Prime Notebook Computer Review

The ThinkPad Z61m is the update to the newer widescreen Z series of ThinkPads with titanium cover. The Z series is the more multimedia oriented notebook with a widescreen display, built-in web cam, media card reader and FireWire connector. It also have an Intel’s latest and greatest CPU. The titanium lid cover of this laptop added some panache and toughness to the Z61m. And there’s no more fingerprints on titanium lid. The Z61m is still litlle heavy in comparison to other notebooks in its class. The Z61m is also fairly thick. The feel of Z61m is substansial. The inside of the Z61m is made from rugged and elegant plastic. The Z61m is unyielding, most likely due to its remarkably rigid roll cage.

The Z61m specs :

Processor : Intel Core Duo 2.0GHz T2500
Operating System : Windows XP Pro
Memory : 1GB DDR2 P5300 2 Slots
Screen : 15.4″ WSXGA+ 1680×1050 Matte
Graphics : 128MB ATI x1400
Hard Drive : 100GB Fujitsu(MHV2100BH) SATA
Battery : 6-Cell
Dimensions : 14.1″ x 10.3′ x 1.6″
Weight : 6.7 Lbs

The Core Duo is the best notebook processor. The Z61m comes with it and coupled with the faster 5400RPM drive and a generous 1GB of memory, had very good performance. It worked great and ran smoothly in everything tasks. Super Pi a useful tool for gauging relative CPU performance. The results when run Super Pi are Lenovo Z61m (2.0GHz Core Duo) took 76 seconds to calculate Pi to 2 Million digits of accuracy. The Dell Inspiron e1705 (2.0GHz Intel T2500) took 72 seconds, IBM ThinkPad Z60m (2.0 GHz Pentium M) took 96 seconds and Lenovo ThinkPad T60 (2.0GHz Core Duo) took 78 seconds to calculate it.

The Z61m comes with the Intel 3945 WiFi card and Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet card for networking purposes which both worked well. With Symantec firewall installed, it would disconnect for seemingly no reason or not connect although only five feet away from the router. But everything worked great with NetVeda’s SafteyNet. The Z61m also add the Verizion EV-DO wireless wan card option with the antenna sticks off on the right side of the notebook. The Z61m also has Bluetooth 2.0.

Like other ThinkPads, the Z61m comes with a matte screen with a higher resolution 15.4″ WSXGA+ screen. The screen is secured to the base using metal hinges. The screen is clear and bright with none of the glare issues. It had a scintilla of light leakage which was only slightly noticeable when the screen was completely dark. For it size, WSXGA+ is the perfect resolution. The viewing angels, especially horizontal not great but still looked good. The screen also have seven brightness levels with three or above is workable.

The ThinkPad Z61m’s keyboard was very firm with no flex. Key travel was excellent and feel was top notch. The ports are clearly marked along the edge of the keyboard. The touchpad, although seem small works well enough. When using the buttons there’s the silky smooth action with no such noise. There’s also a pointing stick and ultra nav buttons which is colored red in the center of the keyboard. Some people maybe not like to use it. The Z61m also comes with the integrated fingerprint reader which is integrated into the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). It need three good swipes to enroll a fingerprint.

The sound from Z61m’s speakers is pretty decent, clear and crisp. It’s not too loud and no bass. For better sound quality, add a good pair of headphones.
The Z61m also have an integrated webcam. It sits a few inches to the right of the ThinkLight. It took good shots.

The Z61m comes equipped with the Matshita UJ-850 DVD+/-RW-RAM optical drive which is a modular drive with options for extra batteries and hard drives. The Z61m’s hard drive is 100GB Fujitsu SATA 5400RPM. The drive comes with Lenovo’s hard drive protection utility called Active Protection System (APS).

The ports on Z61m are the 4-in-1 card reader, IR port, and WiFi/Bluetooth on/off switch on the front. The VGA-out, Ethernet, modem, headphone, line-in, Firewire, PC card slot and ExpressCard Slot 54 on the left. And the S-Video out, two of the usb ports and security lock on the right of the notebook. There’s also the other USB port and power connector on the back and port replicator/dock connector underside the notebook.

The Z61m comes with the 6-cell battery. There are nine and modular cell battery options available as well for those who need more time away from the power grid. The battery life about 3 hours 20 minutes WiFi/Bluetooth on and the screen turned down to three out of seven. With 9-cell and modular batteries it could get close to a full days work out.
There’s 3 vent to help push out hot air in Z61m. In normal use it get warm. When palying games it get even warm but never too hot. And it’s not too loud to.

The ThikPad Z61m is too heavy and thick for took around. But it have a attractive look, exceptional build quality, exemplary performance and respectable sound. The screen is bright and clear and the keyboard is phenomenal with silky smooth buttons. The Z61m is good choice for a business or individual with the disposable income.