Favorite 32-Bit Windows XP Thinkpad?

[McQuad]

I started another thread on another forum board, but it involved finding a ThinkPad for operating two separate operating systems - Win XP and Win 7 - via the same machine.

Just in case the search doesn't bear fruit, I'd like to ask a similar question, but this time it relates specifically to a single OS.

Assuming that you could find any model, which ThinkPad would you choose to run a 32-bit version of Win XP? The only tricky bit about this question is that I'd like to find a model that can accommodate an internal SSD drive ... but, if that isn't possible, I'd still like to hear about your favorite 32-bit Win XP Thinkpad.

Thank you for the help.

[RealBlackStuff]

My favourite XP machine was the T23, which uses 2.5" PATA/IDE HDDs.

If you still accept a HDD, look no further than a 5400rpm 160GB Samsung HM160HC.

Anything before R60/T60/X60 needs either an (expensive/rare) PATA/IDE SSD or a PATA/IDE-to mSATA adapter with an mSATA SSD.

R60/T60/X60 are the first main ones that came with 2.5" SATA drives.
These are limited to max. 4GB RAM, of which only ~3GB usable.
Very good still for XP, but they can also run 32-bit W7.
Depending on CPU, some can also run 64-bit W7.

All next/newer can have 8GB RAM or more.

[dr_st]

Assuming that you could find any model, which ThinkPad would you choose to run a 32-bit version of Win XP?

Probably a T60/T61 Frankenpad with T61 hardware and 15" 4:3 SXGA+/UXGA IPS LCD
Or a 15" 4:3 R61 modded with same SXGA+/UXGA IPS LCD

[TPFanatic]

The P4-M lineup (A31, T30, etc) are the last ThinkPads I'd want to run XP on, as it's the latest OS supported, but I would not do anything serious with them (my A31 plays music, nothing more). The next generation of ThinkPads has enough driver support to use Windows 7 well-enough, but they're still so legacy I prefer not to use them. 945GM (T60,X60,Z61,etc) is the oldest I want to use seriously. I find a slimmed down Windows 7 Ultimate is superior for my basic contemporary usage and security policies than Windows XP, mainly because Firefox still supports 7, and 7 Ultimate editions (and Server 2008) come with Bitlocker.

[solidpro]

X41.

[ZaZ]

Probably a T60/T61 Frankenpad with T61 hardware and 15" 4:3 SXGA+/UXGA IPS LCD

I'd say a R61 Frankie because it allows for the Bly ray drive and touch padless palm wrest.

[TPFanatic]

Thank goodness dreams are free because that R61 is very expensive in real life. The BD drive especially. Easier maybe to run some internal USB to a SATA BD reader, that will be a lot cheaper. There might be enough room in a 15" T601 minus the interposer board. Now I kind of want to try this.

Alternatively there's the "R600" way.

[ZaZ]

It does say favorite, not cost effective and I did have almost that machine back in the day minus the R61 board when parts were in greater supply.

[McQuad]

The P4-M lineup (A31, T30, etc) are the last ThinkPads I'd want to run XP on, as it's the latest OS supported, but I would not do anything serious with them (my A31 plays music, nothing more). The next generation of ThinkPads has enough driver support to use Windows 7 well-enough, but they're still so legacy I prefer not to use them. 945GM (T60,X60,Z61,etc) is the oldest I want to use seriously. I find a slimmed down Windows 7 Ultimate is superior for my basic contemporary usage and security policies than Windows XP, mainly because Firefox still supports 7, and 7 Ultimate editions (and Server 2008) come with Bitlocker.

I've been doing some research on the ThinkPad models bolded (above); namely, the T60, X60 and Z61. Am I correct in assuming that the R61 model was left off this list on purpose? I'm also assuming that the "higher order" letters and larger numbers indicate newer models. For example, I'm thinking that the X60 is newer than the T60 and, by the same logic, that the Z61 is the newest of the three? Is that correct?

[dr_st]

Not quite.

The letter (R, T, X, Z) represents the series. R = desktop replacements (thicker), T = thin-n-light average size laptops, X = small, ultraportables, Z = Lenovo's first widescreen series (started to distinguish from other series which were 4:3, discontinued as all series eventually became widescreen).

The number (60, 61) represents a platform (hardware) generation. 61 is newer than 60. Generally, the same number indicates the same series, but because Z60 started before the others, Z61 is actually the same hardware generation as X60, T60, R60. Whereas X61, T61, R61 are newer. Yes, it is confusing.

[McQuad]

Thank you for the letter/number clarification. That was very helpful!

Any thoughts about why the R61 wouldn't fit into the list of possible candidates? Does it have some sort of shortcoming when it comes to being a nice XP machine?

[TPFanatic]

I forgot about R60. R60 is fine. R61 is fine. Consider it/them part of the "etc."

Z series naming has been an aberration.

Z60 series uses the 915PM or 915GM chipset same as T43, R52, and X41. But it uses the new "CS05" 20V AC adapters, batteries, and docking stations. It is the first Thinkpad series to use widescreen displays.

Z61 series uses the 945PM or 945GM chipset same as T60, R60, and X60.

There is no Z62. The series became redundant once widescreen displays became standard in the T and R series.

Z series naming aberration is replicated in the later SL series, where SL300,SL400,and SL500 use the same chipset of older T61,R61, and X61 rather than new T400,T500,R500,X200,etc.. Then SL410 and SL510 use the same chipset as T500,T400,etc.. rather than new T510,T410,etc..

[McQuad]

Assuming that you could find any model, which ThinkPad would you choose to run a 32-bit version of Win XP?

Probably a T60/T61 Frankenpad with T61 hardware and 15" 4:3 SXGA+/UXGA IPS LCD
Or a 15" 4:3 R61 modded with same SXGA+/UXGA IPS LCD

By "...T61 Hardware...," do you mean a T60 outer shell with a T61 motherboard inside?

[McQuad]

Probably a T60/T61 Frankenpad with T61 hardware and 15" 4:3 SXGA+/UXGA IPS LCD

I'd say a R61 Frankie because it allows for the Bly ray drive and touch padless palm wrest.

I'm not sure if I've got the FrankenPad concept down quite yet, but is an "...R61 Frankie..." an R60 outer shell with an R61 motherboard inside?

[TPFanatic]

R61 Frankie just means pairing the 15" R61 motherboard with a 15" FlexView LCD.
People on this forum have acquired 15" R61 motherboards to put in 15" R60 and then swap in a FlexView. But most folks myself included just started with a complete 15" R61 and swapped in a FlexView.

T61 Frankie requires a T60 body because there is no 15" T61. But the 14" T61 motherboard will fit in a 15" T60 with barely any custom surgery.

The resulting product combines the Intel 965 Chipset with the high quality 15" FlexView LCD, a configuration that was never for sale by Lenovo despite being desired by this community. To this day this is still the highest performance configuration utilizing a 15" FlexView that is the most readily and easily producable.

[McQuad]

Not quite.

The letter (R, T, X, Z) represents the series. R = desktop replacements (thicker), T = thin-n-light average size laptops, X = small, ultraportables, Z = Lenovo's first widescreen series (started to distinguish from other series which were 4:3, discontinued as all series eventually became widescreen).

The number (60, 61) represents a platform (hardware) generation. 61 is newer than 60. Generally, the same number indicates the same series, but because Z60 started before the others, Z61 is actually the same hardware generation as X60, T60, R60. Whereas X61, T61, R61 are newer. Yes, it is confusing.

I've come to think of this as my favorite post, thus far. Why? Because the last word in the post is "confusing" - and, man, that is right on the money!

[McQuad]

Probably a T60/T61 Frankenpad with T61 hardware and 15" 4:3 SXGA+/UXGA IPS LCD

I'd say a R61 Frankie because it allows for the Bly ray drive and touch padless palm wrest.

If you happen to know the differences - other than being able to install a BD drive and the padless palm rest, of course - would you mind writing about the other differences between an R601 FrankenPad and a T601 Frankenpad?

Thank you for your time.

[ZaZ]

The internals will be the same, but generally speaking the R series will be a little thicker and heavier, which allows for the Blu ray drive. The R series is made with a plastic lid with the T series uses the durable magnesium.

[McQuad]

The internals will be the same, but generally speaking the R series will be a little thicker and heavier, which allows for the Blu ray drive. The R series is made with a plastic lid with the T series uses the durable magnesium.

Thank you for the clarification, Zaz.

[McQuad]

Thank goodness dreams are free because that R61 is very expensive in real life. The BD drive especially. Easier maybe to run some internal USB to a SATA BD reader, that will be a lot cheaper. There might be enough room in a 15" T601 minus the interposer board. Now I kind of want to try this.

Alternatively there's the "R600" way.

Would anyone kindly elaborate on the "R600 way" alternative? In other words, what is an R600? Is it another type of FrankenPad?

[TPFanatic]

Please see this post by wujstefan on "R600".

https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.p ... 35#p872135

[McQuad]

Please see this post by wujstefan on "R600".

https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.p ... 35#p872135

Thanks very much for the link, TPF, but I obviously don't know enough yet to make heads or tails out of the projects you were discussing with the Polish gentleman, wujstefan.

I saw the term "R600" used a couple of times in the thread, but, for the most part, other model numbers were mentioned there much more. Is the "R600" another FrankenPad project consisting of parts/components from more than one ThinkPad? If it is, would you kindly elaborate on what those parts are?

I'm genuinely interested in learning as much as I can before I spend our limited funds, so your words are greatly appreciated in this regard.

Have a good one ~
McQuad

[TPFanatic]

R600 is just a portmanteau of "R60" and "R500". R60 is one of the last models with a 15" standard screen, but it uses an older Intel 945 chipset from 2006. R500 is a model that uses the newer Intel GM45 chipset from 2008, it's two generations newer so it is marginally better (but also 14 years old by now). R500 are only offered in widescreen, but wujstefan wants to use GM45 chipset in a 15" standard screen laptop like R60. People who combine aspects of two different models will find a way to. These are the so-called "FrankenPads".

FrankenPads are an expensive and novelty endeavor, like antique cars, lots of price for low performance compared to newer products. Moore's Law applies. I think you would be happy with any regular ThinkPad. Anything a year or two out of Lenovo's warranty can be had for very inexpensive prices, especially the basic office models like T450 and T460. These support Windows 7 and by extension "Windows XP Mode". This would get you the best of Legacy Windows software support in the most modern computer. There are people who sell these laptops with Windows 7 already installed.

[axur-delmeria]

FrankenPads are an expensive and novelty endeavor

That depends on the purpose of the build. The Frankepads I built were cheap, because (1) I'm a cheapskate , and (2) I looked for units that were mostly-working, with damaged parts that I already have spares of.

Example: neighbor gave me a dead T42; found an R52 with broken lid for $20; transplanted the R52 board into T42.