A-Series V.S. G-Series

[smf]

Hi,

I was wondering what some people found they liked more Between A; and G. More specifically what's a better system and why, the A31p or the G41? They are the two flagship models of these two mobile workstation families, which would you give the title to? Why? i may be buying another thinkpad for the collection!
Thanks!

[dr_st]

A series still used mobile CPUs. G series used desktop CPUs, which were hotter and much more power-hungry, but could go higher in performance. However, it required the G-series laptops to be even bigger than A-series to accommodate the extra cooling required for the CPU.

In raw power, the highest-end G41 will beat the highest-end A31p; In fact probably the lowest-end G41 will. However, A31p have higher-resolution IPS screens, which G41 lack (although maybe it can be retrofitted? I never thought about it).

[theterminator93]

Actually the G series didn't use desktop CPUs - they used the Mobile Pentium 4 which uses the same socket as their desktop CPU counterparts. Whether they are capable of running the desktop socket 478 CPUs... I do not know though.

I suppose technically speaking the G series was the successor to the A series? In any case the A31p has a much better screen than anything found on the G41. The A31p is also noticeably thinner than the G41 - mostly because the G41 uses the faster and higher TDP Mobile Pentium 4 (max 3.46 GHz HT), vs the Pentium 4-M in the A31p (max 2.6 GHz, no HT). G41's GPU is also quite a bit faster than the A31p GPU due to being ~2 years newer, and the A31p's GPU is somewhat infamous for having problems. A31p also has a reputation for having some of the best speakers on a classic ThinkPad. G41 makes a pretty good space heater!

Having both I tend to use the G41 more, just because it runs some of the old software I periodically use a bit better due to the better GPU and CPU. They are both unique examples of what IBM was doing in the early-mid 2000s before they sold off the PC division to Lenovo however, and I would tell you to get both if you have the means...

[wujstefan]

I was wondering what some people found they liked more Between A; and G.

G-series was very rare (especially nVidia-loaded), and one of a kind. Totally different from any other thinkpad built before.

although maybe it can be retrofitted? I never thought about it

Yup, it can and works perfectly with nVidia GPU. Never tested with intel though!

I suppose technically speaking the G series was the successor to the A series?

Nope! This was a completely different line, G being advertised as desktop replacement. Mobile Workstations was put on hold until T4xp / T6xp and, later on, W series. In straight-line, W500 is the actual successor (at least was advertised).

A31p also has a reputation for having some of the best speakers on a classic ThinkPad.

G41's are not much worse.

Having both I tend to use the G41 more, just because it runs some of the old software I periodically use a bit better due to the better GPU and CPU. They are both unique examples of what IBM was doing in the early-mid 2000s before they sold off the PC division to Lenovo however, and I would tell you to get both if you have the means...

Totally. Both are fantastic pieces of history I'd happily keep to make my kids aware of how did it look that time.

@theterminator93: maybe we should bring in some review face-to-face A and G series? I'm missing G40 (sold it for almost nothing 3 years ago, I was stupid and hate myself) and intel-based G41 (nVidia G41 and G50 are in tha house) and A2x (A30, A31 and A31p restored to great shape - A21p under restoration actually)

[dr_st]

@theterminator93: maybe we should bring in some review face-to-face A and G series? I'm missing G40 (sold it for almost nothing 3 years ago, I was stupid and hate myself) and intel-based G41 (nVidia G41 and G50 are in tha house) and A2x (A30, A31 and A31p restored to great shape - A21p under restoration actually)

Yep, a survey would be awesome.

Does G50 support Core 2 Duo CPUs and can it be retrofitted with an IPS screen (seeing as it appears to only have Intel GPU option)?

[wujstefan]

Does G50 support Core 2 Duo CPUs and can it be retrofitted with an IPS screen (seeing as it appears to only have Intel GPU option)?

No and yes.
T2700 is the top here; 3gigs of RAM are top as well. SSDs work fine, albeit at SATA-1 speeds.
IPS screen from T60 is almost a drop-in replacement. It does work with led-mod as well. I have only seen intel-based unit (and got one - thank you a gazilion times Screamer), and restored it to a full glory. I think I should make some pics this weekend and refresh both G41, G50 and A31p for pics/testing.

[ajkula66]

T2700 is the top here;

No BIOS support for C2D or ?

[wujstefan]

No BIOS support for C2D or ?

This is EC limitation that made only Yonah core duos working, AFAIK impossible to simple come by. These systems were sold in Japan only, and while they hold "G" letter they do not have much in common with G40 or G41. Mobile CPUs, low-end spec, one speaker only, no docking port, "normal" 20V charger (G40/G41 used kind of fancy charger), running *VERY* cool.

[dr_st]

No docking port on G50. I did not know that. I guess they used similar board design to the low-end R60e series or something.

With all these ports on the chassis, and an IPS screen fitted, I guess one could live without a docking port. It's a desktop replacement after all.

[wujstefan]

G41 is a great system and one of a kind, while G50 is just a very interesting piece of history, with the huge upside of running super-cool. It's... different. I think that comparison to R60e is pretty good here.

Now I'm pretty sure I should make a short review of this one

[theterminator93]

I broke out the A31p and G41 last night and booted them up. I took a few pictures but need to decide what to write about before taking more! Maybe if I have some time this evening...

[pianowizard]

Back in 2008 I had a G41, specifically the 2886-79U with 3.3GHz Pentium 4 and 15" SXGA+. It was a joy to use: the chassis was extremely sturdy, the non-IPS screen was surprisingly okay, and even with just 1GB of PC2700 RAM it ran Vista Home Premium quite smoothly. It might have been my first laptop on which Vista wasn't a disaster.

If I were still collecting Thinkpads I would definitely be looking for the G50. Does anyone know whether the G50 can use 4GB of RAM?

[ajkula66]

I broke out the A31p and G41 last night and booted them up. I took a few pictures but need to decide what to write about before taking more! Maybe if I have some time this evening...

I wrote about A31p vs. G41 vs. R60 a few years ago...

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=109121

Now all the images are blurred by Photobucket... ...one more reason for you to do your own comparison...

[wujstefan]

Does anyone know whether the G50 can use 4GB of RAM?

Nope, it does not. 3Gigs are max.

I wrote about A31p vs. G41 vs. R60 a few years ago...

I guess this particular R60 is in my hands now... FSB-modded now, and restored ^^

[ajkula66]

I guess this particular R60 is in my hands now... FSB-modded now, and restored ^^

Actually, no. The one from the thread is in Canada I believe. What you got from me was an R61

Getting old sucks. I'm trying to remember who around here did the first IPS mod on a G41 years ago and it's not happening...

[theterminator93]

I spent some time taking a few photos and comparing differences between my A22m, A31p, and G41. I have posted it here: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=129409

I hope you find it insightful.

[tfflivemb2]

Does anyone know whether the G50 can use 4GB of RAM?

Nope, it does not. 3Gigs are max.

You sure about that? 3gb is a 32bit limitation in windows. I'm not familiar with the G50, but I believe that was after Lenovo took over, and googling says yes to 4gb...possibly 16gb.

EDIT: I stand corrected. Lenovo also made a G50, which takes 16gb. Looks like limit is 2gb...not sure where 3 came from.

[ajkula66]

EDIT: I stand corrected. Lenovo also made a G50, which takes 16gb. Looks like limit is 2gb...not sure where 3 came from.

It's the same chipset limitation as on T/R/X60, one can physically install 4GB but only ~3GB will be usable by the machine regardless of the OS installed.

[pianowizard]

Now all the images are blurred by Photobucket... ...one more reason for you to do your own comparison...

Wow, I hadn't known about the blurring until you mentioned it! I too have a thread full of G41 photos: viewtopic.php?t=64360

[TPFanatic]

ThinkPad G50 uses the 945GM chipset which is limited to maximum 4GB, about 1GB is used by the motherboard, leaving 3GB usable. Same limitations as the T60, R60, X60, Z61.