Thinkpads Forum

I'd like some advice on power supplies for my 600X. The original battery's long dead and the adapter (original too) has bad contact. If I move the cord a bit it turns the machine off, a real bummer.
I'm looking for replacements, something affordable but still good enough so I won't blow up my TP (thanks Sony Corp!).
Anybody knows a reliable/affordable source for international customers?

Well, if you're looking to get one here, a few of us (including me) probably have a spare adapter that we could sell to you.

I would think that here or eBay would be the best places to get those items.

Almost any universal laptop power supply will work. You just need to make sure it puts out the appropriate voltage and amps. You'll find that info listed under "output" on the original adapter label. A universal adapter with a higher amp rating is fine, but not a lower one. The computer will only draw the amount of amps it needs. Voltage must be the SAME. If the volatage is lower, the computer will draw more amps to compensate (volts x amps = watts -- the computer will draw the watts it needs to run). That leads to a high heat build up and could overheat/burn out some of the electronics. Amps cause heat.

Think of it this way -- if you have a spigot running water into a bucket, amps is the amount of water running in the bucket, volts is the water pressure. In this case there is a constant flow, so it's more accurate to say amps is the amount of water in gallons per minute/hour/etc. running into the bucket.

You forgot the most important item...

POLARITY

If you go the route of a universal adapter, you MUST make sure that the polarity of the plug matches that of the IBM adapter. For the 600 series (and probably all other IBM Thinkpads, but check anyway), this means that the center conductor, the "hole" in the plug, must be POSITIVE.

@joaomiguelxs:
Your problem could be that the DC jack in the laptop is loose or dirty. Are you sure that the power interruption is due to the AC adapter?

Good thinking Ray & farna...


I'd never know the amps were the deal!
Ray, I'll give it a look on the weekend, but I've disassembled this baby a few times for thorough cleanup. Maybe missed something...

I was thinking of getting at least a brand new battery and maybe an adapter. There are dozens of sellers in eBay with "similar" or equivalent parts for the 600X. Can they be trusted in terms of hardware quality?

Thanks for the advice so far!

My feeling is that, for the small difference in price, you should get an IBM brand AC adapter. The "72 watt" adapter works just fine in a 600, and are easier to find cheaply, than the older ones.

In terms of batteries, the price difference is much bigger - and batteries are a consumable item. Also, genuine IBM batteries for long-discontinued models are usually quite old, which is not good for batteries.

Coincidentally, I just installed a new battery in my 600X. US$36 delivered for 4400mah high capacity. Since you are in Brazil, you will want to find an ebay auction from a dealer in Hong Kong, because they feature low-cost shipping to most countries.

Stuart, thanks for the suggestion.
A newer, original and compatible adapter sounds like good common sense to me.
Do you know the 72 watt adapter's FRU?

POLARITY of the adapter is THE most important thing.....
voltage dont worry about...at 14 volts my 600 beeped at me but at 14.5 volt it ran fine,,and that was off my truck with a 100 amp alternator,with a 900 amp battery wired direct..current output (amps,watts) dont matter..laptop will ONLY draw what it needs..
I used an HP power supply on it in the house,it put out 19.5 volts,ran it three years on that,..the voltage regulator in the machine will accept a wide range of voltages and adjust them as it needs to..i couldnt find the specs for a 10 volt regulator,(close to thinkpad batery) but any 5 volt or 12 volt regulator will work with up to 35 volts so no concern there..
so,,find an adapter that fits with the right POLARITY and give it a go..
on a replacement battery,done the ebay thing,even guaranteed,,after paying for shipping back after it didnt work due to bad electronics it cost more than having the old one refilled...consider that...
good luck and have fun..

You might want to try lenovo.com first. Sometimes there is specials on power adapters. About 6-8 weeks ago they were on special for 28.13 plus shipping and tax. Mine came out to around $33-
$35, for new i think that is worth it.

Or you could keep your eyes peeled here...I just picked up two 72W adapters for $36 shipped....though I bought two of them recently on eBay for $16 shipped each.