ThinkLight

2006-01-10T05:53:40Z

66.93.56.214: Thinklight on the Z's (someone stop me if it's not on the Z60m but I'd be shocked if it wasn't)

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The ThinkLight is a little LED light integrated into the top edge of the display frame in the A, R, T, X, Z and i Series ThinkPad models. It illuminates the ThinkPad's keyboard so that one can type in the dark without using an external light source. The ThinkLight can be controlled via the {{key|Fn}}{{key|PageUp}} key combination or via ACPI on some of the newer models.
Note that the ThinkLight is not available on the G series ThinkPads.
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==Linux Support==
Controlling the ThinkLight with the keyboard works on all systems since it relies on the BIOS exclusively. Just press {{key|Fn}}{{key|PageUp}} to toggle its state between on and off.

===Software Control via ibm-acpi===
Support for controlling the light with ACPI is provided by [[ibm-acpi]]. After installing it, a simple
:{{cmdroot|echo on > /proc/acpi/ibm/light}}
switches it on and a
:{{cmdroot|echo off > /proc/acpi/ibm/light}}
switches it off again.

This allows one to control the light in scripts. Unfortunately, no known ThinkPad comes with a light sensor (yet). ;)

===GAIM notification===
If you are using [http://gaim.sf.net GAIM], the [http://www.joachim-breitner.de/blog/archives/38-Created-gaim-thinklight.html gaim-thinklight] plugin will enable you to use the ThinkLight as an indicator for new messages. This depends on [[ibm-acpi]].

==Models featuring this Technology==
*ThinkPad {{I1460}}, {{I1480}}, {{I1482}}, {{I1483}}, {{I1492}}
*ThinkPad {{A Series}}
*ThinkPad {{R Series}}
*ThinkPad {{T Series}}
*ThinkPad {{X20}}, {{X21}}, {{X22}}, {{X23}}, {{X24}}, {{X30}}, {{X31}}, {{X32}}, {{X40}}, {{X41}}, {{X60}}, {{X60s}}
*ThinkPad {{Z60m}}, {{Z60t}}

[[Category:Glossary]]

Buyers Guide

2005-12-20T12:49:13Z

66.93.56.214: Adding a link to the current Lenovo 'build it yourself' pages.

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This page is dedicated to hints about buying used or new ThinkPad models. You can find notes about typical weaknesses of used ThinkPads here and other things you should care about when choosing a ThinkPad and where to buy it.
|}
==Long-time Weaknesses of certain models==
*{{390X}} models with 15" display are said to have weak display cables that tend to break.
*{{A30}}, {{A30p}}, {{A31}}, {{A31p}} seem to have a mechanical design that can cause the motherboard to break. At least there are a significant number of reports of broken motherboards on these models.
*{{T30}} had a problem with memory sockets detaching from the system board. IBM replaced these free of charge even after warranties expired.
*{{A20p}} Base cover corner are prone to crack, root cause stiff display hinges

==Build it yourself and save money==
Lenovo offers more flexibility than any other major manufacturer of laptop computers, at least that I know of. Their "configure-to-order" (CTO) offerings let you build the computer you want, without paying for anything you don't want. The basic CTO includes the mainboard and CPU, but no RAM, disk, mini-PCI cards, software, or other add-ons. You can even get a laptop in a CTO configuration.

I built my {{X32}} notebook with 1GB RAM, 60GB 5400RPM hard drive, USB DVD-ROM CD-RW drive, and 802.11a/b/g mini-PCI for a grand total of US$1,206, including tax and shipping.

Start with the complete list of [https://www-03.ibm.com/lenovo/shop/personalpages/public/public/products/dsp_product_list.cfm products]. Look for items that end with "CTO" or "Custom." Choose the chassis you want. Then add whatever [http://www-132.ibm.com/content/home/store_IBMPublicUSA/en_US/Upgrades.html upgrades] you need that only Lenovo offers (such as WiFi). Fill in the rest of the components from other, less expensive vendors.

Update: you cant do this nowadays. They will not sell you a CTO barebone. At least you cant do it online. You might have to 'con' a sales agent.

Response to update: I did not need to con anyone. I just ordered the CTO chassis and the parts I needed from their website. I placed the order on August 18, 2005 and received all the shipments by August 26, 2005.

Comment from visitor: [https://www-03.ibm.com/lenovo/shop/personalpages/public/public/products/dsp_feature_product.cfm?display=main&cat_id=24 Try this page]. You can at least get a Z60 with the titanium cover in a more stripped down model than is otherwise available.

Special prices: You can get a laptop from Lenovo for special price if you are a student, alumni, researcher
or something like. You need to go to education -> computers for home -> students (or such), and
now click on "My Account" to create a new account. Perhaps there is another way, but you must end up with a student
account. Then you get around 5% off the web price.

== Special deals for certain customer groups ==
IBM makes huge discounts to students and teachers:
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="text-align:left;"
! country !! shops & target groups
|-
| Austria ||
* [http://www.studentline.at/ Studentline.at] (students, university staff, pupils and teachers)
* [http://www.notebook4u.at/ notebook4u.at] (students, pupils and teachers)
* [http://www.abax.at/academic/ ABAX] (students, pupils and teachers)
* [http://www.bostelmann.com/ Computer Bostelmann] (students, pupils and teachers)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| France ||
*[http://www.ibm.com/easyaccess/education IBM education homepage]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Germany ||
*[http://www.ok1.de ok1] (students, university staff, pupils and teachers)
*[http://www.campusrabatt.de/index.php ADD Datensysteme: CampusRabatt] (students, university staff, pupils and teachers)
*[http://www.pro-com.org pro-com Datensysteme]:
**[http://www.pro-com.org/b2b pro-com b2b] (businesses)
**[http://www.nofost.de/ NOFOST] (students & university staff)
**[http://www.no4ed.de/ NOFOED] (pupils & teachers)
**[http://www.nofoch.de/ NOFOCH] (clinics and medical institutions and their staff)
**[http://www.pro-com.org/lf pro-com luf] (universities, schools & other educational and research institutes)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Switzerland ||
*[http://www.rabais-etudiant.ch/ Rabais-Etudiant] (students, teachers, schools)
*[http://www.studentenrabatt.ch/ Studentenrabatt] (students, teachers, schools)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| United States ||
* [http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/education/ Education] (K-12 and Higher Education)
|}

== Buying on eBay ==
* Many sellers do not know exactly what they have. Get the full 7-digit machine type if at all possible. Compare it to the specifications in the *book.pdf series: twbook.pdf, tabook.pdf, tawbook.pdf, etc, to determine actual screen size, original CPU speed, original hard disk, etc.
* You can try getting the serial number as well to check the warranty status at IBMs support pages.
* Check completed auctions carefully to determine going prices for comparable machines.
* Be aware if any port covers are missing. If they are, see if any current auctions are running to check availability.
* If the unit doesn't come with a hard drive, know whether it has the caddy and cover
* Anything with a PIII or later most likely came with a Windows Certificate of Authenticity. Find out whether the listed machine does. Even if you don't want it, it may help resale value when you '''sell''' the machine.
* Read the feedback of the seller on items he has sold, especially electronics, computers and laptops. If meangranny is suddenly selling T43's after three years of lace, stay away.
* If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. There's a reason no one else is bidding on it.

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ThinkLight

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