The most expensive and rarest Thinkpads ? [relax topic]

[WarhawkCZ]

Just for sake of curiosity... Which were the most expensive Thinkpads at the time of release you remember (types, configs?). Today, it would be probably X1E, x30x was also super expensive. However, I am a youngster and don't remember the old era much.

Also, which happen to be the rarest thinkpads? Not now, but in terms of manufactured units. ?

[dr_st]

Rarest would probably be anything that was released in limited locales and/or through limited channels., e.g., S30, S31, G50 (Japan only), R61 15" 4:3 (Europe only), Thinkpad 25 Anniversary Edition...

[WarhawkCZ]

Ha, I did not know about R61 4:30 existence.
Also, G50 is new to me.

[axur-delmeria]

Rare?

The 240Z I guess. IIRC it was Japan-only.

The X32 too. It's an update of the X31 (now with Dothan Pentium M's) but was released when the X40 was already available.

I don't know how rare the 755CDV was. Its lid had a detachable back cover, which allowed it to be placed on top of an overhead projector and used as a makeshift video projector.

[RealBlackStuff]

X230s I have yet to see one! https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-Th ... 271.0.html
X240s is also quite rare. I have two X240s prototypes with MTM 1234-567, I kid you not.
Both models were basically brought out only in Japan.
Rare? Yes.
Expensive? Not really (new around €1,200 / $1,365).

Most expensive? Probably the IBM Thinkpad 755CDV which sold for a whopping 960,000 ¥ --> $8,592 back in 1995.
To get an idea of original prices way back when, see this Forum post.

[WarhawkCZ]

X230s I have yet to see one! https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-Th ... 271.0.html
X240s is also quite rare. I have two X240s prototypes with MTM 1234-567, I kid you not.
Both models were basically brought out only in Japan.
Rare? Yes.
Expensive? Not really (new around €1,200 / $1,365).

Most expensive? Probably the IBM Thinkpad 755CDV which sold for a whopping 960,000 ¥ --> $8,592 back in 1995.
To get an idea of original prices way back when, see this Forum post.

Is there some story behind the prototypes you could share? This is very unique ownership.

What the hell made 755CDV so expensive?

[Thinkpad4by3]

What the hell made 755CDV so expensive?

Ok, here it goes:

1: Top of the line Active Matrix display
2: Custom made display with a removable back
3: Video encoding and decoding hardware
4: CD-ROM drive(first in a portable package)
5: IBM Mwave sound controller and midi support
6: Brand new Li-ion batteries(only on the P75 versions like mine)
7: Two fantastic stereo speakers right up front.

And there are a bunch of other little odds and ends that add to the price too.

[wujstefan]

Well I do own a R61i 4:3, G41, G40, G50 and X32. Out of all those, G50 is the real rarity, at least in Europe.

755CDV... one sold locally not so far ago for over $1k. Insane.

I was not half aware there was a X230s!

[dr_st]

I wouldn't consider G40/G41/X32 rare. Sure, less common than the siblings, but they were available world-wide, openly, for at least a year.

[ajkula66]

I'll stay away from the "expensive" side of evaluation, but I've never seen an i1124 or its fraternal twin 240Z in real life. The same applies to G50 and X230s.

Many moons ago I used to work with someone who owned a 755CDV along with a couple of other old (at the time) ThinkPads. Interesting piece of engineering for sure, but I never lusted after one whatsoever.

The only one that I wish I would've owned while it was still usable would be a 770Z with SXGA panel. They are not anywhere near as rare as the ones mentioned above, but have somehow eluded silly old me for whatever reason.

[amardeep]

Thinkpad Transnote ? http://pencomputing.com/frames/ibm_transnote.html

[ajkula66]

Thinkpad Transnote ? http://pencomputing.com/frames/ibm_transnote.html

I would presume that left-handed ones are rare, the "regular" Transnotes not so much. I loved mine but found no use for it, so off it went...

Definitely one of the coolest ThinkPads ever in my book.

[Saucey]

Planned limited release - ThinkPad Reserve Edition
Most expensive at release ? 860 or 850
Low quantity - Left handed TransNote, 555BJ, X230s, or that elusive 240Z/i1124
Prototypes/mock ups - T431s Terminator, Power Laptop EWS, T61 clear plastic or 1992 Leapfrog
Not a ThinkPad but neat - IBM Risc System 6000 N40 (Type 7007), or PS-55 T22sx.
Rare if they somehow survived - Zenith built 300, flawless Ti-Lid Z61p, X41 with the OEM HDD, any ISS ThinkPad.

[ajkula66]

Rare if they somehow survived - Zenith built 300, flawless Ti-Lid Z61p, X41 with the OEM HDD, any ISS ThinkPad.

I don't believe that Z61p ever had a Ti lid as a factory option. There was a custom one (at least) built around here though, I believe by underclocker...

As for ISS ThinkPads...I believe that rkawakami has a couple of A31p systems that would fit the bill...

[Thinkpad4by3]

As for ISS ThinkPads...I believe that rkawakami has a couple of A31p systems that would fit the bill...

Wait he has machines that are the real deal...??

[ajkula66]

Wait he has machines that are the real deal...??

That were a part of the project. AFAIK. We haven't seen much of Ray here lately, he's been sorely missed by some of us oldtimers.

[Raidriar]

As for ISS ThinkPads...I believe that rkawakami has a couple of A31p systems that would fit the bill...

760XD is also an ISS Thinkpad, though my example has a morbid history to it. I did not know when I bought it at in an estate sale auction, but it when I finally sourced a power adapter for it and turned it on (thankfully worked, it was untested), it belonged to somebody who worked at Merrill Lynch at the World Trade Center north tower. One of the latest documents found on that computer was dated 9/7/2001, so I do not know what happened to the original owner of that computer. I hope he did not perish on 9/11

[Saucey]

Rare if they somehow survived - Zenith built 300, flawless Ti-Lid Z61p, X41 with the OEM HDD, any ISS ThinkPad.

I don't believe that Z61p ever had a Ti lid as a factory option. There was a custom one (at least) built around here though, I believe by underclocker...

Really? Hmmm I must of presumed all Z61's had Ti Lid options and it included Z61p.
Think I saw one with the Ti lid for sale and assumed it was that.

[TheForgottenKing]

As for ISS ThinkPads...I believe that rkawakami has a couple of A31p systems that would fit the bill...

760XD is also an ISS Thinkpad, though my example has a morbid history to it. I did not know when I bought it at in an estate sale auction, but it when I finally sourced a power adapter for it and turned it on (thankfully worked, it was untested), it belonged to somebody who worked at Merrill Lynch at the World Trade Center north tower. One of the latest documents found on that computer was dated 9/7/2001, so I do not know what happened to the original owner of that computer. I hope he did not perish on 9/11

Did it happen to have a name in any of the documents? Complete lists of the victims exist.

[edik]

R50p with the Ultra hi-res display option... think... 15.0" QXGA (2048x1536) .... in...... 2003 )))))

yet to see one in the wild, but I did hear they were special corporate order only.

Not the rarest but surely very rare.

Confirmed via the forum time machine!
viewtopic.php?t=495

Question for knowledgable folk...
Did the T23p ever exist (or an SXGA version)? I can't find any official references, but I am sure I heard that rumour somewhere. Suspect not as there was no T30p... (which I'd expect they would have designated the SXGA version).

[Screamer]

I doubt it, since the T23p was never mentioned in an official IBM document.

An SXGA+ configuration for the T23 did exist, however.

[TheForgottenKing]

My W701ds is probably one of just a few surviving, and an even smaller in active daily use.

[ajkula66]

I doubt it, since the T23p was never mentioned in an official IBM document.

An SXGA+ configuration for the T23 did exist, however.

Ditto for the T30. No to "p" and "yes" for the SXGA+.

As a point of interest, the first T series with an SXGA+ panel as an option was actually T22.

My W701ds is probably one of just a few surviving, and an even smaller in active daily use.

Not to mention that these things were viciously expensive when new...even by ThinkPad standards.

[TheForgottenKing]

My W701ds is probably one of just a few surviving, and an even smaller in active daily use.

Not to mention that these things were viciously expensive when new...even by ThinkPad standards.

Please. It only went up to over $6000. That's pocket change.

Pic related, cursed image: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/ ... 690s-1.png [76Kb]

[ajkula66]

Please. It only went up to over $6000. That's pocket change.

Compared to the original price of 755CDV, it certainly is...

[Thinkpad4by3]

Please. It only went up to over $6000. That's pocket change.

Pic related, cursed image: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/ ... 690s-1.png [76Kb]

I would like to know who is strong enough to be able to keep an entire W701ds lifted at its corner by only two fingers. Either that or they brought one to the ISS to take that photo

[wujstefan]

I would like to know who is strong enough to be able to keep an entire W701ds lifted at its corner by only two fingers. Either that or they brought one to the ISS to take that photo

Yup, it turned silly on the pic. Especially given that W701ds was signifficantly bigger than it's Dell and HP counterparts

Please. It only went up to over $6000. That's pocket change.

It DID hit the $6000 mark? I thought that Dell M6500 Covet was the only one of the line to break this border while Lenovo and HP being way cheaper.

[TheForgottenKing]

It DID hit the $6000 mark? I thought that Dell M6500 Covet was the only one of the line to break this border while Lenovo and HP being way cheaper.

Max spec was over $6000 IIRC

Pic related, cursed image: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/ ... 690s-1.png [76Kb]

I would like to know who is strong enough to be able to keep an entire W701ds lifted at its corner by only two fingers. Either that or they brought one to the ISS to take that photo

It's possible (I tried) but not easy

[Thinkpad4by3]

It DID hit the $6000 mark? I thought that Dell M6500 Covet was the only one of the line to break this border while Lenovo and HP being way cheaper.

Max spec was over $6000 IIRC

And the IBM CL57SX didnt even start until 6K.

[edik]

As a point of interest, the first T series with an SXGA+ panel as an option was actually T22.

Is that so? Well, you learn something new every day... I know just a little less resolution (SXGA?) was fitted to the high-end 770X's - probably just before the T22 time by a year. Think the A20p had an option for UXGA? It was at least SXGA(+) around the same time (2000 mid).

Compared to the original price of 755CDV, it certainly is...

I think when compiling the original price guide (sticky) the 755CDV was the most expensive at least List price of any TP ever produced, perhaps though the 800 series Power PC machine was more expensive maxed out, it was around the same time?