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looking for upgrade and modding tips for my thinkpad X201 tablet
Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2024 2:50 pm
by slimeboy
I recently picked up a ThinkPad X201 Tablet and I’m looking to do some upgrades and modding to get the most out of it. Here’s what I’ve got right now:
Intel Core i5-520U
2GB RAM
320GB HDD
Dead battery
I’m not planning on doing anything super crazy, but I’d love to hear your suggestions for upgrades or mods that would breathe new life into this little guy.
Re: looking for upgrade and modding tips for my thinkpad X201 tablet
Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2024 6:12 pm
by ZaZ
Upgrading to a SSD is the best money you can spend. 2GB of memory is a little low these days, so bumping up to 8GB or 16GB depending on your budget seems like a good idea. A faster CPU require a board swap, which likely wont make much a difference.
Re: looking for upgrade and modding tips for my thinkpad X201 tablet
Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2024 10:26 am
by axur-delmeria
ZaZ wrote: ↑Fri Dec 13, 2024 6:12 pm
Upgrading to a SSD is the best money you can spend. 2GB of memory is a little low these days, so bumping up to 8GB or 16GB depending on your budget seems like a good idea. A faster CPU require a board swap, which likely wont make much a difference.
8GB is the maximum supported RAM for the X201 family-- two 4GB DDR3-1066 sticks, anything DDR3L generally won't work.
Re: looking for upgrade and modding tips for my thinkpad X201 tablet
Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2024 11:08 am
by Gonzaleitor
axur-delmeria wrote: ↑Sat Dec 14, 2024 10:26 am
ZaZ wrote: ↑Fri Dec 13, 2024 6:12 pm
Upgrading to a SSD is the best money you can spend. 2GB of memory is a little low these days, so bumping up to 8GB or 16GB depending on your budget seems like a good idea. A faster CPU require a board swap, which likely wont make much a difference.
8GB is the maximum supported RAM for the X201 family-- two 4GB DDR3-1066 sticks, anything DDR3L generally won't work.
I agree, DDR3L won't work. I have a couple of them and the laptop won't post with them inside.
Re: looking for upgrade and modding tips for my thinkpad X201 tablet
Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2025 6:58 pm
by 28CarsLater
axur-delmeria wrote: ↑Sat Dec 14, 2024 10:26 am
ZaZ wrote: ↑Fri Dec 13, 2024 6:12 pm
Upgrading to a SSD is the best money you can spend. 2GB of memory is a little low these days, so bumping up to 8GB or 16GB depending on your budget seems like a good idea. A faster CPU require a board swap, which likely wont make much a difference.
8GB is the maximum supported RAM for the X201 family-- two 4GB DDR3-1066 sticks, anything DDR3L generally won't work.
I got one up and running with DDR3 1333mhz. I believe I also tried 1600mhz and it wouldn't post.
Re: looking for upgrade and modding tips for my thinkpad X201 tablet
Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2025 10:43 pm
by axur-delmeria
28CarsLater wrote: ↑Thu Dec 11, 2025 6:58 pm
I got one up and running with DDR3 1333mhz. I believe I also tried 1600mhz and it wouldn't post.
Older DDR3 1333 sticks should work fine. If it's made with the same chips as later DDR3L 1600 sticks, there's a higher chance of it not working.