ThinkPad

IBM ThinkPad R51

ThinkPad is a 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.

Features

Traditionally black, ThinkPads feature innovations such as:

• Magnesium, carbon fiber reinforced plastic or titanium composite cases
• TrackPoint pointing device
• ThinkLight, an LED keyboard light at the top of the LCD screen
• Solidly constructed full-size keyboard
• Active Protection System, an accelerometer sensor which detects when a ThinkPad is falling and shuts the hard drive down to prevent damage
• Roll-cage design to eliminate motherboard flex
• Biometric fingerprint reader
• Client Security Solution, which improves security using a built-in TPM and facilitates deployment in corporate environment
• Drain holes to help reduce damages to the keyboard and components from an accidental spill

Design history

The Japanese lunchbox that inspired the ThinkPad design

In 1993, IBM introduced the first ThinkPads, 700 and 700C, into the market. The 700C, with Microsoft Windows 3.1 operating system, 25 MHz 486SLC processor, 120 MB hard disk drive, the industry's first 10.4" TFT color display, 2.2" x 11.7" x 8.3" dimension (56 x 297 x 210 mm), and 3 kg (6.5 lb) weight, cost US$ 4,350. The design of the commercial versions differed significantly from the prototype's keyboard-less tablet design. The bright red TrackPoint, embedded in the keyboard, enabled the notebook to be used on an airline tray table without a mouse. An IBM researcher conceived the title "ThinkPad" from a corporate-issued leather-bound pocket notebook with the corporate motto 'Think' embossed on the cover. The name met disagreements from the IBM corporate naming committee because the nomenclature system for the IBM computers was then numerical; however, the brand name "ThinkPad" was kept as the press showed appreciation for the title.

ThinkPads have been praised for exceptional build quality, system reliability, and services throughout their decade and a half of presence in the consumer market.

The original design was a collaboration between Tom Hardy, corporate manager of the IBM Design Program, Italian-based designer Richard Sapper (noted then for the design of the Tizio lamp and later commissioned 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.

The fold-out butterfly keyboard, which appeared in the ThinkPad 701 series, is widely considered a design masterpiece and is on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The ThinkPad 760 series also included an unusual keyboard design; the keyboard was elevated by two arms riding on small rails on the side of the screen, tilting the keyboard to achieve a more ergonomic design.

The 755CV featured another interesting design quirk: the screen could be separated from the lid, allowing it to be used to project the computer display using an overhead projector, before data projectors were commonplace.

In 2005 the Chinese manufacturer of ThinkPads, Lenovo, purchased the brand from IBM, in a multi-year deal whereby IBM still helps in the marketing and support of these products.

ThinkPad model types

IBM ThinkPad R32

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

Current

• ThinkPad R: Business notebook for standard business requirements, two internal bays, one of which is swappable. Models with an appended 'e' (economy) are further cut-down versions. The R30/R31/R40e models were manufactured under license by Acer.
• ThinkPad T: A balance between performance and portability, including ISV-certified mobile workstations.
• ThinkPad X: Subnotebook, very small and light, hard drive internal, no internal optical drive, 12.1" screen. A tablet version (X41 and X60 Tablets) was introduced in June of 2005, and again in December of 2006. The latest update, the X61 Tablet, was released May 31, 2007.
• ThinkPad X300: Not quite a subnotebook, an ultraportable distinguished by a 13.3" screen, ultra-thin profile, solid state drive, and integrated DVD Burner, released on February 26, 2008.

Discontinued

• ThinkPad A: All-in-one notebook, heavy, large, three drive bays total of which two are swappable bays. Discontinued in 2004. Some of the "p" models were the first ThinkPads available with a 15 inch UXGA "FlexView" display, most remarkable is A31p, marketed as first mobile workstation. There are now 'desktop replacement' configurations to replace the A series.
• ThinkPad G: Desktop replacement machines built around desktop processors, with large screens and full size keyboards. Discontinued in 2005.
• ThinkPad i Series: A line of notebooks that targeted the consumer and small-business segments. Manufactured by Acer. The i Series were the first ThinkPad models to include the 'Windows' and 'Menu' keys promoted by Microsoft and common on other vendors' laptops since the mid-nineties. The i Series introduced quite a few innovations, some of which were later introduced into the other ThinkPad lines or by other manufacturers. Among these innovations were the keyboard light, Internet keys (with a dedicated portal), color covers, UltraPort, and the media center that allowed playing CD while systems is off. The line was discontinued in 2000 after IBM decided to get out of the consumer retail channels and close its consumer division.
• 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 and was discontinued in 2007 with the introduction of T Series models with wide-screen displays.
• ThinkPad S: Subnotebook, extremely small and light, produced for Japanese and Taiwanese market only.

Model-specific information

Several ThinkPads in use aboard the International Space Station, including 760, 770, and A31p models.

• ThinkPad S30 and S31
  • Japan & Taiwan-only Pentium III model with no CD drive, a 10 inch screen, 256MB Maximum RAM, PCMCIA slot, CF slot, 2 USB 1.1 ports, Firewire port, RJ11 and RJ45, and a keyboard with English and Japanese shared keys. Battery with built-in stand, long life 5 hr run. HDD 20 GB upgradeable to 160 GB tested. Some models have built-in WiFi. BIOS are interchangeable in S30 and S31 and tested to work. The latest known BIOS is 1.82.
• 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 240
  • The ultraportable ThinkPad 240 (X, Z) started with an Intel Celeron and went up to the 600 MHz Intel Pentium III. The RAM was expandable to 320 MB max with a bios update. With a 10.4 inch screen and an 18mm key pitch (A standard key pitch is 19mm). They were also one of the first ThinkPad series to contain a built-in Mini PCI card slot (form factor 3b). The 240s have no optical drives and an external floppy drive. An optional extended battery sticks out the bottom like a bar and props up the back of the notebook. Weighing in at 2.9 pounds (1.3 kg) these were the smallest and lightest ThinkPads ever made.
• ThinkPad 300 series
  • The 300 series (300, 310, 340, 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 Lightning 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, comfortable keyboard, 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. Battery life is said to be bad on original batteries,although 3rd party batteries have been known to last for up to 3 hours.
• 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. This was the first successful ThinkPad introduced in 1992 (the first ThinkPad was a tablet PC without a keyboard and a mouse).
• 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 100 MHz, or 166 MHz 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 ThinkPad 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 750(P)).
• ThinkPad T20 series (T20, T21, T22, T23)
  • Mobile Pentium III or Mobile Pentium III-M, sub-5 lb (2.3 kg) class machines. Contained processors ranging from 0.18 micrometre Mobile Pentium III 650 MHz to 0.13 micrometre Mobile Pentium III-M 1.20 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 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.
• ThinkPad T30 series
  • Solely includes the T30 model. Features include an Intel Mobile Pentium 4 processor ranging from 1.6 GHz to 2.4 GHz. Any T30 model may accommodate up to a 2.4 GHz processor with the latest BIOS and Embedded Controller upgrades. Graphics are provided by ATI Radeon Mobility 7500 hardware with 16 MB of discrete video memory, which supports external widescreen resolutions. Users have even reported success with output resolutions of 1920x1200 via DVI on the optional Port Replicator II docking station, although IBM claims a limit of 1280x1024 due to a weak TMDS transmitter. The T30 was available with a 14.1 inch screen, with resolutions of 1024 x 768 and 1400 x 1050. DVI video output is available with the optional Port Replicator II docking station, but resolution is officially limited to 1280x1024. Features available include the embedded security subsystem, UltraNav touchpad, 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, wireless, and Bluetooth. The T30 also contains a miniPCI slot usable for a wireless card. The shell is titanium-reinforced composite. The whole package was a bit heavier and thicker than the T4x series.
• ThinkPad R40 series
  • This line of notebooks includes the R40 and the R40e.

An ultraportable IBM X31 with an IBM T43 notebook

• ThinkPad T40 series
  • Includes the T40, T41, T42, T43, and associated "p" series (for "performance"; e.g., T43p). A typical 14.1 inch 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 inch SXGA+ or a 15 inch SXGA+/UXGA FlexView display with wide viewing angle and high density IPS technology. These 15-inch display models weigh slightly more than their lesser brethren, with optical drive and battery, at 2.7 kg (5.9 lb). All T4x models use either 6-cell or 9-cell lithium-ion batteries, as well as an optional 4-cell Ultrabay Slim lithium-polymer battery. The 9-cell battery gives a runtime of 5+ hours and a crease allowing the notebook to lay flat on an airplane tray-table. Some T42 and T43 models feature a biometric security system with built-in fingerprint reader. Some types of the model also had the option to include Bluetooth support. The T40 was IBM's first ThinkPad to use the Pentium M "Banias" CPU. The T42 employed a Pentium M "Dothan" processor with a 400 MHz frontside bus, while the T43 used a later revision Dothan running a 533 MHz FSB.
• ThinkPad R50, R51, R52 series
  • Based on the T40 series, this line of notebooks includes the R50, R50e, R50p, R51, R51e and R52. This series of notebooks is available with fingerprint-readers and uses many components also found in T40-series models, such as batteries, keyboards and planars (system boards). The R51e and the R52, both based on the T43 system board, are the first R-series notebook to utilize DDR2-memory and include a SATA-controller, however uses only PATA-harddrives.
• ThinkPad T60 series
  • Includes the T60, T61; and associated "p" series (for "performance"; e.g. T60p); intended as the next generation of the T4x Series ThinkPads; this is the first T Series ThinkPad to include the Intel Core Duo "Yonah" Technology, and later the Intel Core 2 Duo "Merom" Mobile technology; and the first T-series ThinkPads to come in widescreen resolution. This model has a VMX-enabled BIOS (although the lowest end Intel Core CPUs themselves do not support VMX, such as the T5500), meaning that running fully virtualised operating systems via Xen or Vmware is possible. The T61, announced in May 2007, features a widescreen resolution as the default resolution, and incorporates the Intel Santa Rosa platform having a fully 64-bit chipset, and 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 extra features include a fingerprint reader (some models) and a new improved framing (all models).
• ThinkPad X20 series (X20, X21, X22, X23, X24)
  • Pentium III Mobile, sub-4 lb machines. Contained processors ranging from PIIIM 500 MHz to PIIIM 1.13 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 X30 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 16 MB, which means no shared memory is cut from the 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), port replicators, docking stations (some with a PCI slot).
• ThinkPad X40 Series
  • An example of the lightweight X series, weighing in at 1.2 kg (2.7 lb), 25% lighter than its predecessor, the X31. The last variant of the X40 series, the X41 Tablet, was the first ThinkPad tablet PC since the original pen-based ThinkPad. It is the lightest 12" Tablet PC with a keyboard from any manufacturer. It was also the final released ThinkPad designed by IBM before the brand was purchased by Lenovo.
• ThinkPad X60 Series
  • Includes the X60 and X61, with their associated "s" and "Tablet" series. The X60 is first X Series ThinkPad to feature Intel chips using the Intel Core architecture. The Core Duo L2400 (Low Voltage) CPU on the X60s model achieves 7+ hours of battery life on standard benchmarks, and can reach around 10 hours under light use, when using the extended-life battery. Note this model lacks a built-in optical drive, unlike the larger T60. The X61, like the T61, also is the first X-series ThinkPad to use Intel's Santa Rosa platform.
• ThinkPad Z60 Series
  • This is the first ThinkPad to feature a widescreen (16:10 aspect ratio) display. The Z Series is also the first ThinkPad equipped with titanium lid (on some models). Integrated WWAN and/or webcam found on some configurations too. Includes, as of 2006, the Z60 and Z61; the latter of which is the first Z Series ThinkPad with Intel "Yonah" Dual Core Technology. The processor supports Intel VT, it's disabled in the BIOS and can be turned on thanks to a BIOS update. So running fully virtualised operating systems via Xen or Vmware is possible.
• ThinkPad X300
  • Codenamed "Kodachi". Released February 26, 2008. Distinguished from other ultraportables by its usage of LED backlighting, removable battery, solid state drive, and integrated DVD burner, it is the flagship model for the X-series. It also integrates GPS, WWAN, and a webcam in the top lid. The thickest part of the notebook is 2.34 cm (0.92 inches)and the thinnest part is 1.85 cm (0.73 inches).

Lenovo UltraBay

UltraBay is Lenovo's name for the swappable drive bay. 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 which drives are available for them. Note that the optical drive bay in G series and R40e series ThinkPads is not an UltraBay in that the drives are fixed and not removable. It is however, mechanically, an Ultrabay 2000-device without the surrounding "caddy".

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 (600E&X Only), ZIP-100, ZIP-250, LS-120
UltraBay 2000	A20, A21, A22, T20, T21, T22, T23, 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	all UltraBay 2000 devices, WorkPad Cradle, Numberpad
UltraBay Slim	T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p, T43, T43p, X4 UltraBase, X6 UltraBase	CD/DVD, CD-RW/DVD, Multiburner, PATA HD, Battery
UltraBay Enhanced	R50, R50p, R51, R52	CD/DVD, CD-RW/DVD, Multiburner, and all UltraBay Slim devices
Enhanced Ultrabay	Z60t, Z60m, Z61t, Z61m, R60, R61, R61i	CD/DVD, CD-RW/DVD, Multiburner and all Ultrabay Slim / Slim Ultrabay devices
Slim Ultrabay	T60, T60p, T61, T61p	CD/DVD, CD-RW/DVD, Multiburner, SATA HD, Battery, Serial / Parallel Port Adaptor and all Ultrabay Slim devices

Accolades

• ThinkPad is ranked #1 in reliability and support according to PC Magazines 2007 Survey.
• The Lenovo ThinkPad is the PC Magazine 2006 Reader's Choice for PC based laptops, and ranked number 1 in Support for PC based laptops.
• The ThinkPad Series is the first product line that has received PC World's Hall of Fame award.
• The ThinkPad X Tablet series is PC Magazine Editor's Choice for tablet PCs.
• The 3.5 lb ThinkPad X60s is ranked number 1 in ultraportable laptops by PC World. It lasted 8 hours and 21 minutes on a single charge with its 8 cell battery.
• The Lenovo ThinkPad X60s Series is on PC World's Top 100 Product of 2006.
• Lenovo ThinkPad was the first laptop to officially support Linux. It also has the largest user support community compared to other Linux machines.
• The 2005 PC World Reliability and Service survey ranked ThinkPad products ahead of all other brands for reliability. In the 2004 survey, they were ranked second (behind eMachines)
• Lenovo was named the most environment-friendly company in the electronics industry by Greenpeace in 2007.
• Lenovo ThinkPad T60p received the Editor's Choice award for Mobile Graphic Workstation from PC Magazine.
• Lenovo ThinkPad X60 is the PC Magazine Editor's Choice among ultra portable laptops.

Criticisms

There have been concerns and complaints about the service, support, hardware, and security before and after Lenovo acquired the ThinkPad line. For example:

• IBM EasyServ has been outsourced to Solectron. The default depot repair is now handled by Solectron, and there have been complaints about unsatisfactory repairs and charges from users.
• Many who ordered T60s or T61s between May 9 and May 24, 2007, did not receive their orders when promised due to a variety of problems at Lenovo.
• Lenovo in Canada has a buggy ordering system that causes delayed delivery time and results in customer's frustration
• Many IBM ThinkPad models give a no-1802 error when trying to install "unauthorized" wireless cards. This prevents users from starting up their computers unless the wireless mini-PCI card is removed, or an IBM-authorized card is used. Fortunately there are workaround patches.

ThinkPads in space missions

Numerous ThinkPads have been used in space missions. IBM ThinkPads first flew aboard the U.S. Space Shuttle on December 2, 1993 on the Shuttle Endeavour's flight to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. The number of IBM ThinkPads used on a typical Space Shuttle mission varies by year. In 1995, the average number used was five, and in 1999 the average number was nine. Throughout 2006, a ThinkPad A31p was being used in the Service Module Central Post of the International Space Station and seven ThinkPad A31p laptops were in service in orbit aboard the International Space Station.

Lenovo's additions to the ThinkPad line

• Added Magnesium-alloy chassis roll cage to reduce motherboard flex caused by holding the laptop one handed on a corner.
• Added Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic to 15" ThinkPad Models.
• Reintroduced a line of Tablet PCs based on the X series.
• Moved the physical location of GPU to the edge of motherboard near hinge, further reduce the chance of solders come loose caused by motherboard flex.
• Introduced Widescreen displays with the Z series of ThinkPads and added the option of Widescreen to the T series models.
• Brought back a consumer friendly laptop under the Z series line of ThinkPads.
• Added rubber cushion to the hard drive tray to reduce vibration and to absorb shock.
• Added the Windows key to all models of the 60- and 61-series making all the Windows shortcuts possible. (Although possible before with the keyboard remapping utility)
• Added Magnesium-alloy lid roll cage for a sturdier lid while replacing the lid material from magnesium-alloy to plastic for better wireless signal reception.
• Official support for Linux.
• Added drain holes starting the T60 series.
• Ported the ThinkPad keyboard into stand-alone keyboards for desktop PCs in PS/2 or USB flavor.
• Added user forum on its website where actual Thinkpad developers and engineers view and reply to posts.

Trivia

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

• A Laptop Magazine review states that the ThinkPad as having the highest-quality laptop computer keyboard available. IBM/Lenovo describe the keyboards as "award-winning."
• In 1994, a ThinkPad became the first laptop to ship with a CD-ROM drive.
• The ThinkPad A20p, introduced in May 2000, was the world's first laptop to use titanium composite as a case material.
• With the exception of the Acer-manufactured i Series, ThinkPads did not have a Windows key, which was a clear carryover of the IBM-Microsoft rivalry for OS dominance in the early to mid 1990s. Lenovo ended this policy; the first ThinkPads to include this additional key were the Z60, R60, T60 and X60.
• Concerns over the fact that Lenovo is a Chinese company have caused the US State Department to restrict the use of ThinkPads for classified work.

See also

• Aptiva
• IBM PC
• IBM PC compatible (IBM PC clone)
• List of IBM products
• IBM Personal System/2
• ThinkCentre
• ThinkPad Z60m

External links

• Official Lenovo ThinkPad page
• ThinkWiki - a ThinkPad Wiki with a focus on Linux
• Unofficial ThinkPad mailing list (since 1993)
• Linux Laptop and Notebook Installation Survey: Lenovo
• Detailed specifications for current Lenovo ThinkPads
• Detailed specifications for discontinued Lenovo ThinkPads 2005-Present
• Detailed specifications for discontinued IBM ThinkPads - A/G/T/X series
• Detailed specifications for discontinued IBM ThinkPads - R series
• Detailed specifications for discontinued IBM ThinkPads - i series
• Detailed specifications for discontinued IBM ThinkPads - numeric model names
• ThinkPad Specifications Reference
• IBM PowerPC ThinkPad History from Tecnopolis
• The history of ThinkPad
• ThinkPad Genesis story
• IBM ThinkPads in space