Any Logic behind thinkpad model numbers?

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#1 Post by **gator** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:36 am

I was wondering if anyone knows the logic behind the model numbers of thinkpads ... I can't see any sort of a pattern between different lines of machines, and sometimes I wish they had a simple scheme so that I can look at the machine description and have a rough idea of what it has, or atleast if it is high-end or entry level. Obviosuly after looking at thinkpads for a while I know where to look for description and after a period of time I do know what series has what, but I wish it was simpler.

Anyone knows if there is some logic behind these model numbers that I am failing to see?

#2 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:44 am

T = Thin
R = Rugged
X = Xtra small
A = All-in-one
G = Good
Z = Z latest style

#3 Post by **ryengineer** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:52 am

GomJabbar wrote:T = Thin
R = Rugged
X = Xtra small
A = All-in-one
G = Good
Z = Z latest style

I'll second that except:

T= Used to be thin prior to T61.

pianowizard · #4 Post by **pianowizard** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:22 am

gator wrote:I was wondering if anyone knows the logic behind the model numbers of thinkpads

Are you literally asking about the numbers? For The modern series, it's obvious: the numbers started at 20 and went up with new technologies. The R series started with 30 because it was started after the other series, so IBM tried to help it catch up. After Lenovo took over, they started all series at 60, thus skipping the X5* and the T5*. For the classic Thinkpads (240, 390, 570, 600, 701, whatever), it's more arbitrary and thus confusing.

GomJabbar wrote:R = Rugged
G = Good

My R50p is far less rugged than most of the T-series models I've owned.

I think "G" stands for "gross". It's such an ugly series.

ryengineer wrote:T= Used to be thin prior to T61.

Now it stands for "Thick".

See an old thread on the same topic.

#5 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:51 am

Or maybe Sri's asking about the MODEL TYPE numbers. I can't for life of me figure out why a T61 has ten MT numbers (6480 and 6481 and 7658 through 7665). I'd guess it's because of the major subsystems that can be configured, but why such a disparity between the numbers?

sherpa · #6 Post by **sherpa** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 12:20 pm

Hello

I would say this:

T = Thin Thing TempTing for Thinking
R = Reliable foR that money
X = eXtra small and eXtra light and eXtra seXy
A = All-in-one bunch
G = Great for table
Z = have some extraZ

#7 Post by **gator** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 1:04 pm

rkawakami wrote:Or maybe Sri's asking about the MODEL TYPE numbers. I can't for life of me figure out why a T61 has ten MT numbers (6480 and 6481 and 7658 through 7665). I'd guess it's because of the major subsystems that can be configured, but why such a disparity between the numbers?

This was the info I was asking about, not the T R X classification!

sherpa · #8 Post by **sherpa** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 1:29 pm

do not look for logic where it is not necessary to be used.
SN, model type, PN etc. are just a bunch of combinations in some systems.
anyway even if you found it, it would not make any difference in using TPs or you try to prove that IBM/Lenovo is totally ingenious?

#9 Post by **gator** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 1:52 pm

sherpa wrote:anyway even if you found it, it would not make any difference in using TPs or you try to prove that IBM/Lenovo is totally ingenious?

I am just curious, that is all.

Tholek · #10 Post by **Tholek** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 5:14 pm

Has Lenovo hinted at what the next lettered model lines will be?

How about H?

#11 Post by **ryengineer** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:52 pm

gator wrote:This was the info I was asking about, not the T R X classification!

I see.

In my opinion there's no logic behind those model and type numbers and they're just there for identification purposes.

snessiram · #12 Post by **snessiram** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:50 am

Tholek wrote:How about H?

Heaven or Huge?

Tholek · #13 Post by **Tholek** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 12:34 pm

Probably Hot.

bill bolton · #14 Post by **bill bolton** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:47 pm

gator wrote:This was the info I was asking about

The model numbers are a carry over from an uber-model numbering approach that IBM used right across many of its product lines. There was definitely some overall plan in that approach, though what that was is probably related to manufacturing and support systems etc and is not inituitively obvious.

Lenovo has continued the general 4 digit model scheme but seems to have jumped the primary numbers for new ThinkPad model numbers up into an entirely different set than IBM had previously used for ThinkPads and may therefore have a different underlying rationale for the way numbers are assigned within the scheme.

Cheers,

Bill B.

ragefury32 · #15 Post by **ragefury32** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:11 am

In general, starting with the recent Lenovo produced machines? The 1xxx models are the value line, while the 2xxx are the heavy hitters. In general, within the line, the higher the numbers, the better the machine and its accompanying warranty.

Any Logic behind thinkpad model numbers?

Any Logic behind thinkpad model numbers?

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