T23 wifi (has 2 hand cover)

[seaweedsl]

I have a T23 that looks to be WIFI upgradeable (2647-8MU) but I see a catch, literally:

In the IBM pdf run-down (TAC?) of these models, it shows that mine has the "easy open cover" for one hand. Mine does not.

So, since I bought it used, I'm guessing that the LCD was replaced with an earlier model LCD by the PO.

From looking over the ...TAC...I'm guessing that the earlier model two-hand LCDs have no wifi antenna.

I'm in the US buying upgrade parts
(mem, wifi) for it and will not be able to return them once I'm in Mexico again and can install it.

Any opinions on my deduction that it is a wifi upgradable that has been crippled?

I don't think that I want to go into the LCD assembly to add an antenna....

Thanks
Steve

[tfflivemb2]

For some reason, all the T23's listed in the tawbook.pdf, indicate that they are easy to open onehanded.....but in all honesty, they aren't. I use two hands on mine...if for no other reason, than to avoid damaging a hinge or twisting the LCD.

[jdhurst]

All the T30 and earlier models I have seen were two-handed. My T41 was the first one-handed model I have seen, and while it will easily open one-handed, I usually use two hands once unlatched.
... JD Hurst

[seaweedsl]

Hmm... now when I say two-hand, I mean, it has two sliders on the outside that both need to be moved, right? Absolutly no way to do one-handed.

So, the TAC is wrong? the T23s did not come with the newer one-hand / single slider ?

I know that there are two latches on the inside in either case....

Oh, and greetings! Been reading for a while but finally got signed up.

Steve

[tfflivemb2]

Yes, there are two sliders...one on front left and one on the front right. The T4x series came with only one slider that operated both latches.

I think that they thought that it could be done with one hand instead of two. Prior to this, most of the levers had been on the sides of the LCD, instead of the front.

[seaweedsl]

Okay, I'm still confused. Bear with me.

I'm not concerned about the ergonomics at the moment.

The critical thing for me is to determine whether or not my T23 likely has it's original LCD screen as it appears that all the shipped T23s had antennas in their screen and should be wifi upgradeable.

Checking the tawbook PDF under "display", the T20,21 have no comment about the cover. Then, from the first T23s on, under "display" it says:
"All: Easy-open cover to unlatch and open with one hand"

To me, that means one exterior slider, like the 40s. JD: I imagine you've seen some 23s ? So is it possible that the tawbook PDF is in error?

I hope so, cause then I probably have an antenna installed already !

If the T23s WERE the first models to come with the new "one-handed" slider, then I've got a [censored] laptop with an older LCD and no antenna.

Make sense? Who's got a T23? Does it have the older double slider or the newer single slider (T4x+ style)?

[rkawakami]

ALL of the T23s you see in my .sig, and about 4 others which are not in my possession or are parts machines, have the two latches located near the front corners of the lid. They are about eight inches apart from each other so unless you have long fingers, there is no way to open the lid with one hand.

Systems which have the built-in wireless antennas in the lid can be identified by two small plastic "ribbings" located on the outer edges of the lid near the front (i.e. right around the corner from where the opening latches are). If your laptop does not have these, then your system is not totally upgradeable. The reason is, if you do manage to place antennas into the lid, the metal in the lid will reduce their coverage.

Based upon your model number (2647-8MU), I would say that your laptop did not come from the factory with the wireless option.

[jdhurst]

The T23 I had, had two latches. In fact so did my T30, and so also has every TP I have ever seen prior to the T4x series had two latches. I actually thought, for a split second, when I took my T41 out of the box that there was defect

[seaweedsl]

Thanks guys. Looks like the IBM info is wrong, then. What was that about?

But from what you are saying, it appears that in any case mine has no antenna even if it's nearest siblings came with wifi.

Oh well. I've seen kits for laying an antenna under the keyboard, but it seems like the reception would suffer.

Does anybody have any further advice on wifi upgrades for my model?

I guess it's pcmcia or usb.

A good excuse to upgrade, no?

Steve

[rkawakami]

Oh well. I've seen kits for laying an antenna under the keyboard, but it seems like the reception would suffer.

Based upon an antenna install I did in a 600X lid, placing one under the keyboard may yield better performance, especially if you put it under the palmrest area (plastic) instead of directly under the keyboard (metal). I was not happy with the range of my lid antenna so I figured out a way to install an external antenna on the 600X. That does not seem possible (yet) on the T2x.

You could try finding a 'dead' system with the proper lid and then swap them, but there may be a catch (pun intended). In order for the antenna leads to get to the MiniPCI area, there needs to be a hole in the motherboard near the CPU fan and power connector to the DC power jack. I think that all T23 motherboards have that particular hole, but I can't be totally sure. The easiest way to be sure is to open up the MiniPCI cover on the bottom (modem / ethernet area) and look for a small oval-shaped hole next to the closest corner of the docking port connector. If that hole is there, you should be able to connect the antenna leads to whatever WiFi card you install.

[seaweedsl]

Thanks for your help. It's rewarding to be able to consult with folks who know their stuff !

I think I'll just drop the whole internal idea. Thought it might be easy.

Better to buy a thinkpad that has it already.

Cheers,
Steve