R500 current equivalent?

[Wendy]

My husband has been using an R500 for say, the last 10 years+/- running Windows Vista. I'd like to get him a new computer for Christmas and was wondering what of the current models would be most like his current machine. I'm married to a Luddite...yep...he's an engineer who refuses to embrace new technology. My problem. That said, I need to find a new machine, running Windows 7 because it won't change the look and feel and still run MS Paint, one of his favorite tools. He also likes to have a zillion browser windows open so memory is a must. So here are my specs:

Windows 7
I7 processor
16 gigs memory
Harddrive space not an issue
15" screen
No number pad on the keyboard.

Can anyone recommend a current model that will fill my needs?

[ZaZ]

That said, I need to find a new machine, running Windows 7 because it won't change the look and feel and still run MS Paint, one of his favorite tools.

This is going to be a problem as most new machines use Kaby Lake CPUs, which Microsoft has dictated will no longer get Windows 7 driver support. You might find an new old stock T560 or L560, which would be the equivalent of the R500 today in my opinion, via a internet retailer or eBay, but the pricing can vary widely on new old stock machines and you didn't say what you're looking to spend. They will have Windows 7 drivers. If you do buy one, I would suggest getting the FHD screen as it's IPS and offers much improved picture quality.

15" notebooks without 10 keys are rare birds these days, the Dell XPS 15 comes to mind or it's business equivalent, the Precision 5510. You may be able to still find the older Sky Lake XPS 15 9550, which would have Windows 7 drivers, in the Dell Outlet, which means as long as it's not marked scratch and dent, it should look new and have the full warranty. If you find one and it has Windows 10 Pro installed, it would include downgrade rights to Windows 7 Pro. I've seen a couple XPS 15s and they're nice machines, but no trackpoint if that's an issue.

[MikalE]

I would look for a W520 with one of the high end i7 QM processors and 32GB of RAM.

There is so much you can still do with these machines. And Windows 7 Pro will be no problem.

[BobA]

I would look for a W520 with one of the high end i7 QM processors and 32GB of RAM.

There is so much you can still do with these machines. And Windows 7 Pro will be no problem.

I have a W520 with an i7-2860QM CPU for sale. It only has 16GB of RAM but two slots are empty. If you're interested, I have it for sale on the forum here .. viewtopic.php?f=11&t=125222
Bob

[jaspen-meyer]

I'm a Luddite. My work machine is a T400, which is basically the same machine as your husband's R500.

I wouldn't be happy if my wife got me a 'new' computer, unless it was VERY similar to the computer I already had. Going from an R500 to a W520 would be a plesant change. Going from an R500 to a T560 would not; changing the keyboard, from what he's used to, to something new is a big, upsetting, change for many thinkpad users.

All thinkpads, from 1995-2012 all used a very similar "7-row keyboard". In 2013 there was a major change to the keyboard layout and die-hard thinkpad users have been disgruntled ever since.

quick note, to give you context when looking at thinkpad models. The model numbering is, basically [STYLE][screen width][year][version]. The first 0 in R500, means model year 2010. W520 means model year 2012.

The W520 is the best machine you can get which uses the same style keyboard layout as your husband's R500. It's the reason many are suggesting the W520, which is the top-of-the line for machine's with this keyboard. Granted it is 6 years old, but it is more powerful than all but the highest performance laptops on the market today.

The difference between the R500 and the W520 is, on the surface, minor. The difference 'under the hood' is very substantial. To put it another way, the w520 runs circles around the R500, but feels very similar. In summary, it'd be an acceptable change for a Luddite.

[Wendy]

Wow! Thanks for the outpouring of knowledge. I appreciate everyone's input. I was though, hoping to get him a new model and put Win 7 on it with his beloved Frontpage that I could put at least 16 gb of ram.

In the meantime since I posted this, he has been using my high end Macbook Pro with touchbar. He always uses my Mac when we travel so has some familiarity with it. Transition has been a bit strained but he is trying.

Our biggest hurdle has been his webpage he maintains. He's using a copy of Dreamweaver but it appears a bit quirky on the machine....I put on Acorn which will hopefully work well for his Paint replacement. My only complaint with this Mac -- it only has USB C ports so you need adapters...not one of Apple's finer moments....I love all my Macs because for over 20 years I supported Windows at work (I'm retired) and I love that there is little to support with them because once you have the knowledge and skills everybody is your client no matter how long you don't do it.

Meanwhile I have set up the Dell 5410 in the stable with Frontpage as a back up should this experiment go south. Thinkpads are the only Windows machines I will spend my money on. I know there are a couple I could still get with Windows 7 but they are quickly dwindling and they were the ones I was hoping someone could recommend the best of.

If the Mac experment goes completely south, I will consider the W520. I have a W500 but that has become unstable over the years and I don't want to take the time to figure out why. I'm done tinkering with Windows machines for life.

As a matter of fact if anyone wants the W500 or for that matter the R60 and the 760 I have sitting around, they are welcome to them....time to unload.

[Ibthink]

If he is OK with the Macbook keyboard, I would suggest the W530 or T530 instead of the W520, no reason to buy the older model if the keyboard isn´t that important. W530 and T530 are currently the last ThinkPads with a 15" screen and no numpad.

[MikalE]

Wow! Thanks for the outpouring of knowledge. I appreciate everyone's input. I was though, hoping to get him a new model and put Win 7 on it with his beloved Frontpage that I could put at least 16 gb of ram.

In the meantime since I posted this, he has been using my high end Macbook Pro with touchbar. He always uses my Mac when we travel so has some familiarity with it. Transition has been a bit strained but he is trying.

Our biggest hurdle has been his webpage he maintains. He's using a copy of Dreamweaver but it appears a bit quirky on the machine....I put on Acorn which will hopefully work well for his Paint replacement. My only complaint with this Mac -- it only has USB C ports so you need adapters...not one of Apple's finer moments....I love all my Macs because for over 20 years I supported Windows at work (I'm retired) and I love that there is little to support with them because once you have the knowledge and skills everybody is your client no matter how long you don't do it.

Meanwhile I have set up the Dell 5410 in the stable with Frontpage as a back up should this experiment go south. Thinkpads are the only Windows machines I will spend my money on. I know there are a couple I could still get with Windows 7 but they are quickly dwindling and they were the ones I was hoping someone could recommend the best of.

If the Mac experment goes completely south, I will consider the W520. I have a W500 but that has become unstable over the years and I don't want to take the time to figure out why. I'm done tinkering with Windows machines for life.

As a matter of fact if anyone wants the W500 or for that matter the R60 and the 760 I have sitting around, they are welcome to them....time to unload.

How much do you want for the W500, what cosmetic condition is it in, and what are its specs please?

I forgot to ask which model of IBM 760 is this?

[NonesensE]

Maybe your husband would like the T25 (25th anniversary limited edition of the T470 with classic keyboard), but it's just sold out, unfortunately. Not exactly the equivalent of the R500 today, but still...

[dr_st]

Maybe your husband would like the T25 (25th anniversary limited edition of the T470 with classic keyboard), but it's just sold out, unfortunately. Not exactly the equivalent of the R500 today, but still...

I consider the Thinkpad 25 a good laptop, but for this particular request - way overkill, even if was still available in North America. It is also nothing like the R500 in any meaningful way (other than the keyboard/trackpoint).

[MikalE]

Not to mention that Windows 7 is not supported.

[Wendy]

Not to mention that Windows 7 is not supported.

Technically support doesn't expire until 2020...yes, only critical updates till then, but that is all I need for now considering he's been running Windows Vista all this time

[Wendy]

If the Mac experment goes completely south, I will consider the W520. I have a W500 but that has become unstable over the years and I don't want to take the time to figure out why. I'm done tinkering with Windows machines for life.

As a matter of fact if anyone wants the W500 or for that matter the R60 and the 760 I have sitting around, they are welcome to them....time to unload.
[/quote]

How much do you want for the W500, what cosmetic condition is it in, and what are its specs please?

I forgot to ask which model of IBM 760 is this?
[/quote]

So far the Mac experiment is going rather well which surprises me.

Let me think about the W500....I haven't looked at it in a couple years and just powered it on. Cosmetically it is in great shape. The battery is dead for sure. My mother in law used it for a few years and when it started throwing errors, I got her a Mac Mini because I got tired of supporting it. Little to no attention is needed for the Mini. Now that I powered it on, I'm going to play with it...I think it needs a new hard drive and the memory reset. I'll let you know.

The 760 is an EL... powers on but shows a floppy disk on the display so can't do much with it. The memory bay door is also missing. Free to anyone who wants to pay shipping or pick up in Central CT.`

The R60 was bought from a forum member a number of years back and I believe it works fine. Cosmetically is in decent shape.

Thanks for the interest.

[Wendy]

Maybe your husband would like the T25 (25th anniversary limited edition of the T470 with classic keyboard), but it's just sold out, unfortunately. Not exactly the equivalent of the R500 today, but still...

I consider the Thinkpad 25 a good laptop, but for this particular request - way overkill, even if was still available in North America. It is also nothing like the R500 in any meaningful way (other than the keyboard/trackpoint).

Actually I did look at it and if it was available probably would have bought it even tho its as pricy as the Macbook Pro.

[MikalE]

Not to mention that Windows 7 is not supported.

The T25 does not support Windows 7. Not MS.

[dr_st]

Actually I did look at it and if it was available probably would have bought it even tho its as pricy as the Macbook Pro.

Well, what do you know? It's available again. Says 'ships in 10-12 business days'. Probably on backorder from the central warehouse or something.

But, yeah, the Kaby Lake CPU/SoC generation does not officially support Windows 7, and many drivers may not be available.

[thinkpadcollection]

Not to mention that Windows 7 is not supported.

The T25 does not support Windows 7. Not MS.

Correct, This is for skylake and later processor (some skylake support), kabylake will not support 7 for any reasons especially updates. Nevertheless, I continue to upgrade my capable computers to 10 and few that
can not do 10 out of box were 1st gen processors. C2D/C2Q works well with 10, especially 3.0GHz C2 quad.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[Wendy]

I appreciate everyone's input and thought I'd give an update.

The Macbook Pro experiment was a complete and utter failure. Mr. Analog had an extremely hard time adjusting to new tools to do those familiar functions. I felt two weeks was enough torture for him. I placed his old R500 back in place and the expensive mac is going back today.

In the meantime you all inspired me to take another look at my W500. It was giving blue screen memory errors occasionally. I swapped the hard drive out and opened and reseated the memory and put a fresh Win 7 64 install on the drive. It appears to be working ok. I may invest in a memory upgrade to 8 gb and then give this machine to Mr. Analog. I think the bump in memory may solve some of his issues with a kazillion browser windows open at once and its got a better video card than the R. It will also run his beloved Frontpage (where anyone who can do a word doc can be a webmaster!) and Paint. feel my pain ;-DD And I still have the Dell 5410 in the wings should both of these fail at sometime.

Wish me luck! Thanks again for the help....Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah...etc... and a Happy New Year!

[MikalE]

Maxing out the memory capacity and swapping in an SSD can really give the W/T500 series a new lease on life.

I have a T500 with 8GB, 250 GB SSD, and a Core 2 Duo T9600 processor. It is really a nice machine and is in regular use for a Windows 7 Pro 64 machine. This T500 was new enough that Windows 7 was factory loaded on this machine and was not an upgrade.

Merry Christmas to you too.

[jaspen-meyer]

I second the suggestion to put an SSD into the machine. Upgrading the cpu in those machines is another cheap and, fairly easy, upgrade.

[MikalE]

Quick, too. Those three components are the cheapest bang-for-your-buck upgrade you can do to just about any mid-grade machine.

[Wendy]

I thought I'd check in with an update...in case anyone cares ;-D

Its been a few months and he finally asked for a swap. In the meantime I did upgrade the W500 to 8gb of ram but alas, after a day or two of constant use the blue screen came and now I can't get the machine to boot.

In light of that I put the hard drive with Win7 from the W in the R along with the 8gb of ram and its working ok....didn't ask for any driver changes but the ethernet won't stay connected (did the same in the W) to the outside world only internal network....but the wifi works fine so wifi it is for now....

But...I just ordered a T470 with i7 and 16gb of ram which I hope will last as long as both of these laptops and he will have to adjust to Windows 10. I've read only good things about the T470 and it seems that it is the equivalent in 2018 specs to what I was looking for as a replacement.

So I have a W500 and an R60 if anyone is looking for projects...no hard drives but everything else for fix or parts. I'll put them up on the FS section.