User:ThisIsNotABetter/ThinkPad T series

The ThinkPad T series is a line of laptop computers introduced by IBM in 2000. After the transfer of the consumer computer division in 2005, they were developed and marketed by Chinese technology company Lenovo.

IBM T Series
IBM introduced the T series as part of their ThinkPad brand in 2000 as the premier line, with traditional high-end features, such as the magnesium alloy rollcage, 7-row keyboard, screen latch, UltraBay, and ThinkLight. The laptop was meant to cater to users working with multiple networks and in different environments. This resulted in the development of the IBM Embedded Security Subsystem. From the time of its inception, the series was designed to balance speed and mobility. Despite a 14.1” screen, similar to desktops at the time, the titanium composite body on the laptop was designed to keep the weight as low as possible. Users were also given options to swap components for mobility, like a DVD player, writeable CD drive or numeric keypads.

The ThinkPad T20 was released by IBM as the 14" successor to the 13.3" ThinkPad 600 laptops. Despite the weight of 4.6 lb, the T20 is the lightest laptop offering with his screen size. With the addition of an internal 8x DVD-ROM drive, the weight remained as low as 5.2 lb.


 * ThinkPad T20 series
 * Comprising the T20, T21, T22 and T23, with the only 14" screen based case (the 13.3" XGA screen is a low-end option with same case).
 * These were Mobile sub-5 lb class machines with Intel processors ranging from 0.18 micrometre (μm) Pentium III 650 MHz to 0.13 μm Pentium III-M 1.20 GHz. Typically had 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 that illuminates the keyboard (activated with Fn-PgUp, the extreme diagonal keys); and titanium-reinforced and rubberized screen lids. Used MiniPCI form factor cards, which could be modem and/or Ethernet. With the T23, an internal WiFi antenna became available, so WiFi miniPCI cards could be used. These models did not contain the active hard drive protection or touchpad pointing device which appeared in later models. They 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.In October 2000, the ThinkPad T20 was upgraded and released as the ThinkPad T21 laptop with the Intel Mobile Pentium III (800 MHz) CPU. The 14.1” LCD display offered a higher resolution of . The hard disk space offered was a 32GB—high for the time. Further minor refinements were made to the T2X series resulting in the T22 and finally in 2002 with the T23 a Pentium III-M 1.13 GHz "Tualatin" having 128MB RAM and a 30GB hard drive. The T23 machine, known internally in IBM as the 'Toronto' model, was the first to include Windows XP.


 * ThinkPad T30
 * The ThinkPad T30 was released in May 2002, with 14" screens only, and they have a new case with integrated touchpad (known as UltraNav); The shell is titanium-reinforced composite, and the whole package was a bit heavier and thicker than the T4x series.
 * Internal updates is a new platform with Intel Mobile Pentium M processor and Intel 845MP Chipset, and included the ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 video controller with 16 MB graphics memory, a 14.1” TN LCD display with a resolution of 1024 × 768 or, and up to 1 GB PC2100 RAM. When the Mobile Pentium M processor ranging from 1.6 GHz to 2.0 GHz, A T30 may accommodate up to a 2.4 GHz processor only with the latest BIOS and Embedded Controller upgrades. Graphics are provided by ATI Radeon, which supports external Full-HD resolutions: users have even reported success with output resolutions of 1920 × 1200 via DVI on the optional Port Replicator II docking station, although IBM officially claims a limit of 1280 × 1024 due to a weak TMDS transmitter. Features available include the embedded security subsystem, 256 MB standard memory (1 GB maximum according to IBM manual, but it has been reported to accept 2 GB of RAM ), a 20, 40 or 60 GB hard disk, Ultrabay Plus drive option instead of DVD-ROM , wireless (with miniPCI slot usable for a wireless card), and Bluetooth.


 * ThinkPad T40 series: [[Image:X31 T43 laptop.png|thumb|right|An [[ultraportable]] IBM X31 with an IBM T43 notebook]]Includes the T40, T41, T42, T43, and associated p series (for performance; e.g., T43p). The T42 model is a first T series laptop with two different case options (14.1" and 15"), but both versions uses the same internal components (except keyboard (14.1" or 15"), screen (14.1" or 15"), and screen inverter);  all versions have the only magnesium composite lid is an option.
 * A typical 14.1 in T4x weighs 4.9 lb, slightly less than the 600-series; the regular screen is a TN, but the  TN option also available. One model of T42 also offered IPS SXGA+ 14" technology.
 * These 15 in display models weigh slightly more than their lesser brethren, with optical drive and battery, at 5.9 lb. The all 15" models were offered with an optional  or  (SXGA+/UXGA) "FlexView" IPS LCD display with different inverter board, but entry-level models may have a 15"  TN screen option.
 * T43p opened.jpg T4x models use Intel Pentium M Processor (ranging from the Pentium M at 1.73 GHz to the Pentium M 770 at 2.13 GHz), an integrated GPU (Intel Graphics Media Adapter 900) or a discrete GPU (Radeon 7500, 9000, or a Fire GL 9000, Fire GL T2, and Fire GL V3200 workstation CAD card that is slower in fullscreen video editing and computer games, and most notably 9600 and x300 which are faster for games), 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 typically offer FireGL CAD graphics.
 * These laptops uses a 6-cell or 9-cell lithium-ion batteries, as well as an optional additional hot-swappable 3-cell Ultrabay Slim lithium-polymer battery. The 9-cell battery gives a runtime of 5+ hours and a crease allows the laptop to lay flat on an airplane tray-table. Some T42 and T43 models feature a biometric security system with built-in fingerprint reader, some models also include Bluetooth support. The T40 was IBM's first ThinkPad to use the Pentium M "Banias" CPU.  Announced in March 2003, the ThinkPad T40p represented the first in the T series' "performance" class of laptops. The ThinkPad T40p offered ATI Mobility 9000 with 64 MB VRAM, a 14.1” LCD display with  resolution, a maximum of 2 GB PC2100 RAM, and a 60 GB IDE hard disk.
 * The design was followed by the T41/T41p and the T42/T42p (ATI Mobility 7500, 9600, and FireGL T2), with almost complete parts interchangeability, except for the fan (normal or p-series). The T42 employed a Pentium M "Dothan" processor with a 400 MHz frontside bus, while the T43 used a later revision of Dothan running a 533 MHz FSB.
 * Launched in April 2005, the ThinkPad T43 and T43p laptops were the last T-series laptops manufactured for IBM. The major improvement was a move to lower-cost DDR2 RAM (vs DDR for other T-series machines, but ran hotter and noisier, and so the T42 models were thought to have the best combination of ergonomics and performance), and a bus speed increase from 400 MHz to 533 MHz. Lenovo integrated the ExpressCard into ThinkPad T43 in May 2005. The CPU also was the first to have the XD bit, making it the first Thinkpad that could run Windows 8.x and Windows 10.
 * Launched in April 2005, the ThinkPad T43 and T43p laptops were the last T-series laptops manufactured for IBM. The major improvement was a move to lower-cost DDR2 RAM (vs DDR for other T-series machines, but ran hotter and noisier, and so the T42 models were thought to have the best combination of ergonomics and performance), and a bus speed increase from 400 MHz to 533 MHz. Lenovo integrated the ExpressCard into ThinkPad T43 in May 2005. The CPU also was the first to have the XD bit, making it the first Thinkpad that could run Windows 8.x and Windows 10.

Lenovo T Series
In December 2004 Lenovo of China announced the acquisition of the IBM PC division including the ThinkPad brand (at the time, 40% of the PC division was working in China.) Lenovo released the ThinkPad T60 and T60p laptops in February 2006.


 * ThinkPad T60 series
 * Includes the T60, T61, and associated p series (for performance; e.g.,. T60p); While designed and manufactured by Lenovo, the T60 and the T60p still featured the IBM logo on the machines. In May 2007, the T61 and T61p laptops slowly phased out IBM logos in favor of the ThinkPad logo.
 * The T60 is the first T-Series ThinkPad to include the Mobile Intel Core Duo "Yonah" (and later the Intel Core 2 Duo "Merom") technology, and the first T-series ThinkPads to come in widescreen resolution. This model has a VMX-enabled BIOS, meaning that running fully virtualised operating systems via Xen or VMware is possible, provided a VMX compatible CPU is installed. The T61, announced in May 2007, features a widescreen resolution as the default (but they lacks a IPS option), and incorporates the Intel Santa Rosa platform having a fully 64-bit chipset. Like the T60, the T61 also received a CPU core upgrade before its life cycle ended, from "Merom" to "Penryn", both part of the Intel Core 2 Duo line. It is the first T-series ThinkPad to have an integrated web camera (optional), smart card reader (optional), and media card reader (optional). Furthering innovation founded in the T60, the T61 also sports a top-cover roll cage, aside from the magnesium roll cage inside the main chassis. T61 and T60 extra features include a optional fingerprint reader and all T61 have a new improved framing; It also was the first T Series notebook to adopt widescreen resolution as a mainstream option; the traditional 4:3 aspect ratio screens was also offered as an alternative at the time but mass industry adoption of the widescreen standard meant that it was the last ThinkPad of its kind to use the 4:3 standard.

The naming convention for the T Series was changed by Lenovo following the release of the ThinkPad T400 and T500 in July 2008. The T**p models (like the T61p) were partially replaced by Lenovo’s ThinkPad W Series laptops.


 * ThinkPad T4*0 and T5*0 series, classic case
 * This series succeeded the T61-series: The T4*0 models include 14.1 in screens, while the T5*0 line includes 15.4 in. Some T4*0 models are available with a thinner chassis and thus have an associated "s" designation (for slim or small; e.g., T400s) and lack some rarely used features such as modems. Notable new features include switchable graphics (ability to switch between discrete and integrated graphics, only in Windows Vista and newer) and optional LED backlit screens.
 * The first gen models: T400 lack digital video out, while the T500 model includes a DisplayPort interface. T400, T400s and T500 use Penryn core processors and have DDR3 memory by default on all models.
 * T400s - This is high-end version of T400 with thinnest and lightest case, but T400s is the first T Series ThinkPad with soldered CPU (based on a low-power Intel Penryn platform). The most significant hardware change is the layout of the 7-row keyboard with big ESC and DEL keys, and new docking port.
 * T410, T410s and T510 - The design of setting of this series are based on T400s. This line have the internal hardware update (based on Intel Calpella platform), and T510 include the new case with 16:9 screen.
 * T420, T420s and T520 - Internal hardware update for all, and the new 16:9 case for T4*0 and T4*0s.
 * T430, T430s and T530 - Internal hardware update; First generation with simplified 6-row "island" keyboard, and optional dual-backlighting (Beneath of keyboard + ThinkLight). The downgrade of keyboard layout is a popular post-market customization.

Sibling line is a W5*0 sub-series, up to W530 (based on a T5*0 models, but with Quadro GPU and additional RAM slots in some models). Designed as mobile workstations, the W series grew to become Lenovo’s line of performance-oriented laptops.
 * ThinkPad T4*0 and T5*0 series, modern case: The design of setting of this series are based on T430u. All models lacks ThinkLight, screen latches, ThinkVantage button, LED indicators, and backside-expanded batteries; the processor options is a only soldered low-voltage U-series Intel CPUs, except the T***p line; CD\DVD bay and draining holes also can be only a T***p line feature. First models with PBRF-plastic top cowers (T440(s)\T450(s)\T540\T550) have a common issues with a cracking lid. The buttonless touchpad from T*40 line have a lot of critical reviews, and physical buttons is reintroduced by Lenovo in a T*50 line. The new notable technology is a reintroduction of hot-swappable main battery (in some models), known as PowerBridge. The IPS screens reintroduced, with a eDP internal connector instead of a LVDS connector that may be found on a classic models.
 * The T***p lineup returned with the T440p, T460p, T470p and T540p.


 * Current models (T490(s)\T495(s)\T590) also lacks user-replaceable battery, lacks configurations without soldered memory and have only maximum of 1 RAM slot; the secondary SSD option also dropped. The ThinkBridge is dropped, the only new technology is a optional ThinkShutter (the ordinary webcam killswitch and shutter), and that technology receive a mixed reviews.
 * Sibling models and lines with same platforms: formerly W540, W541 and W550s (workstations models), the A4*0/A5*0 line (T4*0/T5*0 with AMD processors); later P5*s ("portable entry-level workstation" modification of T5*0 line with Quadro GPU, successors of W550s model).


 * ThinkPad T14* and T15* series
 * The naming convention for the T Series was changed again in 2020. Lenovo announced Thinkpad T14, T14s and T15 in February 2020. From 2020 onwards, the letter "T" comes the screen size in inches, then a Generation number (i.e. T14 Gen 1), just like with the X1 series. There is no more differentiation in model number for the AMD processors; the new P-series based line is introduced (T15g), and reintroduced 15" T**p line.
 * The naming convention for the T Series was changed again in 2020. Lenovo announced Thinkpad T14, T14s and T15 in February 2020. From 2020 onwards, the letter "T" comes the screen size in inches, then a Generation number (i.e. T14 Gen 1), just like with the X1 series. There is no more differentiation in model number for the AMD processors; the new P-series based line is introduced (T15g), and reintroduced 15" T**p line.

The T series remains Lenovo’s premier line of laptops, aimed at corporate and enterprise users and is praised by users for its outstanding Linux compatibility.

Reviews
PCWorld said that the ThinkPad T20 “packs a bigger screen, a more comfortable keyboard, and a larger set of useful features into a smaller package than any of its competitors.” The Web site epinions.com said that the ThinkPad T20 was “worth the wait” giving it 4.5 stars out of 5.

In a review of the ThinkPad T60, Notebook Review called the T-series laptops the “flagship of the ThinkPad brand”, aimed at corporate professionals. Some of the T-series characteristics as listed by notebookreview.com include durability, security, usability, and performance.

The ThinkPad T410 was awarded 4.5 out of 5 stars by Notebook Review upon release. The review noted the centering of the screen, eliminating the thick bezel on one side and the thin bezel on the other. The review indicated that the pros were the speed, battery life, and wide selection of ports. The cons were minor distortions on the screen when flexed, and the high pitched fan. WIRED also reviewed the T410 laptop positively, saying that “Lenovo’s thoughtful ThinkPad is a near-perfect machine”.

The PC Advisor review of the ThinkPad T510 called the lack of alterations to the traditional design a good thing. It also highlighted the professional appearance and ‘sturdy build quality’, indicating that this makes the laptop stand out from others in the market.

The T420 and T520 laptops were different from their predecessors mainly through an upgrade to Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors. The T420 received a total score of 85% from the Notebook Check web site. The fan noise was noticeably reduced, as indicated by a reviewer from PCWorld. The T-series laptops, the T420, the T420s, and the T520, have been lauded for their battery life – up to 30 hours with a 9-cell battery slice.