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ThinkPad is the brand name for a highly successful range of portable computers (laptop / notebook computers) manufactured and marketed by IBM. Traditionally black in color, they feature innovations such as the TrackPoint pointing device, solidly constructed keyboards (including the fold-out butterfly keyboard on the 701 models), and the Active Protection System (a device that detects when a ThinkPad is falling and shuts the hard drive down to prevent damage). ThinkPads have a reputation for being solidly built and dependable.
The ThinkPad name was inspired by the leather-bound pocket notebooks issued to all IBM employees with the corporate motto 'Think' embossed on the cover. IBM's corporate naming team was initially against using the ThinkPad name since all previous IBM computers were referred to by model numbers rather than names. However, the popularity of the ThinkPad brand with the press convinced IBM to retain the name.
 The Japanese lunchbox that inspired the ThinkPad design Design work on the first ThinkPads was done at IBM's Yamato design center in Japan. The clean black lines of the ThinkPad were inspired by shoukadou bentou, a traditional black-lacquered Japanese lunch box. IBM launched the ThinkPad line in 1992 with the ThinkPad 700. The first ThinkPad 700 sold for 4,350 $US, weighed 6.5 pounds, and had dimensions of 2.2" x 11.7" x 8.3". It featured a 10.4" LCD display, the largest at that time, 25 MHz 386SX processor, 120 MB hard disk drive, and an easy-to-use keyboard with the TrackPoint pointing device. The bright red TrackPoint, embedded in the keyboard, enabled the notebook to be used on an airline tray table without a mouse.
ThinkPad Model Types
The following is a list of various recent models of ThinkPad computers. (In some cases, they are followed by examples of models in those respective series.)
- Thinkpad A: All-in-one notebook, heavy, large, three drive bays total of which two are swappable bays. Discontinued.
- Thinkpad R: Consumer notebook with two internal bays, one of which is swappable. There are now 'mobile workstation' configurations to replace the now-discontinued A-series.
- Thinkpad G: Desktop replacement machines built on desktop processors, large and heavy with limited battery runtime.
- Thinkpad T: Thin-and-light Notebook aimed at the corporate market, two internal drives, one of which is swappable.
- Thinkpad X: Subnotebook, very small and light, hard drive internal, no internal optical drive, small screen.
- Thinkpad i: Budget consumer series notebooks manufactured by Acer under license from IBM. Discontinued.
Model Specific Information
- T4x
- The T4x series includes the T40, T41, T42, and associated 'p' series (e.g. T42p). A typical T4x weighs 2.2 kg (4.9 lbs), slighly less than 600 series, and features a 14" or 15" LCD Display (XGA or SXGA+), discrete GPU (ranging from the Mobility Radeon 7500 to the FireGL T2), and Active Hard Drive Protection System (T41 and later models). "p" models (for performance) are also available with 15" UXGA FlexView display with wide viewing angle and high density using IPS technology with resolutions up to 1600x1200. These 15" display models weigh slightly more than their lesser brethren, with optical drive and battery: 5.9 lb (2.7kg).
- 600 series
- The 600 series (600, 600E and 600X) are the direct predecessors of the T series, and are legendary for their portability and sturdy construction. The 600 series packed a 13.3" LCD, Pentium II or III processor, full sized keyboard, and optical bay into a package weighing roughly 5 lbs (2.3 kg). IBM was able to create this light, fully featured machine by using lightweight but strong titanium composite plastics.
- 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 233MMX CPU, support of up to 160MB of EDO memory, and a built-in 2.5" Hard drive with UDMA support. Hitachi markets Chandra2 as the Prius Note 210.
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