Who manufactures thinkpads?

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etherelithic · #1 Post by **etherelithic** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 4:59 pm

I understand that companies like Dell and HP/Compaq don't manufacture or even design their own laptops, but rather outsource to ODMs (original design manufacturers) like Compal to do their dirty work. I've always thought of IBM as designing and making their own computers, but I've read reports that some series were actually made by some ODMs like Acer or Quanta. Specifically I've read that the X series is manufactured by Acer. However, IBMs have a lot of original technology not found in other laptop brands, so whats the truth, especially for the T series?

mdbrown · #2 Post by **mdbrown** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:23 pm

I cannot remember the specific companies but IBM outsources all of their laptops now. They still design the T and X series (I think) but ODM the rest and outsource all.

lilserenity · #3 Post by **lilserenity** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:47 pm

I believe the i series (well some of) and the 3xx series were the work of Acer. I'm pretty sure that was the case.

Vicky

dt · #4 Post by dt » Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:52 pm

http://www.emsnow.com/newsarchives/arch ... fm?ID=1775

http://www.notebookcomputers.com/madebywho.asp

According to the articles, Wistron manufactures the X and R series. Quanta manufactures the G series. Not sure about the T series.

andyk · #5 Post by **andyk** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:58 pm

From:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview ... TARTPAGE=2

I saw this link:

http://www.taiwanhightech.com/thtnews/b ... rders.html

"Rumors say that Asustek will make IBM NB this year."

"Wistron recieved orders for two IBM NB series, making it IBM's biggest OEM partner. Wistron will make the X-series NBs (super-slim model) amd a new R-series NB. Wistron - we're very happy for you! A bunch of hard working people who are doing very nicely on their own without big daddy Acer to take care of them..."

I also saw:

http://www.tpuser.idv.tw/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14295

Basically "There was a rumor that IBM wanted to sell factory in China. Legend and Foxconn were competing."

I don't know if it makes that big of a difference which company assembles ThinkPads. My guess is that marketing/requirements will still be done in the U.S., design will still be in Japan, and assembly will be in China (whether IBM's own factory, Asus, Foxconn, Legend, or Wistron).

Leon · #6 Post by **Leon** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:08 pm

so,, who makes the T is still a mystery......

JHEM · #7 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:10 pm

Leon wrote:so,, who makes the T is still a mystery......

Sanmina-SCI

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stor ... ily26.html

Regards,

James

andyk · #8 Post by **andyk** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:11 pm

Well, from everything I have read, I would *speculate* that the T series is still made by IBM's own factory.

As to the Sanmina connection, the article talks about "landed a contract with IBM to provide a range of additional manufacturing services to IBM in North America and Europe." I have been reading Txx laptops coming from China/Hong Kong.

JHEM · #9 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:17 pm

andyk wrote:Well, from everything I have read, I would *speculate* that the T series is still made by IBM's own factory.

They're still made in what used to be IBM's factories, but IBM has transferred the actual operation of the plants to others!

One thing to remember about all this ODM/OEM business is that the X and T series are still 100% designed by IBM and built to IBM standards and QC. Even the R and G series are custom built to IBM's specifications and you won't find another laptop from some other OEM that exactly matches it, unlike many other ODM units.

Regards,

James

andyk · #10 Post by **andyk** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:23 pm

James,

IBM apparently still owned "IIPC" as of 06-01-2004 (the article presented it as a fact rather than a speculation):

http://www.tpuser.idv.tw/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14295

You are exactly right, we are buying ThinkPad because of the original design from Yamato Lab.

lilserenity · #11 Post by **lilserenity** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:30 pm

*pats T23*

I expect my T23s big sis, the T41 will not be from Greenock like the rest of my UK ThinkPads in that case.

Oh well, all I expect is that the T41 equals the quality of this T23.

It's taken a bit of knock this week, the kids at work were being ever so careful as usual and, well lets say it had a nasty 5-6ft fall from a table.

No physical damage, but the TFT display definitely needs replacing and its due to be sent into IBM for dead pixels galore (been there since I got it) so hopefully the big bright white patch on the display will seal this LCD displays fate and a nice new one will be put in so I can sell it in excellent condition.

Anyway that's not related. I think the point is that so long as I am impressed with the T41s robustness, and it is as good as the T23, then I shall be very happy.

One thing I know for sure is that it won't be anything like the junk laptops I have had inflicted on myself in past months.

People say to me "Jeee how can you do without a desktop computer, you must go nuts on just a laptop".

My response is:

"I would if it wasn't an IBM ThinkPad" and if I can show it to them, they soon see why. These things might cost a small fortune, but sure as hell worth it because you can actually use them and give them just as much punishment as a desktop and still the ThinkPad comes out on top.

The fact that my productivity has gone through the roof since ditching my compaq desktop for just the ThinkPads is a surefire sign.

So at the end of the day, if the quality remains the same, I will be more than happy to have an IBM ThinkPad from Timbuktoo if that's where they are made.

Vicky

Who manufactures thinkpads?

Who manufactures thinkpads?

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