/tpg/ - ThinkPad General

Previous Thread: Don't buy anything OTHER THAN IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad T, X, and W/P Series if you want the Real Business Experience™!
>Other business laptops are welcome in /tpg/ (Dell Latitude/Precision, HP EliteBook/ZBook).

Libreboot-compatible models:
>T60 (check lcd), X60(s/t.), X200(s/t. -s requires soldering), T400(s), T500, W500.

Modern models:
>X220/X230 - 12", 768p, cheap and light
>T420/T430 - 14", 900p, socketed CPU, quadcore-compatible
>T520/T530, W520/W530 - 15", 1080p, desktop replacement
>T440s/T450s - best price/performance ultraportable
>T440p, T540p, W540/1 - last models with socketed processors

Upgraded models:
>X210 - X200/X201, i5 8250U quadcore
>X62 - X61, i5 5250U
>T70 - T60, i7 7700HQ
High-res IPS displays, USB 3.0, M.2 x4, mini-DP
forum.51nb.com/forum.php?mod=forumdisplay&fid=117


Why ThinkPad?
>Used machines are plentiful and cheap
>Excellent keyboards - tactile feel and quiet
>Great durability: magnesium rollcage for structural integrity, high quality plastic body panels
>Utilitarian design: indicator LEDs, 7 row keyboard layout on older models
>Docking stations that easily turns your laptop into a desktop
>Easy to repair (most models), upgrade & maintain thanks to readily available service manuals for every model, spare parts easy & cheap to obtain
>The TrackPoint™, great for those who type a lot or hate niggers swiping their fingers all over a touchpad
>Excellent GNU/Linux & *BSD support

Helpful links:
>Buyers guide:
dankpads.com/tpg/
>thinkpad-tech-tree.txt - a plaintext map of ThinkPad history:
github.com/Monkeyfume/thinkpad-tech-tree/blob/master/thinkpad-tech-tree.txt
>ThinkWiki - info on ThinkPads & running GNU/Linux on them:
thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkWiki
>Coreboot compatibility list:
coreboot.org/status/board-status.html
>BIOS logo booru:
biosimage.booru.org

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Other urls found in this thread:

coreboot.org/Build_HOWTO
coreboot.org/status/kconfig-options.html
twitter.com/SFWRedditGifs

Is there a lot of difference in temperatures between 35W TDP and 45W TDP?

What are some cheap upgrades i can apply to a T400 other than a SSD and 8GB RAM?
Any CPU recommendations to replace a P8600? X9100 seems a bit expensive to the point i might aswell buy a T420.

10W of heat more.
Don't worry, it wont matter since Thinkpads don't use anemic heatsinks like the ones you find in HP or modern Dell laptops.

x40 a shit

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what can you realistically do with a laptop this old, a dedicated irc shitposting station?

>buy thinkpad
>corner looks a bit weird
>take the plastic off to see better
>it's some super makeshift reinforcement for the part where the hinge screws in to the display roll cage
>hinges are a bit loose
>think the old owner tried to fix them by doing that
>take the epoxy off
>the hinge screws into the epoxy
>the roll cage is broken
>this man broke a thinkpad roll cage
>how
>find cheap thinkpad that comes with battery and dock
>price is almost as much as just the battery and the dock
>order it because it's the same model and it's a better investment than just buying the parts
>it arrives
>everything looks fine
>start taking it apart
>it's a fucking LED display
>nice
>start thinking i could sell the parts
>it would basically pay for its self and I would still get to keep some of the parts
>nice
>take the display roll cage out
>start putting it in my other thinkpad
>try to test after the connectors are connected
>backlight turns on
>ok now its off again
>ok now its back on
>wifi light starts blinking
>hdd light starts bilnking
>it booted into gentoo but there's no image on the screen
>freak the fuck out
>remember reading on the back of the display "WARNING DO NOT TOUCH WHITE TAPE! INTERLOCKING CONNECTOR" with arrows pointing up
>remember touching that tape
>i fucking broke a super rare 1920x1200 display
>refit ribbon to display connector
>refit motherboard to ribbon connector
>screw the connector screws back in
>still no image
>fuck fuck fuck fuck
>take screws out
>refit connector again
>no image
>give up
>*CLICK*
>thinkpad bios logo appears
>FUCK YES
>screw the display back into the roll cage
>screw everything back in
>try it again
>thinkpad boot logo
>ok everything is going great
>just have to put th-
>*CLICK*
>display assembly falls a little
>what
>the roll cage is broken in the exact same place
>have to buy new part again
>fuck me
>put everything back together
>take a break
>start thinking about the other thinkpad
>never even booted it up
>kinda fucked up
>mfw

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Will I regret getting an X230 over an X220?

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no

yes

You can install Windows and then look at those windows.

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im fine with my x230, usb3 is great when im moving my movies around

Maybe

yeah probably I have hardly used it since i cant even watch anime on there kek. Might be able to play thief

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minecraft runs much better on intelhd4000
can anyone say anything about clover os? it looks nice

>can anyone say anything about clover os?
install gentoo meme for dummies and memes

You can install Gentoo on it and take those sweet "Uptime: 3 mins" pictures I guess.
It can run EoSD somewhat well under Windows I guess.

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does the 1600x900 LED make a big difference from the 1366x768 TN panel on the t420? The TN is fucking awful and i really want a better screen but not sure if it will actually make much of a difference.

Any Jow Forumsentoomen know where I can find a T440p in Sweden/Northern Europe for a bretty gud price? Have been looking at the i7-4900MQ/4700MQ models and they look cool : DDD

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Upgrading the tn panel to ips on x220 was definetly worth it. I usually don't care about the panel that much but that tn panel was actually giving me headaches.

>G505S
>no gigabit ethernet
So close to being perfect
How does one compile coreboot?

Do you think my T530 can withstand having a XM processor in it or do I need a W530, instead?

LED is the backlight type, it's still TN

I'm debating between repairing an x201t that I'm very sentimental about, or buying a x201s that I actually want to use.

I actually hate the 2-in-1 form factor, but again, the sentimentality.

Thoughts? Is there any real chance of there being a sudden drop in the available of for-parts x201t's in the next 5 years? I'd imagine not, considering that you can still buy X60's.

I replaced the fan on my x220 and now my speakers do not function. Where did I go wrong?

I have a thinkpad X230 that I carry with me everywhere, but I kind of want to get something to keep at home in my room that's got a more enjoyable screen and better specs. If my budget was $200, what model should I look at? I'm guessing something from the T series

btw, how can I use usb 3.0 in x220?

do you have a recommendation for a trackpad skin for the t470? it should just look plain and black but not show that much grease

you need the i7 version and then one port is usb3.0 or you can use expresscard slot for extra usb but I heard it doesn't even run at full usb 3.0 speed so it's kinda a waste of time either way

My $3k X1 Extreme order is about to ship. Planning on buying the $600 32" benq monitor for it and the 2fb Samsung 970 unless one of you plebs can talk me out of it.

tia

Hey, anons, how is thinkpad p1? Is it a good machine?

good but expensive

Is it really reliable? Will it last me 4 years?
Xps 15 is cheaper for better specs but quality seems to be shit.

>XM
Ok that is another story because those are 55 and 65 TPD.
Even in the W530 they run hot.

Will you be able to use it in a T430?
Yes.
Cool it?
Not properly, or not at all if you have the version with a Quadro GPU.

Yea but might aswell buy a P52 for something that will actually last, unless you want a big thin laptop in that case get the P1 but its not exactly a good idea(Any ultrathin laptop is never a good idea).

XPS 13 and 15 come with a huge amount of issues mostly temperature related.

>Yea but might aswell buy a P52
I plan on carrying it around a lot

i tried that but it wouldn't work. kingston ram works fine but i can't boot with the pny ram
coreboot.org/Build_HOWTO
coreboot.org/status/kconfig-options.html
basically
>general setup
select Use CMOS configuration values
>mainboard
select your model,
>chipset
supply flashdescriptor, intel me firmware, and gigabit ethernet firmware
select strip down intel me
select support for bluetooth on wifi cards if you need that
>devices
libgfxinit should be the default if not choose it
use Framebuffer mode (Linear "high-resolution" framebuffer)
>payload
select seabios
under secondary payloads select nvramcui
this should just give you working setup

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Well as long you clean it internally once a year then you shouldn't have problems, it will last 4 years without problems.

Ok boys I just picked up a t440s for uni with a full windows license redpill me on linux

Install Gen- Kubuntu or Debian testing with KDE plasma.

Yeah, I have one with a Quadro NVS 5400M on it
I think I'll go and grab a 3720QM and hope for the best. Thanks for the help

I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as Linux,
is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux.
Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component
of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell
utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX.

Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day,
without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU
which is widely used today is often called "Linux", and many of its users are
not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project.

There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a
part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system
that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run.
The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself;
it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is
normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system
is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called "Linux"
distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.

Use Linux mint cinnamon which is Linux for retards.
>T440s instead T440p
Why?

t440s for superior battery life and portability, t440p for superior performance and upgradability both of them are perfectly fine just depending what you need

>twf I'm training my 10 y.o. daughter this summer to be a linux hacker and take you pedos down

keep it up you pedo faggots, keep it up

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Ignore the pasta, that's just an old, stale shitpost
If you don't play the most recent AAA games or use programs that only have a Windows version, and you don't mind spending some time learning new, free/libre/whatever term the GNU uses to keep their tismo at bay, then you're ready to use Linux.
>What distribution?
For beginners, Linux Mint, a flavor of Ubuntu, or Debian if you feel more confident
>I don't get this, or something doesn't work
Search for a solution using a search engine. If that doesn't work, ask >I need this program from Windows. What can I do?
Search for alternatives, or try running the program with Wine
>No games lmao
Not true anymore. Ignore the shitposters that say that there's only Tux Racing and chess. Steam has a wide library of games that have Linux versions, and some games can be run using Wine
Nice bait

who /vertical stand/ here?

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kek decoy for what a mum
wew nice desu

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I would but making a stand that would hold a T400 properly would be more expensive than buying a light Thinkpad and making a normal stand.

W520 master race

Anything older is slow

Anything newer is gay

Cope harder

You will only find peace in this world once you own a w520

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Nice screenshot!

T430 user, are you using the Nvidia 5400m discrete GPU? (If you have a motherboard with one)

And if so is the 1gb version good enough or is the 2gb version a must?

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Your point? The image was too large for Jow Forums and its an easy way to degrade it.

>get a dock with a key
>fix it to something even with screws
>lock the thinkpad in place
>???
>profit

Howdy, I'm going to check out the links in the OP but I figured I'd ask here as well.

I want to get a laptop (thinkpad preferred) for university. My budget is around 1000 euros, but I can pay more if need be. I'd like to save myself the hassle and buy it new rather than used or refurbished.

I'd like to ask if there's thinkpads with 15 inch screens, since that seemed like a good size to me, and if there's any general recommendations.

Thanks so much in advance!

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Yes because CAD.
The 1GB version is good.

What are you going to use it for?

What are you going to study/use it for?

holy fuck I love how amazing the w520 is

Programming I suppose, presentations, and all that. I'm supposed to write programs for surveying instruments to make them do stuff in the field, so I need some sort of mobile computer.

Help me out, /tpg/.
I want to get a portable laptop for comp sci so I've settled between the X220 or the T420s because I'm a sucker for the keyboard circlejerk. I've read bad stories about the T420s regarding its battery life and insufficient cooling, but I really would appreciate the larger display. I'll be buying a new battery anyway for either one (9 cell for X220, 6 cell for T420s).
Which model should I get?

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W520 here, what CPU do you use user? I recently installed a 2960XM

go to your nearest consumer tech review website and buy what they tell you to buy

Anyone here have a T520? I have a T420 but found someone selling at a super cheap price with a 1080p screen.

O-Ok

Is it a good practice to constantly keep your laptop at 100%? I spend most of my day at home and I am not sure whether or not I should always have a charger plugged.

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I don't know if they make 15 inch ThinkPads anymore, besides the P51
Go to their outlet, you might find one.
If you don't, then
>T480 if you want something close to 15"
>X280 if you want a compact model
>X1 Extreme if you want a MacBook that can actually sit outside without shattering into a million pieces as soon as a flea jumps into it

x230

No. Keeping batteries at 100% is a killer. You can set charging thresholds on ThinkPads. With Windows you use Lenovo's Vantage tool, with Linux you would use TLP.

If you NEVER use the battery then ideally you would leave it around 40-50%. If you occasionally use the battery then something like 85-90%, or whatever suits your needs.

What do you guys think about buying parts from chinabay? e.g. Taobao

A fair amount of CAD and (if im away from my PC) maybe a bit of Europa Universallis 4 and maybe a bit of Factorio.

W530 master race

Anything older is slow

Anything newer is gay

Cope softer

You will only find peace in this world once you own a w530 with an i7-3920XM

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T430 the xx20 keyboard mod

What Thinkpad should I get I want the best one for 900 bucks.

best specs wise

just finance a brand new laptop if that's your budget

used P50 probably

W541 with some i7, at least 16gb of ram, and a 3k monitor
or
P70 to let chicks know how big your dick is.

Get a P52 if you want a durable 15" laptop.
But honestly what you mentioned doesn't sound too intensive at all enough to justify spending $1,200 in a laptop.

>3920xm
yoinks that's not top tier! Still waiting on my 3940xm I got for $120 from Russia so I can't meme when my meme is in the mail :(

w520 > w530 in every way

cope

My T430 keeps randomly going to sleep. Screen shuts off and power button slowly flashes, only way to turn it back on is by pressing the power button, no idea why its happening.

Event manager says "The system is entering sleep.

Sleep Reason: Battery"

Happens randomly and regularly when running on battery regardless of the state of charge, doesn't happen when docked. Just recently installed the 7 row keyboard and a franken-heatsink, maybe something I fucked up? I know for sure the fan is connected pr MOTHERFUCK IT JUST HAPPENED WHILE TYPING THIS POST GODDAMNIT

Any ideas?

Are you using tpfancontrol?

That's what you get for buying something from the T series. Pewdiepie was right.

What are your settings for when you close the lid? Whatever they are, change it to 'do nothing'

yes

i deserve this

its been set to do nothing since i bought it

Meh. Its one more ghz. I'm already compiling shit on my CloverOS system very fast as it is.
I quite literally have everything you have, but better. GPU is better, CPU is faster and quieter, and I can put in a xx20 keyboard or backlit keyboard if I want.

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I thought that I could make do with the original trackpad on the 440p, but after replacing it with a 3-button one it is far better
I can understand why there were so many people upset with the change

Idab here

Top kekz

I almost spit out my water

Should have gotten a W series


X/t series are for children, or old people.

Real men use a W series to get shit done

Try setting your critical battery event to do nothing.

Can you buy just the chassis for the T420? My T420 is in need of some aesthetic fixes but is otherwise great. Would. It be worth just finding a good T440p and dumping my 16gb ram and two drives into that?

>t420

throw that away and get a t440p or sure

or join the W series masterrace

Kek, are you me? You look just like me.

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Are any of you nerds into mechanical keyboards as well?

I recently got my first mechanical keyboard. It has linear switches (Gateron Black) and I like it overall. But whenever I type on the keyboard of my X220 I miss the tactility of my past membranes.
user, can you recommend me an MX switch with a similar feeling tactile bump? I've only tried shitty gaming tactile switches and they made me believe in the meme -- "browns are just scratchy reds". But I assume there are better tactile switches out there.

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mx browns are just scratchy reds

get gat or eoutemu browns (cheaper too)

Im using a magicforce 68 with outemu browns and pbt keycaps with .02mm o-rings and LOVING it!!!!

idab here btw

You'll probably get better answers in but the best keyboard I can recommend you is the Logitech K120 if you don't mind membrane.

>if you don't mind membrane

its 2019 grandpa, mechanical keyboard or GTFO

hello frends
rate my setup

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thats not even him, thats an old picture of me

what model