/tpg/ - ThinkPad General

Previous thread: IRC: #/tpg/ on irc.rizon.net

Other business laptops are also welcome in /tpg/ (e.g. Dell Latitude/Precision, HP EliteBook/ZBook).
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If you're looking for purchase advice, READ THE BUYERS GUIDE FIRST. Then post, stating budget and requirements (e.g. size and performance).
Don't buy anything OTHER THAN T, X AND W/P SERIES if you want the Real ThinkPad Experience™

Recommended models:
T420 - 14", normal size
X220 - 12.5", ultraportable
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Why ThinkPad? (also applies to other business laptops)
>Used machines are plentiful and cheap.
>Excellent keyboards - tactile feel and quiet.
>Great durability: chassis uses a magnesium rollcage for structural integrity, with high quality plastic body panels.
>Utilitarian design: e.g. indicator LEDs, 7 row keyboard layout on older models.
>Docking stations that easily turns your laptop into a desktop.
>Easy to repair, upgrade and maintain thanks to readily available service manuals for every model. Spare parts are easy and cheap to obtain.
>The best trackpoint (that red thing in the middle of the keyboard). Great for those who type a lot or hate swiping their fingers all over a touchpad.
>Excellent GNU/Linux & *BSD support.
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Used ThinkPad buyers guide:
ktgee.net/tpg

xsauc buyers guide:
dankpads.com

Specs lookup tool from type number:
tp.krelay.de/

EPP discount for new ThinkPads (USA & Canada only, usually 15%+ off):
pastebin.com/JVwVGVTW

Helpful links and resources (Wiki, lookup tools and wallpapers):
pastebin.com/DYjEnVq1

Other urls found in this thread:

ebay.co.uk/
weidian.com/item.html?itemID=1969558724
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe48cWML5SV61Nfhbc6phu71qXmMCqHO2pJb14MB_5QfRGKEw/viewform?c=0&w=1
twitter.com/SFWRedditGifs

My T420s arrived today and it looks completely new. Has not any sings of wear and tear.
But, it makes a squeaking noise. I think it comes from the fan. Is this normal and can I do something? Don't know now it it will annoy me.

I'm putting money away for the 2017 models. Hopefully we will see a Retro Thinkpad with a classic keyboard.

Is Dell Latittude E7240/E7440 good?

>chiclet keyboard actually has better switches
very very arguable, I'd even go as far as to say it's false.
Besides, the biggest issue is the layout

I disagree. Actually I feel that the switches are more responsive and have better feedback.
Anyways, isnt an issue in X230, you can do the mod and install the old keyboard and call it a day.

yeah but that minor pricegap becomes something of a more noticable gap

Good point.

It's not in USD but the price gap is $46 if converted in USD. $221 for x230 and $175 for x220

I'm skeptical that retro Thinkpad will work out, but at this point I'd be happy if they just released a laptop with a taller screen + thunderbolt.

Not to be rude, but I didn't ask?

Just want to inform you just in case you are wondering.

Bit of a PSA - X230 middle mouse button is compatible with the X220. I discovered this by accident but if you're like me and hate the hump thing then this is a great quality of life mod.

Also. What's /tpg/'s favorite mouse clit? I think the cat tongue feels cool but the inverted dome is the most comfortable.

?? that image was correctly orientated before upload.

Yeah but my point is that it'd be more expensive if you had to switch out the keyboard

The keyboard is around $45 if converted. I'm more concerned about performance and graphic rather than keyboard. But I type alot to.

I won a auction today, I was the only bid. €120 for a x220, sounds really good to me.

No idea about the shape it's in other than working, but others said it was good from the same seller.

Yeah if I was concerned about performance I'd buy a new laptop, or maybe a W-series.

what's the general opinion on t430s ? i have a t410 now which sits 90% of the time on a dock, so the less ports wont be critical. How much battery should i expect, are they much hotter ?

But all of them have that annoying touchpad that often get in my when typing and most of them are not ergonomic. They don't have trackpoint either

the best thing about t430s is that you can get one with thunderbolt.
the build quality and display are worse than the 410.

w-series?

As far as I know battery life is duff and the CPU is soldered.

If you sacrifice the ultrabay slot for a battery you can push the longevity. I'd be interested myself to hear from someone who owns one to what extent this extends the life.

Also thunderbolt.

Just got a T410s and the fan seems to make a thumping noise. I am going to take it apart when I have time and check everything out, but what's the likely solution to this?

W series is rare as fuck in my country. Not to mention they are fucking expensive if they are available.

didn't think the display could be worse than the t410's...at least i can get it pretty cheap.

my t410's battery life can barely hit 4hrs, so everything on top would be a plus

Any one here using the t520? Thinking about buying it. Is it any good?

How do I into Thinkpads as a Brit?

She doesn't even look like the usual SJW type (no horribly dyed hair or huge glasses) :(

Check your local online retailer.

Sup Forums sometimes has problems with exif rotation, perhaps because the exif is scrubbed.

your sjw radar is fucking weak

probably

Apply yourself friend. Her power level is strong.

That's because she's not 20 years old.

What am I missing? Assuming you just walk past this person on the street and don't know anything about them, how would you know it's a SJW?

ebay.co.uk/
amazing
also this keep an eye out for local deals, UK equivalent of craigslist or whatever

Hard to describe. It's kind of like gay guys and gaydar. You just pick it up. I think there's probably some evolutionary component that predisposes people to those mentalities, so maybe that's expressed phenotypically and we tune into that subconsciously.

Looking at her though... I dunno man. Lip stick, mouth shape and her expression trips my SJW alarm.

Hmm... That kind of makes sense. I did notice the bright red lipstick the first time I looked at that picture, but it didn't activate my SJW radar.

just bought this dankx230pad in almost mint condition except for one thing, this cover is a fucking piece of plastic glued to the fucking case. should i return it? bought it refurbished and they have wide stock.

They are sold for 2 bucks/10pcs at ali or ebay.

The old style of keyboard is crucial for me to spend money on a laptop. i use a dell e5570 from work and I loathe the keyboard on it.

Got an x220 with an ultrabase for $150. It's really nice so far, but its a model with a tn screen. Is it worth it to try to upgrade to an ips screen?

T520 owner here. It depends on what you want, really. Here are a few points about the T520 for you.

Pros:
It's a laptop that does laptop things.
It has a nicer screen than T420/T420s.
It supports up to a 1920x1080 wide gamut screen from the factory. Still a TN, but a damn good one.
1600x900 panel is decent. Not particularly great, but not as horrid as the mess that is the T420's screen either.
It supports higher specs than T420 from the factory, including quadcore i7 models. T420 can be retrofitted with these, though.
Feels like it could feasibly be used to bludgeon someone to death.
Would probably break the ground if you drop it.

Cons:
It's a bit heavy. I bring mine on my daily commutes to work and sometimes I wish I had a T420s instead.

51nb has totally beaten them to the punch several time now. T70 and X210 on the way as well...

These people should be shot.

Yes, but I cannot purchase that, now can I?

Sure you can. How do you think I got one?
Money can, like, be exchanged for goods.

Damn. First time I'm seeing this mod. Cool as fuck. Wouldn't mind one for my X220. I'm aware there's a nice screen mod for the X220 at least.

the screens for the X6x are even nicer. 4:3 1400x1050 AFFS.

Would you be kind to provide a source, user?

Yeah, I would appreciate the extra verticality when I'm coding to be honest.

My only minor gripe with the pre-X220 Thinkpads are the escape and delete keys. It's small, but I really appreciate the larger keys. I thought that was a great design choice.

I wish I had any surplus income to speak of because I know for a certain that in 5 years I will have wished I could support this direction

I bought directly from 51nb through a chinese forwarder FSC.
Boards here: weidian.com/item.html?itemID=1969558724
Complete laptops here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe48cWML5SV61Nfhbc6phu71qXmMCqHO2pJb14MB_5QfRGKEw/viewform?c=0&w=1

Ebay, user. You can snag some great deals on there. I got my X60s for £60 including delivery. It is in very nice condition.

Anyone have any experiences with latitude E6320? One of my friend's workplaces is selling a few of their old laptops and that one seems kind of nice, though I know next to nothing about them. Might be able to pick it up for about 140 euro or so, comes with 8gb ram, 500gb hdd and a I5 2540M

The "retro" lipstick and frames are a hint. Betty Page haircuts and Harry Potter glasses fall into the same category.

It's sort of the female equivalent to 1920s haircuts and waxed moustaches - ironically old fashioned. The thought process probably goes like this.
"It's ironic because we're so modern and progressive we could never be mistaken for reactionaries or those horrible poor white people who work with their hands."

Second hint. Stroppy expression, challenging the viewer, instead of a more open look.

Third, she's kind of malnourished and plain looking, but through her expression and sense of style, seems to expect people to pay attention to her. No humility.

Hindsight is 20/20, but she does communicate a clear "office bitch" look, if not a SJW look.

Yesterday I got the power manager working and got the battery stats

I still don't understand why it doesn't last more than 2 hours on a single charge

Hey,
I just installed an IPS display I bought on my x220 and while it is an IPS display, the colors seem very grey. What might be the problem?

How do you mean exactly?

OEM battery or third party.
What should i get?

Great observations. I'll know the signs.

OEM

I took this picture, I hope it is clear enough.

I can sort of see it.

Is that external display IPS?

Does your new IPS panel have good viewing angles? Just to rule out that its not a TN

calibrate the colours.

What is it that you're doing on your computer when you're on battery only?

Also is that battery new? Mine is a 9 cell, came with the laptop I have two in fact, and neither one show same number for capacity and full charge.

I either do stuff in Word or do some web browsing
Sometimes I even watch a movie or something when I'm on the train

The viewing angles are very good, it is clearly an IPS.
The top one is another computer's IPS monitor.
I don't believe that's the problem. My TN monitor looks great.

Not all displays are created equal.
This applies to IPS panels as well. You can try to calibrate your laptop's colours, but I doubt it'll help much on your undersaturation.

Power management/cpu governor settings, perhaps ?
Display brightness ?

I spilled some coffee on my T60. It now doesn't charge.
I'm fucked am I ?

Also, is the T420 for 170$ shipping included a good deal ?

You can lube or replace fans. Download hardware maintenance manual and read thinkpad forums for info.

How to change the middle mouse button?

Good build quality and the price is right.

Unscrew the keyboard screws that are marked on the bottom with a keyboard symbol.

You can then remove the keyboard by pushing down and forward towards the screen unlatching it for you to lift it out.

To replace the middle mouse button, you'll need something small to pry it off. You need to be careful or else the hinges will snap. It comes off easily enough though.

Once it's off you just seat the hinges of the new button in their place then press down on the front of the button so that it clicks into place.

It should become obvious how to do this as you fiddle with it. I just figured it out as I went along.

If you want a replacement key, search for those people on ebay who sell individual keys off keyboards and ask them if they have the middle mouse button.

The crazy just rolls off that one. Poor self esteem because she's plain as my aging nutsack reinforced by being a complete airhead.

I cannot figure out where my t42 intakes air. I presume it just sucks in air over the fan, which is right under the keyboard. But theres no way i should be getting 85°c load temps.
Fuckin arctic silver on an exposed die with a perfectly cleaned and polished heatsink.
Ive got it nigger rigged with this fan i had lying around, blows cool air under the laptop
But its still hot

So, good or bad idea
>cut vents into bottom of laptop
>remove parallel port and replace with grate

With the fan im down to 77c
Which is better i guess

On sunday its gonna be -18°f outside, i want to really cold test this thing. What do i need to do to avoid condensation?

>I'd be interested myself to hear from someone who owns one to what extent this extends the life.
me too!

bruh It could be your internal VGA that's causing the overheat since I see you use a second monitor. sometimes having a VGA out can drive some GPUs crazy

*internal GPU

nah even without it i would hit 80-90c playing cs 1.6
the fan is keeping it below 80 which im all good with, its just loud as shit now

I was offered a dock for my x220 for €25
I turned it down since it only has usb2, and what's it good for anyways?

T500 with dead battery for 50 euros - good value?

>europoors

>90Wh out of default 99Wh
>240 cycles
holy shit user. You're fucking lucky.

hi Sup Forums
How's your day?

also dumping pics of my old thinkpads
pic rel - x230 with egpu

x230 + SDR integrated into the ultrabase

I just want a laptop to do schoolwork and emulate Gamecube and PS2 games is the T420 i7 powerful enough for that?

That was a nice laptop to have. Too bad had to sell it ;_;

x230 + SAS controller + LTO tape drive

x230 gaymur edition

ancient x61 with t7300, 4GB RAM, SSD + HDD.
Sold it to some autismal idiot for $1000. That was like 4 years ago. Kek

actually 3 years. Fug

t430 with classic keyboard

Old x120e guts. Never bothered to upgrade the AyyMD motherboard to Intel i3 one

Why did you need to still it

Whoa, this is truly a beauty.
Why aren't all laptops like this?

I urgently needed monies, and I got a very nice offer for it.