101–110 of 111 posts
Wouldn't you be better off installing a SATA SSD instead of limiting your nvme drive to expresscard speeds? Besides, if you've got an expresscard slot by far the best thing to put in it is a bluetooth mouse.
If you're talking about a dongle and not a mouse itself, I've got a mod coming for that too~
Is there really a market for modding a 7+ year old laptop? I know thinkpads used to be great (And some still are), but, I just don't get the point in trying to give more life to something so so old - most likely ~3rd-4th gen intel.
For the entire ThinkPad lineup spanning 5 generations? Oh yeah, definitely.
Is there really a market for modding a 7+ year old laptop? I know thinkpads used to be great (And some still are), but, I just don't get the point in trying to give more life to something so so old - most likely ~3rd-4th gen intel.
More importantly, they are the most recent laptops that you can fit with non-chiclet keyboards.
[1] https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-8550U-vs... [2] https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-4550U-vs...
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I agree! It would be awesome to see more stuff like: - BIOS with core/libreboot[0] - mainboard replacement (e.g. to support USB 3) [1] - better screens [2] - something to deal with that awful touchpad There is already people out there doing it and clearly TP's are some of the most used laptops on this planet for a reason so there is a market. [0]: https://libreboot.org/docs/hardware/x200.html [1]: http://panacek.net/…
Don't get me wrong, I really want all those things. So much so that I actually spent a hefty sum on my current TP (X1 Yoga '3rd', 2018) to get all those things 'guaranteed' now and option for later (I'm not much of a hardware tinkerer, but I could already see 2028 and me tweaking it up). That being said, I think it's still a small market. All of TPs I mean, new, used & yet to come ( I've got a solid theory that Think…
There is still people who love the old one's because of the excellent keyboard and the tough shell while the new models have bad keyboards and a really fragile shell (it just does not feel sturdy anymore).
Maybe the market is not big but I said it is there and not how far you will be able to scale that. Probably enough for a bunch of people to become millionaires.
I switched away from TP after my last model from 2006 was not modern enough for my taste anymore and I didn't have the time to upgrade it myself. Without USB3 and limited because of the CPU it is not an option for me anymore and I would have loved to let a company upgrade it so I can use it 10+ years to come.
And there is still an x200 that I will keep for some x-mas tinkering time to try the libreboot-mod myself.
After all I would be very glad if I could find an x201s some day and mod it / let it be modded by a company so it is not only usable to do some retro stuff but actually useful in the modern times.
The logistics will only get cheaper, faster and more secure and I would not see it as a problem. At the moment we see AMZN pushing into the market while China builds it's "Belt and Road" project. All of these developments will have a positive effect on logistics for consumers and vendors probably.
The hardware for mods may be cheap but you have to add the working hours you need to achieve a mod. Of course it may be reduced by experience.
I often think about doing things like: Is it worth the (cheap) money AND my time?
Sometimes I do it though it is (more) expensive because I also learn a lot but other times I am in a hurry and already stressed enough and would prefer to outsource this kind of work. Especially in the field of customizing (electronics) there is a lot of market share for (small?) companies to be earned.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I agree! It would be awesome to see more stuff like: - BIOS with core/libreboot[0] - mainboard replacement (e.g. to support USB 3) [1] - better screens [2] - something to deal with that awful touchpad There is already people out there doing it and clearly TP's are some of the most used laptops on this planet for a reason so there is a market. [0]: https://libreboot.org/docs/hardware/x200.html [1]: http://panacek.net/…
Something like the X62, but with more updates
He bought it from 51NB (China) and exactly describes how the buying process including returns and repairs could be improved upon by locating stores/branches in other regions of the world as well.
If you would scale this endeavor all kinds of mods can be thought of and I see no problem to choose the one's you want to have. Think of a configuration app that let's you choose a model/chassis and then configure the TP the way you want.
I am sure it will be a great success and also more people will want some of these when they see how lousy their HP, Acer,... (up to and including new Lenovo) laptops are built in comparison. Climate debate will also lead to more people trying to get used electronics because it is more sustainable.
Nicely looking idea. Not sure about the benefit though. SSD can be fitted in ThinkPad in several ways already 1) swap internal HDD 2) use the optical drivebay, needs a caddy 3) attach M2 SSD instead of WWAN card (this option is slower) 4) attach externally via eSATA (with adapter cable) All of the options above are bootable (not sure about eSATA, but can test). One more option is nice, of course, though not sure that…
The ExpressCard slot on my x230 is completely unused ever since. But storage... Oh boy, I always need more storage.
Wouldn't you be better off installing a SATA SSD instead of limiting your nvme drive to expresscard speeds? Besides, if you've got an expresscard slot by far the best thing to put in it is a bluetooth mouse.
>the best thing to put in it is a bluetooth mouse If you're talking about a dongle and not a mouse itself, I've got a mod coming for that too~
Semi related, but has anyone used the T420's ExpressCard port for USB3 expansion? I bought a USB3 card [0], but the write speed is only barely faster than USB2 for flash media. (interestingly, the write speed is much faster when uploading an image to my FPGA dev board) [0] https://www.amazon.com/ExpressCard-34mm-Adapter-Dual-Port/dp...
I did, it runs way too warm. I am a bit afraid this mod will have the same problem. Instead of plastic, it would be better to use a material that can conduct heat.
My mod doesn't have that problem, so the only heat generated will be from the drives themselves, which don't put out much.
Does that "51nb" Chinese company still make modded Thinkpads? I bought their "51nb X62" model Thinkpad a few years back from an eBay user, though unfortunately it eventually died. It was a motherboard replacement of the old Thinkpad X60 from many years ago. Replacing the old single core CPU with an Intel Broadwell era i5 and up to 32 gigs of memory You could also install an M.2 SSD in it I believe. Along with USB 3 a…