BIOS: Technology Means Business

Lenovo’s latest ThinkPad combines the power of Intel’s Core Duo processors with newly enhanced multimedia and wireless connectivity options. Designed and custom-built for users who want enterprise-class power, durability, data protection and ease-of-use, the ThinkPad Z61t even sports a widescreen display - the first ever on a ThinkPad. The ThinkPad Z61 series (from £720 ex. VAT) is optimal for today’s business professionals seeking more flexibility and connectivity options in a widescreen format. Available in 14.1-inch (Z61t) and 15.4-inch (Z61m), the new models feature a choice of integrated or discrete graphics and up to 2GB DDR SDRAM.

The ThinkPad Z61t reviewed here offers a WXGA (1280x800 pixels)/185-nit or WXGA+ (1440x900)/200-nit display, while the ThinkPad Z61m also adds a WXGA MaxBright option, enabling you to reap the benefits of clearer, brighter images. Both Z61 models even feature an integrated Web camera (positioned in lid) and stereo microphone for videoconferencing, and are equipped with 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi capability.

The ThinkPad Z61 series includes the latest ThinkVantage Technologies, which provide more powerful features in a centralised dashboard, making PC security quick and simple. It’s these types of features - inherited from IBM - which really set the ThinkPads apart from the competition. The ThinkPad Z61t comes equipped with the latest version of the ThinkVantage Client Security Solution, enabling you to recover logon passwords. It also features easy and powerful disk encryption, updated password manager software, and a System Security Audit to ensure you are properly securing the system.

The ThinkVantage Productivity Center is a special user-support feature that can help you keep your ThinkPad laptop secure and operating efficiently without wasting a minute of your time. Simply press the Blue button to open a powerful menu of applications and tools so you can perform routine system tasks while you work or while you are away. The suite includes a backup utility, maintenance system for updating the system software, networking utility including a wireless network finder, device configurator for adjusting the display settings, power, and device settings, system migration utility for moving data from an different PC to the ThinkPad, data protection utility and a help centre. ThinkVantage also features a Message centre that provides update links to further enhance and protect the machine.

The ThinkPad Z61t is built to withstand more than the rigors of traditional laptop computing. As such, the system features several design enhancements not found on typical portable computers. For instance, Lenovo has employed a metal protection plate around the hard disk drive (a cage of sorts), that protects the hard disk drive from physical shock and static electricity. It also features a protection plate that surrounds the PCIe and PCMCIA card slots to reduce physical pressure from damaging the cards. And finally, an Active protection System sensor has been employed to sense a fall that could damage the hard disk. When a fall or drop is detected, the APS automatically parks the hard drive’s read/write head, further reducing the chance of damage, or worse, lost data.

The ThinkPad’s 14.1-inch widescreen LCD display is housed in magnesium alloy to reduce flex, which could damage the LCD. The internals of the system are housed in what Lenovo calls the Roll Cage, a one piece frame built out of magnesium that helps to reduce system board flex, adds thermal protection, protection for the optical disk drive, and adds a second layer of protection for the system’s hard disk drive.

On a system cooling standpoint, the system features a microprocessor-controlled heat pipe to help dissipate heat away from the CPU, while at the same time minimises fan use, and thus keeping noise levels to a minimum. Pressure points on the display have been reduced via a full contact display that takes pressure from the top of the display when in the closed position, and moves it to the sides of the unit to help better protect the LCD. The hinges that attach the LCD to the base of the Z61t are made of stainless steel, rather than the plastic that is common on other laptops. This provides more strength while at the same time minimises lateral torque of the display.

The keyboard is sealed and spill resistant, so if you spill beverage on the keys, drainage channels will route that spillage away from the computer and onto the location in which the laptop is residing, enabling you to quickly just pick up the laptop and wipe of excess liquid that pools underneath the unit. And finally, to keep prying eyes away from any sensitive data, the Z61t features fingerprint recognition technology in addition to password protections, so, in the event the laptop is stolen, casual thieves will have a more difficult time extracting data from the unit because they won’t get past the fingerprint reader/password combination.

Technical specifications are very good for a corporate workstation, but there are better specified systems available for the money. Our review system was supplied with an Intel Core Duo T2400 processor (1.83GHz, 2MB cache), just 512MB of PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM (expandable to 2GB), 60GB Serial ATA hard disk drive (expandable to 100GB), Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 chipset, CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive (optional dual-layer burner), Gigabit Ethernet, V.92 modem, Intel 3945 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Type I/II PC card slot, 3-in 1 digital media reader (SD, MMC, and micro SD), three USB 2.0 ports, single 4-pin FireWire 400, S-video out, and Windows XP Professional (Windows Vista capable). Battery life is rated at 3.7 hours with the standard 4-cell battery and 6.25 hours with the 7-cell Lithium-ion battery.

The ThinkPad Z61 series merges the power and performance of Lenovo’s top systems with the work-life usability of a widescreen display. In addition to building some of the industry’s thinnest and lightest laptops, Lenovo has designed the ThinkPad Z61t to accommodate the wide array of needs business travellers have for their laptop. The system is solidly built with performance that is typical of Centrino Duo laptops, plus it’s certified Windows Vista Capable. It is also built of high quality materials and is lightweight. The level of support built into the system is a major selling point, making it an ideal choice for those wanting a balance between power (graphics users should look elsewhere) and portability. The system’s features are as expected for this price. However, the average price of thin-and-light products with a similar screen size is considerably less. [7.5]

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