What is the last Thinkpad which reliably supports Win XP?

[JensJohansson]

I searched a little to see if there was a similar topic, my apologies if I failed finding the appropriate one.

I want to keep running XP but my old T60p is starting to fall apart so I need some new hardware, which I will then try to find used based on this forum's knowhow (or even a new one, if it supports XP).

Cheers,

[Neil]

Several ThinkPad models from the Vista era were shipped with XP installed. So, many T61 models and some T400/T500 models (and probably their "R" cousins) shipped with XP. There are probably more that I'm not thinking of at the moment, though.

Another excellent option would be to repair your machine, or replace it with another T60 model. The T60 is an excellent choice for running XP, especially since some of them offer IPS displays that are just not available on most of the newer models.

[JensJohansson]

Several ThinkPad models from the Vista era were shipped with XP installed. So, many T61 models and some T400/T500 models (and probably their "R" cousins) shipped with XP.

So basically anything until the end of the Vista era? And did Lenovo stop providing XP drivers etc after that point? I suppose I could figure it out somewhat myself by checking the support on the Lenovo site.

Another excellent option would be to repair your machine, or replace it with another T60 model. The T60 is an excellent choice for running XP, especially since some of them offer IPS displays that are just not available on most of the newer models.

I pretty much already did .. typing this on the machine in question. It runs, but who knows for how long. There is something flakey with the graphics chip and I fear fixing it would require getting a new motherboard. Turning off acceleration makes the BSODs stop.

I'm basically looking for the most powerful Thinkpad that still can run XP well, and then I will try to look for a couple of specimens of that on auction sites etc.

[ajkula66]

I'm basically looking for the most powerful Thinkpad that still can run XP well, and then I will try to look for a couple of specimens of that on auction sites etc.

Well, that statement begs for the following question: why?

The biggest upside of the newer XP-friendly machines such as T400 and T/W500 is their ability to utilize 8GB of RAM. You can't touch that with XP, especially for the fact that Lenovo never supported the 64-bit version with drivers. So you're stuck at 3GB usable RAM just like you'd be with a T60p.

You can pick up the board for $50-75 and be done with it, instead of getting a whole new machine and adjusting to it...

My $0.02 only...

[JensJohansson]

I'm basically looking for the most powerful Thinkpad that still can run XP well, and then I will try to look for a couple of specimens of that on auction sites etc. ---> Well, that statement begs for the following question: why?

The stuff I use it for is processor intensive -- I could always always always always use more CPU cycles/time unit. Memory is not so much a priority. At the moment for instance I'm doing just fine with only 1GB of RAM.

I also wouldn't mind a newer machine simply because of reliability: hardware deteriorates with time thru wear and tear. Especially if you are dealing with used stuff, who knows how many times the machine was dropped etc..

Of course this T60p is still working, I'm not going to throw it away. And if the mobo decides to die completely I might look for a replacement mobo. I am also casting coveting glances on a friend's T60 which is in fairly pristine condition..

[ajkula66]

The stuff I use it for is processor intensive -- I could always always always always use more CPU cycles/time unit. Memory is not so much a priority. At the moment for instance I'm doing just fine with only 1GB of RAM.

I also wouldn't mind a newer machine simply because of reliability: hardware deteriorates with time thru wear and tear. Especially if you are dealing with used stuff, who knows how many times the machine was dropped etc..

If you have low graphic requirements, a 14" T61 with Intel graphics would serve you well. That's the last non-widescreen ThinkPad, and transition from your T60p would be rather painless.

However, if you need something that can kick a bit in the GPU department, a T400 with switchable graphics would be my suggestion, presuming you'd want to stay within 14" range..

[JensJohansson]

If you have low graphic requirements, a 14" T61 with Intel graphics would serve you well. That's the last non-widescreen ThinkPad, and transition from your T60p would be rather painless.

That's pretty much exactly what i thought as well.. but the guy hasn't relented and sold it to me yet.

However, if you need something that can kick a bit in the GPU department, a T400 with switchable graphics would be my suggestion, presuming you'd want to stay within 14" range..

OK thanks! T400, I will definitely check this idea out. Register a few auction site keyword watches etc. GPU performance is actually not so important for me either.

( By the way, were there ever any quad-core XP or Vista era thinkpads? )

[Cigarguy]

Ebay is a crapshot at best. There's some nice unit that can be had in the marketplace on this forum. Especially so if you buy from a reputable seller. Some good deals for sure.

[jdrou]

( By the way, were there ever any quad-core XP or Vista era thinkpads? )

Probably only the W700 (17").
Lenovo is still providing XP drivers for the current models though; I haven't tried installing XP on my W520 yet but I expect everything to work except the automatic graphics switching (which I keep locked to the dedicated graphics anyway). The other significant XP hardware issue would probably be support for SSDs and "advanced format" hard drives but there are workarounds for those.

[GomJabbar]

I just happened to be looking at some drivers for the new X230t related to another thread. They still have XP software and drivers even for the new X230t. Likely this is true of other ThinkPad models. You can see what software and drivers are available for the various models from the following link.

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... PAD-MATRIX