- Source: ThinkPad Z series
The ThinkPad Z series was a very short-lived series of laptop computers focused on multimedia features and capabilities that came about after the Lenovo acquisition in 2005. It introduced a few features to the ThinkPad brand including 16:10 displays, and webcams (only Z61m and Z61t). The series was introduced in 2005 with the Z60m and Z60t (which were equivalent to the T43), which are 15.4" and 14.1" respectively. Z series would however eventually get merged with T60 and result in a new widescreen model (15.4" only, however) being announced in November of 2006, effectively invalidating its existence.
History and reception
The ThinkPad Z60m and Z60t were announced on the 20th of September, 2005. Reviewers praised them for their design, including the new Titanium lid, as well as performance with the then-current Dothan architecture Pentium M and, for the Z60m, Mobility Radeon X600 graphics. On the 16th of May, 2006, the first two models were replaced by the Z61m and Z61t, featuring a new architecture built around the Intel Core platform, a 0.3mp webcam, as well as a proper 16:10 aspect ratio screen for the Z61t instead of the somewhat uncommon 5:3 screen of the Z60t. The cost reduced Z61e was also announced then, using the chassis of the Z61m, although lacks a trackpad, dedicated graphics, among other features, as with the R60e to the R60
The new Z61m and Z61t were also quite well received, although NOTEBOOKCHECK noted that the Z61m was oversized, while a user on the ThinkPads forum pointed out that the Z61t was smaller than the 14.1" widescreen T61 (and thus a T60 of that size, if it were to exist). Later models came with Core 2 Duo processors.
The new high-end Z61p model was announced on the 18th of July, 2006. It introduced a higher resolution 1920x1200 screen, ATI FirePro V5200, and came with the option of newer Core 2 Duo CPUs right from the start. However, like the Z61e, it lacked a titanium lid option.
On the 28th of November, 2006, the Z61m and Z61p would be replaced by the 15.4" widescreen T60 and T60p. The Z61t wouldn't get properly replaced until the 9th of May, 2007, when the 14.1" widescreen T61 was announced, based on an updated architecture. It would also get a 15.4" widescreen and 14.1" 4:3 release, though the latter was very short-lived