[ Thinkpad X61 ] Restoration and Upgrade

I bought an untested 2006 Lenovo ThinkPad X61, a business laptop that originally retailed for $2000, now picked up on eBay for under $50. In this video, I'll be modding, upgrading, and restoring it.

Changes made:
-Shorting the bios chip to remove the supervisor password.
-Middleton Bios Update (Unlock Sata II speeds for SSD, remove wifi card whitelist and enable SXGA+)
-Install 1400*1050 SXGA+ Panel from X61 Tablet with LED mod.
-Install WWAN Antenna.
-Change heatsink fan and repaste thermal paste and pads.
-Upgrade WiFi Card to AX210 (MPCIE)
-Install SSD (Arch + Tiny11 Dual boot)
-Install 8GB (4*2) 800mhz Ram from Crucial.
-Install new QWERTY Keyboard.
-Repolish + Resurface Panels.
-Install a non-extended 4 cell battery.

More images:

Reddit post:

[honzaspulka]

This video got recommended to me after I saw your redit post, thanks for recording it!

[DeterminedTorres]

Straight to the point, no yapping, I love it. Beautiful restoration, the algorithm blessed you today.

[mndlessdrwer]

I do miss these older Thinkpads. They just had such a form follows function approach and they were durable, easy to service, had a great keyboard, and the display was a very functional aspect ratio for word processing, coding, web browsing, etc. I think it was a 5:4 aspect ratio, which makes it very suitable for retro game emulation

[aeleequis]

The video even has a nice rithm to it. awesome

[suave-alpaca]

love the editing, its very satisfying. I got the same model back in 2021 for 20 bucks. The seller said it wont boot because of fan error. Took it apart, I believe there are 2 fans. Cleaned the lubricate them. It works like charm ever since. Great machine

[_ash]

You're doing the Lord's work here, mate. Mesmerized by the David Fincher-level editing cuts!

[WilliamFigueroa]

Stunning. Absolutely stunning. Well done.

[cinnabard]

This video is sacred to me. I made a physical VHS copy to show it for future generations

[temetka]

Short but awesome. I really enjoyed your video style on this.

[johnroux]

nice dude! saw the reddit post and glad to see you've even done a video on it!

[ConnorTech]

Saw the Reddit post and then this video, absolutely incredible! PS: I have that same screwdriver set!

[saiyedadnan]

i admire your talent and creativity. amazing vid

[princeoffriendship]

came from the reddit post lovely restoration

[wrp]

Best ASMR vid I've ever seen. cool setup.

[gampas]

saw your post 7 days ago, vid got recommended today

[koljanos]

Just felt my brain rotting thanks to your editing, please have some respect

[agushacevoces]

So damn cool. Here from Reddit. Congrats.

PS: 4:3 ar, nice touch. Did you edit the video on the X61? :)

[mtsl-in-cyberia]

came from the reddit post haha, nice machine

[GoriguiMonke]

Such a beautiful machine, I hate how tech youtuber cheered on companies making everything thinner and cleaner, just give me something functional that looks like it came from a cyberpunk future.

[cakar]

not an arch user but video was perfect 'till 1:30