Thinkpad G50 Found and Coming! :D

[jack_zhan]

I recently managed to get my hands on a Thinkpad G50, the Japan-only unit. Seems that this guy is quite rare in this forum

This massive guy is still in the shipping process now. Quite decent visually on the pics provided by the seller. It costs around $120, roughly the price of a G40. It is very massive, like its predecessors, and it cost me $20 on the shipping fee even though it just come from the province next to mine(I am not in the US, so "province" instead of "state", you see).

This G50 doesn't come with a high-end hardware, though. It has a Celeron M 430 1.73Ghz CPU (instead of the "standard" 410, interstingly), 1GB RAM, 40GB HDD, FDD, DVD Combo drive, XGA screen and integrated Wi-Fi support. I am planning a CPU replacement, as its 945GM chipset seems to accept a Core 2 Duo. A T2600 was proven to work fine, as seen on a Japanese website. I am wondering how would a T7600 do, as it is the best CPU I have seen to be compatible with the 945GM chipset. Would the small difference in TDP (31W of 2600 v.s. 35W of 7600) lead to any problems? Increasing the RAM and the HDD size is also planned. Changing the HDD to a SSD HDD may also be a good idea.

Cheers.

[Tasurinchi]

That's a nice found! Enjoy it!

[ajkula66]

Congrats on that rare bird, I always wanted one of them...

[Medessec]

Lucky!

If there's any Thinkpad I'd probably look to have right now, it's one of those.

Indeed-the hardware for what those things are is quite poor... and you seem to have wound up with an XGA model. A CPU upgrade is feasible, but the biggest roadblock will be the BIOS, as there's really not a lot on it... also it's probably Japanese. It may not support the newer Core 2 Duo processors.

[ZaZ]

I wonder whether these would take a FlexView.

[ajkula66]

I'm sure it would take a FlexView, you'd just need a SXGA+ cable from G41.

Forum member virge had built an IPS-eqipped G40 a couple of years ago, and it was a thing of beauty...

[ZaZ]

You'd certainly have a unique ThinkPad.

[jack_zhan]

Well the happy news is, according to Intel, the 945GM chipset does support core 2 duo mobile processors. In the ARK Intel says that the T7600 is supported by the 945GM. I also see some discussion related to installing a T7000 series processor on the 945GM board, and all of them have successful endings.

Another good thing is that I have found the driver update on Lenovo Japan website, and it is bi-lingual, i.e. English menu options with Japanese translations following in brackets. See details in the HMM, in Japanese though, here: http://support.lenovo.com/ContentResour ... 1W7875.pdf

BTW, though Lenovo claimed that the G50 can only support 2GB RAM, I would like to try 4GB RAM, in 2x 2GB DDR2 667 configuration, which is the best possible on a 945GM board. With a T7600 processor, 4GB RAM, a massive 500GB or 1TB HDD, and Windows 7 64-bit, I think this guy can be a good datacenter and a base for Virtual Machines.

[RealBlackStuff]

That's the same chipset (945GM) as in a T60.
IF it takes 2GB RAM modules, you can only use 3GB RAM out of the 4GB.

Note: Only 64-bit operating systems support more than 3GB of system memory (RAM). Intel Chipsets 945GM and 945PM do not support more than 3GB system memory (RAM), even when a 64-bit operating system is installed.

Under Memory at: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-62722

[Medessec]

A T7600, 2GB/3GB RAM, SXGA+ IPS Thinkpad G50... THAT would REALLY catch some attention on here. That'd be close to my idea of a must-have Thinkpad for collectors as well, the ultimate G-series, period. I'd peel up with my G41, but then you can always barge in and say, nope. This is where it's at.

I'm certain all that's possible now that you've found that information on the laptop. I was worried the BIOS might be the roadblock.

[RealBlackStuff]

Go one step further and put in one of my UXGA screens with LED backlight!

[Medessec]

That would be unbelievably fantastic, however I'm not sure it's possible. You'd need a modded cable I imagine, since only XGA/SXGA cables were made.

[jack_zhan]

Got the guy!

Interesting that it has "lenovo" printed beside the "G50" text. Thinkpad signs are still the old IBM style. Shows the transition of Thinkpad brand from IBM to Lenovo well

Well I have to do the project in a very slow pace. My credit account contains only the amount enough for a 1GB RAM card now, as recently I have bought many things for my 701C "reviving" project. Happy to see the 701 get back on its feet and sit beside the giant G. When a 1995 guy meets a 2005 guy...WoW

[Medessec]

You are one super-lucky duck. Sure hope you enjoy it.

1GB of extra RAM should be more than enough for it, unless you plan on using it daily.

[Tasurinchi]

Got the guy!

Pictures please!

[ac12]

Geee
And here I was satisfied with my upgraded G40.
Now a G50 is waved in front of my nose

If I upgrade anything it should be the CPU in the T61, and leave the G series alone.

[jack_zhan]

pics here! http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=109438

Be sure to find some information about the keyboard for me!

[Norway Pad]

Nice find! Just looked at your pictures. It has the same basic looks as my G40, but with obviously improved hardware.