Thinkpads Forum

I'm looking for an old Pre Txx or Xxx or Axx series laptop to use, and want to know what the easiest to work on, most reliable are. I don't have much experience with the pre double digits 2000s models so any help is good. As long as it has a Pentium it should be fine

Probably the 600 or 600X.

I don't know if you can trust something that's 25 years old, but the 600 and 570 seem like good bets. You can still find parts for them pretty easily in the US, like the main board and screen.

I agree. If I was to have one perfect thinkpad in way of looks, usability, stability, reliability, usefulness, accessibility, price, it would likely be the 600X.

If not then maybe a T43 without ATI, but that's a bit 'modern' in my book.

solidpro wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 20, 2024 5:17 am

I agree. If I was to have one perfect thinkpad in way of looks, usability, stability, reliability, usefulness, accessibility, price, it would likely be the 600X.

I kept my pristine 600X for years, but it finally felt too heavy for comfortable use, and the lack of built-in ethernet got annoying. For a while, though, it seemed like the best laptop ever made.

I had a T43 that i used for a while but i have an X61 that fills the use that the T43 would do in my life better, so I wanted to go even older. Ill take a look at the 600x

The 600X is basically the ultimate form of the original "bento box" concept of the Thinkpad. AFAIK it was the last of the classic models, and the forerunner of the T series Thinkpads.

I'm gonna suggest a 380D or any iteration with a floppy and CD drive.
Haven't really came across a broken one, though they are very boring, I feel they hold up really well for being basically all plastic.
But yeah 600X for that keyboard feel.

Edward Mendelson wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 20, 2024 7:30 am

- - - -

I kept my pristine 600X for years, but it finally felt too heavy for comfortable use, and the lack of built-in ethernet got annoying. For a while, though, it seemed like the best laptop ever made.

Mu choice for 600X:

https://www.amazon.com/3Com-MHz-CardBus ... B00004Z8H3

You can keep it at the PC card slot "for-ever"; just detach the ethernet sslot wire.

I'd agree with a lot of the others on here that the 600 is a great reliable, basic vintage computing platform.

Past that, 760/770, but they can be a bit harder to find in good shape, parts are hard to find, and they're harder to work on. They're more interesting in my opinion though.

I'd say though a really cool older, borderline vintage Thinkpad to own for all sorts of retro action (I'm sure most would call it vintage) is A3x. A30/31. They're a super cool platform, with two Ultrabays. But they can also be tough to find, and reliable may not be the first thing on their list. I'd say it falls in the camp of 760/770 though, if you find a good one and take care of it... it should be a solid unit, especially for occasional use only. My A31p still boots up no problem, I use it actually quite a bit here and there to conveniently move stuff between CDs and Floppies, and USB storage.

hopgarden53 wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 01, 2024 1:57 pm

Edward Mendelson wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 20, 2024 7:30 am

- - - -

I kept my pristine 600X for years, but it finally felt too heavy for comfortable use, and the lack of built-in ethernet got annoying. For a while, though, it seemed like the best laptop ever made.

Mu choice for 600X:

https://www.amazon.com/3Com-MHz-CardBus ... B00004Z8H3

You can keep it at the PC card slot "for-ever"; just detach the ethernet sslot wire.

I forget what manufacturer it was, but I remember having a PCMCIA double-height ethernet card that didn't need a dongle. But it filled both slots, so I couldn't use a wireless card with it, I also used an Xjack ethernet card that also didn't need the dongle. But life would have been easier with built-in ethernet...

Can't beat the reliability of a 380/385 Series. As others have said, they're a bit boring, but they're insanely solid. Just make sure not to get one with a DSTN/HPA screen.
I would not recommend the A30 and A31 if you're looking for something reliable - they're perhaps the most unreliable ThinkPads ever made.

Edward Mendelson wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 01, 2024 9:05 pm

I forget what manufacturer it was, but I remember having a PCMCIA double-height ethernet card that didn't need a dongle. But it filled both slots, so I couldn't use a wireless card with it

Probably Xircom.

axur-delmeria wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2024 11:13 am

Edward Mendelson wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 01, 2024 9:05 pm

I forget what manufacturer it was, but I remember having a PCMCIA double-height ethernet card that didn't need a dongle. But it filled both slots, so I couldn't use a wireless card with it

Probably Xircom.

Yes, Xircom. I still have the card somewhere...

Thinkpad 600E for me, better sound chip for dos gaming and seems the most plentiful supply on bay, add a SelectaBase 600 and you get a gameport too. Get the PII 400mhz version if you can. Just a shame it doesn’t have the coin cell bios battery like the 770.
I’d be tempted to say one of 770 series but for the proprietary HDD caddy. 760 series is even worse for proprietary parts.


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