Photo gallery: ThinkPad Z60tThe ThinkPad line has always been synonymous with serious business machines. Under the stewardship of Lenovo, the latest ThinkPad Z60 series is set to alter that paradigm with its virgin foray into widescreen displays. The Z60m targets movie buffs and gamers with its 15.4-inch screen and the option to upgrade the processor or change to a dedicated graphics card. The Z60t is a thin-and-light designed for active professionals, with its smaller 14-inch display and lightweight 2.45kg. This series has several configurations to suit individual needs. Both models were launched last week in the US and should be heading for our shores within the next couple of months.
Upside
The ThinkPad Z60t continues the tradition of high-end business features by incorporating the Active Protection System and the "Roll Cage" system. The Active Protection System kicks in if the notebook is dropped and parks the hard disk reader head to prevent data corruption on the hard disk. The Roll Cage system envelopes the internal components in a protective frame that reduces impact force by up to 30 percent. Data security is enforced using a biometric fingerprint scanner and proprietary ThinkPad software. With Wi-Fi, infrared and Bluetooth connectivity and 5.5 hours of battery life, this notebook is ready for anything.
Downside
The non-transflective screen is dimmer and less readable in direct sunlight which limits its use outdoors. On the US online shop, the usual three-year international warranty has been cut to one year. This is rather short for a premium brand notebook.
Outlook
Replete with almost every known wireless connectivity and coupled with top-notch physical and data protection, this laptop will be a boon for any corporate user concerned with the integrity of their notebook. The widescreen format provides the kind of immersive movie experience which ThinkPad users had been excluded from, however, the shortened warranty period could prove to be a serious stumbling block.
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