Lenovo Thinkpad - T61 - Opinions ?

trout

So I need a new laptop. My trusty IBM Thinkpad T41 has sat down, after several years of faithful service. I have been using a Mac Powerbook at home ... and it's a lovely solid machine, but I find the 12" screen is just too small for working on large word documents or excel files.

I'm considering a Thinkpad T61 ... http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Lenovo_ThinkPad_T61_6466_-_3_Year_onsite_warranty_BUN-NI25DUK-461/version.asp
or
http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Lenovo_ThinkPad_T61_6466_NI25DUK/version.asp

My budget is around 1200 eurines. I want a large, bright & clear screen.
Wireless is a must. 100 Gb + hard drive is a must. Firewire is a must.
Keyboard must be good. Tactile feedback and plenty of space for my fat fingers required.
I won't be playing games, or working off battery for very long ... but it must be very portable.

Regardless of what OS is supplied, I will be using XP :cool:

So ... has anyone here experience of the Lenovo branded Thinkpads ?
Is the keyboard / screen / case still as good ?
Has the build quality dropped at all since the IBM rebrand ?

Thanks in advance

majiktripp

As far as I've seen the build qulaity is still as good as ever, they are trading very much on that fact too, that people know and expect a good well built solid machine. I saw a Z61p (or something to that effect) yesterday hands on and I was well impressed. Seemed very sturdy and well designed.
I assume the price difference in the two laptop links you provide is merely the extra 3 year warranty?
I think that you'd be very happy with the T61, maybe not if you bought it from Laptops Direct (theres *another* thread on them in the Online buying forum).
Incidently what did happen to your T41 that killed it?

Blackhorse Slim

The Lenovo machines are very much the same as the IBM ones were. If you liked the T41, go for the T61. I have a T42, and I have used some T60s at work, very similar for build and sturdiness, but with the upgraded spec you'd expect.

I'm not sure whether the T61 has firewire though.

trout

majiktripp wrote: »

Incidently what did happen to your T41 that killed it?

It was my main work machine for 3 years ... when I started my current job, the 3 kids "acquired" it for browsing and general mayhem. It took an awful lot of abuse, being dropped and having food & drink spilled on it ... eventually the battery life dropped to zero the hard drive failed, keys fell off the keyboard, and the case & screen cracked when it was dropped onto the fireplace. Even now it still tries to boot up

My wife has a T41 which still works, so I'll keep my one for spares.

Next question : Where's the best place to buy one ?

AlmightyCushion

Elara might have them.

http://www.elara.ie