Take a look at our
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
Which ThinkCentre should I get?
-
- Freshman Member
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Sat Dec 29, 2012 2:56 pm
- Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Which ThinkCentre should I get?
Hello,
I am looking for a new (to me) desktop microcomputer.
I was going to have my old Pentium-4 Dell Dimension 4500 upgraded, but apparently the motherboard can't be replaced. :/
So, I was thinking about an IBM (or Lenovo) ThinkCentre of some sort!
What I want is the fastest 32-bit Windows XP system possible!
I would like it to be fast enough to play — and edit — 1920 x 1080 HD videos as well as play the Sims 3.
As far as drives go, I would like it to at least have a DVD burner, as well as a 3½-inch floppy diskette drive.
Thanks in advance,
Thomas
I am looking for a new (to me) desktop microcomputer.
I was going to have my old Pentium-4 Dell Dimension 4500 upgraded, but apparently the motherboard can't be replaced. :/
So, I was thinking about an IBM (or Lenovo) ThinkCentre of some sort!
What I want is the fastest 32-bit Windows XP system possible!
I would like it to be fast enough to play — and edit — 1920 x 1080 HD videos as well as play the Sims 3.
As far as drives go, I would like it to at least have a DVD burner, as well as a 3½-inch floppy diskette drive.
Thanks in advance,
Thomas
Re: Which ThinkCentre should I get?
Just so you're aware of it, in less than a years time XP be will no longer be supported, which would include no longer getting security updates. I say get a Windows 7 machine. It's optimized for SSDs, which the part most likely to make your system seem fast. It also has a XP mode if you need to run some older programs. Playing 1080 video isn't particularly taxing for most systems these days. Certainly the ThinkCentre M series is worth a look. It's just a matter of which form factor you want.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint
-
- Freshman Member
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Sat Dec 29, 2012 2:56 pm
- Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Re: Which ThinkCentre should I get?
I am acutely aware of the Windows XP End-of-support situation, but thanks though.
I am not interested in Windows 7. I have given it a very fair trial. It is okay, but does not suit my needs (as well as XP.)
I am basically wondering which is the fastest ThinkCentre system that
I'm thinking the best form factor would the one that is designed to lay down horizontally, so you can sit your monitor on top! I don't care about the size of form factor though. Standard is fine or whatever.
I am not interested in Windows 7. I have given it a very fair trial. It is okay, but does not suit my needs (as well as XP.)
I am basically wondering which is the fastest ThinkCentre system that
- still supports Windows XP, and
- includes a floppy disk drive (or at least a slot for one, and a compatible motherboard!)
I'm thinking the best form factor would the one that is designed to lay down horizontally, so you can sit your monitor on top! I don't care about the size of form factor though. Standard is fine or whatever.
Re: Which ThinkCentre should I get?
I believe that would be the desktop form factor that sits a top the desk.
Adding a SSD is a little more tricky with XP. I presume you'll be installing it via a XP disc, but a XP disc won't align the partition properly for best performance. You'll need a Vista or Windows 7 disc to get proper alignment.
Adding a SSD is a little more tricky with XP. I presume you'll be installing it via a XP disc, but a XP disc won't align the partition properly for best performance. You'll need a Vista or Windows 7 disc to get proper alignment.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint
-
- Freshman Member
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Sat Dec 29, 2012 2:56 pm
- Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Re: Which ThinkCentre should I get?
Hmm...
I guess I don't need an SSD drive. It'd just be nice to have, I suppose.
I suppose there's no way to manually configure them in the way that Windows 7 or Vista would.
I understand that you would normally install the operating system and all system files on the SSD and then put whatever else on a regular hard drive (depending on the size of SSD, I guess.)
Do you happen to know which was the last ThinkCentre system to support floppy disk drives, or how I could find out?
I would typically use ThinkWiki, but it only lists actual ThinkPads. :/
I guess I don't need an SSD drive. It'd just be nice to have, I suppose.
I suppose there's no way to manually configure them in the way that Windows 7 or Vista would.
I understand that you would normally install the operating system and all system files on the SSD and then put whatever else on a regular hard drive (depending on the size of SSD, I guess.)
Do you happen to know which was the last ThinkCentre system to support floppy disk drives, or how I could find out?
I would typically use ThinkWiki, but it only lists actual ThinkPads. :/
-
- Freshman Member
- Posts: 51
- Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2012 2:34 am
- Location: banned
Re: Which ThinkCentre should I get?
You can align the partitions with GParted. I did it several times. It works, it's just a hassle. I'm too lazy to search for you, but you can find it.
-
- Freshman Member
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Sat Dec 29, 2012 2:56 pm
- Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Re: Which ThinkCentre should I get?
Thanks!
That definitely helps; I'm glad to see that GParted works with XP!
Should the partitions be set up before installing XP, or does it matter?
Also, does anyone know how I can find the last ThinkCentre with a board that supports floppy disk drives?
Thanks,
Thomas
That definitely helps; I'm glad to see that GParted works with XP!
Should the partitions be set up before installing XP, or does it matter?
Also, does anyone know how I can find the last ThinkCentre with a board that supports floppy disk drives?
Thanks,
Thomas
-
- Freshman Member
- Posts: 99
- Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2010 5:45 pm
- Location: Canada
Re: Which ThinkCentre should I get?
If you want legacy hardware support, I would recommend an IBM IntelliStation M Pro 9229 and skip the lenovo thinkstations (lenovo just outsources generic mobos like HP).
The only caveat is the fastest CPU they support is a 2.98 core2quad extreme and 8GB of DDR2 RAM. They can run windows 7 and SSDs (that's how I have mine configured) along with a native 1.44 MB FDD.
They support the following:
*360K to 1.44 MB <-- that's right, you can run a 5 1/4" 360K drive in one of these computers
*Two serial ports
*Two firewire
*One parallel
*SAS / SATA / IDE
etc etc etc
They are some of the most fully featured computers you'll ever see. Not to mention, they do a POST beep just before the FDD seek like a real computer should
The motherboard was designed internally by IBM via the System x team (they named it "Taroko").
The only caveat is the fastest CPU they support is a 2.98 core2quad extreme and 8GB of DDR2 RAM. They can run windows 7 and SSDs (that's how I have mine configured) along with a native 1.44 MB FDD.
They support the following:
*360K to 1.44 MB <-- that's right, you can run a 5 1/4" 360K drive in one of these computers
*Two serial ports
*Two firewire
*One parallel
*SAS / SATA / IDE
etc etc etc
They are some of the most fully featured computers you'll ever see. Not to mention, they do a POST beep just before the FDD seek like a real computer should
The motherboard was designed internally by IBM via the System x team (they named it "Taroko").
2x T60p, 1x T61, loads of 701Cs, 1x WorkPad Z50, 2x TransNotes other random thinkpads...
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
should I not have combined [parts from different T420s?
by thisway » Tue Feb 06, 2024 9:53 pm » in ThinkPad T400/T410/T420 and T500/T510/T520 Series - 4 Replies
- 789 Views
-
Last post by axur-delmeria
Thu Feb 15, 2024 11:26 pm
-
-
-
Lost wireless on t420 - can’t get it back
by Dd777 » Mon Dec 04, 2023 7:10 pm » in ThinkPad T400/T410/T420 and T500/T510/T520 Series - 11 Replies
- 4624 Views
-
Last post by Dd777
Wed Dec 06, 2023 1:39 pm
-
-
-
Which models is W520's 170W AC adapter compatible with if keying removed?
by neilthinkpads » Fri Oct 27, 2023 12:25 pm » in ThinkPad T400/T410/T420 and T500/T510/T520 Series - 4 Replies
- 3141 Views
-
Last post by kfzhu1229
Sat Oct 28, 2023 2:55 pm
-
-
-
Which basic dock for X260?
by devinfriday » Wed Feb 28, 2024 12:05 pm » in ThinkPad X230-X280 / X390 Series - 2 Replies
- 379 Views
-
Last post by devinfriday
Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:32 pm
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 18 guests