Need some advice to choose my new T60

[KadYmz]

Hello all,

I'm a 2nd year CS student and tempted by digital minimalism. Looking for a T60 to use as my focused coding/studying machine. Besides, I also think that it's cool to have such a well-built retro machine.

At current market,there are not much options. I need advices to choose my base t60 between these 2 models. (They cost around same price.)

1st option: Type 1951
Specs:

• 14 inch XGA (1024x768) TFT display

• Core Duo T5600 (1.83Ghz) Processor

• Intel GMA 950 Graphics

• 4GB RAM installed (3GB on use.)

• 120 GB SSD

• Linux OS.

• Original Battery and Adapter (Battery lasts ~2 hours.)

Appearance:

• IBM logo on outside cover, not any logo inside.

• 3 missing keyboard buttons and little crack on case under touchpad.

• Looks very clean.

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2nd option: idk Type
Specs:

• 15.4 inch WXGA(1280x800) TFT display.

• Core Duo T5600 (1.83Ghz) Processor

• ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 Graphics

• 2 GB RAM

• 320 GB 5400RPM HDD

• Windows XP OS.

• Non-Original Battery and Adapter (Dead battery.)

Appearance:

• Intel and IBM Thinkpad logos inside. Some Information sticker and IBM Thinkpad logo outside cover.

• No missing parts or cracks.

• Looks very clean.

also I'd like to add.
I can buy a T61 (14.1 inch Widescreen model) as spare parts machine (maybe to upgrade mobo etc). for a dirty cheap price.

I've read so many pages but I don't know why Widescreen T60s are so unlikable. I'm guessing because it doesn't offer IPS screen or aspect ratio preferences but I'd like to learn if not.
Also I'm aware of they're far away from best T60 options but I'd really love to have a T60 now. I'm so open to take your advices.

Thank you already,

Yilmaz.

[dr_st]

Welcome to the forum.

I wouldn't say the widescreen T60 machines are not likable. They were just not common - the T60 series was phased out shortly after their introduction, and not many were made (compared to 4:3 units).
Only a select few of the 4:3 machines were IPS anyways - the 15" SXGA+ 1400x1050 or UXGA 1600x1200 units.

They are nice (I still have one myself), but the stock IPS displays have a flaw which causes them to dim a lot over the years. LED display mods remedy that, but these are costly.
The best thing one can have with a T60 shell is a "T601" Frankenpad - a T60 15" shell, IPS screen (preferably LED-modded), and T61 internals which translate to faster CPUs (at the top end), higher RAM limits and faster SATA storage (with a modded BIOS). These are offered for sale on the forums or on eBay from time to time, but again - not cheaply.

If you are stuck with your local market - I would advise just to get a machine that looks clean and is in good physical condition with nothing broken.

[KadYmz]

Thank you for welcoming, it's nice to be a part of forum. (Hopefully with a Thinkpad soon )

As you have said, I'm kind of stuck to local market due to economic reasons and I don't think that having an IPS screen Thinkpad won't be possible in near future. Only if I got lucky to someone shows up at local market but that's not very likely.

I'm feeling closer to 14" 4:3 T60 because of it's modifications. It already has maximized ram and SSD installed. Also alive original battery and adapter. Also cheaper

Thank you for suggestions and detailed screen explanations, hopefully times will come when I'll be familiar with screen mods.
Always open to hear more.

ps. Would buying 14.1" widescreen T61 be help me anyhow to upgrade any of these 2 options?

[dr_st]

If I remember correctly, the 14 wide T61 motherboards are really different from the 14" 4:3 and 15.4" wide boards, so it is not easy (or possible at all) to use them as 'Frankenpad' upgrade for a 4:3 T60.

The only thing you could reasonably use from that 14W T61 is to swap the keyboard (assuming it's good) to replace the one with the missing keys on the T60 4:3 you are looking at.

[TPFanatic]

My opinion is:

The t60 widescreen is unpopular because t61 and t500 and all subsequent widescreen 15" ThinkPads are better in every way, whereas t60 standard screen has the distinction of being among the last standard screen ThinkPads on the planet, making it a treasure to covet and protect.

If you want 4:3, the t60 will serve, but you're going to encounter compatability problems running modern OS and software, including Linux-based, because it has a 32-bit Core Duo. Thankfully you can buy a cheap T7400 Core 2 Duo CPU from China and upgrade that yourself if it becomes a problem. But it's still going to be slow....

If 4:3 isn't a requirement I actually suggest you get something newer but still really cheap. How's pricing on T420? They're among the most solid ThinkPad designs in my opinion, but they still looked like ancient dinosaur laptops even when new. T60 is sexier, though.

[ZaZ]

120 GB SSD

This, more than anything else, makes your experience better. Personally, I'd look for something with more resolution, if possible.