When will it be obsolete?

[euless]

Hi

I like retro. I thinking of getting a X60.

My requirements are simple. Just two:
(1) store and play my vast collect of home photos (jpeg) and videos (mp4),
(2) access non-graphic-intensive internet, securely.

I assume (1) is no problem indefinitely.
But for (2), I assume at some point, X60 won't work with the latest Firefox/Chrome. So, how much longer will X60 be able to run a secured modern browser?


P.S. I don't need to access Youtube or other graphical-intense media sites or gaming.
I just need the X60 to access basic internet sites, like banking website, health care sites, and US government services sites like social security and IRS. And like do my tax return online.


Thanks!

[Cigarguy]

It is obsolete when I deem it obsolete.

A laptop is just a tool. When that tool no longer serves my purpose it is obsolete. Having said that an X60 is a bit obsolete for me. I use a X61T with a X60T Flexview screen with Win 7 as my music server and I am planning on using it for the next 10 years at least. Admittedly I don't use this setup much as I have an identical machine running Linux which I anticipate to be usable even longer. $100 Cdn for this setup is much better, much cheaper with longer service life than the fancy dedicated music streaming boxes.

For photo and video editing and for running the latest and greatest software the above system is obsolete. Here in Canada, the tax program I use requires Win 10 or newer so that determines my choice of hardware. That's why I have a desktop that gets constant hardware updates as my needs changes.

[theterminator93]

An X61 with the 64 bit CPUs will open the doors to many more current versions of Linux that will be supported much farther into the future than the 32-bit only Core Duo CPUs on the X60. If you stay with a 32 bit machine it may only have current OS support for a few more years. An X61 would probably be updatable well into the 2030s.

That's not to say you can't make it work... it just depends on your unique needs and preferences on distros.

[euless]

An X61 with the 64 bit CPUs will open the doors to many more current versions of Linux that will be supported much farther into the future than the 32-bit only Core Duo CPUs on the X60. If you stay with a 32 bit machine it may only have current OS support for a few more years. An X61 would probably be updatable well into the 2030s.

That's not to say you can't make it work... it just depends on your unique needs and preferences on distros.

Yeah. If Firefox and Chrome drops 32bit, then requirement (2) cannot be met.

[dr_st]

Why would you ever consider getting an X60 instead of an X61? It's basically the same laptop, except the X61 has much more capable hardware (64-bit across the board, native 8GB/SATA2 support).

[euless]

Why would you ever consider getting an X60 instead of an X61? It's basically the same laptop, except the X61 has much more capable hardware (64-bit across the board, native 8GB/SATA2 support).

32bit use less resources.

[dr_st]

32bit use less resources.

If resources are an issue, you can still run a 32bit OS on your 64bit hardware. But not the other way around.

[mikemex]

Why would you ever consider getting an X60 instead of an X61? It's basically the same laptop, except the X61 has much more capable hardware (64-bit across the board, native 8GB/SATA2 support).

Listen to the man. Both X60 and X61 are ancient by now and getting a 32 bit only machine will be a mistake. Price difference will be negligible (both are probably worth pennies at this point).

Performance issues:

* SATA 1 only vs SATA 2.
* 3GB maximum RAM even when 4GB are physically installed (software limitation).
* Core Duo is slower than Core 2 Duo at the same frequency.
* 64 bit software is faster than 32 bit because it offers more registers.
* Core Duo uses GMA 950 IGP / GPU vs X3100. To say that the X3100 is really bad and not really capable of running Aero fluidly will give you an idea of the kind of experience you can expect from the GMA 950.

Compatibility issues:

* 64 bit support is not really optional at this point if you want to run anything remotely recent (new CODECs, for example). Pretty much all software released in the last 10 years or so will be 64 bit. Keep in mind that we're in 2022 and 64 bit appeared in 2003 with the Athlon 64. Even Windows XP has a 64 bit edition...

For reference, I still run a Core 2 Duo X301, but completely maxed out (8GB RAM, 400GB SSD, Intel 6300 WIFI card, etc.). I definitely wouldn't go any older than that.

P. S. In my opinion, it's not worth running anything older than Penryn. Mostly because that's when they began shipping LED panels and other modern features (such as digital video outputs). Also, DDR3 memory is way cheaper than DDR2.

[ankurvdesai]

At least from my perspective, the specific value of (1) - that is displaying your own photos and videos - is pretty high. The X60 tablet is a great standalone device that was one of the first real showcases of the combination of mobility and power that are (to me) the hallmark of ThinkPads. So I agree with the comments about X61 for browsing functionality, but still seems worthwhile to have a nifty little one-use machine for personal display.

[Medessec]

If you plan on storing your home photos and videos on the machine, a pretty cool idea would be to get an X6 Ultrabase with it (careful, the Tablet version and standard Laptop version use different Ultrabases) and then get an Ultrabay HDD adapter for it, to give you the ability to mount up a separate 2.5" HDD or SSD for your photos and videos. Can make it a bit more organized and accessible if something happens to the laptop or your OS, you can just undock the machine, remove the Utrabay HDD and the HDD out of it- and put it in another machine or use an adapter of sorts to access it another way. You can also separate the dock if you decide to wipe or reinstall your OS, keeps a bit more peace of mind that your photos and videos won't be messed with.

As for the light web browsing, X60 will definitely be a bit sluggish even when maxed out with 3GB/4GB RAM(It won't see all 4GB of the RAM even when inserted) and the earlier Integrated GPU is also a bit less suitable for modern web content. You will need to use a lighter browser (I use Supermium on all my T4x/T6x laptops) and probably won't want to use Windows 10 as the telemetry and background OS pagefile activity can cause your computer to have on and off sluggish desktop performance. All my 32-bit Thinkpads that might be used for web content have Win7 on them. A lot of other Thinkpadders I know with T4x/R5x and T60 will also use a light Linux distro optimized for older laptops.

As the other guys have mentioned, X61 will offer significant advantages. You can still run a 32-bit operating system if you choose, but the slightly newer integrated graphics and newer generation CPUs, coupled with the raised RAM cap to 8GB (although running 4GB in one is still not that bad and significantly cheaper). Installing Middleton's BIOS will grant SATA2 speed and the ability to install newer Wifi cards, improving cooling and connectivity. Honestly a maxed out X61 loaded with Middleton's BIOS is a very slick unit to have.

[TPFanatic]

sadly the ultrabay HDD adapter for X60 and others with IBM's proprietary PATA-based connector used in T40 thruough T61 is effectiveluy unobtanium now.

For tablet i'd say get some Yoga.

X60/61 are very compromised, the 4:3 is nice but in my experience with them I favor any 14" widescreen laptop over them such as T420, T420s, etc.. They are far more comfortable to use. And I even own X330 and find T-series more comfortable to use than that.

For 4:3 the top-tier is T60 and R60, they have expresscard and enough internal clearance to do clever things with MPCIE, whereas X60/61 has only PC Card and the MPCIE is too close to the palmrest to do any clever things with.

[dr_st]

sadly the ultrabay HDD adapter for X60 and others with IBM's proprietary PATA-based connector used in T40 thruough T61 is effectiveluy unobtanium now.

Yes, I have one of the third-party ones from SATA HDD to IBM IDE connector. The hinged mini-cover that is supposed to hold the drive in place was from day one too big and bending when closed. Finally snapped and broke in two. Fortunately, it seems it's not really required as the drive does not wiggle.

X60/61 are very compromised, the 4:3 is nice but in my experience with them I favor any 14" widescreen laptop over them such as T420, T420s, etc.. They are far more comfortable to use. And I even own X330 and find T-series more comfortable to use than that.

For 4:3 the top-tier is T60 and R60, they have expresscard and enough internal clearance to do clever things with MPCIE, whereas X60/61 has only PC Card and the MPCIE is too close to the palmrest to do any clever things with.

Yes, I never got fully comfortable with the shrunk keyboard of 4:3 X-series. No ExpressCard, no digital video out, these laptops are not as well-adjusted to the modern world as their T/R siblings. The X62 project was an interesting one, but all these unofficial models have issues of their own.

[mikemex]

Yes, I never got fully comfortable with the shrunk keyboard of 4:3 X-series. No ExpressCard, no digital video out, these laptops are not as well-adjusted to the modern world as their T/R siblings. The X62 project was an interesting one, but all these unofficial models have issues of their own.

Anything with CCFL screen is squarely obsolete.

[axur-delmeria]

IMO it's not the CCFL but the 1024x768 screen resolution that makes it unsuitable for modern applications.

Higher res meant hunting down the elusive and expensive Boe Hydis SXGA+ screen. An 11.6" widescreen LCD won't fit in the X60/61 lid (I did a quick test-fit), not even in the slightly-wider X61 Tablet. The biggest that could possibly fit would be the screen from the iPad Pro 11".

[dr_st]

There were times where the SXGA+ mods on X6x were more popular. Back then I thought it too small to be used comfortably on a 12" screen, but now I'm perfectly comfortable with 1920x1080 on 14".

CCFL laptops look really dim these days, but are still somewhat usable in office conditions. I still have a couple of desktop CCFL-lit screens in daily use (DELL 2209WA and U2410), and these are totally fine. Even the 17-year old 2007FP is still good except a tad yellowish on one side.

[axur-delmeria]

There were times where the SXGA+ mods on X6x were more popular. Back then I thought it too small to be used comfortably on a 12" screen,

I think it was the relatively dim backlight that made it less than pleasant to view. Also, I remember reading that there were complaints that the SXGA+ screen was "grainy".
I tried an SXGA+ mod with a screen taken from an X61T with badly cracked glass cover. I broke the screen while attempting to remove the mounting tabs.

but now I'm perfectly comfortable with 1920x1080 on 14".

My eyes aren't great so I prefer 125% scaling with 1920x1080 on 14". I can do 100% but not for long.

I still have a couple of desktop CCFL-lit screens in daily use (DELL 2209WA and U2410), and these are totally fine. Even the 17-year old 2007FP is still good except a tad yellowish on one side.

My daily monitor is CCFL-backlit as well-- an Eizo Radiforce MX220W. It's great IMO.