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    Upgrade an old T60....

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by map_guy, Jul 22, 2011.

  1. map_guy

    map_guy Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am thinking of picking this up for a 2nd laptop for work, something light and tough. I know thinkpads are tough and figured this one may be good enough for the internet browsing and email. Any suggestions on what to upgrade on this model if I get it.....

    Newegg.com - Recertified: ThinkPad T Series T60 Notebook Intel Core Duo T2400(1.83GHz) 15" 1GB Memory DDR2 60GB HDD 5400rpm DVD/CD-RW Combo W/Docking Station & USB Hub

    I need BT, wireless, and infrared to download my polar HRM when I am on the road.
     
    map_guy, Jul 22, 2011
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  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Since you'll need to upgrade the LCD cable to add the Bluetooth module, you might as well put the UXGA FlexView in there. There's on available here.

    I'd say a new faster hard drive might be a good idea.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 22, 2011
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  3. mawk

    mawk Notebook Guru

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    I just bought a T60 myself. I'll be installing a SSD drive and upgrading to Win7.

    But if you're only going to be browsing and doing email, that configuration will certainly get the job done.

    While ZaZ's suggestion will work and get you the now-legendary FlexView display, which mine came with btw, a usb bluetooth adapter would be easier.
     
    mawk, Jul 22, 2011
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  4. map_guy

    map_guy Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the suggestions....

    I think I have BT with it, at least according to the specs.

    Any suggestions on a SSD drive?
     
    map_guy, Jul 23, 2011
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  5. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    I think you're right in that it has BT, but the UXGA is what I'd do.

    The Seagate Momentus XT is worth a look. You'll get performance just shy of a SSD and much more space.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 23, 2011
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  6. sniper_sung

    sniper_sung Notebook Evangelist

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    The T60 comes with a 945 chipset if I remember correctly. The SATA port only worked at SATA I speed, bottlenecking SSD sequential read/write at 175MB/s or so. Now there might be a BIOS update to enable SATA II but I'm not sure about this.

    The maximum RAM that a T60 can support is 3GB, so if you add a DDR2 667MHz module of 2GB then it reaches 3GB.
     
    sniper_sung, Jul 23, 2011
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  7. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    The 945 chipset is not capable of supporting SATAII speed.
     
    lead_org, Jul 24, 2011
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  8. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    SATA I is capped at 150MB/s, but there is some overhead, which makes it about 120MB/s. Interestingly, my R60e running Linux and with a slow 16GB SSD often seems faster than my X220 because Windows gimps SSDs in low power mode. That's how I usually run my X220 to maximize battery life.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 24, 2011
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  9. sniper_sung

    sniper_sung Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes you are right. I've just managed to find my ancient thread posted a couple of years ago regarding Intel X25-E 64GB on ICH7R:

    [​IMG]

    And when I move it to ICH9R with SATA II support:

    [​IMG]
     
    sniper_sung, Jul 24, 2011
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  10. map_guy

    map_guy Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sorry, I haven't kept up with the latest HD's, a lot of that is over my head :)

    So what would be a good HD to throw in there?
     
    map_guy, Jul 25, 2011
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  11. Colonel O'Neill

    Colonel O'Neill Notebook Deity

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    Maybe consider a Scorpio Black (faster) or Hitachi TravelStar 7k500 (quieter)?
     
    Colonel O'Neill, Jul 25, 2011
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  12. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    The Momentus XT is a good choice. It's a 7200RPM drive with a 4GB flash drive attached. It gives just short of SSD speed and you get a lot more space. A small SSD for the main bay and larger drive in the ultrabay is another option.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 25, 2011
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