IBM Thinkpad T60

[olekhabiter7]

I found a Thinkpad T60 on ebay and want to use it for Browsing/Writing and maybe install linux on it.

But i have a few concerns:

How about the drivers? Is it difficult to get things (eg. WLAN) running?

and is it fast enough to run Firefox> Youtube,Reddit,... and libreoffice?

What is an apropriate price?

[TPFanatic]

What type of T60? If you want a 15.4" widescreen model, aim for a T61, T500, or R500. If 14" standard screen, try looking for a T61 standard screen. The only compelling T60 model is the 15" standard screen because it's the last ThinkPad produced with 15" standard high resolution IPS LCDs of the SXGA+ resolution (T60p could get UXGA). If it has an XGA screen, pass.

Your multitasking will be limited by the 3-4GB of RAM usable max. If you keep your tabs down and it should work fine for browsing and office.

Make sure to use an SSD.

[atagunov]

multitasking will be limited by the 3-4GB of RAM usable max

It's 3Gb unfortunately.. Even if you plug 4 it can only use 3.

I'd say for 16:10 aspect ratio look at T400/T500/T510 and later - those that use DDR3. DDR3 is probably 3x or 4x cheaper for 8Gb than DDR2. Plus DDR2 4Gb memory sticks are sold out in most places.

As noted 15" 4:3 T60/R60 is only good for it it's 4:3 ratio. Die-hard 4:3 fanatics pay good money for 15 4:3 T60 refitted with T61 motherboards and 1600*1200 screens, so called "Frankenpads". So that you still get 15" 4:3 and can use 8Gb RAM. Such machines easily cost well in excess of $200. And they still needs DDR2 super-expensive for 8Gb. Though 2Gb DDR2 memory sticks are cheap as dirt.. and these machines only take 2 memory sticks.. Make your choice wisely

Ah there may also be some 15" 4:3 R61-s around: these can use 8Gb RAM DDR2 and still are 4:3 15". 0.5kg heavier than T60, Intel graphics only and cost more than T60/R60 maybe in excess of £70?.. Not sure. But they are some around. And they take same screen panels and batteries as T60/R60 of the same size.

I think it's quite likely a well used T60/R60/R61 will have worn hinges. In my experience machines with solid hinges are more rare than those with flaky ones. And I found only one single offer on ebay for 15" 4:3 T60 hinges - it was in Germany it wasn't cheap and it's been taken - by me Not sure if there are any more on offer..

Indeed make sure you fit an SSD whatever machine you choose.

P.S. sourcing good batteries for T60/R60/T61 is somewhat of a challenge these days.. the quest is not impossible but it won't be trivial. People who like KingSener batts from AliExpress (£30 a piece delivered in a month) will find that T520/T420/X220/T530/T430/X230 are easier to kit out with a new battery. For people who don't like KingSener it's an ebay hunt for an original one regardless of which old Thinkpad model they have.

[dr_st]

As noted 15" 4:3 T60/R60 is only good for it it's 4:3 ratio. Die-hard 4:3 fanatics pay good money for 15 4:3 T60 refitted with T61 motherboards and 1600*1200 screens, so called "Frankenpads". So that you still get 15" 4:3 and can use 8Gb RAM. Such machines easily cost well in excess of $200. And they still needs DDR2 super-expensive for 8Gb. Though 2Gb DDR2 memory sticks are cheap as dirt..

4GB is probably the sweet spot for a system of that era in terms of cost/benefit ratio.

Ah there may also be some 15" 4:3 R61-s around: these can use 8Gb RAM DDR2 and still are 4:3 15". 0.5kg heavier than T60, Intel graphics only and cost more than T60/R60 maybe in excess of £70?.. Not sure. But they are some around.

The weight difference for the same size machine is probably less than 0.5kg.

I think it's quite likely a well used T60/R60/R61 will have worn hinges. In my experience machines with solid hinges are more rare than those with flaky ones.

My experience is that T60 hinges will be worn, but still solid. They get wobbly fast, but stay at a normal level and don't deteriorate. It's the widescreen T61/T400 hinges that get pretty bad. R series hinges? No idea.

[kfzhu1229]

Again, keep in mind that the widescreen models have a totally different hinge design compared to the 4:3 ones. They are designed to be more heavy duty but they can get wobbly fast and also their open end design means they can eventually get seized up with dust and break your lid! The first thing I do for any of those kind of open end steel hinges is to lubricate it.