Could we kickstart fund a 4:3 machine

[EasyMac308]

DaKKS, do you have pics or documentation of your build somewhere, I'd love to see it (out of professional curiosity )

[DaKKS]

DaKKS, do you have pics or documentation of your build somewhere, I'd love to see it (out of professional curiosity )

I gave the plans to the company for limited serial production, but i should have a set on one of my drives at work. Lemme check if i can find it and translate it.

It was a pretty straightforward build though. Request was to put a laptop computer into an aluminium suitcase an make it as rugged as possible with 24+ hours of run time.

The prototype survived a fall from a flatbed traveling at 50kph onto concrete. Withould loss of data or even shutting down. Assuming the other units were built to specs, they should survive worse even.

[feklee]

That got me thinking. I'm currently typing this post with a Thinkpad USB keyboard. Now, would there be a possibility to use one of these external keyboards, which are basically the same as the "real" laptop ones, disassemble and connect them to the internal USB port of the mobo (if any)?

I have been thinking along similar lines. See my thread in the desktop forum.

In particular, I wonder: Is there any USB keyboard the electronics of which I can use to hook up one of the X/R/T4x keyboards to a USB port?

To me, the worst change that Lenovo has done to keyboards was introduction of Windows keys. They make the Ctrl and Alt keys smaller, two keys that I use very often (in contrast to the Windows keys). About the changes to Chiclet and removal of one row, I don't care. So, if there is no USB adapter for X/R/T4x keyboards, then I may as well get hold of the upcoming ThinkPad wireless keyboard, which looks awesome (asides from small Alt and Ctrl).

[lophiomys]

For me, I too hate this Windows key, and on top of that I absolutely
disagree with the new chicklet layout.

for the 4:3 project:
Check out Shapeways
That is a 3D printing shop in EU and USA, based on CAD files you send to them. That could be very helpful,
e.g. for fitting in a new motherboard into a modified copy of an existing base cover.
Tomatenfish created his 1.8Inch SATA SSD Caddy for the T42p using SCAD (IIRC) and Shapeways.

HTH

[feklee]

Just found:

• 31P8950: ThinkPad Full-Size UltraNav USB Keyboard, without Windows keys and with number block (which I don't want)
• 40K5372: similar keyboard without number block (part numbers for other languages are also listed)
• USB keyboard hack, though without details

[Georgeolivergo]

I'd absolutely pour some money into that kind of project, because watching all modern thinkpads turn into wannabe Macbook Ideapads is frustrating.

But 3D printing a notebook probably won't work - can't see that stuff being sturdy enough to be called a thinkpad.

The most realistic way to do a kickstarter 4:3 would probably be a 2 part upgrade solution for one of the last 4:3 thinkpad series cases (t60 for 15, t61 for 1", x61 for 12"), basically the ultimate frankenpad kit.

I agree that this seems the most practical option. I bet Kickstarter funding would be a cinch if the proposal and team looked good. People want this option.

Of course the dream is to get something like the new Pixel screen in something like an X61 case with modern hardware throughout, but we've got to be realistic ...

[DaKKS]

DaKKS, do you have pics or documentation of your build somewhere, I'd love to see it (out of professional curiosity )

Its seems the plans were the victims of The Great Hard drive Death of May, 2012. Untold horrors were committed that day and the final death toll is still uncertain.

[EasyMac308]

Ah, pity. Thanks for looking .

[ssd_thinkpad]

All you have to do is

1. modify an EXISTING Ivy Bridge motherboard to fit inside a T60/T61 case. Its mostly about getting the screw holes right and basic connectors for power, USB, video output OR
2. ask a manufacturer to produce this fitting motherboard for you

For a 16:10 model I'd recommend a regular MacBook Retina, with a rugged case it is a good choice. Not a thinkpad, though. Just took a look at my silent Intel GPU T60 UXGA, its perfect for browsing - but slow.

[jflores]

Fantastic ideas floating around !
I'd be happy to participate in one way or another
No preference at all regarding the planar, cpu or mostly anything else
save the keyboard (of course) and a good 4:3 LCD or LED

However, my preference would be to go with a Lenovo planar
just because of System Update

[csioucs]

This is truly a welcome and I'd say long past due initiative (I guess we hoped for the better wisdom from Lenovo powers).
As George suggested we should go ahead and discuss and choose a motherboard to build around. I also second that the motherboard should be lenovo for ThinkVantages and other still kept features/usable only on Think-branded product (i like PrivateDisk).

Perhaps the first iterations should be middling along X/T series so that more could identify their needs in the product (high vertical res, 7-row keyboard with trackpoint (buttons) being the absolute minimum, with discreet GPU IF possible/available).