Hidden Thinkpad Jems

[Harryc]

After you spend a considerable amount of time on the Thinkpad related forums like this one, you may develop definite ideas as to what the best model Thinkpads are out there, lets call them 'hidden jems'. Let me know what your hidden jem Thinkpad models are and why. I'll start;

After considerable thought I just bought a T43, model 1872-C78. Why that model? Well for starters it is a later model Thinkpad relatively speaking and it has an Intel GPU. So there is less possibility for GPU failure. Also, it has a basic 1024x768 LCD. If you have priced LCD's lately, you understand that this basic LCD is at the perfect price point if you have to replace it. If you start messing with fancy resolutions, the cost goes up. Then there are the ergonomics...NMB keyboard (one of the best in the world), 14" size, light travel weight, and it runs very cool as far as temperatures. I paid $250 shipped for this machine off of EBay. It's in 9 or better on a scale of 1 to 10 as far as condition.

[underclocker]

Indeed. You should also mention that the 1872-C78 has a 1.73GHz CPU, one of the slowest (but still quite fast for all but advanced software applications) and coolest running, so fan noise will be at a minimum. I suppose DDR2 memory is a bonus, too at $10 per GB.

Enjoy it.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

OK, my most recent hidden gem? An X60s. I've wanted one since the introduction. I'm a very happy multi-year owner of an X40 and when the X60s's started dipping below $400, I picked on up. I also got lucky. It came with a new 8-cell battery, X4 dock with a DVD burner and one year of warranty remaining. I'm thinking that's a gem!

[ZaZ]

I don't know how hidden it is, but there's probably one on eBay for every 20 T60s, but I'd say the best notebook I've owned was my 14" R60. That thing was rock solid. After three years, it still looked almost new and felt as sturdy as the day I bought it. It was light and portable while running cool and quiet. I too had the NMB keyboard. It was the best keyboard I've had on any notebook. I only got rid of it because of the screen. I had the BOE-Hydis LCD. It was plenty bright. While it was fine for Office and Internet, it was subpar for any multimedia stuff due to the poor contrast and limited angles. I upgraded to the IPS R60 as I don't need a ton of mobility, but I still think the 14" SXGA+ is the perfect blend of portability, real estate and performance. If anyone offered a machine with a 14" SXGA+ IPS like screen, I'd never buy anything else.

[Harryc]

@ Underclocker, good points, thanks for mentioning them. Speaking of quiet fan, for anyone who has owned a faster T43 with an ATI GPU, you'd be familiar with the annoying pulsating fan noise that eminates from those machines. This model has a quiet but steady fan and it is far from annoying.

[Neil]

I would have to go a little different direction than you guys. Of all the Thinkpads I have owned (or still own, see signature), my favorite, and the one I consider a gem, is the 600e. I'm using it right now to write this, and it has the best keyboard I have ever used on a laptop. Nice solid feel, just the right size (for me), and just powerful enough for web browsing and light word processing. Which is really all I use it for.

Best part is I picked it up on this forum for less than $20 delivered, missing only are HDD. I slapped a 30GB 5200RPM drive in it, and it's been my daily on-the-road machine ever since.

[mpcook]

I have several. On 16 June 1993, Big Blue announced the ThinkPad 500, described at the time as its first sub-notebook. Retailing for $1999 and measuring 25.3 x 18.8 x 4cm, it was based on a 50MHz 486SLC2 processor and offered with a choice of 85MB or 170MB hard drive - for an extra $500 (I of course got the 170MB version). The AC adaptor was built in to allow the 500 to be connected directly to the mains, saving users from having to lug around a power brick too. This was my all time gem. The Thinkpad 500 which ran Windows 95 really well (I upgraded it from 3.1), was about the size of an X31 so it was "ultra-portable" at 4 lbs with external floppy drive. I loved that machine and wish I still had it! It was my first TP...followed by many more.

I now have a family of 3 T43's P1.87 2GB XGA (Intel video) so I agree with Harryc on that one (although these are just a tiny bit faster). One is still under warranty.

Mike

[ajkula66]

The only ThinkPad that I kick myself in the [censored] for selling every day is the testbed T43 with Intel graphics and IPS LCD...although it ended up in very good hands...I'd love to get it back, or find a similar one.

When "hidden gems" are mentioned I always think of Z series...had a Z60m recently and was absolutely floored how much better its LCD looked when compared to a W500 side-by-side...wasn't even funny. And on the inside, it's a T43 without the SATA-to-PATA-to-2010-error-nonsense...very, very sweet.

And this Z60t is pretty beaten up, but still a bargain at less than $225 shipped...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... tsupported

[Harryc]

Nice Z60t mention George, it has some interesting upgrade possibilities and is a true hybrid. I am surprised nobody mentioned Z61T yet, but this thread is still new.

[dr_st]

* Z61t of course. The prettiest widescreen Lenovo so far, very light weight, all the solid construction of the T60, plus S-video output. Especially nice - C2D native models (which support DVI through the dock), with WXGA+ screens. Compatible with all T6x accessories (except batteries) - a nice bonus.

* T60 IPS units with T7200+ C2D CPUs - the best IPS models you can get, still pack sufficient punch by today's standards, support 64bit. E.g: my 2007-QPG (bought for these exact qualities).

* Spring 2005 and later T42 15" IPS units with Radeon 9600. Lower chance of GPU failure (like on the T43), specifically Radeon 9600 in 15" form factor seems to have the lowest chance of failure (like 15" T43s with X300). And there are some advantages over T43 - run a bit cooler and quieter, no 2010 error. E.g. my 2373-F7G (which I bought in April 2005, before I knew any of these things, and didn't even know how cool IPS screens are. Just got lucky I guess. )

* X32, yes, X32. With its standard 6-cell battery it offers a unique balance between weight (1.6kg, feels less due to positioning of battery offering excellent weight distribution) and battery life (4-5 hours), which the X40/X60 series just cannot achieve. They other have poor battery life with the 4-cell or are heavy and bulky with the 8-cell. They also tend to run hot around the palmrest due to the strange chassis design (very thin at the front, thick at the back). The X32 in comparison is super-cool, quiet, offers CPU/RAM/HD performance equivalent to that of a T42, can use T4x docking stations, and also supports its own Ultrabase with optional Ultrabay, and an extended life battery which can get you ridiculous battery life.

* A31/A31p. Although I never owned one of these, I got the impression, that as desktop replacements, the high-end models with SXGA+/UXGA IPS LCDs, 2.0GHz+ P4-M CPUs can be a kicka$$ solution. Three spindles and optional floppy drives are not something any of today's models offer.

[ZaZ]

* T60 IPS units with T7200+ C2D CPUs - the best IPS models you can get, still pack sufficient punch by today's standards, support 64bit. E.g: my 2007-QPG (bought for these exact qualities)....

I almost bought one of those. Right at the end, early 2007, when Lenovo was clearancing the IPS screens out, they were offering the IPS as basically a free upgrade with a coupon. You could get the SXGA+ T5500, and DVD-RW for about $900. I had someone lined up to buy my R60 and it was only going to cost me about $100, but I saw a couple shiny objects and got distracted. By the time I got my act together they were gone. A day late and a dollar short's the story of my life.

[dr_st]

I almost bought one of those. Right at the end, early 2007, when Lenovo was clearancing the IPS screens out, they were offering the IPS as basically a free upgrade with a coupon. You could get the SXGA+ T5500, and DVD-RW for about $900. I had someone lined up to buy my R60 and it was only going to cost me about $100, but I saw a couple shiny objects and got distracted. By the time I got my act together they were gone. A day late and a dollar short's the story of my life.

Oh, yeah. I missed on the brief period when they were offered as new myself. In the end I managed to find one used, about a year and a half after its original purchase date, in great condition. Ended up paying one third of what the original owned paid for it new. So much the prices have dropped... And I still paid way more than some of the deals you can find in the US, where the market is so much bigger.

[ssd_thinkpad]

The best model I ever used is the model I am typing on now. It is a T60 IPS with a slow processor and intel GPU and it runs fanless and because of its ultrabay ssd as only hdd it is totally silent most days of the week. It has the vertical height of the W700 but weights only 2.4 kg. At home I put it in the dock and enjoy my superior keyboard, mouse, monitor and everything is connected (ethernet, printer, sound) at once. I need to say that one system with all data is fare more easier to administrate than two systems like a smaller and a larger notebook. The loudspeakers, pcmcia and modem card are removed from the notebook to avoid sound and gain more battery life. With the integrated wwan I can connect it to the internet from everywhere. After using lots of other thinkpads, I searched a lot for this specific model but had to build it myself in the end.

[virge]

The 560 and 570 series are one of my favorites. In my mind, they're the original ultraportables. Decent processing power (for the time) in a very tight package with good battery life. The 570 and 570E had a durability problem with their hinges and the LCD ribbon cable had to be reseated/replaced occasionally. The 560 seemed indestructible. It really took a beating and kept on going.

I'm not sure why these weren't popular machines as compared to their 600 and 770 series brethren. I have a handful of 600X machines, but would like a 560Z and/or 570E (I shouldn't have sold mine!).... anyone want to swap?

[ajkula66]

virge wrote:

The 560 and 570 series are one of my favorites. In my mind, they're the original ultraportables.

Awesome little machines these were. Design of 570/E remains one of my favourites to this day.

[KristianJ]

When "hidden gems" are mentioned I always think of Z series...had a Z60m recently and was absolutely floored how much better its LCD looked when compared to a W500 side-by-side...wasn't even funny. And on the inside, it's a T43 without the SATA-to-PATA-to-2010-error-nonsense...very, very sweet.

+1. Truly underrated series...I'm giving some thought to tracking down a Z61t, preferably with the WXGA+ LCD. I saw that my old Z60m has been relisted in the Marketplace, and for a moment or 2, I was thinking to myself whether or not I should buy it back. But I'd probably prefer to have a go with the smaller t instead of the m.

And I'll second the 15" IPS T42s...easily the second best Thinkpad I've ever owned (after the T42p that my sister is currently borrowing - well, I think she's borrowing it as opposed to buying it off my mum, who bought it off me).

[sparta.rising]

Well I am a big fan of my Z61t, it hits the sweet spot in so many ways. But I really haven't found a Thinkpad that I don't like. Sadly, I had too many frustrations with my T43 to call it a "hidden gem". The ridiculousness of the 2010 error and SATA-to-PATA, loud fan, fried motherboard, etc. The Z61t just blows it away imho.

[cparker]

For me, the 560. What a work of art! I remember when it was introduced and it was the classiest laptop in the universe. I'd go to conferences and see a few (I could never afford one!) and remember one CEO of a software company making a power point presentation with his 560. I finally got one used, years later, for a paltry 200 dollars and still have it. It's kept it's looks and functionality and works flawlessly. It's still a productive machine for office apps.

My second candidate is what I would consider the DC3 of my small Thinkpad collection. The T30. While there are so many out there, it seems like it's generally maligned as one of the lesser models because it runs hotter than others and because of the memory slot problem. What's great about the T30 is (1) that it's fixable and that there there seem to be parts all over the place, (2) it's upgradeable, 2gb of ram and a 5400rpm modern drive will do wonders for the machine, and (3) its magnificent, solid, functional construction. But wait, there's more: the keyboard is superb, as is the display. You bring it into an office and people come over admiring it and wondering what this great new laptop might be. It's not a supersonic jet, but what a great, enduring workhorse!

[panorama]

I was hunting for 15.1 uxga T60p for more than a month. Until 2 weeks ago (post: sep/05/09) I saw one of them on IBM used certified website. I ordered it but they quickly ran out of stock . But a week later I bought T60p off ebay. Its 2.0 ghz, 15.1" UXGA w/ ATI 5200, 100GB 7.2K rpm. Its under IBM 3 month warranty for 699.00. I think its pricey for an old system. Its the last non-widescreen laptop by lenovo/IBM which I am really used to. I'll be soon selling my t400 (under warranty) because of its lack of use.
I think T60p is a gem, also x60s for also being non-widescreen, its size and having duo core. For other older generation IBM laptop I cant say much because I dont have experience with them.

[krayzie]

The IBM T43 is a hidden gem for me after work forced an awful Lenovo T61 down my throat (crappy LCD, slow trackpoint even when set to fastest pointer / lightest touch, cheap plastic exterior with stress fractures already on the LCD cover).

Error 2010 is non-issue since you just buy a new PATA drive that supports IDLE_IMMEDIATE with UNLOAD support and BIOS can be set to continue to boot on its own anyways. The double beep reminds me of my old IBM PCs.

The overheating issue can be dealt with just by undervolting the cpu using NHC, I've got no heat issues since.

I personally don't dig those rounded corners on the Z60 series, it's not very Richard Sapper's Thinkpad design language.

For me it'll always be the Thinkpad S30, 600 series and T40 series, where the Yamato Lab poured the most resources on IMO

Sadly there will never be another 701C butterfly keyboard unless they can somehow incorporate a palmrest with it.