Thinkpads Forum

I may be moving on from my T40. I want to stay with a 14" 4:3 screen. What are the memory limits on a T6x running a 64 bit OS? I figure a machine which is maxed out memory wise, SSD and a decent processor should hold me over for a few years. The couple of T40's that I use have served me extremely well and I would like something comparable. Thanks, Keith

T61 can take 4GB x 2 = 8GB memory max.
T60 can take 2GB x 2 = 4GB, but the chipset can only use 3GB max regardless of the OS (32bit or 64bit).

Another benefit of T61 over T60 is SATA II speed after flashing Middleton's BIOS. A SSD will benefit from the increased speed. Having said that a SSD on a T60 is still a big improvement over HDD.

Looking like a T61 may be the way to go. Any pluses or minuses with a 'p' variant.

"p" variant comes with a Nvidia 570 GPU which have a known fault. Unless you manage to find a machine made on Aug 08 (08/08) then it's prone to this failure. Worst yet is getting a machine that had the motherboard baked. Google around or search this forum on Nvidia GPU and T61. It's worth researching this one.

Another thing to consider is cost of a 4:3 T61. These are desirable for people looking to build a Frankenpad so the price of a these machines tend to be more than the widescreen T61. Also, AFAIK, there's no "p" variant of the 4:3 T61.

Thanks Cigarguy. Good to know. I may look for a parts machine with a bad motherboard and build up a machine with a kit from Tuus. I like the satisfaction of a dyi. Gathering info and assessing costs.

I'm considering a T60/T61 Frankenpad build myself. Contacting TuuS if you go this route is a wise move.

Recently I built something similar from a X60/X61 tablet. I love the flexview sxga+ screen on the X60 but wanted the benefit of the X61. Fortunately there is a seller about 5 min from my house who had a immaculate X60 tablet sxga+ screen for $60 and a complete X61 tablet, with base, L7700 cpu and new genuine 8 cell battery for $100. For $160 I had the X60/X61 tablet that I wanted. Also spent another $40 for 2x2 GB RAM and $80 for a 120 GB SSD. The genesis of this build was I wanted a netbook and wanted to spend about $250. This rig is much much better and capable than any netbook. It's the flexview screen and this build that is making me think about a Frankenpad.

I mentioned this because I noticed you have a couple of X41T. If size is important, I recommend this system.

Cigarguy wrote:"p" variant comes with a Nvidia 570 GPU which have a known fault. Unless you manage to find a machine made on Aug 08 (08/08) then it's prone to this failure. Worst yet is getting a machine that had the motherboard baked. Google around or search this forum on Nvidia GPU and T61. It's worth researching this one.

Another thing to consider is cost of a 4:3 T61. These are desirable for people looking to build a Frankenpad so the price of a these machines tend to be more than the widescreen T61. Also, AFAIK, there's no "p" variant of the 4:3 T61.

The only T61 version that didn't have a "p" option was actually a 14" widescreen.

Standard (4:3) 14" T61p sported the 570M card, but with only 128MB VRAM as opposed to 256MB that the same GPU carried in the 15.4" version.

Production of 4:3 units ended about May 0f 2008, so there are no 08/08 or later boards for these. NOS ones are obviously available through select channels...

I may start this project by looking for a dead T6x with above average plastics and go from there. It will then be stripped cleaned and prepared for the installation of a proper board.

If you run out of other options, I've got several 14" T61/p (4:3) shells, all with SXGA+ panels, ranging from good to almost dead mint. The boards have been pulled to serve in FrankenPads, but everything else can be configured pretty much any way you want...