Are Classic ThinkPads Really Better Than New Ones?

On this segment of Retro Reverie, we take an in depth look at IBM's classic line of laptops and examine how Lenovo has handled them in the last 20 years.

Research Resources:

[Bob-bsok]

I prefer the design philosophy of older ThinkPads but for all my gripes my L570 is vastly better in servicability to other modern laptops

[milescarter]

The thing to remember is that the old T and X class were bolted down to a $$$, $$$ server as the licensing and management co-processor. So they could afford to make a run of magnesium frames or shells because it was basically a line item for a much more expensive product. And the X was for reaally high up jet setters. If you ever have the chance run one on a flight (I used a T430), it fits and is comfortably usable on a seat back tray. That trackpoint is AMAZE ing.

Also the X230/T430/T530 were the very last in the design philosophy (or technically the X220, T420, T520, because they still had the 7 row keyboard). Source: I've fixed up a dozen of xx30 class and xx40 xx50 xx60, xx80, even P50, P70, P71.

The E and L class are completely different beasts, much closer to low end Dell and HP/Acer/ASUS.

[techyboy]

Hello Retro Reverie. My name is Christopher, from Los Angeles.
Just came across your channel. It appeared on my home screen through YouTube, since I like watching a lot of retro computer history stuff.
Thank you so much for sharing this video, love to learn about older technology, and what things and tech were like back in the day. I would like to share, I am someone with a visual impairment to a certain degree. I’m sure there are many questions popping through your head about how I use my computer and smart phone without being able to see, which I am more than willing to answer and share.
Before the 1980s, blind and low vision individuals could not use computers like we can today.
Anyway, I don’t wanna make this comment, too too long, if there’s an email address on your channel, I’m sure we can collaborate through emails, and wouldn’t mind sharing more through there.
Anyways, just wanted to say keep up the good work, looking forward to listening to more historic and retro tech videos.
Take care of yourself.

[OShackHennessy]

OK so first of all this video was far more than I expected it to be you did a phenomenal job. Secondly I typically despise music in videos but your choice and volume of music complemented the video perfectly. I’m really impressed overall with this presentation!

[mahmoudradwan]

Great channel and content, glad to be one of the first 100 subs 👍

[thomasculkin]

I've owned numerous Thinkpads and now own several Chromebooks, as well as a Thinkpad T460S. I have to admit that every time I switch from any Chromebook to the T460S, the keyboard is good that I feel a physical relief, like donning an old pair of shoes.

[ftk]

Great job for the video man, continue the good work.

[michaelscottcutler]

Yes. I enjoyed the history segment. I have several models dating back to 1995. Love these machines!

[brents]

Great upload, really enjoyed this video and how you went into the history of Lenovo’s acquisition of ThinkPad. You’re right, a lot of enthusiasts are still upset about the keyboard changes, especially since they reduced the key travel yet again with their last couple generations.

[EpicFail]

You deserve more subscribers! Keep it up you will be at 300k subs in no time. Quality content man

[corecombat]

What I love about ThinkPad is not about the performance, but the user experience. I downgraded from an Asus machine with a Ryzen 5 3500U to a more modest T470s on a 6th gen i7 but, but it felt like I'm using an overall more polished device
p/s get the t470s over t460s if you can, thunderbolt and the windows precision touchpad is worth it.

[k.b.tidwell]

Hi, subbed for your presentation style, and thanks for this video.

Having run primarily Acer laptops for many years, I've always wanted a Thinkpad. I recently bought a lot of 3 T430's (not T430S's) from Ebay, and even though they are older units than my newest Acer, I have fallen in love. Much higher quality and serviceability. The only real quality-of-life upgrade I will need to do is a display upgrade to full HD.

I LOVE THESE LAPTOPS.

[victorn]

ever since im 16 i heard from the thinkpad culture on internet forums but never had the opportunity to buy one, now that i work in an industry that requieres strong computer power everywhere i got an used p series workstation but i still want a classic one, they look so cool :(

[cryptophrenik]

Great breakdown of an amazing laptop. New sub :)

I enjoyed the history, I wasn't all that familiar with the IBM versions. I had a Lenovo Thinkpad t460 at work. I didn't think I'd like it but I did and it proved to be a real work horse. I later bought a refurbished t470 because I loved the keyboard. I now run Linux Mint 21.2 Cinnamon, 16 gigs of ram, 256 GB SSD drive, and have a docking station with external drives, webcam, and sound system. I love it and use it everyday to write, online meetings, surf the web, and watch videos etc. If I head out the door, I just pop it off the dock and go. I love this laptop and it still serves me well.

[denismilic]

I worked with a vendor of industrial equipment in the EU. ThinkPad won my heart when IBM picked up a Laptop in a Hotel in one EU country, repaired it, and delivered it to another Hotel in the country in the opposite part of the EU. They did it in a span of a few days with removed HDD, and missing part of the bottom cover, no questions asked. The best customer support EVER.

[mistrotech]

I got a new thinkpad. I could bend the entire thing with the screen closed and click the trackpad. It broke in a year when it fell off a desk, onto a carpet, and the screen separated and cracked even though it was closed. Then I got an old ThinkPad, and it doesn't flex unless it falls. The ThinkPad will be okay, and the only thing flexing would be me and the floor.

[ernestoditerribile]

Almost 500 subscribers, I've subscribed now too. Nice info

[antonhei]

During my time at the office I had 4 different Dell laptops in the span of 11 years, and while fine, each model had a different issue which (wifi twice, keyboard, mouse pad twice, overheating, noise, etc). Now I am in a different point of my carreer and just got a new basic Thinkpad, and love the clean classic design, the long battery life, low heat, the keyboard and multiple options for the mouse. Hope it lasts for years.

[enilenis]

I loved seeing Thinkpads in mid 90's. Top prestige. IBM was king, but only business people could afford them. The iconic red knob, the design consistency generation to generation. I never owned one, but I got to try them. They still show up in thrift stores sometimes, but always with parts missing. I've got plenty of other retro laptops to not be desperate for a Thinkpad, but I'd love to get one at some point, for the collection. Especially anything from 1024x768 generation. Those are most precious. 800x600 prevailed for years and it was so odd to use for scaling. Games were still, predominantly 640x480, and 1.5x scaling produced some mighty ugly pixels.