Thinkpads Forum

The following questions relate to T-Series and to (13" to) 14" screens only:

1. Which was the last model with a 4:3 screen?
2. Which was the last model with a Parallel Printing Port ?
3. Which was the last model with the 'original' IBM style keyboard layout (with all the buttons)?
4. Which was the last model with 16:10 screen (probably the T410, but I ask anyway)?

Thanks. I was reluctant to give up on my 600X (running XP Pro), but, for W7 Pro I moved 'up' to T43 (works fine, even with Intel graphics). I use the LPT printer port for two database progs, the oldest from 1991 (remember IBM PC-DOS).

To answer some of your queries:

1) T61/p. Discontinued in the spring of 2008.

2) Can't say off the top of my head.

3) Define "original". The layout without the Windows key ended up with T43/p. The 7-row layout with Windows key survived into the *20 series, but was abandoned for the *30 generation.

4) You are correct, it was T410.

For 2) it was the T43. However, the T60 and T61 can take an ultrabay serial + parallel port adapter. These are native, real ports, not using USB.

Thanks ajkula66,

Regarding keyboards, my long-term use experience (Thinkpad) is limited to 600X, T43 and T430s. The first two have great keyboards and the T430s has a terrible one, of course, in my opinion. So, my definition would be a keyboard type model T43.

The keyboard and screen size make the T410 interesting to me. Unless they come out with a new 4:3 or 16:10. I wish!

brchan wrote:For 2) it was the T43. However, the T60 and T61 can take an ultrabay serial + parallel port adapter. These are native, real ports, not using USB.

Thanks. I'll keep my T43 forever! Wouldn't like to lose the Ultrabay slot to an adapter, although it's good to know about the above option.

CeeBee wrote:
The keyboard and screen size make the T410 interesting to me.

T410 is a fine system and should remain quite usable for many years. Two things I was not pleased with were the screen - but I'm generally difficult when it comes to that area - and the touchpad which I don't use anyway but was just ugly to look at and unpleasant to touch. In my opinion, that is.

I've owned a T60, a T61, a T43/p and now a T410.

All were / are excellent machines. The T410 has been my daily driver for over a year now and I love this machine now just as much as the day that I got it. Being a Trackpoint man, I hardly, if ever use the touch pad. The touchpad surface feels fine to me, I just prefer the accuracy and operation of the track point.

In reference to the ultrabay serial and parallel ports for the T6x, I don't know if such an adapter was made for the T410.

In reference to the display on the T410, it's no IPS panel to be sure, but for my tired eyes, it works very well. I hardly ever have to adjust the angle to get a proper viewing experience. I work in the IT industry and use my machine for everything for general Microsoft Office work to RDP sessions, console sessions (USB to Serial), etc. At home it plays games and video just fine as well as general internet use.

The T410 has and continues to be the best laptop I have ever owned. This includes Apple's, Dell's, HP's and of course, Thinkpads. It just ana amazing machine that keeps on ticking. It's even handled a few falls with nary a scratch to show for it.

Assuming you can get by with USB to Serial or Parallel, the Dual Core HT CPU in this machine will absolutely smoke the Pentium M in your T43.

Temetka wrote:
In reference to the ultrabay serial and parallel ports for the T6x, I don't know if such an adapter was made for the T410.

No. Unfortunately not.

the Dual Core HT CPU in this machine will absolutely smoke the Pentium M in your T43.

Yep. To the point that it's not even worth comparing the two.