The first new iteration of the ThinkPad T series since Lenovo bought the ThinkPad business from IBM, the ThinkPad T60 retains its trademark design but adds in the latest components, including Intel's Core Duo chipset and a handful of new features. Unlike its more consumer-focused thin-and-light counterpart, the wide-screen ThinkPad Z60t, the ThinkPad T60 is built for large-enterprise business customers, incorporating a deep supply of connectivity features but few multimedia extras.
With a starting price of AU$2,699, the ThinkPad T60 is considerably more expensive out of the gate than competing models, such as the Dell Latitude D620, but offers a sturdier design and superior configuration options, as well as excellent performance and a comprehensive array of features. As we did with the ThinkPad T-series model before it, we recommend the T60 to any serious business that can't afford to scrimp on its laptop fleet.
Design
Depending on how you configure it, the ThinkPad T60 weighs approximately 2kg and runs 255mm deep, 311mm wide, and about 25mm thick -- virtually the same dimensions as the previous ThinkPad T43 model. The extended 9-cell battery included with our unit brought its weight to 2.8kg and added 20mm to its depth; its compact AC adaptor added just over 450 grams. There are many more-portable laptops on the market, even within Lenovo's portfolio, but the ThinkPad T60 is light enough for occasional travel and movement around the office.
The ThinkPad T60 is extremely well designed and features thoughtful touches such as sturdy steel hinges, drain holes for accidental spills onto the keyboard, and -- new to the T series -- a shock-mounted hard drive and internal roll cage that holds components in place. The excellent keyboard offers a comfortable layout and features the traditional red eraser-head pointing stick, as well as a sufficient-size touch pad, each of which has a set of mouse buttons. Above the keyboard are three handy external volume controls -- the extent of the ThinkPad T60's dedicated multimedia controls -- and a blue ThinkVantage button, which summons Lenovo's excellent system support and help utility.
Like the ThinkPad T43, the ThinkPad T60 can be configured with either a 14.1-inch or 15-inch standard-aspect display and a variety of native resolutions. Our test unit, featuring a 15-inch display with a fairly fine, 1,400x1,050 SXGA+ native resolution, looked crisp, clear, and reasonably bright; still, we prefer the wide-aspect display found on the ThinkPad Z60t. As with most business-focused systems, the ThinkPad T60's speakers sounded clear but, even when maxed out, soft and relatively flat.
Features
When it comes to ports and connections, the ThinkPad T60 keeps it basic. You get a VGA port, headphone and microphone jacks, slots for Type II PC Cards and ExpressCards, and three USB 2.0 ports -- one more than the ThinkPad T43 but still short of the Latitude D620's four -- and a DVD burner in its swappable bay.
On the other hand, the ThinkPad T60 has basically all of the networking connections a businessperson could want: Gigabit Ethernet, 56Kbps modem, Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g wireless, and EV-DO WWAN. A handy switch on the front edge turns all wireless radios on and off. The built-in WWAN chip -- the first of its kind in Australia -- is particularly impressive, as it enables users to access the Internet from anywhere they can get a mobile phone signal. The notebook currently only supports the Vodafone network, and just behind the battery is a slot for you to enter a Vodafone 3G SIM card.
Using the pre-installed "Vodafone Mobile Connect" software, provided you've got a data service enabled on your SIM card, you're able to connect to the vendor's 3G network and send/receive email, MMS and SMS, as well as surf the Web through your regular browser. The functionality is very similar to that of a 3G data card, however, a major benefit of the T60's implementation is that you don't need to add an external card -- the WWAN chip is built into the notebook at the factory. Our performance observations regarding this Internet service can be found under "Performance".
The ThinkPad T60 lacks a number of multimedia connections, such as FireWire, S-Video, and a media card reader -- features that aren't crucial to typical productivity work, but which are found on other business-class thin-and-lights. Security features abound, however, including a fingerprint reader and an Embedded Security Subsystem -- a hardware security feature that is similar to a Trusted Platform Module.
Performance
Our high-end test unit was configured with a solid set of components, including a 2.0GHz Intel Pentium T2500 Core Duo processor, 1GB of speedy 666MHz DDR2 SDRAM, a midrange ATI Mobility Radeon x1400 graphics card with 128MB of video RAM, and a SATA 100GB hard drive spinning at 5,400rpm. Unsurprisingly, the ThinkPad T60 turned in a strong score on CNET Labs' benchmarks, performing as well as the other similarly configured dual-core systems we've seen and significantly ahead of the previous generation of Pentium M-equipped business laptops. Our ThinkPad T60 test unit shipped with a high-capacity 9-cell battery (which adds AU$249 to the price) that lasted just shy of 6 hours in our drain tests, which is about as good as it gets for a thin-and-light laptop.
We found the Vodafone 3G Internet service to be fairly speedy for the tasks we needed to accomplish. Although it starts to slow down when you've got multiple browser tabs each trying to load pages and instant messaging conversations happening concurrently, it's certainly no slouch. Using the YourSpeed3 speed test, we recorded average download/upload speeds of 320/122kbps, which is in line with the 384kbps theoretical maximum bandwidth of 3G (non-EV-DO). A direct link to our results can be found here, should you want to take a more detailed look.
Support
Depending on which configuration you buy, the ThinkPad T60 is backed by an economical one-year or lengthy three-year warranty, during which you must carry in your system to an authorised repair centre; upgrades for longer terms and onsite repairs are reasonably priced. The company's support Web site includes a handful of troubleshooting topics as well as the expected driver downloads; the site lacks interactive features such as customer forums or the chance to chat in real time with a technician.
(Longer bars indicate faster performance)
 |
BAPCo MobileMark 2002 performance rating |
(Longer bars indicate longer battery life)
|
BAPCo MobileMark 2002 battery life in minutes |
NOTE: Products in this test are for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily available in the Australian market.
Find out more about how we test Windows notebooks.
System configurations
Dell Latitude D610
Windows XP Professional; 2GHz Intel Pentium M; 512MB DDR SDRAM 266MHz; ATI Mobility Radeon X300 64MB; Hitachi Travelstar 5K80 80GB 5,400rpm
HP Compaq nc6140
Windows XP Pro; 2GHz Intel Pentium M 760; 512MB DDR SDRAM PC2700 333MHz; Mobile Intel 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express 128MB; Hitachi Travelstar 5K00 60GB 5,400rpm
Lenovo ThinkPad T43
Windows XP Professional; 1.86GHz Intel Pentium M; 512MB DDR SDRAM 333MHz; ATI Mobility Radeon X300 64MB; Hitachi Travelstar 7K60 60GB 7,200rpm
Lenovo ThinkPad T60
Windows XP Professional; 2GHz Intel Core Duo T2500; 1GB PC4300 DDR2 SDRAM 666MHz; ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 512MB (256MB shared); Hitachi Travelstar 5K100 100GB 5,400rpm
Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!
Dave
09/07/2008, 11:06 PM
rating
8/10
There are several models labelled T60 - ie. some single core, some core duo, some high res, some low res
I'm wondering how many of these people complaining have one of the first model T60, because I have 1951CU9 which I believe is one of the last model T60 and I have had no issues at all. Granted, I am running a proven business build of XP, but if you are running a consumer build then you need to do the tweaking to get it right and working best for you.
Note I also have a T43p (still with 2 month of warranty) - and my recent experience for system board issue with AU Lenovo helpdesk has been fantastic. Local hardware support together with the option of 3 year warranty will keep me on Thinkpad bandwagon ongoing.
Pros: Solid functional build
Local Aust hardware team
Option for 3 years warranty
Cons: Shipped with Vista and too much junkware
Check model specs and purchase according to your needs
Report offensive comment
Dave
09/07/2008, 11:02 PM
rating
8/10
There are several models labelled T60 - ie. some single core, some core duo, some high res, some low res
I'm wondering how many of these people complaining have one of the first model T60, because I have 1951CU9 which I believe is one of the last model T60 and I have had no issues at all. Granted, I am running a proven business build of XP, but if you are running a consumer build then you need to do the tweaking to get it right and working best for you.
Note I also have a T43p (still with 2 month of warranty) - and my recent experience for system board issue with AU Lenovo helpdesk has been fantastic. Local hardware support together with the option of 3 year warranty will keep me on Thinkpad bandwagon ongoing.
Pros: Solid functional build
Local Aust hardware team
Option for 3 years warranty
Cons: Shipped with Vista and too much junkware
Check model specs and purchase according to your needs
Report offensive comment
joeconners
01/07/2008, 06:40 PM
rating
10/10
The worst laptop I've ever used.
Freezes up uncontrollably. Had to uninstall the ThinkVantage software one module at a time to get the thing to run properly. Wireless connectivity center or whatever it's called was incompatible with the wireless configurations at work, so I had to manually uninstall the wireless "support" software.
The computer has a shortage of ports, which is obviously the trade-off you get from portability. The fix for this is often a docking station, yet I can never dock / undock without causing some sort of problem, whether it be a screen that refuses to turn on, a screen that flickers, a network connection that doesn't work, or the computer's failure to recognize any ports.
In short, any advantage that you gain from being able to use a docking station completely wipe out any of the advantages of having a laptop in the first place.
I've also had a problem with all of the background processes (about 140 of them, thanks to Lenovo's "productivity" software) coming up as individual windows, which gave me a scroll bar on my Windows taskbar for the first time in my life.
The only solution was a reboot, because apparently upgrading my memory from 512MB to 2GB didn't do anything.
This computer also requires reboots about 3 or 4 times a day, and it runs HOT. REALLY HOT.
Pros: QWERTY keyboard.
Faster than the IBM 286.
Cons: ThinkVantage's software out-dumbs the Windows idiot software.
Unreliable drivers.
User has to choose between lack of portability or a lack of external ports... can't have both.
Frequent crashes.
Runs hot.
Frequent crashes.
Report offensive comment
littleraven30
20/04/2008, 02:27 PM
rating
8/10
Love the T60! I had a T20 which lasted... well, many many years. I think it was the monitor that finally gave out. I finally didn't want to put more money into it so I bought this unit. I got very lucky by buying a used unit that is only a year old
Pros: - processor is excellent
- weight is actually lighter than expected
Cons: Just one... having a problem with a flickering screen that I can't figure out.
Report offensive comment
Cpt Thunder Bolt
22/03/2008, 03:11 PM
rating
2/10
This is the most dissapointing laptop i have ever used. Screen resolution is a real problem, suffer regular eye strain.
Mouse drift a real problem and no one can fix the problem. Regulary locks up and only fix is a reboot. Struggles to run multiple applications and boggs down.
Dont buy the T60 there is better out there
Pros: Battery life
Cons: Insufficient ports for real flexability in a laptop
Report offensive comment
Lars
30/11/2007, 08:35 PM
rating
4/10
Absolutely the worst laptop I've ever used. I can only agree with all the problems mentioned. Screen resolution is often a mess after docking the T60. Sometimes the external mouse is not recognized after docking as well, only resolution is a reboot.
Yesterday I ran into BSOD when rebooting. Had to get it to our IT support for a chkdsk repair.
Sometimes my mouse will start moving in a very jerky fashion, and again the only resolution is a reboot.
Pros: Works OK as long as you dont use the docking station.
Cons: Docking station is a disaster.
Report offensive comment
jshawsworld
20/11/2007, 10:47 PM
rating
3/10
One of the worst laptops I've ever had. Had problem with screen resolution changing after undocking. Had also major issue with undocking in general where the laptop would just freeze (almost always). Support first fixed it with jumpers on the docking station which didn't totally solve it, then had to turn off the smart power off option in the OS. Now it doesn't have the freeze issue anymore but I still can't believe Lenovo shipped a product with a blatent problem like that; almost everyone in my company had the freeze problem; we are running Xp (company standard). I miss my old rock solid T41 from IBM before the sale to Lenovo.
Bottom line: stay away from Lenovo products.
Pros: Impressive spec
Cons: not reliable; bad quality
Report offensive comment
hyperlite
12/09/2007, 12:30 AM
rating
8/10
I have to agree on the USB port comment. They often cut off whether you have them in the laptop or docking station. Also the resolution gets screwed up when docking and undocking.
Pros: Good PC all around.
Get the fingerprint and extra RAM.
Cons: Their support sucks ever since Lenovo took over.
USB ports shutoff.
Report offensive comment
Pete
11/09/2007, 07:34 AM
rating
2/10
We have 12 laptops some T42, T43 and T60 10 out the 12 we had problems with, The IBM support is not good at all the line is cracking.
We end up installing a fresh copy of windows in which took a long time to figure that up as the bios is looking for the IBM preload partition.
We are moving into Dell and it appears to be a lot better performance and more reliable
Pros: Seems to be solid built.
Cons: Terrible preload software they seems to come with tons of trials compare to other brands.
Report offensive comment
Victom of Lenovo
23/08/2007, 02:48 PM
rating
6/10
My experience with Lenovo consisted of receiving a laptop with no battery & power cord! I promptly purchased an alternate Thinkpad from a local retailer and called in to make arrangements to return the incomplete laptop that was mailed to me through Lenovo directly. A customer service rep gave me completely inaccurate information as to how to go about returning their equipment to them. ("Just write 'return to sender' on the original package and drop it off at a UPS store" was what I was told - only to find out later that this violates every single return procedure ever put into place, and no one can explain to me why this person gave me such misleading information)
This mis-information left me without a tracking number, and lo & behold Lenovo claims they never received my laptop back at their warehouse. I asked for a physical audit to be done at their warehouse, confident that it's in there *somewhere* but I was told by Mr Bumarch that that request is wildly unreasonable. (But apparently charging a customer for a laptop that was mailed back to them is completely reasonable)
I've been speaking to Tony Bumarch (Direct Phone Number: 919-543-6681) and have been given the run around over and over with the end result being Lenovo can do absolutely nothing for me. I've also CC'd all my correspondences with Tony to David Churbuck, in the hopes that he might be able to assist in some fashion, but apparently my complaints have fallen on deaf ears.
So to sum it up, Lenovo lied to me, stole my money and told me to go away.
I've been an avid Thinkpad fan for countless years and even have an old P166 Thinkpad in my closet that still runs, (It's built like a tank) but I have pretty much lost all faith in Lenovo's ability to properly deal with even the most simple of tasks such as a customer return.
Pros: Outstanding machine, fantastic build quality, very well put together
Cons: Lenovo customer service is a gigantic joke.
Report offensive comment