Don't throw away your T4x, The new mobo is coming![Lots PIC]

[Peptate]

You might be right on this one, but i don't have a T6x and T4x from the same time, so i can't tell. It is hard to determine, but you might be right. But i haven't had any problem on my TPs.

But ont he bottomline, both are extremely well build machines. I just can't get how the T4X is so much better than the T6X, because in my book they are below the T6x in some very important aspects.

When I say the T4x is better than the T6x, I'm not referring to the hardware specs. I'm referring to the materials used, the assembly and the aesthetics. The plastic used on the T4x seems like they sourced a better grade of plastic that feels denser and does not flex as much - In general, feels more "solid" instead of the "hollowness" felt in cheaper laptops. It's hard to describe, but I'm much happier holding my T43 than my T61p.

By far the biggest thing that does it for me is the keyboard. I used to think that all thinkpad keyboards were built the same, but that couldn't be farther from the truth.

In reality, it does all come down to personal preference. I'm not saying I'm right, but if the T4x had relatively similar specs to the T6x, there's no way it would still be in my collection. Keep in mind that I am biased though, as I feel that every generation of thinkpads released, there has been a noticeable decline in build quality. (and by build quality, I really mean the perception of touch - I acknowledge the T43 has southbridge issues and cooling flaws.)

Alas, I don't claim to be an expert in this area, but I do use both my T43 and T61p everyday. At the end of the day, they both handle my abuse equally as well.

[Peptate]

They are harder to maintence.

I'll have to disagree with you on this one. IMHO once you disassembled enough thinkpads, they all start feeling roughly the same. A few extra screws doesn't discourage me. Replacing motherboards and backlight CFLs all stink equally across the generations.

The hinges might very well be better on the T4x

Screen wobbles a bit on my T61p, none what-so-ever on my T42/3.

On T/R/Z 60, they're made to be broken.

I got a kick out of this.

[Orclas]

When I say the T4x is better than the T6x, I'm not referring to the hardware specs. I'm referring to the materials used, the assembly and the aesthetics. The plastic used on the T4x seems like they sourced a better grade of plastic that feels denser and does not flex as much - In general, feels more "solid" instead of the "hollowness" felt in cheaper laptops.

It's hard to describe, but I'm much happier holding my T43 than my T61p.

Exactly! And the last parts sums it all up pretty good.

[QWERTY Andreas]

When I say the T4x is better than the T6x, I'm not referring to the hardware specs. I'm referring to the materials used, the assembly and the aesthetics. The plastic used on the T4x seems like they sourced a better grade of plastic that feels denser and does not flex as much - In general, feels more "solid" instead of the "hollowness" felt in cheaper laptops.

It's hard to describe, but I'm much happier holding my T43 than my T61p.

I am reffering to the T6X as better than the T4x, i am reffering to the Construction of the machine. It doens't make sense to compare speed across generations

But if you wan't to have a machine that "feels" nice, the MBP is a better choice. But even thought it feels better, its not better built

[Orclas]

Taste is different and I can understand if someone thinks T6x is a better build. If you on the other hand would have said that T400 is a better build, I would have plain concluded that you're fully bonkers

Anyhow - does anyone have any perspective on heat dissipation if one compares an /undervolted/ Dothan and some of the cooler Core i processors? If we leave all the tech generation things (which a modern MB would solve) aside, the cooling system is after all the Achilles' heel of the T4Xs.

[ajkula66]

Anyhow - does anyone have any perspective on heat dissipation if one compares an /undervolted/ Dothan and some of the cooler Core i processors? If we leave all the tech generation things (which a modern MB would solve) aside, the cooling system is after all the Achilles' heel of the T4Xs.

There are good news and bad news here...

The good news is that by eliminating ATi discrete graphics that were the main source of heat on (especially higher-end) T4x machines, we are making a step forward.

The bad news is that Arrandales run hot, period.

We'll see what issues need to be addressed once the board is actually grabbed by one of us, and we'll take it from there.

For now, let's just hope that the whole project reaches fruition and enters production stage...

[lophiomys]

Count me in for a minimum of 2x new mobos
targeting 15inch T42p/T43p UXGA.

I currently do not know, which of my UXGA screens (operative and stock) have this EDID chip or not.

1st gen i5 is enough for me, with an emphasis on cool and silent.
(I do observe, that my T42p with single core 1.8GHz Pentium M and SSD on PATA/SATA adapter
offers the same speed in daily use, as a Win7 64 bit on an HP EliteBook with SSD.)

A docking connector (with drivers) would be a big plus for me.

If they should rebuild on used boards, I would have 3x T42p boards to contribute.

Keep up the good work.

[pianowizard]

As for build quality...the older I get, the less impressed I am with the T60 series build quality.

I am surprised to hear this. I had three 14.1" T4* Thinkpads (T41, T42, T43), and one 14.1" T60. They were all 2 to 3 years old when I bought them. All three T4*'s felt soft and had lots of flexes, whereas the T60 felt almost as strong as the T30 and the 600 series. I guess it's quite hard to predict how well a laptop will age.

On the other hand, the 15.0" T43p I had was much more solid than the 14.1" T4*'s.

[ajkula66]

I am surprised to hear this. I had three 14.1" T4* Thinkpads (T41, T42, T43), and one 14.1" T60. They were all 2 to 3 years old when I bought them. All three T4*'s felt soft and had lots of flexes, whereas the T60 felt almost as strong as the T30 and the 600 series. I guess it's quite hard to predict how well a laptop will age.

I should've specified that my displeasure is primarily directed towards 15" (4:3) models. The frames crack like mad. The hinges are garbage. The plastics - all over the T6x range - age at twice the rate of T4x at the very least.

On the other hand, the 15.0" T43p I had was much more solid than the 14.1" T4*'s.

My experiences exactly.

[Orclas]

1st gen i5 is enough for me, with an emphasis on cool and silent.
(I do observe, that my T42p with single core 1.8GHz Pentium M and SSD on PATA/SATA adapter
offers the same speed in daily use, as a Win7 64 bit on an HP EliteBook with SSD.)

Same goes for my general usage pattern and where the difference between my old T40 and the T61 (with a C2D) mostly shows when viewing higher res flash content and such.

Running a bit ahead of things - since we don't know if a fully functioning MB will ever appear - I wonder if one could run the Core i's in something similar to the C2D LFM or SLFM mode to mitigate them running hot (since Ajkula say they do)? I don't have much knowledge about CPU technology myself.

[lanesharon]

A docking connector (with drivers) would be a big plus for me.

I also have a docking station and would like to be able to use it. The docking station allows me to have DVI connection and another usb port. Would have preferred HDMI, but hey, I will take anything I can get and be happy.

[DaKKS]

A docking connector (with drivers) would be a big plus for me.

I also have a docking station and would like to be able to use it. The docking station allows me to have DVI connection and another usb port. Would have preferred HDMI, but hey, I will take anything I can get and be happy.

The prototype board has an HDMI port. Whether or not it will still be there on the final version is another question however.

Admittedly, google does a [censored] job of translating, but the board seems pretty solid. I've seen Gigabyte boards with more issues. And they are suppsed to be "pros".

[Peptate]

Admittedly, google does a *****Expletives removed by Moderator***** job of translating, but the board seems pretty solid.

Honestly speaking, if it was publicly for sale at the moment, I wouldn't think twice.

[Arturus]

So far, I don't think anyone would.

[TonyJZX]

i suspect this will not work in WS t61s

there's lots of 1,024 x 768 t40/t60s etc not the 1,400 x 1,050p ones are rare as

[lophiomys]

Two months since OP.
Anyone in command of the Chinese language has read any news concerning this on 51nb.com ?
Thanks...

[stevenvh]

I'm curious too, but actually am probably still going to offer up my old T42P for parts or modding.
If anyone is interested, PM me. It's 2379-DYU, bare bones, with failed SB/USB and some other issues too.
It does still boot and run, but not for much longer....Available to forum members for the cost of shipping.

cheers

[misfit]

I've only just discovered this thread and have a 15" T43p and a 14" T42p which I'd love to upgrade to these motherboards. I figure my T60s will be good for maybe a few more years before it starts becoming difficult to get drivers for newer versions of Windows...

I have subscribed to this thread and hope that there are Chinese speakers here who will be able to keep us informed.

(stevenvh, if it wasn't for the fact that I'm in New Zealand I'd be taking you up on your offer....)

[posscakes]

if copy in http://forum.51nb.com/ in google and hit translate this page you should be able to find and read the forum thread in english.

[lophiomys]

I have checked the last pages of the T50 thread on 51nb.com
http://forum.51nb.com/thread-1352235-25-3.html
with google translate.
I seems that everyone is waiting impatiently and that HOPE is very busy.

[RMSMajestic]

latest news
http://forum.51nb.com/viewthread.php?ti ... ra=&page=2
#19

昨天收到消息在安排贴片，应该快了，具体时间不好确定，但是确实是在安排生产，现在只能提供这么多消息。
======================================
SMT under arrangement, should be okay soon, can't really give an exact time but it's really under production.



51nb.com in English
http://forum.51nb.com/index.php?styleid=10&sid=BPtxrE



BTW, could anyone please help me with this problem?
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=111736

[86turbodsl]

Any updates?

[petrovp]

Too good to be true. Will be like a killer to all crappy laptops manufactured now a days.
Of course limited amount of people will be interested in this - like the members of this forum.
I hope for HOPE to get this mobo in production. Cheers.

[skinnie]

Too good to be true. Will be like a killer to all crappy laptops manufactured now a days.
Of course limited amount of people will be interested in this - like the members of this forum.
I hope for HOPE to get this mobo in production. Cheers.

If this comes to real I guess I would just buy a dead T4x to have "perfect" laptop.

[PowerPC]

If this comes to real I guess I would just buy a dead T4x to have "perfect" laptop.

You and literally thousands of other users will suddenly do this as well, shooting the price of T4x units to the Moon.

I would advise to preemptively buy one now. Choose your screen format, buy the 15" inverter if you want a 14" unit and put it in a shelf.

[ajkula66]

If this comes to real I guess I would just buy a dead T4x to have "perfect" laptop.

You and literally thousands of other users will suddenly do this as well, shooting the price of T4x units to the Moon.

I would advise to preemptively buy one now. Choose your screen format, buy the 15" inverter if you want a 14" unit and put it in a shelf.

^^^^^^ An excellent piece of advice. The very reason I have three very decent 15" shells sitting and waiting...

[lophiomys]

so do I,
We should nominate HOPE for the Nobel Prize!

This will be a lesson for responsible decision makers at Lenovo.

[ABuNeNe]

Does it have hdmi output?

[Medessec]

Looks like the prototype mobos pictured indeed do have HDMI, where the S-Video port would be. Absolutely genius, if that does function 100%.

Ports-wise, it's quite minimal... but considering the board is 100% custom, and made from scratch, it's still absolutely amazing.

[RMSMajestic]

production nearly finish!!!!!
http://forum.51nb.com/thread-1407205-1-1.html
finally



but I guess we might have to wait for the next batch of motherboards :/ the first batch has only 200 ~ish motherboards only

I'm going back to China this Christmas and might bring back a few (<5) of those, if HOPE have no intention to sell those on ebay

Have faith in T4x