IBM ThinkPad 600E

[skenny]

Hello,
I have an old IBM ThinkPad 600E laptop and I was thinking about just upgrading it. It is a Pentium II MMX 366MHz with 64 MB RAM. I was basically just planning to put a little bigger hard drive - about 20 gig, add more RAM, replace the CD-ROM drive with a CD-RW/DVD combo drive, and then install XP.

My question: Is it possible to upgrade the processor from 366 MHz without changing the motherboard, and if so what how many MHz can I go and what all would be involved? Would the Bios or Chipset be effect, or anything else I dont know about?

Thanks for any help you can give, I'm a little new to computer's and want to make sure I educate myself as much as possible before I jump on this little project.

Agian, thanks!
Kenny
skennyshop@hotmail.com

[Dtree11]

Yes, it is possible to upgrade your processor, as long as it is compatible to your motherboard.
Well...., I tried looking into the type of socket your motherboard is compatible for, and I was unsuccessful because I need the model type. (e.g. 3AO, 3AA, and so on..)
And to be honest, there is not much you can do to upgrade a notebook, because of integrated chipsets. (e.g. Video cards, Sound Cards, Ethernet) Unless you are emotionally attached to that particular notebook, I would look into investing on a new one.

To illustrate my point:

50 bucks for a new motherboard
100 bucks on a new CPU
50 bucks for a new Harddrive
50 bucks on a new CD/DVD RW drive
150 buck-a-roos for the installation
0 bucks to cross your fingers in hope that it all works together

or

500 bucks on a brand new Acer that would blow your old computer away.
Here is one notebook
Here is a second notebook

[skenny]

Thanks, I have actually been looking around for a new laptop but wanted to just use the ThinkPad as a learning project. There are a few second hand type store's around here that sell alot of computer part's for fairly cheap-mostly desktop stuff. The only problem with them are the fact that most of them are fossilized. They actually have a big, maybe 2-3 gallon size bucket full of loose RAM sticks and they are only a $1 each. One time I bought what looked to be the newest in the pile and found out that it was only 16 MB I guess it was worth the $1 anyway.

As for the model of the ThinkPad I have, it is: TYPE 2645 - 4AU

I you may be able to suggest any site's that would offer some good info on these dinosaurs other than IBM or Leveeno that would be great.

Agian, thank's for you reply,

Kenny
Marysville, Ca.
skennyshop@hotmail.com

[glc]

I would forget about changing the processor, it would require a bios hack and finding processors that fit in that socket are not easy. You can upgrade the ram and the hard drive.

70 bucks will get you to the max 288mb ram.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...5%29&submit=Go

You can use any standard laptop hard drive in there, but if it's larger than 32gb you MAY have bios recognition issues.

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by Dtree11 50 bucks for a new motherboard

That little? Sign me up! Most laptop motherboards are at least 10 times that price. And they're rarely very upgradable anyway -- you usually have to swap in a same-model motherboard. Anything else won't fit.