ThinkPad

ThinkPad is the brand name for a highly successful range of portable laptop and notebook computers originally designed and sold by IBM. Since early 2005 the ThinkPad range has been manufactured and marketed by Lenovo, which purchased the IBM PC division.

The ThinkPad range was introduced at Comdex 1992 using the series designators 300, 500 and 700 (allegedly analogous to the BMW car range and used to indicate market), the 300 series being the "budget", the 500 series "midrange" and the 700 series "high end". This designation continued until the late 1990's when IBM introduced the "T" series as 600/700 series replacements, and the 3,5 and 7 series model designations were phased out for A (3&7) & X (5) series. The A series was later partially replaced by the R series.

Traditionally black in color, ThinkPads feature innovations such as the TrackPoint pointing device, ThinkLight, an LED keyboard light put on the top of the LCD screen, solidly constructed keyboards (including the fold-out butterfly keyboard on the 701 models), the Active Protection System, a device that detects when a ThinkPad is falling and shuts the hard drive down to prevent damage, and biometric fingerprint reader. ThinkPads have a reputation mostly for being solidly built and dependable.

Design history

The Japanese lunchbox that inspired the ThinkPad design

Tom Hardy, corporate manager of the IBM Design Program met with Italian-based designer Richard Sapper (noted then for the design of the Tizio lamp and was later comissioned to design a ballpoint for Lamy) and Kazuhiko Yamazaki, lead notebook designer at IBM's Yamato Design Center in Japan. Sapper proposed a design inspired by the Shōkadō bentō, a traditional black-lacquered Japanese lunch box.[1]

IBM launched the ThinkPad line in 1992 with the ThinkPad 700. The original ThinkPad was a tablet computer, without a keyboard. It featured a monochrome LCD screen, 40 MB flash memory (instead of hard disk), with PenPoint OS from Go, and handwriting recognizer from IBM. The keyboard version with Microsoft Windows 3.1 was next and sold for US$4,350, weighed 3 kg (6.5 lb), and had dimensions of 2.2 by 11.7 by 8.3 inches (56 by 297 by 210 mm). It featured a 10.4 inch (264 mm) LCD (the largest at that time), a 25 MHz 386SX processor, a 120 MB hard disk drive, and an easy-to-use keyboard featuring the TrackPoint pointing device. The bright red TrackPoint, embedded in the keyboard, enabled the notebook to be used on an airline tray table without a mouse. Although the tablet version was not commercially successful, the ThinkPad Tablet and Apple Newton were the beginning of PDAs and mobile computing.

The ThinkPad name was inspired by the leather-bound pocket notebooks issued to all IBM employees with the corporate motto 'Think' embossed on the cover. IBM's corporate naming team was initially against using the ThinkPad name since all previous IBM computers were referred to by model numbers rather than names. However, the popularity of the ThinkPad brand with the press convinced IBM to retain the name.

ThinkPad model types

IBM ThinkPad R32

The following is a list of various recent families of ThinkPad models.

ThinkPad A: All-in-one notebook, heavy, large, three drive bays total of which two are swappable bays. Discontinued. Some of the "p" models were the first Thinkpads available with a 15 inch UXGA "FlexView" display.
ThinkPad G: Desktop replacement machines built around desktop processors, large and heavy with limited battery runtime. Discontinued in 2005.
ThinkPad i Series: Budget consumer series notebooks manufactured by Acer under license from IBM. Discontinued.

ThinkPad R: Consumer notebook with two internal bays, one of which is swappable. Models with an appended 'e' (economy) further cut-down versions. The R30/R31/R40e models were manufactured under license by Acer. There are now 'desktop replacement' configurations to replace the A series.
ThinkPad S: Subnotebook, extremely small and light, produced for Japanese market only.
ThinkPad T: Thin and light notebook aimed at the corporate market. Two internal drives, one of which is swappable.
ThinkPad X: Subnotebook, very small and light, hard drive internal, no internal optical drive, 12" screen. A tablet version (X41 Tablet) [2] was introduced in June of 2005.
ThinkPad Z: The first ThinkPad intended for entertainment with wide-screen display, also the first ThinkPad that was introduced by Lenovo after the acquisition of IBM's facilities. Production started in 2005. The Z series are the first ThinkPad models since the i Series that include the 'Windows' and 'Menu' keys promoted by Microsoft and common on other vendors' laptops since the mid-nineties.

Model specific information

ThinkPad 235
- Type 2607, or the Japan-only ThinkPad 235, is an interesting product because it is a progeny of the IBM/Ricoh RIOS project. Also known as Clavius or Chandra2, it contains unusual features like the presence of 3 PCMCIA slots and the use of dual Camcorder batteries as a source of power. Features an Intel Pentium MMX 233 MHz CPU, support for up to 160 MB of EDO memory, and a built-in 2.5 inch hard drive with UDMA support. Hitachi markets Chandra2 as the Prius Note 210.

ThinkPad 300 series
- The 300 series (300, 310, 350, 360, 365, 380, 385, 390 (all with various sub-series)) was a long running value series starting at the 386SL/25 all the way to the Pentium III 450. They were a bit large and slower than the more full featured models but offered a less expensive ThinkPad.

ThinkPad 500 series
- The 500 series (500, 510, 560(E, X, Z), 570(E)) were the main line of the ultraportable ThinkPads. Starting with the 486SX2-50 Blue Lightening to the Pentium III 500, these machines had only a hard disk onboard. Any other drives were external (or in the 570's case in the ultrabase). They weighed in at around 4 pounds (1.8 kg) and because of their excellent design are still in use today.

ThinkPad 600 series
- The 600 series (600, 600E and 600X) are the direct predecessors of the T series, and are legendary for their portability and sturdy construction. The 600 series packed a 12.1" SVGA or a 13.3" XGA TFT LCD, Pentium MMX, Pentium II or III processor, full sized keyboard, and optical bay into a package weighing roughly 2.3 kg (5 lb). IBM was able to create this light, fully featured machine by using lightweight but strong carbon fibre composite plastics.

ThinkPad 700 series
- The 700 series (700, 701, 730 (tablet), 750, 755, 760, 765, 770 (many with sub-models)) were the cutting edge Intel-based ThinkPads. They featured the best screens, largest hard drives and fastest processors available at the time.

ThinkPad 800 series
- The PowerPC ThinkPad series, (800/820/821/822/823/850/851/860) were unique in that they ran on the PowerPC architecture, and not the x86 architecture. They all used the PowerPC 603e CPU, at speeds of 100MHz, or 166MHz in the 860 model. The 800 may have used a 603, and it is unclear if the 800 was experimental or not. All units used SCSI 2 instead of IDE. The units are believed to have all been extremely expensive, as the 850 cost upwards of $12,000 USD. The 800 series can run Windows NT 3.5 (probably 4.0 as well), OS/2, AIX 4.14, Solaris Desktop 2.5.1 PowerPC Edition, and Linux.

ThinkPad Transnote
- The IBM Transnote was a pen based PC in a notebook. Data could be entered through the keyboard, TrackPoint, paper notepad (with writing sensor below), or the screen via stylus. This ThinkPad expanded on IBM's previous pen based notebooks (360P(E), 730T(E), and 755(P)).

ThinkPad T2x series (T20, T21, T22, T23)
- Pentium III Mobile, sub-5 lb (2.3 kg) class machines. Contained processors ranging from 0.18 micrometre PIIIM 700 MHz to 0.13 micrometre PIIIM 1+ GHz. Typically had 14.1 inch XGA screens, Ultrabay 2000 optical drives, S3 Savage/IX-MV graphics chip and Cirrus Logic CS 4614/22/24 sound chips; although variations along the line existed. Introduced the ThinkLight, a LED mounted inside the upper screen lip and illuminating the keyboard (activated with Fn-PgUp, the extreme diagonal keys); and titanium-reinforced screen lids. Used miniPCI form factor cards, which could be modem and/or ethernet. With the T23, an internal wi-fi antenna became available, so wi-fi miniPCI cards could be used. Did not contain the active hard drive protection or touchpad pointing device which appeared in later models. T series ThinkPads were clad in black non-slip rubber with embedded glitter. The case lid had tabs along the edge that interlocked with depressions in the lower case when closed, to reduce case flexing. Comparatively more stylish, functional, and rugged machines; and easy to disassemble for repair or upgrades.

ThinkPad T3x series
- Solely includes the T30 model. Features include an Intel Mobile Pentium 4 processor ranging from 1.6 GHz to 2.4 GHz. Graphics were provided by a Radeon 7500 driver running on 16 MB of discrete video memory. The T30 was available with a 14.1 inch screen, with resolutions of 1024 x 768 and 1400 x 1050. Features available include the imbedded security subsystem, UltraNav touchpad, 256MB standard memory, a 20, 40 or 60GB hard disk, Ultrabay Plus drive, wireless, and Bluetooth. The shell is titanium reinforced composite. The whole package was a bit heavier and thicker than the T4x series.

ThinkPad T4x series
- Includes the T40, T41, T42, T43, and associated "p" series (for "performance"; e.g., T43p). A typical T4x weighs 2.2 kg (4.9 lb), slightly less than the 600 series, and features an Intel Pentium M Processor (ranging from the Intel Pentium M at 1.3 GHz to the Intel Pentium M 770 at 2.13 GHz), a 14.1 or 15 inch LCD (XGA, SXGA+), an integrated GPU (Intel Graphics Media Adapter 900) or a discrete GPU (Radeon x300, 7500, 9000, Fire GL 9000, 9600, Fire GL T2, X300, and Fire GL V3200), and a hard drive ranging in size from 30 to 100 GB with the Active Protection System to protect the hard drive (T41 and later models). "p" (mobile workstation) models are also available with a 14" SXGA+ or a 15 inch UXGA FlexView display with wide viewing angle and high density IPS technology with resolutions up to 1600x1200. These 15 inch display models weigh slightly more than their lesser brethren, with optical drive and battery, at 2.7 kg (5.9 lb). Some T42 and T43 models feature a biometric security system with built-in fingerprint reader.

ThinkPad T6x series
- Includes, as of 2006, the T60; intended as the next generation of the T4x Series Thinkpads; this is the first T Series Thinkpad to include the Intel Dual Core "Yonah" Technology.

ThinkPad X2x series (X20, X21, X22, X23, X24)
- Pentium III Mobile, sub-4 lb machines. Contained processors ranging from PIIIM 500 MHz to PIIIM 1+ GHz. 12.1 inch XGA screens, and ATi Rage Mobility M1 (X20, X21) or Radeon Mobility M6 (X22, X23, X24) graphics chips. Used miniPCI form factor cards, which supports modem and/or ethernet. With the X22 and later machines, provisions for wireless networking support are built into the chassis. Ultrabay 2000 optical drive support can be fitted via the Ultrabase portable docking station option, and extended batteries can give the series a 5 hour running time.

ThinkPad X3x series (X30, X31, X32)
- Pentium III Mobile (X30), Pentium M Banias (X31) or Pentium M Dothan (X32), 12.1 inch XGA screens, dedicated Graphic Chip (Ati M6 with 16MB, which means no shared memory is cut from your RAM), Bluetooth on some models (upgradable), WLAN (b, b/g or even a/b/g), FireWire, Compact Flash card slot. No built-in optical drive. Lots of options like second Battery, Mediaslice (for Battery and Ultrabay), Portreplicators, Dockingstations (some with a PCI Slot)

ThinkPad X4x Series
- An example of the lightweight X series, weighing in at 1.2 kg (2.7 lb), 25% lighter than its predecessor, the X31. [3]

ThinkPad X6x Series
- Includes, as of 2006, the X60; intended as the next generation of the X6x Series Thinkpads; this is the first X Series ThinkPad to feature Intel "Yonah" Dual Core Technology.

Lenovo UltraBay

UltraBay is Lenovo's name for the swappable drive slot. Introduced on the 750 series ThinkPads, this technology has gone through redesigns with almost every new generation of ThinkPad, leading to some confusion. The following table gives an overview of the different UltraBay types, in which models they occurred and what drives are available for them. Note that the optical drive bay in G series ThinkPads is not an UltraBay in that the drives are fixed and not removable.

On the media side different UltraBays relate to the form factor of the drives they accept; for example, early A, T and X series models can accept UltraBay devices up to 12.5 mm thick, whereas current T and X series machines are limited to devices no more than 9.5 mm thick.

Lenovo UltraBay nomenclature

Overview of UltraBay types and available devices
UltraBay Type	Featured in	Available devices
UltraBay	All 760s and 765s	FD, CD, Extra PCMCIA, HD, Battery, ZIP-100
UltraBay II	770, 770E, 770ED, 770X, 770Z	FD, CD/DVD, CD-RW/DVD, HD, Battery, ZIP-100, ZIP-250, LS-120
UltraBay FX	390, 390E, 390X	FD, CD/DVD, CD-RW/DVD, Battery
UltraSlimBay	570, 570E, 600, 600E, 600X	FD, CD/DVD, CD-RW/DVD, HD, Battery, ZIP-100, ZIP-250, LS-120
UltraBay 2000	A20, A21, A22, T20, T21, T22, X20, X21, X22, X23, X24	FD, CD/DVD, CD-RW/DVD, Multiburner, HD, Battery, ZIP-100, ZIP-250, LS-120, LS-240
UltraBay Plus	A30, A30p, A31, A31p, R30, R31, R32, R40, T23, T30, X30, X31	FD, CD/DVD, CD-RW/DVD, Multiburner, HD, Battery, ZIP-100, ZIP-250, WorkPad Cradle, Numberpad, and all Ultrabay 2000 devices
UltraBay Slim	R50, R50p, R51, R51p, R52, R52p, T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p, T43, T43p, X4 UltraBase	CD/DVD, CD-RW/DVD, Multiburner, HD, Battery
UltraBay Enhanced	R50, R50p, R51, R51p, R52, R52p	CD/DVD, CD-RW/DVD, Multiburner

Trivia

ThinkPad pointing devices. The TrackPoint (top left) has been a distinctive feature of the ThinkPad range for many years, while the touchpad (centre) is a relatively recent addition.

The name "ThinkPad" comes from a pocket size (approx. 3" x 4.5") notebook which said "Think" on the brown leatherette cover and "IBM" back. These were pervasive among IBM employees and were given to anyone by request with free refills available at any IBM office.
The Thinkpad is the most popular laptop of developers of the open source operating system OpenBSD, and the T40 is one of the best supported laptop for the system.

External links