I'll find a workaround hack to record the recovery disks onto a CD or removable media other than diskettes.
- The wireless Internet card is not supported by the emergency recovery program. Of course, before there was wireless nobody would mind such a thing. But there is support for Internet via Ethernet cable if needed. The internal v.92 modem might come in handy as well. So keep cables handy!
- It's not organized like a knowledge base, but the "Hints and Tips" section contains useful advisories, troubleshooting solutions and known issues. The Web site is designed to disseminate information from Lenovo, not to provide support interaction with users. There is no mechanism to browse Q&A from others. There is also no email address for technical support. The only avenues for reaching tech support are by phone and a fillable Web form. You can visit the Lenovo.com site without a password and access everything that is available to owners.
- The 5400RPM disk drive is a bit pokey. This is still the standard technology for 2.5" drives used in most laptops but it's changing. You can opt for a more expensive 7200RPM drive, or replace it with one if you upgrade later on. Also, for about $50 you can buy a proprietary adapter so that a second 2.5" hard disk can be installed. This would be in the internal drive bay in place of the CD/DVD unit, which would then have to be put aside. Of course, external hard disks and CD/DVD drives can always be added by USB or Firewire. Keep in mind, however, that more and faster internal drives will affect battery performance as expected with any computer.
- If your USB plug housings are not designed to be slim they may block access to the PCMCIA slot, which is directly on top of the USB ports.
- It's not really an IBM product, it is made by Lenovo, which is a Beijing based company that is licensing the Thinkpad name and logo from IBM.
- There are literally dozens of factory preconfigurations of the Z60t, each with its own product number and features. The differences are not always apparent on the Web site, so it can be confusing to determine exactly which features you are getting. This also makes it hard to compare for pricing purposes.
- Factory installed Bluetooth is available on selected but not all Thinkpad models. An alternative to factory installed Bluetooth would be to buy a separate Bluetooth USB plug or CardBus (Type II PCMCIA) card
- If you order directly from Lenovo, each of these preconfigured types can further be customized with options and add-ons-- at premium prices of course. If you know how to install your own hardware accessories and software, I recommend you save some money and buy them from sources other than Lenovo.


One interesting thing about the Z series is they were designed when Thinkpad was still owned by IBM, however the product wasn't released until Lenovo had purchased Thinkpad from IBM in 2005. So we're getting IBM quality at the Lenovo price. The product and service quality are tops by U.S. standards. It will be interesting to see if Lenovo can maintain the outstanding quality and service levels set by IBM.

(c)2006 by nulmana