Upgrading my ThinkPad X61 

I watched this video on a C2D MacBook Pro. Still a usable laptop in 2022.

Now that you mentioned it, it's true. Indeed very beautiful hands lol

I think it only accepts 4gb x 2 modules.

Unfortunately not much: RAM on X60/X60s is limited to 3GB, SATA SSD is limited to Gen1 1.5Gbps, X60s/X61s uses a thinner lid and different screen cable so IPS/AFFS mod is much much harder (if it could be done at all...), CPU upgrade is possible, but also limited to ones supported by 945 chipset (some 65nm merom ones).

@@nbzwt thank you SO much for the response, I truly appreciate the help/info :) even if the answer is kind of sad for me, lmao. Do you think if I replace the motherboard with one from an x61 that more upgrades will be possible?

@@saramaeks9826 Yes, IIRC X60/X60s/X60t/X61/X61s/X61t motherboard are mostly compatible, but keep in mind: 1. X60s/X61s chassis are designed to fit a smaller fan. So you are limited to use the stock fan for the new motherboard. X61 (non-s)'s CPU is probably going to dissipate too much heat for that fan. 2. Some X61 features a 2nd fan under the palm-rest, it would interfere with the finger print reader on X60/X60s (if your model has it) so it needs to be removed. If it's removed then you would get a FAN ERROR (skippable) on every boot. In that case you would need a modified BIOS to get rid of that. 3. Obviously changing the motherboard won't affect the LCD/ top lid situation.

@@nbzwt thank you so much, I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate your descriptive and specific comments, it is so so helpful as a newbie to computer modding/old thinkpads. Probably picked the wrong computer for a first-time modder but oh well. As for size… maybe I can use CAD to design a new bottom casing to hold the x61 board + fan? I have a 3d printer, so that could be a fun thing to try… oh no… the project… all my free time… it’s taking over!!! Lol. Thank you so much for your help, I truly do appreciate it :) the thinkpad community is such a kind one.

The BIOS I modded would only work for X61. However the same process could be applied on the T61's BIOS as well so you could make your own modded BIOS for T61. I have also seen modded BIOS for T61 somewhere online.

Have you checked the maximum amount of ram the processor can work with? Sometimes the motherboard manufacturer states a lower amount for various reasons (higher capacity modules were not being produced at the time, for example) but the processor and chipset are capable of working with them. It happened to me with an MSI laptop: the MSI website stated the laptop could only hold up to 4Gb; as the CPU was a 1st gen i5,I checked Intel’s website and found out the processor was rated up tu 8GB in 2 x 4GB configuration…I installed the RAM and, lo and behold, I had a laptop running twice as much memory as the manufacturer claimed it could support

@@guaiqueritech update . it can handle 3gb ram and iam going to try 4gb too , soon . like you said . Also sometimes the limitation is the bios thing

remove external battery, open up computer, remove cmos battery, the bios should reset

you should at least slap an ssd in there, best upgrade you can make. The Middleton bios will also unlock faster speeds on the ssd as well as better WiFi cards

我在2007年買x61 花了HKD8000

@@atobellini 我买的更早更贵，后面实在是啥都跑不动了

@@atobellini 好像也是0708

there are diys x62, x63 from 51NB, but they are really expensive and hard to buy

Pi-tops actually have similar battery life to laptops due to all the discrete components such as the HDMI-to-eDP converter. So I'm told. To me, the best path forward for new motherboards is to use Computers-on-Modules. These are an industry standard, exist in great variety including different ISAs, and all you have to do is design the carrier board. Possible downside: these are industrial computers, so might-well not support suspend and resume which you kind of need for laptops.

@@smorrow The Pi Zero 2W + well designed HDMI to eDP converter will only draw about 5 watts, plus the LCD panel would be up to 15 watt max. this is at max TDP. So with 72 watt hour battery, we are looking at 5 hours battery life minium. in contrast, the old 45nm processor in this x61 it self draw 6 watt at idle and 35 watt in full ultilization.

@@smorrow I had designed a HDMI to eDP driver to drive a 10.1 inch 720p IPS panel take only 8 watt in full brightness (400 nit).

wtf dude

@@pot3to444 >:(

Don't do it then

unnecessary comment...

Human like the rest of us....