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.
History
IBM T Series
IBM introduced the T series as part of their ThinkPad brand in 2000[1] 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.[1]
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.[1] Users were also given options to swap components for mobility, like a DVD player, writeable CD drive or numeric keypads.[1]
The ThinkPad T20 was released by IBM as the successor to the ThinkPad 600 laptops.[2] Despite the weight of 2.1 kg (4.6 lb), the T20 had a 14.1-inch (360 mm) screen making it the lightest laptop offering with that screen size.[3] With the addition of an internal 8x DVD-ROM drive, the weight remained as low as 2.4 kg (5.2 lb).[4]
ThinkPad T20 series
Comprising the T20, T21, T22 and T23, with the only 14" case (the 13.3" XGA screen is a low-end option with same case).
These were Mobile sub-5 lb (2.3 kg) 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 (clad in black non-slip rubber with embedded glitter) screen lids; The case lid had tabs along the edge that interlocked with depressions in the lower case when closed, to reduce case flexing. Used MiniPCI form factor cards, which could be modem and/or Ethernet. These models did not contain the active hard drive protection or touchpad pointing device which appeared in later models. 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.[5] The 14.1” LCD display offered a higher resolution of 1400 × 1050. The hard disk space offered was a 32GB—high for the time.[1] 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. With the T23, an internal WiFi antenna became available, so WiFi miniPCI cards could be used. 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 options for the Intel Mobile Pentium M processor with the Intel 845MP Mobile Chipset,[6] 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 1400 × 1050, and up to 1 GB PC2100 RAM.[7] This was complemented by a 60 GB hard drive and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, making it a powerful laptop.[8] 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 Mobility 7500 hardware with 16 MB of video memory, which supports external widescreen resolutions: users have even reported success with output resolutions of 1920 × 1200 via DVI on the optional Port Replicator II docking station, although IBM claims a limit of 1280 × 1024 due to a weak TMDS transmitter. DVI video output is available with the optional Port Replicator II docking station, but resolution is officially limited to 1280 × 1024.[9] 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[10] to accept 2 GB of RAM[11]), 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. The shell is titanium-reinforced composite, and the whole package was a bit heavier and thicker than the T4x series.
ThinkPad T40 series
An ultraportableIBM X31 with an IBM T43 notebookIncludes 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-inch (360 mm) T4x weighs 4.9 lb (2.2 kg), slightly less than the 600-series; the regular screen is a 1024 × 768 TN, but the 1400 × 1050 TN option also available. One model of T42 also offered IPS SXGA+ 14" technology.[citation needed]
These 15-inch (380 mm) display models weigh slightly more than their lesser brethren, with optical drive and battery, at 5.9 lb (2.7 kg). The all 15" models were offered with an optional 1400 × 1050 or 1600 × 1200 (SXGA+/UXGA) "FlexView" IPS LCD display[12] with different inverter board, but entry-level models may have a 15" 1024 × 768 TN screen option.
The last ThinkPad to have been manufactured directly by IBM (T43).All 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.[13] The ThinkPad T40p offered ATI Mobility 9000 with 64 MB VRAM, a 14.1” LCD display with 1400 × 1050 resolution, a maximum of 2 GB PC2100 RAM, and a 60 GB IDE hard disk.[14]
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.[1][15] 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.[16] 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.
In December 2004 Lenovo of China announced the acquisition of the IBM PC division[18] including the ThinkPad brand (at the time, 40% of the PC division was working in China.)[19] Lenovo released the ThinkPad T60 and T60p laptops in February 2006.[20]
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.[1] In May 2007, the T61 and T61p laptops slowly phased out IBM logos in favor of the ThinkPad logo.[21]
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.[22] The T**p models (like the T61p) were partially replaced by Lenovo’s ThinkPad W Series laptops.[23]
ThinkPad T4*0 and T5*0 series, classic case
This series succeeded the T61-series: The T4*0 models include 14.1 in (360 mm) screens, while the T5*0 line includes 15.4 in (390 mm). 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.[24]
A Lenovo ThinkPad T440
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 option. 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; also the new Rectangular charger port was installed instead of a classic round Barrel charging port.
The T-p lineup returned with the T440p, T460p, T470p and T540p models before ultimately being canceled for the -80 Generation.
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 getting 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); current P5*s ("portable entry-level workstation" modification of T5*0 line with Quadro GPU, successors of W550s model).
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.
ThinkPad T series (2008-2018)
Type
CPU
TDP
T*0*
(2008)
T*1*
(2010)
T*2*
(2011)
T*3*
(2012)
T*4*
(2013)
T*5*
(2015)
T*6*
(2016)
T*7*
(2017)
T*8*
(2018)
T*9*
(2019)
Intel
AMD
14"
Slim
~15 W
T430u
T400s
T431s
T440s
T450s
T460s
T470s
T480s
T490s
T495s
~25 W
T410s
T420s
T430s
~25 W (i3)
T410si
T420si
T430si
Low-cost
T410i
T420i
T430i
Mainstream
~15 W
T440
T450
T460
T470
T480
T490
T495
~25-35 W
T400
T410
T420
T430
Performance
T440p
T460p
T470p
15"
Mainstream
~15 W
T550
T560
T570
T580
T590
~25-35 W
T500
T510
T520
T530
Performance
T540p
Docking stations compatibility
Essential Port Replicator; Advanced Dock; Advanced Mini Dock
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.”[49] The Web site epinions.com said that the ThinkPad T20 was “worth the wait” giving it 4.5 stars out of 5.[50]
In a review of the ThinkPad T60, Notebook Review called the T-series laptops the “flagship of the ThinkPad brand”,[51] aimed at corporate professionals.[1] Some of the T-series characteristics as listed by notebookreview.com include durability, security, usability, and performance.[52]
The ThinkPad T410 was awarded 4.5 out of 5 stars by Notebook Review upon release.[53] The review noted the centering of the screen, eliminating the thick bezel on one side and the thin bezel on the other.[54] The review indicated that the pros were the speed, battery life, and wide selection of ports.[55] The cons were minor distortions on the screen when flexed, and the high pitched fan.[56] WIRED also reviewed the T410 laptop positively, saying that “Lenovo’s thoughtful ThinkPad is a near-perfect machine”.[57]
The PC Advisor review of the ThinkPad T510 called the lack of alterations to the traditional design a good thing.[58] It also highlighted the professional appearance and ‘sturdy build quality’, indicating that this makes the laptop stand out from others in the market.[59]
The T420 and T520 laptops were different from their predecessors mainly through an upgrade to Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors.[60] The T420 received a total score of 85% from the Notebook Check web site.[61] The fan noise was noticeably reduced, as indicated by a reviewer from PCWorld.[62] 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.[63]
Gallery
An IBM ThinkPad T22 or T23
A ThinkPad T43p with a BOE-Hydis LED backlit IPS display, note the extreme viewing angle
A T43p compared against a T60p (both laptops are 15")
A 15" T60p (left) compared against a 14" T60p (right)
A Lenovo ThinkPad T61 running Windows 10. Note the ThinkLight being switched on.
^"IBM ThinkPad T20". Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. With the ThinkPad T20, the follow-up to the popular ThinkPad 600 series, IBM sets a new standard for travel notebooks
^"IBM ThinkPad T20". Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. With a travel bezel in its modular bay, the T20 weighs only 4.6 pounds, the lightest we've seen for a notebook with a 14.1-inch (360 mm) screen.
^"IBM ThinkPad T20". Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Even carrying the internal 8X DVD-ROM drive you get at this price, it still weighs only 5.2 pounds.
^"ThinkPad T Series – History and Development". Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. The T20 transformed into the ThinkPad T21 in October 2000, with all the main enhancements being the brand-new Intel CPU to as much as Intel Mobile Pentium III 850 MHz, a higher resolution 14.1" TFT display having 1400 × 1050, as well as hard drive capacities as much as 32GB.{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^"ThinkPad T Series – History and Development". Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. The real game changer was in fact the roll-out of the ThinkPad T30 in May 2002. This T30 had a choice of specifying the Intel Mobile Pentium 4-M processor to as much as 2.4 GHz running together with the Intel 845MP Mobile Chipset.{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^"ThinkPad T Series – History and Development". Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. Together with the ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 video controller with 16 MB graphics memory and a 14.1" LCD display with as much as 1400 × 1050 resolution and the option of 1 GB PC2100 RAM, it was a real sharp performer.{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^"ThinkPad T Series – History and Development". Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. You could stipulate a 60 GB hard drive, a DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive combo for the UltraBay and with its Intel AC'97 Audio this particular fantastic compact notebook computer was capable of running your films back in the hotel after a hard day's work.{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^"ThinkPad T Series – History and Development". Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. The moment the ThinkPad T40 was announced in March the year 2003, we saw the earliest of the 'performance' workstation specific ThinkPad's{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^"ThinkPad T Series – History and Development". Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. the ThinkPad T40p with the ATI Mobility FireGL 9000 with 64 Megabytes ram, a 14.1" TFT display with 1400×1050 resolution, still only 2 MB PC2100 ram as maximum, but with a 60 Gigabyte 7200 RPM Hard Disk for speedy data access.{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^"ThinkPad T Series – History and Development". Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. The actual ThinkPad T43 as well as ThinkPad T43p were the very last pure IBM ThinkPad's, being introduced in April 2005, with Lenovo concluding the acquisition of the trademark in May 2005.{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^"ThinkPad T Series – History and Development". Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. The very first Lenovo owned T Series were the ThinkPad T60 along with T60p released in February 2006, although these were nevertheless sporting the IBM badge, and also had been needless to say designed within ThinkCentre Global Head Quarters in Raleigh North Carolina, as all ongoing ThinkPads even now are.{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^"Review Lenovo Thinkpad W500 Notebook". Until now the Thinkpad T-Model from Leonovo, which was enhanced after the short ending -p, set the standard for professional users with high performance demands. After a complete overhaul of the Lenovo product lineup, coincident with the launch of the Intel Centrino 2, Lenovo is now starting a few new notebook series. Among them are the new mobile workstations with the labels W500 and W700, which are meant to replace the Thinkpad Txxp models.
^"Review Lenovo Thinkpad W500 Notebook". The new W series is ultimately designed specially for professional graphic designers who want maximum performance paired with practical mobility.
^"IBM ThinkPad T20". Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Although it wears the third-highest price tag in our two-spindle notebooks roundup, the $3699 ThinkPad T20 is worth every penny. It packs a bigger screen, a more comfortable keyboard, and a larger set of useful features into a smaller package than any of its competitors. It should delight ThinkPad fans and newcomers looking for a lightweight notebook hampered by few compromises.{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^"Lenovo ThinkPad T60 Review". The ThinkPad T-series can be thought of as the flagship of the ThinkPad brand, it's squarely targeted towards business users and professionals.
^"Lenovo ThinkPad T60 Review". Durability, security, usability and performance are all important characteristics of the ThinkPad T series.
^"Lenovo ThinkPad T410 Review". Once opened, ThinkPad fans will notice that Lenovo finally centered the screen, so no more thick bezel on one side and a thin bezel on the other.
^"Lenovo ThinkPad T410 Review". The full-redesigned Lenovo ThinkPad T410 offers quite a few enhancements over the previous generation T400, including less keyboard flex, an updated keyboard, a nicer touchpad, huge improvement in port selection, and better component access through the chassis.
^"Lenovo ThinkPad T510 review". Since Lenovo bought IBM's PC and notebook business, not much of the ThinkPad's iconic design has changed, and this is a good thing.
^"Lenovo ThinkPad T510 review". The Lenovo ThinkPad T510 notebook has the same business-like look, the same sturdy build quality, and most of the features that make ThinkPads standout from other business laptops.
^"Review Lenovo Thinkpad T420 Notebook". Essentially, the Tx20 laptops only differ from the previous models, called T410 and T510, by a hardware refresh to the new Sandy Bridge processors.
^"Lenovo ThinkPad T420s, T420 and T520: up to 30 hours battery life". Battery life is up to 15 hours with the 9-cell pack on the T420, or up to 11 hours with the 9-cell on the T520; the T420s can last up to 10 hours with both the 6-cell regular battery and snap-on battery slice. Alternatively, pair the T420 with the optional 9-cell battery slice and it will run for a ridiculous 30 hours.
An IBM ThinkPad T22 or T23
A ThinkPad T43p with a BOE-Hydis LED backlit IPS display, note the extreme viewing angle
A T43p compared against a T60p (both laptops are 15")
A 15" T60p (left) compared against a 14" T60p (right)
A Lenovo ThinkPad T61 running Windows 10. Note the ThinkLight being switched on.
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