Thinkpads Forum

Quick question: does anyone know if the palmrest assemblies for the X60, X60s, X61, and X61s are interchangeable?

I know that not all assemblies have the fingerprint reader built in, and I'm aware that the X60(s) palmrests lack the heat shield that was added for the X61(s). I'm simply wondering whether or not the parts are physically compatible. I don't plan on using the fingerprint reader, so whether or not I get a replacement assembly with a reader doesn't really matter to me.

Thanks.

-Rob

My X60 (not 's') has a heat shield under the palm rest - I thought it was to stop electric interference though.

Regarding the X60s & X61s, the models with the fingerprint option had the fingerprint scanner in different locations between the models. So I'm not sure there is adequate room below the palm rest area for a swap (due to the scanner). Swapping between non-fingerprint X60s & X61s models may very well work.

I'm pretty sure the X60 & X61 are physically different in size than the 's' models, so that swap shouldn't work.

It would be nice if an X6x eXpert would comment. Eventually, I may need a palmrest replacement for my X60s.

ThinkRob wrote:X60, X60s, X61, and X61s ... interchangeable?

Yes, given your stated constraint of not caring about the fingerprint reader.

I believe the s and the 'normal' X60 palmrests are identical, and the same story for the X61.

Since I've gone the whole Frankenstein swap thing from my X60s to an X61s: Fingerprint readers themselves are in different locations; cables plug into the same place so if you want the FP reader to work you're in luck. However, an X60/s palmrest will NOT work on an X61/s with WWAN... the secondary fan that these models have won't have enough clearance.

I'm not 100% sure on this, but I think the slimmer profile of the 's' models comes from a slimmer display rather than a slimmer chassis. This is simply by eyeballing and not actual measurements, but I was apparently sold an X61 palmrest which fits my X60s chassis just fine.

I am no pro here but I am pretty sure that the slimmer profile actually comes from the 4 cell "slim" battery versus the 4 cell standard "enhanced" battery in the x6X non S models.

Not that the x6Xs's never had the "enhanced" 4 cell (mine does) but their nicer dimensions come from the smaller battery being considered the standard battery in the S's. As far as I know.

I think the ultralight display is also the same externally, so even that isn't a factor. Could be wrong.

But the palmrest question seems to be adequately answered

Thanks for all the responses thus far!

I see now I should have given some context:

I've got an X60s that I'm in the process of refurbishing. It's got a cracked palmrest assembly (back by the left hinge -- one of the usual spots). It's got a FP reader now, but since I don't care about that, I'm really going for whatever replacement part is cheapest. I've found a couple sellers selling X61 and X61s assemblies for less than I can find anything listed as an X60 and/or X60s palmrest, so I'm hoping that all four are interchangeable (provided, of course, that you don't care about the FP reader.)

It's also worth noting that although my X60s does have factory-installed WWAN, it did not come with a fan (although it did come with a secondary antenna that was installed, but not actually plugged in to the card...), so there shouldn't be any clearance issues there.

Thanks!
-Rob

Cunha wrote:I am no pro here but I am pretty sure that the slimmer profile actually comes from the 4 cell "slim" battery versus the 4 cell standard "enhanced" battery in the x6X non S models.

This wasn't my understanding, but I'm no X6x expert either (yet, anyway).

Would someone with hands-on experience comment. It would be great to know if the X60/X61 palmrests and X60s/X61s palmrests are the same and interchangeable. Thanks!

UPDATE: O.K., a little research just revealed that X61/X61s models do not have Infrared ports. The palmrest for those models would cover the IR port on the X60/X60s, so I do not believe it would be a perfect swap. Someone please confirm.

I still do not know if the X60 and X60s use the same palmrest OR if the X61 and X61s use the same. Anyone with info, please comment.

The base of the X61 is slightly thicker in the rear than the base of the X61s. The thickness does not run the entire width of the laptop, just most of the width. Basically, the X61 has a bulge along the underside of the base whereas the X61s does not.

I removed the fingerprint reader from my X61 and replaced the palm-rest with a non-fingerprint palm-rest from an X61s. It seems to be a perfect fit.

Well this is good news. Perhaps the X60 & X61 are thicker in the back to accomodate a larger fan/improved cooling for the standard power Core Duo/Core 2 Duo CPUs. The X60s and X61s use the low power CPUs which probably permit the thinner base.

Although we await hands-on confimation, it does seem that the X60 and X60s models can use the same palmrest assemblies, as (confirmed above) can the X61 and X61s models. However, swapping between X60/X60s and X61/X61s models is a slight issue due to the removal of the Infrared port on all X61 models.

underclocker wrote: Although we await hands-on confimation, it does seem that the X60 and X60s models can use the same palmrest assemblies, as (confirmed above) can the X61 and X61s models. However, swapping between X60/X60s and X61/X61s models is a slight issue due to the removal of the Infrared port on all X61 models.

That's the general impression that I get too.

From all that I've read here and elsewhere, X6x and X6xs are interchangeable with no trade-offs. X60(s) and X61(s) are interchangeable if you don't mind loosing IR.

I've ordered an X61 assembly from a cheap Chinese seller (along with a lid assembly) and will report back as to whether or not it ends up working. From everything I can tell thus far it will indeed work, but will block the IR port.

I'm looking forward to getting my X60s refurbished!

ThinkRob
Can I ask you what was the final of you history with using X61 palmrest on x60?

Alex

It works fine. Since the X61s lacks IR, you'll find that an X61s palmrest will cover the IR port on those X60s units that have it. (I have no idea how many do have it though -- I just know that mine did.) Other than that, it's physically compatible in every way as far as I can tell.

What about FPR? On X61 palmrest FPR is in another place than on X60. Does the FPR cable connect fine to motherboard FPR socket? I'm going to buy x61 palmrest from this seller http://cgi.ebay.com/42x3801-NEW-IBM-THI ... 5adaf32415.

The fingerprint reader on the X61[s] palm rest will not work on the X60[s] motherboard, even if one surmounts the geometrically impossible task of making the cable reach, let alone rotating the connector 90 degrees.

EDIT- Correction: The fingerprint reader on the X61[s] palm rest WILL work on the X60[s] motherboard. See the second post by marYn below.

It's a bad news. Besause x61 palmrest more cheaper than x60's.

sashikawa wrote:What about FPR? On X61 palmrest FPR is in another place than on X60. Does the FPR cable connect fine to motherboard FPR socket? I'm going to buy x61 palmrest from this seller http://cgi.ebay.com/42x3801-NEW-IBM-THI ... 5adaf32415.

I have also bought X61(s) palmrest and installed it on my X60s. It fits perfectly fine.

xxx wrote:No. The fingerprint reader on the X61[s] palm rest will not work on the X60[s] motherboard, even if one surmounts the geometrically impossible task of making the cable reach, let alone rotating the connector 90 degrees.

This is not true. It will fit. The cable comes from 90 degree rotated angle but the connector is also rotated. So it fits. I did it on my laptop. X61 palm rest installed on X60s

marYn wrote:... This is not true. It will fit. The cable comes from 90 degree rotated angle but the connector is also rotated. So it fits. ...

You are absolutely correct! Thank you for the correction. [I don't know what I was doing/thinking when I tried this "fit" years ago, and concluded erroneously that it did not work.]

Success here as well, X61s palmrest with fingerprint reader on and X60S.
Positive is the cooling vents on the right side.
Negative is the blocking of the IR but it probably still works (but I can't get the IR to
work in Windows 7)

Tim S

Update on the X60S infrared with the X61S palmrest.
It's normal pathetically limited range is reduced to about an inch with the X61(S) palmrest!
I might, or not, drill some fine holes in front of the IR, to increase the range but I really don't
have a need for it.

TIm S

I don’t want to start a new topic especially since this discussion is about interchangeability between X61 and X61s series. I wonder (rather theoretically) if anyone tried to put an X61 MB with faster CPU into the lighter chassis of X61s? My understanding is that it is impossible due to the larger fan size of X61. Can anyone with first hand experience of X6. series comment on this? Thanks

X32 wrote:I don’t want to start a new topic especially since this discussion is about interchangeability between X61 and X61s series. I wonder (rather theoretically) if anyone tried to put an X61 MB with faster CPU into the lighter chassis of X61s? My understanding is that it is impossible due to the larger fan size of X61. Can anyone with first hand experience of X6. series comment on this? Thanks

This thread is talking about palmrests. You want to talk about motherboards. I believe that it's much more logical to start a new thread, than to bump a 1.5-year old thread that's very loosely related.

Mods, can you please split these?