【Uncompleted】Low-end warriors of ThinkPad - Crossfires of R and e

[b]1. SOURC[color=Red]e[/color]S[/b]

It is from the year of 2001, when IBM separated its ThinkPad family into A, T, and X, three series. Adding an “e” letter after the machine names to indicate a low-end version became a habit then. According to the official explanation, this letter “e” represents “economy”. That means it is the basic mission for “e” machines to build an economic optimized ThinkPad for the commons.
The first model of “e” machines is the A21e, which was introduced into the market in 2001. This model did not appear in the market of mainland China, but this does not bother us to find it in the second-hand market.
It is worth to note that the A21e in the second-hand market have two completely different shells. One of them looks the same as a normal A21m which have the MT, known as Model Type, of 2628 which is also the same as A21m. So we call it A21e-2628. Another looks much slimmer than A21e-2628, like T20 more. Because of its MT is 2655, we call it A21e-2655. The later production A22e had only one 2655 MT, which looks the same as A21e-2655, only made some upgrades in CPUs and mainboards.
Consequently, A21e-2628 is the production of a simplified model based on A21m, and MT2655 is based on T20 and T21. The two types of A2*e both have models using low-end Celeron processors and 82440MX PCI chipset, and A22e also have upgraded models using Pentium III processors and 82440BX chipset. Meanwhile, both models simplified some features and ports. Take A21e-2628 as example, it removed S-Video out and infrared port based on A21m, and MT2655 replaced the CFRP covers of T20 with the ABS covers, removed S-Video out, PS/2 port, and infrared port, also simplified the stereo speaker on T20 into mono speaker. On the expansion features, it is disabled to connect to the most powerful docking station then, MT2631. Only Port Replicators are allowed. Also, cheaper Ni-MH batteries are opened for option.

[b]2. CHARACT[color=Red]e[/color]RISTICS[/b]

It is a little confusion in the beginning of “e” machines. Two models under a same machine name confused buyers in choosing. Luckily, IBM adjusted its policy in time. The A22e canceled MT2628, and orientate the going of “e” machines. Some important features and ideas can be found in A21e-2628 and MT2655, and they become the fundamentals of the ”e” machines today.
·Simplified ports;
·Reduced performances;
·Simplified chipset;
·Simplified expansion ability.
The four points listed above are the main methods to reduce the production positioning in the market for “e” machines today.

[b]3. SUCC[color=Red]e[/color]SSORS[/b]

About the year of 2002, IBM brought a brand new model, which have a MT of 2656. Although it seems like the successor of A22e MT2655, it is not called A30e, but the unexpected R30.
It is the first time when IBM uses graphic integrated, non-Intel chipset on ThinkPad. Some models use Celeron CPUs. No UltraNav, no line-in jack, no PS/2 ports and serial ports. Even PCMCIA slot was simplified from 2xTypeI/II or 1xTypeIII into 1xTypeI/II or TypeIII. Still only Port Replicators allowed, but stereo speakers came back. Some models even added an IEEE1394 connector on the machine.
Clearly, the R series began to specialize to the marketing positioning but not simply functional simplified. It is just the basic meaning of A21e. Thus the word “successor” perfectly describes the relationship of R30 and A22e.

[b]It is in progress from Chapter 4[/b]

[[i] Edited by Choi on 2007-9-3 23:44 [/i]]

Reserved.

you'd  better supply some pictures of those old models mentioned in this article for a vivid comparison .

[[i] 本帖最后由 ybyan 于 2007-9-5 16:57 编辑 [/i]]

very good!adding some pics maybe better.:)
i intending to buy a r60e and change it's lcd with qxga^u^

Dozens of people plan to buy R60e... What's the bloody hell...

It is a big failure for R60e that so many people buy it for its QXGA compatibility.

interesting idea

awaiting 4 ur the next chapter...

It is from the year of 2001............
hehe,just like thebegining of a holllywood movie the lord of rings^u^

I  do dot know what is you mean!!

^,^ Very interesting discussion about the low end models, waiting for the subsequent chapters to be continued~:D

[quote]Posted by [i]ybyan[/i] on 2007-9-4 13:01 [url=http://www.51nb.com/forum/redirect.php?goto=findpost&pid=8104391&ptid=578862][img]http://www.51nb.com/forum/images/common/back.gif[/img][/url]
you'd  better supply some pictures of those old models mentioned in this article for a vivid comparison .

[ 本帖最后由 ybyan 于 2007-9-5 16:57 编辑 ] [/quote]

A picture is worth a thousand words. :)