T60p questions (14" screen and keyboard)

[Theokretes]

So after my T60p's original systemboard died in 2010 (which was a very very early T60p board) I replaced it recently. Even using the same original 32-bit only 2.16 core2duo, but maybe I should change that some day... and switch the thermal pillows with some copper plates at some point...

I don't believe I ever tried baking the board, but I am certain the GPU was the causing it to not POST. Either that or the FSB. It was becoming temperamental before it died, with lots of random freezes, even when it wasn't always terribly hot.

But anyways, it's a 14" 1400x1050 model. I quite like the form factor of the 14" screen-- two questions

#1 Did flexview ever release any 1600x1200 14" IPS panels, and if not which is most likely the case as the pixel density would be too expensive: would it be super easy to LED backlight-mod the existing 1400x1050 non-IPS panel?

#2 was there actually a mechanical switch (ALPS?) FRU keyboard for the T60s? I did notice that my T60's keyboard implements a tapping feature on the trackpoint, where tapping it firmly will cause it to left click: a feature discarded in the T61 and subsequent thinkpads (too expensive!).
--> of course I imagine it would be hard to hunt down because the FRUs are seemingly the same regardless if they ARE different due to being made by different manufacturers... at least that's the case with the tappable-trackpoint keyboards.

I'm going to be sticking on some of those "special edition" stickers which I believe were released on some T60/61s, but I can't remember where I read that. Oh well.
Purchasable here if anyone was curious--> http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-IBM-Sp ... 19c340fd41

The T60s are still my favourite thinkpads to date: the best of IBM and the best of Lenovo (before the awesome lavender enter key was dropped to be "sleeker", introducing PCjr-styled chiclet keys, and no more nice 4:3 -- which means I'll never buy another thinkpad because I'm stubborn). I still get to try all of the new thinkpads because part of my job is preconfiguring new systems. At least the trackpoint is still nice to use on the new ones.

[ZaZ]

I have to agree, 14" SXGA+ is the best blend of size and real estate ever. Still, the things most people doe with their notebooks like Office and Internet benefit more from a taller screen than a wider one with the appropriate resolution, though that is slowly changing.

I'm not aware of any 14" IPS 4:3 LCDs. My guess would be they probably figured the market was too small to offset the cost. IBM always claimed they lost money making ThinkPads.

None of the screens offered in any 14" 4:3 ThinkPads were special, which is too bad. Now they're finally offering an IPS screen on the 14" ThinkPad, albeit a widescreen one, but have now messed up the trackpoint, sigh.

I haven't seen anyone add LED to a 14" ThinkPad. That's not to say it can't be done. Given low standards to which they were made, I can't see it be worth the effort in my opinion. It won't improve the image quality, though you may eke out some more battery life.

[Theokretes]

The 1400x1050 14" LCDs are actually pretty decent in comparison to the 1024x768 ones. I haven't had any issues with the picture quality, it's just that CFL bulbs will die, eventually.

IBM most likely was losing money, or not really making a whole lot on it irritating investors: due to the fact they never marketed any of their products and made it difficult to buy anything, and they were always $2000+. Now, you can buy a lenovo thinkpad for as low as $500. When Lenovo was doing thinkpads the "IBM way", they were also losing money, but now they're gaining considerable profit with each one being $500 to $1000 a pop.

[PowerPC]

#2 was there actually a mechanical switch (ALPS?) FRU keyboard for the T60s? I did notice that my T60's keyboard implements a tapping feature on the trackpoint, where tapping it firmly will cause it to left click: a feature discarded in the T61 and subsequent thinkpads (too expensive!).

Alps made several key switches. The ones in ThinkPads are not mechanical: plastic scissors and a rubber dome.
In http://www.laptopkey.com/KeyboardKeys.p ... inkpad/T60 ALPS are the I3 model.

They are the second best from the Chicony (worse), ALPS and NMB (best) times. It's a bit harsh to say "worse" here; I actually like them because they click louder.