Pimping out an R50

[Passa]

Hi folks. I've had this R50 (1830-56M) for 2-3 years, scored it free when it was going to be thrown out from the workplace , and I've upgraded bits and pieces along the way. It runs with 1.5GB of RAM now, and a 160GB HDD, just wondering what else I can do.

Would a Pentium M Dothan 765 or 755 (2.1GHz or 2GHz) be a worthwhile upgrade? (And would that even be compatible?) Will the jump from the current 1.4GHz Banias CPU be noticable?

Other upgrades I had in mind was adding internal Bluetooth, a better wifi card (current Intel one has crappy range) and the possibility of a new screen that is 1400x1050. Not sure about the possibility of the last one since my R50 has a 14.1" screen.

One of my biggest problems with it at the moment is the total uselessness of the screen outside. As soon as even a little bit of sunlight hits it, the screen is completely black and unreadable, even on max brightness. Indoors, compared to my desktop monitor, it is VERY noticeably darker. So even a screen upgrade that is still 1024x768 but a lot brighter/more vibrant would be viable for me.

Thoughts?

[sjthinkpader]

Welcome to the forum from Down Under.

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Would a Pentium M Dothan 765 or 755 (2.1GHz or 2GHz) be a worthwhile upgrade? (And would that even be compatible?) Will the jump from the current 1.4GHz Banias CPU be noticable?

I would go for a 735 or 745 Dothan. 765 and 755 just cause more heat in the machine beside more cost.

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Other upgrades I had in mind was adding internal Bluetooth, a better wifi card (current Intel one has crappy range) and the possibility of a new screen that is 1400x1050. Not sure about the possibility of the last one since my R50 has a 14.1" screen.

There is no 14 inch SXGA+ LCD cable for R5x. Someone had used T4x SXGA+ cable and mod the lid switch on the cable. WiFi and BT addition is pretty easy and you can use a Hitachi Cable 2.4Ghz antenna with short leads for the BT card.

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One of my biggest problems with it at the moment is the total uselessness of the screen outside. As soon as even a little bit of sunlight hits it, the screen is completely black and unreadable, even on max brightness. Indoors, compared to my desktop monitor, it is VERY noticeably darker. So even a screen upgrade that is still 1024x768 but a lot brighter/more vibrant would be viable for me.

Thoughts?

Can't help with the screen brightness issue other than to get a Tablet Thinkpad. They are built with the brightest screens.

You miss the hottest thing, the LCD lid stick-ons. The lady behind me at SFO airport had a beautiful skin on her netbook. Earlier this week browsing thru the new Guan-Wa electronic market in Taipei, there were many shops that put on any kinds of designs. Now that's really pimping out a machine.

[Passa]

Can't help with the screen brightness issue other than to get a Tablet Thinkpad. They are built with the brightest screens.

Ah dang so no models you could recommend that I could grab on the cheap second hand just for a brighter LCD?

You miss the hottest thing, the LCD lid stick-ons.

Yeah I looked into that at one stage, but besides not being sure if it'd really go with the look/shape of a Thinkpad, I couldn't find any places selling prints I liked any sites you could recommend?

[sjthinkpader]

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Ah dang so no models you could recommend that I could grab on the cheap second hand just for a brighter LCD?
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The first generation tablet X41t are now three years old and coming off service. You can get one pretty cheap. They would still look washed out under direct sun.