Who still uses a IBM ThinkPad as their daily?

[ThinkPad560X]

Who still uses their under name IBM ThinkPad as their daily PC?
Im still using my IBM ThinkPad T30, maxed at 1GB RAM, 16GB SSD, Windows XP Professional. It still runs smooth and fast for its age plus it was the first ThinkPad to feature a dual trackpoint and touchpad combo. I have similar ThinkPads, R31 and R40 that I sometimes use too. My 2nd would be my IBM ThinkPad Z60m since it has a widescreen to view webpages of today better.

[dr_st]

The question should be, whether there is anyone who meets all the following criteria:

1) Uses his computer for anything remotely demanding (such as, say, browsing the modern web)
2) Values his time
3) Is sane
4) Can afford a computer that's less than 9 years old
5) Still uses a pre-Lenovo Thinkpad as his daily driver

The answer is "no".

[Norway Pad]

It's not that long ago that I booted up my T30s. This generation is now getting long in the tooth on the hardware (CPU/GPU) side, so even if it might be doable with some patience, I have a hard time seeing a T30 as my daily driver anymore. (My units have 2GB RAM though, so your 1GB can't defined as maxed out..) But I'm even more concerned with the mentioned choice of OS for daily tasks. I don't know if the whole XP security situation has turned out as bad as it was expected before EOL, but there is no way I would base tasks like online banking, PayPal activity etc. on an unsupported OS. Some Linux distro would be preferable if I was forced to do this.

To put it in perspective, I can mention that I sometimes do "retrocomputing" on 600 and 560 laptops. On a hobby basis, with low stakes, using the old units is fun and has a certain charm to it. But for daily critical computing tasks, I let my old hardware retire with dignity instead of pushing them and relying on them to run things that's far beyond their scope.

[brchan]

I still daily drive my T43 (2.00ghz Pentium-M, 2GB ram, X300 gpu, Arch Linux). Still handles 95% of web content very well. Only occasional websites that are very heavy in javascript will it start to become laggy. High end T4x models should still be quite usable for atleast another 3 years.

Also, lightweight Linux distros will start becoming a must if you want good performance on older machines. Although XP still receives "hidden" updates, it is too insecure and slow after so many updates. Also, Windows 7 will only run OK on T43 machines.

[DaKKS]

I still use my T43p upgraded T42 pretty regularly. PM 780, 2GB, V3200, 14" SXGA+, 128GB SSD.

I was my daily driver until a few weeks ago. Haven't had much use for a laptop since then, and the little I need portability, I use my Macbook instead. Which has way longer battery life anyway.

I'm seriously considering ditching Lenovo for a Macbook Air. Lenovo doesn't really have anything to compete with. Considered both X240 and X1 and even the new Yoga. Its a thin line between portability and performance.

[Neil]

@ ThinkPad560X - I do! There are two X40 that I use a little each day. One runs Linux Mint Mate, the other Puppy. Also have a T43 that get a little use most days, running Xubuntu.

@ dr_st...
1) I don't really, except the web, but nothing demanding there either.
2) It's just a hobby, although I take one X40 with me to work each day.
3) Not so much.
4) I have newer ThinkPads, but they don't get used as much as the classics.
5) See above.

[Norway Pad]

I didn't put too much attention into "name IBM ThinkPad as their daily PC", as I focused mostly on the mentioned T30 and the use of XP. But if we include T4x series in the equation, I could still have a decent daily driver with the T43P and Win7. If I was left with no other laptops, that would be just fine for a long time.

[rkawakami]

Using two A31p systems daily; one at work (hibernated every night in docking station) the other at home (left on 24/7 but the screen turned off when not being used) for the last three years. Both systems are actually "seconds" as the earlier ones I was using fell victim to a bad CCFL and the typical video corruption.

Disproving dr_st's assertion that nobody fits his established criteria:
1) Uses his computer for anything remotely demanding (such as, say, browsing the modern web)
Work computer used to browse web, run a small C++ compiler, connects remotely to home A31p using LogMeIn. Home system browses, does an occasional video conversion (.h264 to .avi or .wmv) and generally exists as a remote file server. Flash videos in Firefox are next to useless but if one downloads the video clip, they play fine using VLC.
2) Values his time
When not working, I spend most of my day monitoring this forum so what does that say?
3) Is sane
I think I am but then again, I've not been tested recently. If you use the typical definition for insanity: "doing something the same way over and over and expecting the result to change", then I can safely say that as a computer programmer, I always expect identical results from my code. When something unexpected happens, I blame the user for supplying invalid data.
4) Can afford a computer that's less than 9 years old
Several T410 and X300 systems bought off eBay and restored to full operation for <$200 each. I choose not to buy new since I don't believe it is cost-effective; i.e., for the cost of one new system I can have three (or more) systems that are at most two generations back but still gets the job done. If this makes logical sense, then I think that proves question #3 in the positive.
5) Still uses a pre-Lenovo Thinkpad as his daily driver
See opening statement

Also use an X60 from time-to-time for video production, web browsing and monitoring my security cameras. Somewhat less usage for the T410 and X300 systems.

[jronald]

Not an IBM, but about as close as you can get. Z61t not quite maxed. SSD, 3 gigs RAM and a 2.0 cpu, frankly does an outstanding job for me. Other than a few hiccups with drivers after 7 updates itself, it has performed flawless for a couple of years.

Ron

[ajkula66]

But if we include T4x series in the equation, I could still have a decent daily driver with the T43P and Win7. If I was left with no other laptops, that would be just fine for a long time.

Agreed 10001%...

My A31p is a glorified typewriter nowadays, while the T42p serves as a Linux testbed.

However, a SATA-modded T43p with a SSD is still one usable machine.

[exTPfan]

I do --- for writing research-level books in mathematics, the T42 s and the T601 in my sig are the best laptops I've been able to find, and I've tried quite a few. Short screens and lousy keyboards/trackpoints just don't work for me, and speed isn't a problem.

[Khipata]

Typing on my X40 right now More than enough for browsing this forum.
For more demanding tasks T500 and W520.
And yes, I play with IBM PC110 almost every day... As I said before, maybe this is an obsession, but I use it as my daily DRIVER, motivation so to speak Amazing little machine...

[Medessec]

If IBM Thinkpads mean the good old IBM-made beasties, then not as a daily. I have a prize T43p, A31p, G41 and X24 tucked away- once I get out of this horrid excuse of American education they call "College", and get a job and a house, I'm buying them all end-tables and pedestals with spot lights, and putting them around my living room.

My X60T and W700DS see daily action. My X60T is my school computer and drawing tablet, while my W700DS is my spare gaming machine and also for 3D animating... since Maya is messy, and the Graph Editor is perfect to use on the second screen.

[ThinkPad560X]

I guess it all depends what you do on them. I just go online and do stuff on their and watch reviews of new tech that comes out for PC, Auto and Consoles. Im currently upgrading my IBM ThinkCentre A50p with a Lenovo board M81 to play current games and such. Its too bad laptops couldnt be upgraded, The only closes I got was replacing my bad T40 board with a T43p board. Im sure it can be done someday, 3D print a custom board and fit it in a ThinkPad 240. But I try to atleast use all my IBM ThinkPads, everymonth I'll switch to another model of random choice. Anything older 600X and under I probably use for mess around, I even get them online to try them out.

[pianowizard]

My daily PCs have been desktops since Dec 2008 -- see http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=59702 . Desktops are so much more comfortable to use than laptops!

[exTPfan]

Desktops are so much more comfortable to use than laptops!

For some; others of us find it difficult to spend long hours sitting at a desk.

[Temetka]

I use a Thinkpad as my daily driver. It's my T410. I haven't owned an IBM labeled Thinkpad in quite sometime and I don't see that changing any time soon.

That being said, this T410 handles everything I need. It's got 8GB of RAM and a 350 EVO SSD. Very fast and very portable laptop. I have owned quite a few Thinkpads over they years, but the only ones that felt as awesome as this computer were my T41P and T23. I loved those machines.

[Tõnis]

I was just about to make a topic asking if anyone uses a daily driver as old as mine when I saw this topic. My only computer is an R61. Despite the whole XP support issue, I see know reason to change. The machine is lean and handles everything I do very well. XP aside, it's not broken so why fix it?

[ajkula66]

My only computer is an R61.

If properly set-up, that's still an excellent daily driver, presuming one is not crunching numbers 24/7/365 or doing graphic-intensive work/gaming.

Despite the whole XP support issue, I see know reason to change.

Well...the only machine still running XP - albeit as a part of dual boot - in my household is the A31p. Can't say that I miss the OS in question. W7 has spoiled me rotten in many respects.

The machine is lean and handles everything I do very well. XP aside, it's not broken so why fix it?

I'd argue that C2D CPUs - especially in the Penryn guise - are amongst the most under-rated performers of any era.

While I own newer/faster machines, the one that I use most of the time is my custom WUXGA T61...

[pianowizard]

Folks, the OP asked about IBM Thinkpads, meaning T43/43p or older. Z60 or newer would be a Lenovo Thinkpad. In fact, if we follow Lenovo's Tabooks (http://www.lenovo.com/psref/psrefs_withdrawn.shtml), the T41 was the last IBM Thinkpad. Also, it has to be used daily. In my lab, I use an X31 once or twice a month -- it's for controlling a piece of lab equipment -- and that wouldn't count. Even if I used it daily, I bet the OP didn't mean merely turning the computer on, but actually doing most tasks on that computer. As an example, I use my Dell Inspiron 7500 (700MHz Pentium III) quite often to watch Region 2 DVDs that my DVD players can't play, and sometimes I also use it to play MP3 music, but I don't do anything else on it. Thus, even if I used this Inspiron daily, it's not the kind of "daily" that the OP asked for.

Though I turn on many of my computers daily or almost daily, only one of them can be considered a daily driver: my HP 8300 Elite minitower, which I have had since July 2012. It's my most powerful computer, with Core i7-3770, 12GB RAM, 9TB HDD, and 5 monitors totaling 13.4 MP. I used to believe in trailing-edge technologies, even for my daily drivers, e.g. a 233MHz Pentium Packard Bell in 2003-2005, and a 2.80GHz Pentium 4 Dell GX280 in 2009-2011. I convinced myself that they were fast enough. But in June 2011, I upgraded that Pentium 4 to a Precision 390 with 2.66GHz Core2 Extreme QX6700, and I was so blown away by the performance boost that I vowed to never use trailing-edge tech again. That Precision felt significantly faster than the Pentium 4 even for routine tasks like opening a folder or loading a simple web page. For traveling though, weight is my primary concern, which is why I travel with my very slow Sony Vaio P530CH (1.33GHz Atom Z520) which weighs only 1.23 lbs and is pocketable.

For some; others of us find it difficult to spend long hours sitting at a desk.

For me, it's much easier to sit at a desk for 8 hours than viewing a tiny screen and resting my hands on a warm palm rest for that same amount of time.

[ajkula66]

Folks, the OP asked about IBM Thinkpads, meaning T43/43p or older. Z60 or newer would be a Lenovo Thinkpad. Also, it has to be used daily.

My T43pSF would meet both of these requirements...

For traveling though, weight is my primary concern, which is why I travel with my very slow Sony Vaio P530CH (1.33GHz Atom Z520) which weighs only 1.23 lbs and is pocketable.

It has taken me years to figure out that I really don't care much about the machine's size/weight while traveling, but I do care about battery life. Hence the T410 in my signature - that I'm typing on right now, being away from home - serves that purpose.

[pianowizard]

My T43pSF would meet both of these requirements...

Ooops, I updated my post while you were typing yours. In that update, I added that Lenovo considers the T41 to be the last IBM Thinkpad. Thus, by Lenovo's definition, your T43pSF would not qualify.

It has taken me years to figure out that I really don't care much about the machine's size/weight while traveling

I am the exact opposite: after each trip, I tell myself that I need to shed more weight on my next trip! I bet I travel differently than many people (probably including you). While traveling, I often need to carry all my belongings for many hours straight. After 10 hours in a row, even a 5-lb backpack can start to cause shoulder pain. Being able to put that Sony P Series in a pants pocket instead of the backpack helps a bit. But for many people, they drive to the airport, then drive from the airport to a hotel, and then leave most items in their room. Thus, they need to actually carry their stuff for only a few minutes each day, in which case even a 20-lb luggage is easy to handle.

[TuuS]

Folks, the OP asked about IBM Thinkpads, meaning T43/43p or older. Z60 or newer would be a Lenovo Thinkpad. Also, it has to be used daily.

My T43pSF would meet both of these requirements...

Some of the T60 and T61 models had IBM branding too as I'm sure you know, so if they are included here then you can count me in too.

Although I had newer laptops I used my a31 almost exclusively until 2008, and even then used it for all my communications while a newer model with more ram did the heavy computing. I eventually switched to just T61 models, have had newer ones but none that I've been as happy with. I also have a 17" ultra elitebook but may replace it with a W700.

[ajkula66]

In that update, I added that Lenovo considers the T41 to be the last IBM Thinkpad.

That never made any sense to me whatsoever, but it is what it is...

Thus, by Lenovo's definition, your T43pSF would not qualify.

In all fairness, it should not qualify. A SATA-mod + SLC SSD + "N" wireless card take it pretty far away from a stock unit.

While traveling, I often need to carry all my belongings for many hours straight.

If I were in such a predicament, my only device would be a BlackBerry.

After 10 hours in a row, even a 5-lb backpack can start to cause shoulder pain.

No doubt about that.

But for many people, they drive to the airport, then drive from the airport to a hotel, and then leave most items in their room. Thus, they need to actually carry their stuff for only a few minutes each day, in which case even a 20-lb luggage is easy to handle.

I'll see how lightly I'll be able to pack for a trip to Europe next year...that's going to be fun, in more ways than just one.

[pianowizard]

Some of the T60 and T61 models had IBM branding too as I'm sure you know, so if they are included here then you can count me in too.

There are three ways to draw the line between IBM and Lenovo. I wonder which one was used by the OP.

I also have a 17" ultrabook...

I had no idea such a thing existed! What's the model? The biggest Ultrabook listed on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultrabook is only 15.6".

If I were in such a predicament, my only device would be a BlackBerry.

I have tried not bringing any laptop on two business trips. The first one was in France for 6 days in 2007, when I brought only my Dell Axim X51v PDA, and the second one was in Washington DC for 5 days in 2011 for which I brought only my HTC Touch Pro2 smartphone. I felt so crippled both times.

[TuuS]

I also have a 17" ultrabook...

I had no idea such a thing existed! What's the model?

Sorry, my brain typed Elitebook and my fingers misbehaved. They tend to do that a lot...

ps. It's an HP 87xx series, the last one with real keyboard and is an obvious copy of thinkpad design, but what I really like is the 17" WUXGA screen with Wide Viewing Angle option. If I get ambitious I'll look into putting one of these screens in my W700, but for now the HP serves me well as a desktop replacement.

[pianowizard]

ps. It's an HP 87xx series, the last one with real keyboard and is an obvious copy of thinkpad design, but what I really like is the 17" WUXGA screen with Wide Viewing Angle option.

I think you are referring to the 8710w. The last one with 17" WUXGA was the 8740w, but it used island keys and didn't resemble Thinkpads at all. The Elitebooks from 2007 and 2008 looked very nice indeed. In fact, they were much prettier than any of the widescreen Thinkpads of that era, so I doubt that HP copied from Thinkpads. On the contrary, they might have inspired Lenovo to improve the looks of widescreen Thinkpads.

[thomase13]

I use my IBM ThinkPad T60p with Windows XP Professional for everything!
It's branded IBM, and it was the last to be at least in part designed by IBM, so I think it should count as an IBM ThinkPad. The T61 is where I draw the line not only because of the obvious branding, but the design decisions start to make much less sense IMHO.

My first and best-loved ThinkPad was in the i Series, which were made by Acer, and I certainly still count that as an IBM ThinkPad!

The big change for me from the T4x to T60 is going from a single-core to dual-core processor. After having a dual-core, I would find it pretty hard to live without; it's the biggest leap in computer performance I've seen until SSDs came along!

[brchan]

Unfortunately my T43 is suffereing from a bad fan, and I will be using my T61 for all my work now. Not really an IBM laptop, but it still has the IBM sticker .

[emeraldgirl08]

Have a TR4050e Frankenpad. It has Crunchbang installed. It is definitely long in the tooth as far as web browsing goes. I had used it as a print server however the fan on it is making noises and the hard drive is as well. Not quite sure what to do with it at this point.

Love love love the keyboard on it <3 <3 <3 The keys are not excessively clacky (some may like noisy keys but definitely not for me) and the mechanical throughput from push-to-release of the keys is wonderful! Wish there was a USB housing I could put the keyboard on and use at my desktop!