Thinkpads Forum

Hi, I'm looking to buy a T60 (Though It doesn't help that they seem to be becoming somewhat rare) for a couple of reasons.

Firstly for use as a programmable typewriter, for when I just want to disconnect from media and get work done. I already use an HP Pentium M notebook for this purpose, so the T60 would almost be an upgrade, in a sense. As long as it can run a text-editor and a few other tools I don't care about performance, keyboard, build, and screen quality is all that matters. For this reason I would ideally like to have a 15" 4:3 model, since I'm sure you're no strangers here as to how pleasurable that is for programming and other text work. XGA is a bit dear these days, especially since my old HP has 1680x1050.

However, my other main reason for wanting this laptop is that it's one of the few that supports Libreboot I greatly value Free Software and would love to own a fully free computer. However, Libreboot is not compatible with ATI graphics because of the need for proprietary firmware, this rules it out completely.
If you're unfamiliar with Libreboot you can find out more here: https://libreboot.org/

This brings me to the crux of my question: Did the T60 ever come in a configuration with a high resolution 15" 4:3 display and Intel GMA graphics?
If not, or if it's exceptionally rare, could such a machine be built by replacing parts? How would one go about this?

Thank you for any help and advice.

Very likely, but they probably aren't too common. All 15" displays are interchangeable anyway, so its not too difficult to replace an XGA screen with an SXGA+ one.

Even a UXGA (1600x1200) screen will work without problems.

Even QXGA (2048x1536) screen will work without problems in Windows (but no low resolution DOS/boot display without flashing LCD EDID first). T61 and GMA works without flashing EDID.

That is excellent news, thank you all for the replies. Now to find a suitable machine.

Frobe70 wrote:Even QXGA (2048x1536) screen will work without problems in Windows (but no low resolution DOS/boot display without flashing LCD EDID first). T61 and GMA works without flashing EDID.

2048x1536 is larger than anything I've used, even on a desktop, I'm going to take a wild stab and say these screens are not at all cheap?

You'd sooner find a Ferrari for sale on eBay...

QXGA screens are very rare and expensive. I don't think I've ever seen any on ebay in the past few years. UXGA screens are a dime a dozen in comparison.

You will probably have more luck getting one by posting a WTB on this forum.

I was lucky to find an IAQX10S on eBay 5 years ago, paid $190 including freight.
My intention was to use this QXGA screen in a spare T60, but when I built my T61 Frankenpad it ended up with this screen as my main computer. It is nice to have high resolution, and it is usable with normal fort size and small icons.

Three years ago I bought a HV150UX2-100 LED screen for $114 including freight. I understand this is still available, but more expensive now. Maybe I will add this screen to my T60p later this year, or keep it as a spare screen for my Frankenpad.

As seen in my signature I have recently purchased some newer and faster Thinkpads, but I still prefer to use my old T61 Frankenpad due to the 4:3 screen layout. But it will probably newer leave home any more, when travelling I will use T430s or T440s.

Just an update on my progress:
I am now the proud owner of a T60p with a UXGA display. I was lucky enough to find one in excellent condition after a few patient weeks, not a single dead pixel on the display. However, it did not have a working battery or HDD, but that's fine by me.
I payed 35AUD for the machine, which leaves enough to snatch up an Intel GMA motherboard at some point in the future. It's already bliss to work with that screen. The quality between the T60p and my T420 is night and day.

Thanks to everyone here for the help, I've read through a lot of extremely useful threads.

Nice find, mate! You'll never see a UXGA T60p on eBay for that kind of money!