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Review Lenovo Thinkpad T60p UXGA Notebook

Evergreen. Whoever thinks that the launch of the Lenovo Thinkpad T61 consigned the Thinkpad T60 to history errs. The T60p has some qualities which are still not matched by the brand-new T61. A special feature of the reviewed notebook is that it was retrofit with a 15" FlexView UXGA display, which provides first-class overview by a resolution of 1600x1200 pixels and, furthermore, all-time stability to the vantage point.

Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Logo

Case

The case of the Thinkpad T60p is in general the same than used for the T60, a robust magnesium case with innovative, functional design. A stable metal frame inside the Thinkpad ensures perfect rigidity of the case and at the same time a still acceptable weight.
Smaller, but mentionable weaknesses are at the Ultrabay slot and the PC/Expresscard slot, where the case slightly yields under pressure.

Another feature of the T60's case is its special trough construction, which effectively drains infiltrating liquids and, so, protects the sensible electronics in its inside and therewith protects against data loss by hardware defects.

The design is typical IBM. Black in black without any unnecessary ornaments. Only the red track point in the center of the keyboard and the blue enter key strike a little bit.

The functions determine the forms. E.g., the clamshell design of the display contributes to the display's flexural rigidity and protects the notebook against penetrating objects, if it is closed.

Also the solid metal hinges improve robustness and durability. They keep the display in its position without any see-saw - this should stay the same, even if the notebook gets old.

The ramshorn hook holds the display especially tight, because of the big inter-space between the hooks. It can be user-friendly opened be a single slider at the right front edge of the display.

Most of the T60ps interfaces are at the left side of its case and near the back of the right side. The back side is nearly completely occupied by a clearly protruding 9 cells high-capacity battery.  Besides, integrated Bluetooth and Infrared port the T60p provides only a base equipment of interfaces. So, a docking station is recommended in order to amend the provided interfaces.

Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Interfaces
Front Side: No Ports
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Interfaces
Left Side: Fan, VGA-Out, Modem, LAN, Audio, USB, PCCard, ExpressCard
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Interfaces
Back Side: Battery, Power Connector, Fan
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Interfaces
Right Side: DVD Drive (Ultrabay), USB, Kensington Lock

Input Devices

Not surprisingly, the T60p also provides the excellent Thinkpad input devices. The keyboard is tightly attached to the case and its layout is clear. Furthermore, the typing comfort is first-class.
The same is true for the touch pad and the track point. Both of these mouse replacements convince by top ergonomics and user-friendliness. Especially their buttons are very user-friendly.

Furthermore, the T60p provides some hot keys for controlling the audio volume, and the well-known blue Thinkvantage key. It makes a quick access to various software tools which ease working with computers possible.

Overall, there is hardly anything left to be desired regarding input devices. Rather, you'll get that used to them that you would not like to miss them after years of working with this keyboard and especially with this track point.

Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Touch pad
Touch pad
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Keyboard
Keyboard

Display

Lenovo Thinkpad T60p UXGA display measurement
Color Diagram

Real IBM fans might bemoan the loss of the FlexView panel provided in predecessor series, a display which was extremely stable to the vantage point and provided colorfast pictures. Because this display is no longer offered and Lenovo also follows the trend to wide-screen displays, the company Planet Notebook offers to retrofit the T60p with the much sought after 15" WUXGA panel with a resolution of 1600x1200 pixels.

Strengths and weaknesses of this panel are well-known. E.g., the maximum brightness of 150.5 cd/m² in its center is not outstanding. Furthermore, its illumination is only 69% and the average brightness of 129.1 cd/m² is moderate.

However, the color diagram depicts that all color curves follow the ideal diagonal curve. So, the color representation at the FlexView Display is colorfast.

111.7
cd/m²
124.9
cd/m²
103.8
cd/m²
139.8
cd/m²
150.5
cd/m²
124.7
cd/m²
143
cd/m²
143
cd/m²
120.7
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Maximum: 150.5 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 129.1 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 69 %
Contrast: 502:1 (Black: 0.3 cd/m²)

The contrast of the display is because of the relatively low black value of only 0.3 cd/m² very good, and reaches a maximum of 502:1. Speed of reaction is another weakness of this display. While scrolling you can soon see a blurring of fonts and pictures.

Lenovo Thinkpad T60p UXGA Outdoor
Outdoor Operation

Outdoor usage is, because of a non-reflecting surface, possible, but, the low brightness lets the display appear dark in bright environments and makes working cumbersome.

The biggest pro of the UXGA panels is of course its stability to the vantage point. Horizontally and vertically, the display stays all the time well legible and colors do hardly change, besides a slight loss of contrast.

Thinkpad T60p FlexView UXGA Stability to the Vantage Point
Thinkpad T60p FlexView UXGA Stability to the Vantage Point
Thinkpad T60p FlexView UXGA Stability to the Vantage Point
Thinkpad T60p FlexView UXGA Stability to the Vantage Point
Thinkpad T60p FlexView UXGA Stability to the Vantage Point
Thinkpad T60p FlexView UXGA Stability to the Vantage Point
Thinkpad T60p FlexView UXGA Stability to the Vantage Point
Thinkpad T60p FlexView UXGA Stability to the Vantage Point


Video Display's Stabilty to the Vantage Point

Performance

The reviewed T60p was absolutely top equipped based on Intel's 945 platform. This is a powerful T7600 processor with 2.33GHz, 3GB 667MHz main memory, an ATI FireGL V5250 video card with 512MB VRAM, and a fast 160GB 7200 revs hard disk.

Therewith, this notebook's benchmark results are impressing and it keeps up with current professional business notebooks, although not the most up-to-date technology is used (Keyword: Santa Rosa).

As usual for a business notebooks also the T60p is available in a variety of configurations. CPU, GPU, but, of course also memory, hard disk and display can be freely configured and thereby optimally adapted to your individual demands.

Further information about the video card can soon be found  here or in our comparison of mobile video cards. Detailed information about the Core 2 Duo CPU can be found here.

Please also look at our benchmark list of mobile processors or at our benchmark list of mobile video cards, in order to compare this notebook to other configurations.

Benchmarkvergleich 3DMark
Benchmark Comparison 3DMark
Benchmarkvergleich PCMark
Benchmark Comparison PCMark
3DMark 03 Standard
6484 points
3DMark 05 Standard
3891 points
3DMark 06 Score Unknown Setting
1672 points
Help
PCMark 05 Standard
4844 points
Help
160 GB - 7200 rpm
Transfer Rate Minimum: 28.5 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 60 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 46.4 MB/s
Access Time: 14.6 ms
Burst Rate: 89.6 MB/s
CPU Usage: 4 %

Emissions

Loudness

Despite of being very powerful, the T60p's noise emissions are alright in idle mode. Although the fan permanently runs, thereby reaching a noise level of 35.2dB, and subjectively dull rustles, there are no noteworthy impairments for the user.

Even the maximum of 42.4dB reached under load are no point of critique, because the fan's noise level returns relatively quickly to the idle level, after the work is done.

Noise Level

Idle
32.4 / 41.3 / 41.3 dB(A)
HDD
37.9 dB(A)
DVD
36.5 / dB(A)
Load
0 / 41.3 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light    (15 cm distance)

Noise Level

Idle
35.2 / 38.5 / 38.5 dB(A)
HDD
36.3 dB(A)
DVD
37.8 / dB(A)
Load
0 / 42.4 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light    (15 cm distance)

Temperature

In idle mode the surface temperatures are alright and not disturbing. Under load the bottom side can get clearly warmer. We measured a maximum of up to 46.4°C at the bottom side.

Upper side

palmwrist: 35.8°C max: 40.7°C avg: 36.5°C

Bottom side

max: 46.4°C avg: 41.7°C

Speakers

The speakers, located at the front edge, emit their sound downwards and sound rather dull. The maximum volume is sufficient. Overall, the sound is alright considering the T60p is an office notebook.

Battery Runtime

The reviewed T60p was equipped with a 9 cells 7800 mAh battery, the highest available battery capacity for the T60p. The drawback of this plus on battery runtime is a battery which protrudes the case about 2.5cm at the back side.

The measured runtime ranges from short 75 minutes under load at maximum performance to good 6.5h in energy saving mode and with minimum brightness. Depending on your demands, the battery runtime can be rather good.

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
6h 30min
DVD
3h 10min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 15min
Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0 / 0 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 23.3 / 27.3 / 28.7 Watt
Load midlight 70.6 / 68.1 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.

Verdict

Lenovo Thinkpad T60p
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p

Overall, we can well say that the 'tuned up' T60p somewhat captivated us. The notebook has the successful Thinkpad qualities regarding case and input devices and provides first-class performance and a good display for work.

Especially the UXGA panel with a resolution of 1600x1200 pixels is a big pro of this T60p version. This resolution ensures perfect overview at a relatively compact 15" display. The excellent stability to the vantage point makes work fun.

It's a pity that the FlexView panels slowly disappear from the Thinkpad series and are replaced by the new wide-screen panels, whose stability to the vantage point partly do not meet our expectations.

The built-in T7600 processor and an ATI FireGL V5250 video card leave hardly anything to be desired regarding application and 3D performance. 3GB main memory and a fast 7200 revs hard disk contribute to the good performance.

The emissions of the Lenovo Thinkpad T60p are alright in idle mode. Under load the case gets partly clearly warmer. The noise in office mode is acceptable.

Of course a top equipped notebook also needs a high-capacity battery. The runtime of the 7800 mAh battery ranges from slightly above one hour under load to  a maximum of 6,5 hours.

The only drawback: The price. The reviewed T60p costs about 3500.- Euro. However, you'll get an elegant, tuned-up Thinkpad…


Many thanks to the company Planet Notebook, who kindly provided us with the reviewed notebook. Here you can configure and also buy this notebook.

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Lenovo Thinkpad T60p UXGA
Reviewed: Lenovo Thinkpad T60p UXGA

Specifications

Lenovo Thinkpad T60p (Thinkpad T Series)
Graphics adapter
Memory
3 GB 
, DDR2 PC5300 667Mhz SDRAM, max. 4096MB, 2048+1024MB
Display
15.00 inch 4:3, 1600 x 1200 pixel, Umbau auf UXGA FlexView TFT Display, glossy: no
Mainboard
Intel 945PM
Storage
160 GB - 7200 rpm, 160 GB 
, 7200 rpm, Seagate ST9160823AS: 160GB, 7200rpm
Connections
PCCard Typ I/II, ExpressCard, Mikrofon, Headphones, 3x USB 2.0, VGA-Out, Kensington Lock, LAN, Modem, Docking
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 29 x 358 x 255 ( = 1.14 x 14.09 x 10.04 in)
Battery
, 7800mAh Lithium Ionen Akku
Additional features
HDD: 160GB, 7200rpm, Seagate ST9160823AS, Analog Devices AD1981HD Audio, DVD +/-R (DL) Matshita UJ-852,
Weight
2.83 kg ( = 99.83 oz / 6.24 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
3500 Euro

 

Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
The Lenovo Thinkpad T60p has the well-known Thinkpad qualities:
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
The 7800 mAh lithium ions battery clearly protrudes the case...
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
Under load the notebook gets clearly warmer.
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
The noise emissions are alright in idle mode.
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
Also the performance is alright: T7600 CPU and ATI FireGL V5250 provide power.
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
Highlight: UXGA FlexView display in retrofit Thinkpad.
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
The Thinkpads T60p's input devices, especially the keyboard could totally convince.
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
Also provided: An Ultrabay slot provides different options.
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
Only absolutely necessary interfaces are provided.
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
...which contributes to its robustness and protects the closed notebook against object penetration.
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
Another Thinkpad trademark is the clamshell design of the display,...
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
...and metal hinges, which securely keep the display in its position.
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
...a robust and durable case...
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
An elegant business design...
Lenovo Thinkpad T60p Image
...and provides a runtime of up to 6 hours.

Pro

  • High-quality materials (magnesium)
  • Reasonable, elegant design
  • Robust metal hinges
  • User-friendly, clearly layout keyboard
  • User-friendly track point
  • Concise UXGA display with impressing stability to the vantage point
  • Very good application and 3D performance
  • Acceptable noise emissions
  • Good battery runtime
  • Contra

  • Smaller weaknesses regarding pressure resistance of the case
  • Moderate interface equipment
  • Partly high surface temperature under load
  • Similar Notebooks

    Price Comparison

    Ciao.uk Lenovo Thinkpad T60p

    Rating

    Lenovo Thinkpad T60p - 08/31/2007
    J. Simon Leitner

    Chassis
    90%
    Keyboard
    98%
    Pointing Device
    96%
    Connectivity
    84%
    Weight
    78%
    Battery
    87%
    Display
    90%
    Games Performance
    86%
    Application Performance
    98%
    Temperature
    60%
    Noise
    82%
    Add Points
    94%
    Average
    87%
    88%
    Office - Weighted Average
    J. Simon Leitner, 2007-08-21 (Update: 2019-04-30)