ThinkPad series
Contents
ThinkPad 200 series
The 200 series (220, 230, 235, 240 and their various sub series) was a subnotebook series. This means they were extremely small and light crossovers between notebooks and PDAs. The series ended with the 240X. With the changing from the numeric to the alphanumeric naming scheme in 2000, IBM stopped developing subnotebook class ThinkPads. Only in the Asia-Pacific only S series did in find a rather short revival.
ThinkPad 300 series
The 300 series (300, 310, 350, 360, 365, 380, 385, 390 and their various sub series) was a long running value series starting at the Intel 486SX going all the way to the Intel Mobile Pentium III. They were a bit large and slower than the more full featured models but offered a less expensive ThinkPad. The successor of this series is the R series.
ThinkPad 500 series
The 500 series (500, 510, 560, 570 and their various sub series) were the main line of the ultraportable ThinkPads. Starting with the IBM 486SX2 Blue Lightening to the Intel Mobile Pentium III, these machines had only a hard disk onboard. Any other drives were either external or available in the respective Docking Solutions. The successor of the 500 series is the X series.
ThinkPad 600 series
The 600 series (600, 600D, 600E and 600X) are the direct predecessors of the T series, and are legendary for their portability and sturdy construction. Most 600 series models packed a 13.3 inch LCD, Intel Mobile Pentium II or Intel Mobile Pentium III-M processor and full sized keyboard into a package weighing roughly 2.3 kg (5 lb). The UltraBay slim was introduced with the 600 series. 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, 750, 755, 760, 765, 770 and their various sub series) 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 Power PC 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 IBM PowerPC 603e CPU. 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 not only be entered through keyboard, TrackPoint and TouchScreen, but also through a unique paper notepad with integrated digitizer which was produced in cooperation with Cross AT. This ThinkPad expanded on IBM's previous pen based notebooks (360P(E), 730T(E), and 755(P)).
ThinkPad A series
The A series was developed as an allround productivity machine, equipped with hardware powerful enough to make it a desktop replacement. Hence it was the biggest and heaviest ThinkPad series at it's time, but also had features not even found in a T series of the same age. The A series was dropped in favour of the G series and R series.
ThinkPad G series
The G series consists of only two models so far, the G40 and G41. Being large and heavy machines, equipped with powerful desktop processors, this line of ThinkPads is consequently specialised in serving as a desktop replacement.
ThinkPad i series
The i series introduced the ThinkLight and were also the first notebooks equipped with Wireless LAN.
ThinkPad R series
Dropping the A series, IBM introduced a mainstream budget line of ThinkPads in the R series.
ThinkPad S series
A subnotebook series consisting of only two models: the S30 and S31.
ThinkPad T series
As successor of the 600 series, the T series became IBM mobile productivity line. Usually leading the ThinkPad range in technology, innovation and price, the T series was intended for the travelling businessman - comparatively more stylish, functional, and rugged machines; and easy to disassemble for repair or upgrades. T series ThinkPads are clad in black non-slip rubber with embedded glitter. The case lid has tabs along the edge that interlocks with depressions in the lower case when closed, to reduce case flexing.
ThinkPad T2x series
The ThinkPad T2x models (T20, T21, T22, T23) were Intel Mobile Pentium III-M based, sub-5 lb (2.3 kg) class machines. These machines typically had 14.1 inch XGA screens, S3 Savage graphics chips and Cirrus Logic sound chips. The T2x series introduced the UltraBay 2000 optical drive bay and titanium-reinforced screen lids. With the T23, an internal WiFi antenna became available, so WiFi miniPCI cards could be used. Also the T23 was the first ThinkPad featuring an UltraBay Plus drive and Embedded Security Subsystem.
ThinkPad T3x series
The T3x series only saw one model, the T30. Powered by a Intel Mobile Pentium 4-M and a Radeon 7500 graphics chip with 16 MB of discrete video memory, the T30 was available with 14.1 inch XGA or SXGA screens. The T30 introduced the UltraNav touchpad and integrated Bluetooth among ThinkPads. Other features include the Embedded Security Subsystem, Ultrabay Plus drive, integrated Wireless LAN. The shell is titanium reinforced composite. The whole package was a bit heavier and thicker than both the T2x and 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 (Dothan) Processor, a 14.1 or 15 inch LCD (XGAor SXGA+), an integrated GPU (Intel Graphics Media Adapter 900) or a discrete GPU (Radeon 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 X series
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) or Pentium M (X31, X32), 12.1 inch XGA screens, FireWire, Compact Flash card slot. No built-in optical drive.
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.
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.
