Intrepid Thinkpad fan Karl Buchka changed the internals of the 701C with the way more highly effective Framework mainboard. The most effective official specs for this laptop computer rated it at a 486 DX4, not one thing that may deal with the calls for of the twenty first century. In contrast to in the present day’s greatest laptop computers, the most effective laptops of the mid-Nineties featured chunky instances, DSTN screens, and a slew of proprietary ports. However IBM was all the time desperate to please its street warrior clients, and from this need got here the 701C. The Thinkpad 701C encompasses a novel “butterfly” keyboard that slides out to disclose a bigger typing space.
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Buchka’s challenge has been ongoing for the previous six months. The challenge begins with a damaged IBM Thinkpad 701C, purchased on a whim. Buchka determined to make use of the damaged Thinkpad as a base on which to construct one thing superb and selected the Framework {hardware} as a base. At present, the challenge is totally working however in a “mock-up” state for testing. However as we are able to see within the photos, Buchka has efficiently booted in Ubuntu.
The unique spec of the 701C is laughable in the present day. However in its heyday, it was a productiveness monster. The butterfly keyboard gave writers a cushty typing expertise whereas folding down right into a smaller bundle. So how does it sq. as much as the mind transplant?
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | IBM Thinkpad 701C | IBM Thinkpad 701C Mind Transplant |
| CPU | Intel 486 DX2 50 to DX4 75 | Intel I7-1165G7 |
| RAM | 4 – 40MB | Essential 16GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 720MB IDE | WD Black SN850 500GB NVMe SSD |
| Display | VGA 640×480 TFT energetic matrix | 10 inch iPad show 2160 x 1620 |
Buchka’s challenge is way more than simply throwing a Framework motherboard into the 701C’s case. Buchka managed to squeeze the Framework mainboard into the again half of the case. Within the entrance is the battery to energy the laptop computer. The decrease a part of the case is a 3D printed draft, which may simply be printed on among the greatest FDM 3D printers. For top of the range and energy, the ultimate case can be printed utilizing MJF (Multi Jet Fusion). The hinge bracket is to be printed utilizing DMLS (Direct Steel Laser Sintering), which fuses layers of metallic powder utilizing high-powered lasers.
It seems that Apple’s iPad 7 show is an nearly good match for the 701C’s TFT display screen. The iPad display screen is customized to make use of the eDP connector on the mainboard. The big 2160 x 1620 show is huge in comparison with the 701C’s 640 x 480. Buchka notes that there isn’t a house for Framework’s enlargement playing cards. USB-C dongles that sit flush with the Framework laptop computer and supply further ports. As an alternative, they’ve chosen to reveal two USB-C ports on the precise facet of the case. On the left, a customized USB-C port replicator exposes two USB-A ports. Buchka remains to be engaged on the CAD fashions for this a part of the construct.
The star of the present must be the butterfly keyboard, and it continues to shine due to a Teensy 3.6 microcontroller that gives each keyboard and trackpoint as USB gadgets due to a personalized QMK construct. Within the ultimate construct, the keyboard and trackpoint electronics will grow to be a customized PCB, proper now it’s a self-confessed mess of wires.
This challenge is fantastic. We love the previous Thinkpad aesthetic however crave the ability of the newest CPUs. This challenge marries the 2 very properly. Extra particulars could be discovered on Buchka’s Framework neighborhood profile web page.