x230 x220 motherboard retrofit

[harryK]

Good morning, I am at it again


Do you think it is possible? I'm sure people have been/will be trying to swap motherboards to upgrade the last great Thinkpad...

[600X]

Why would anyone do that? Both have 16:9 screens.

[harryK]

Why would anyone do that? Both have 16:9 screens.

Well, to get USB3.0, IvyBridge and better graphics while retaining a proper keyboard

I would do that

[600X]

In that case why not just install the X220 keyboard (along with the palmrest) on the X230? It's been done before. Keep in mind that some keys will not work afterwards.

[harryK]

In that case why not just install the X220 keyboard (along with the palmrest) on the X230? It's been done before. Keep in mind that some keys will not work afterwards.

Yes, but if I had an x220 and wanted to upgrade it I wouldn't get an x230 and swap the keyboards, I would look at getting a second hand x230 motherboard and fit it in my x220, don't you think?

[600X]

In that case why not just install the X220 keyboard (along with the palmrest) on the X230? It's been done before. Keep in mind that some keys will not work afterwards.

Yes, but if I had an x220 and wanted to upgrade it I wouldn't get an x230 and swap the keyboards, I would look at getting a second hand x230 motherboard and fit it in my x220, don't you think?

Since the X230 has a mini DP instead of normal DP the mobo will not fit into the X220 chassis. It makes more sense to sell your X220, get a X230 instead and downgrade the keyboard/palmrest.

Since the physical difference between mDP and DP is not that huge and the port is located at roughly the same spot, you might still be able to squeeze in the X230 mobo if you cut the displayport hole of the X220 a bit. It might even fit without cutting. But like I said, IMO you should just get a X230 in which case you wouldn't need to spend time on replacing the mobo either.

But the choice is up to you.

[dr_st]

The proper X220 keyboard will not work properly on an X230 motherboard. This mod is pretty pointless except for the better graphics core. In the CPU department, there is not much extra speed IvyB offers over SandyB, and Core i7 X220 boards have USB 3.0 as well (although only one port).