Thinkpads Forum

So, I really like my 14.1" 4:3 SXGA+ T60. I even considered buying a C2D to give it a little extra "boost." For not too much more than the cost of that CPU, I may be able to get a 42W7648 T61 board with cpu. In my opinion, this is an easy choice. It will require more work on my part, but the outcome will give me more room to grow. Is this something I should consider doing or not? Will it even work? It seems as though it should. It is just most people do the 15" frankie. I think the 15" machine is too bulky.

Yes it will work...but you might be better off with just selling your machine and getting a T61...the reason most people build on 15" units because of their IPS screens...

many parts interchange between the T60 and T61, you can swap lids and bases as well as much of the plastics. I recently send a T61 frame and lower cover to one member who's doing such a mod, I figured why cut up the T60 frame when I have a pile of good T61 frames. I'm not 100% sure one every parts interchangability between these two models, but if anyone else wants a frame to do such a mod I'd be glad to send them one too.

Next time I part out a T60 I'll swap the parts around a bit to get an idea of what does/doesn't work.

For someone who wants a maximum power 14" 4:3 machine, I'd suggest a T61 4:3 base and a T60 4:3 14" lid. You lose the LCD rollcage, but gain a slightly lighter, and prettier laptop with a symmetric lid and none of the ugly antenna grilles in your face.

So, I just did it. Feebay gave up a 889703U motherboard with cage and lower housing. Upper plastics and LCD from my t60 went over perfectly. You can not physically tell there is any difference from the outside. Snagged a matching pair of 2GB sticks from my 2 netbooks. 3GB from the t60 went back into them (I do not think my girlfriend will notice that she is down to a 1gig stick in her netbook). Downloading a pae kernel now to use the ram. Will flash Middleton's next. This only has a T5270 in it now. I will start shopping for a T9300. After a bit on this machine, maybe I will get to looking for a t60p and swap guts. They appear to go for a good premium. For now, I have a slim 14.1 sxga+ T61.

edit- I do not know if was my assembly process or if the chassis is slightly different, but there is noticeable flex at the left lcd bracket with the T61 chassis and base plastic. It is not tight in that area. I will probably take it apart and be sure I did not forget to tighten anything down.

I'm in a process of same thing.

Just started to building my T60 from scratch on ebay. I managed to buy spare parts damaged laptop with screen SXGA+, some people really don't know what they are selling.

Now I'm waiting for base with motherboard with CPU and fan of Core 2 Duo T7200 2Ghz. Just using my old SODIMMs of 667 Mhz to match the board and ATI X1300 and 7200RPM hdd which will be used as second internal drive after I will buy SSD drive later.

I'm about to expriment to increase background light of display because I have to take it apart to replace either the inverter or cable.

I always wanted the T60 because of the design and the 4:3 factor plus 1400x1050 resolution and my dream is going to happen. The were incredibly expensive. Now motherboard and C2D CPU with ATI card just for $44 is bargain...