Blast from 2002... The IBM ThinkPad T30 (Lots of Pics)

[2000sfanman]

This is my restored IBM ThinkPad T30, and keeping in the 2002 era all photos were taken with a Canon PowerShot S200. This T30 is in immaculate condition and each photo was taken in the year 2018 even though it looks like it was taken in 2003. I'm new to this forum so take it easy on me if I did something wrong. When I first wanted a T30 there weren't great photos on it so I knew when I finally had one I would snap some GOOD photos. You are free to use any of these photos as you like.

Specs
* IBM ThinkPad T30 2366-96U
* Windows XP Pro SP1
* 2.2GHz Pentium 4 Processor-M (Fastest mobile style CPU from 2002)
* ATI Mobility Radeon 7500
* Intel AC'97 Audio
* 1024MB Ram (512MB visible because of ram slot issue)
* 60GB HDD (Original and from 2002)
* 14.1" TFT display with 1400x1050 resolution
* UltraNav touchpad
* Cisco Aironet Wireless 802.11b (Upgraded)

NOTE: This T30 still has its recovery partition and was restored to factory condition with it.

T30 Lid Open

T30 Overview

T30 With Acess IBM Program

T30 Specs

T30 Bios

T30 Splash Screen

T30 Top

T30 Bottom

T30 Keyboard

T30 Right Side

T30 Right Side And Back

T30 Back

T30 Left Side And Back

T30 Left Side

T30 Back In Docking Station

T30 Side In Docking Station

T30 Back With Lid Open

AHHH Remember the early 2000s with laptops that could function as a room heater and cameras with barely 2.0 megapixels.

NOTE: If these are too many Photos I apologize I just wanted to share a full overview for those who never seen a T30.

[ajkula66]

That's a real beauty you've got over there. Truly impressive condition.

It could use a RAM upgrade from what I've seen in the BIOS screen, though...

[dr_st]

These are lovely photos (albeit require at least 1920 horizontal resolution to avoid stretching); I really appreciate your survey.

The T30 is an interesting model, sharing the distinct design cues of A3x, X3x series (and also R3x/R40 in some ways). It is the first Thinkpad with a touchpad, and first T-series with the proper design of trackpoint buttons (with the middle one above the other two, not below).

I own an A31p and an X32, but never owned a T30. The T30 is basically the smaller, more portable (but probably also hotter, due to the smaller size) version of the A31 (the A31p workstation has slightly higher specs). Alas, the T30 has the same problem as all 14" 4:3 laptops in existence - no IPS screen option. That is probably the main reason why this model did not appeal to me as a collectible (I am an IPS "snob").

Interestingly, I also have the exact same port replicator (which I used in the past as a dock for the X32 during its service as a media station). I like how it's compact compared to the newer docks that have to support the newer models with rear-mounted batteries.

Your specimen is a great-looking and very high-end one. Like ajkula66, I support expanding its RAM, and it could serve as a nice 'retro' system for a good while.

[2000sfanman]

Thanks for the nice comments!!

The photos could be a tad better but hey, 1200x1600 was all the poor old S200 could do, I had all the settings maxed out. LOL!

Yeah I agree that 512mb is a little lacking but part of it is the ram socket falling off the motherboard causing it to only recognize one slot. So yeah I will have to definitely fix that later down the road. it does recognize the full 1GB if I push on the socket, but I never really soldered before, so 512MB works for now

It surprising does a fair well job at cooling its Pentium fire quite well, I slapped some arctic silver 5 on it and cleaned it all up and the fan never really comes on but when it does it blows HOT.

Still this computer was a nice upgrade from my other 2002 laptop cough~(Dell Inspiron 2650)~cough I was starring at that computer and thought "man this thing is ugly, I need a replacement" and the T30 ended up in my life. And so far I'm impressed with the ThinkPad line, this was my first and definitely not my last.

Yeah I like the docking station too, it's nice and compact and it has PS2 ports on it.

This T30 is definitely a keeper in my world, I will try my best at preserving it.

[dr_st]

Still this computer was a nice upgrade from my other 2002 laptop cough~(Dell Inspiron 2650)~cough I was starring at that computer and thought "man this thing is ugly, I need a replacement" and the T30 ended up in my life. And so far I'm impressed with the ThinkPad line, this was my first and definitely not my last.

I too have a similar-generation non-Thinkpad (Compaq Evo N601c). It's a business model, like the T30, and it's interesting to see how they each have advantages and disadvantages relative to one another. Overall, I would prefer the Thinkpad - the Evo keyboard is just way too flimsy, and its thermal characteristics are atrocious. But it does not suffer from loose RAM slot syndrome, and it does have onboard USB 2.0 (not a super big-deal, since you can get it via CardBus on the T30).

[Tasurinchi]

This reminds me of my own T30 I used from 2003 till 2005 on my former employer. It was a tank that survived lots of traveling without any failure. Even the (in)famous RAM slot issue was not present in my device.

Unfortunately at that time I was not a deep ThinkPad fan, so later I gave this T30 to my brother in law, that was needing a laptop back then... Never saw it again...

[Shredder11]

Regards cameras of the time, I have an Olympus C-2000 Z 2mpix camera released in 1999 which takes some very sharp and vivid shots. It has an 100% uncompressed mode direct from the lens to TIFF files, and those photos are great and even though I use a Panasonic DSLR type these days, I would not be ashamed to use the old Olympus even now. However the full uncompressed quality mode eats up the 128MB SmartMedia cards!

[2000sfanman]

I too have a similar-generation non-Thinkpad (Compaq Evo N601c). It's a business model, like the T30, and it's interesting to see how they each have advantages and disadvantages relative to one another. Overall, I would prefer the Thinkpad - the Evo keyboard is just way too flimsy, and its thermal characteristics are atrocious. But it does not suffer from loose RAM slot syndrome, and it does have onboard USB 2.0 (not a super big-deal, since you can get it via CardBus on the T30).

Yeah it's fun to put my 2650 head to head but its not really a contest, I mean back in 02 the 2650 was around $1,000 and the t30 like over $3,000. But nowadays on the used market they are about the same price, and the t30 is so much better from the keyboard to even just the fan noise. But the keyboard is pretty bad on my 2650, its very mushy and the keys are WAY to small and close together, and don't even get me started on the clunky touch pad buttons. But hey they both are still working almost 20 years later so that means something.

[2000sfanman]

This reminds me of my own T30 I used from 2003 till 2005 on my former employer. It was a tank that survived lots of traveling without any failure. Even the (in)famous RAM slot issue was not present in my device.

Unfortunately at that time I was not a deep ThinkPad fan, so later I gave this T30 to my brother in law, that was needing a laptop back then... Never saw it again...

Yeah mine when I received it a few weeks ago still recognized all 2x256MB sticks but when I put in 2x512MB I must have broke something.

That's a bummer, at least someone got a really nice computer

I've always loved ThinkPads since 6th grade when my school built a new school and got a whole fleet of brand new ThinkPads.

[2000sfanman]

Regards cameras of the time, I have an Olympus C-2000 Z 2mpix camera released in 1999 which takes some very sharp and vivid shots. It has an 100% uncompressed mode direct from the lens to TIFF files, and those photos are great and even though I use a Panasonic DSLR type these days, I would not be ashamed to use the old Olympus even now. However the full uncompressed quality mode eats up the 128MB SmartMedia cards!

Sounds like a awesome camera!! My Canon PowerShot S200 I purchased off of eBay for cheep was acting up before I snapped all these pictures, just as I was ready it wasn't seeing the CF card, so I tried different cards till as a last ditch effort slammed it on the table and Voilà it was back.

[Veverita]

The T30's are such nice machines. I remember a few years ago when I was at a surplus/used machine dealer they had pallet loads of these and I could have had some at $40 each but thought what for? Now I regret not getting at least one. I can't even find these laptops anymore! Such a pity

[BillMorrow]

i sold the first T30 out the door from IBM to a lawyer in sacramento, calif.
it was so new that tech support for IBM did not have any info on it when he called to for help for the memory problem those models had.. at least in the early models out the door.. and i THINK those were made in mexico..
it is such a good thinkpad Daimler Benz used those for their star diag system and still did last time i looked..

[Unknown_K]

T30's are nice, I have a few. The good thing is they can share a battery with the T23 (one of my favorites), bad thing is having the memory slots flake out was common and the first one I snagged ages ago had a bad video chip.

1GB DDR1 SODIMM are like $5 a pop on ebay so maxing out the RAM is cheap. IDE hard drives are still available but most are 40GB or smaller. The 1400x 1050 screens are nice and still usable, the fastest CPUs make enough heat to dry your hair if you hold the laptop at a good angle.

[madicetea]

i sold the first T30 out the door from IBM to a lawyer in sacramento, calif.
it was so new that tech support for IBM did not have any info on it when he called to for help for the memory problem those models had.. at least in the early models out the door.. and i THINK those were made in mexico..
it is such a good thinkpad Daimler Benz used those for their star diag system and still did last time i looked..

The T30 looks like an impressive computer. Would be an honor to know more about it if I find one out here someday.
I don't think I want any right now, though.

make all those photos into links etc... problem solved

So the description for the "Pictures of your ThinkPad & desk setup" says "LARGE picture files allowed here. Those with slow connections, beware!!! do NOT go here on your PDA or Cell Phone!"
Doesn't this mean that OP is alright after all?

[BillMorrow]

make all those photos into links etc... problem solved

So the description for the "Pictures of your ThinkPad & desk setup" says "LARGE picture files allowed here. Those with slow connections, beware!!! do NOT go here on your PDA or Cell Phone!"
Doesn't this mean that OP is alright after all?

you are correct.. my bad.. i apologise..
i have already been corrected by RBS and he does NOT pull punches even to me..
now i'll go edit that post..

[BillMorrow]

i should note here that i found a recovery CD set for the T30 while looking for a T40 recovery CD set..

[TonyJZX]

Never seen anything like this either in the day or in the exlease places..

I went straight from the T20 series to the T40. It seems many businesses just ignored the laptops of this era... couldnt really ignore the desktops as I beleive Netburst went on for 6yrs?

And the thing is the T20 and T40 seemed like a natural evolution so the T30 looks so out of place in its design.

I also beleive this era was extremely expensive... the last of the T43 was as low as a $1,500 us? The T20 I've seen as high as $5k US at the time? ie. pre 9/11

The T30 I remeber was sort of pushed as a mobile workstation of sorts so they were terribly expensive too.

[JPOESQ]

i sold the first T30 out the door from IBM to a lawyer in sacramento, calif.
it was so new that tech support for IBM did not have any info on it when he called to for help for the memory problem those models had.. at least in the early models out the door.. and i THINK those were made in mexico..
it is such a good thinkpad Daimler Benz used those for their star diag system and still did last time i looked..

That was me!

[BillMorrow]

that WAS you, john..

as for price, not to digress, i paid over $3k for the last IBM labeled T60p (?) which i still have, a pristine thinkpad with the original installed OS.. it is so old i once played a DVD movie and copied the movie to another DVD..

kinda fun to see the pre-lenovo preload and windoze whatever..
that thinkpad and I are both OLD, but i think it has better memory than I..

[JPOESQ]

And we are still alive and fighting the fights Bill!

[RealBlackStuff]

As am I, I turned 80 last March.

I've been an IBMer since 1968, when I started working on their 1401.
During my working life I was a Mainframe Systems Analyst/Programmer on IBM and Sperry/Unisys.

At home I started with a Commodore 64 desktop, my first laptop was an IBM A22m, followed by T23, then T30 (and a whole lot more since).
Current laptop is a Lenovo T480 and the wife has an X250, both with W10-LTSC-2021.
No W11 in this house!

As of last week I am committing quite a sin!
For a friend of mine I'm working on his Apple iMac Retina 4K 21.5 inch from 2017.
It needs more RAM and the drive in it is dead.
Quite the bastard to open, for that you need a pizza-cutter to begin with, then take 64 steps to get to the RAM.

Waiting for the new NVMe 2280 SSD, which will be placed in a small external case.
That case will be attached with Velcro to the back of that iMac and plugged into a Thunderbolt port there.
If that iMac (or the SSD) ever dies, there's no need to take it apart again with that pizza-cutter.
You can just unplug that SSD-case, remove the Velcro and use the it as a USB-key.