initial hardware mods

src/x301/hardware.md

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+Title: Thinkapd x301 Restoration: Hardware Mods
+Author: Alessandro Mauri
+
+# Thinkapd x301 Restoration Project: Hardware Modifications
+
+As I have to tear at least one Thinkpd down I thought that doing some hardware
+modifications would be a good idea. Some things I would like to do are:
+
+1. A display mod, the stock x301 display is decent but for 2008 stadards.
+   As far as I know there are no good options for a display mod, as the x300
+   and x301 screens were made specifically for these laptops, but maybe a
+   good AFFS screen can be found and substituted.
+2. USB-C charging, cheap USB-C PD power delivery [boards][usbc] can be used
+   instead of the default charging connector, they signal compatible power
+   supplies to deliver 20V thus charging the laptop. This is very cool because
+   it allows old Thinkpads to be charged via modern chargers, which are among
+   other things, much more efficien and light.
+3. Cleaning the fan bearing. The old bearing is, well, old and it makes an
+   awful sound. This is not only very unpleasant but also lowers cooling and
+   power efficiency
+4. Full repaste, very basic, much needed.
+5. Changing the default wifi card to a "freedom respecting" [Atheros AR9382][wf]
+   card, from 2010 it has a maximum speed of 300Mb in download and god-knows in
+   upload. Certified under false brands as [RYF][ryf] hardware by the fsf is
+   is very well supported by open-source drivers.
+6. Use a microSata to MSata converter in order to use faster and more modern
+   SSDs, this will increase the responsitivity of the machine by a lot.
+
+## Display Panel Replacement
+
+Easily the hardest mod of all, since no direct swaps are possible the only way
+to proceed is heavily modifying either the case and/or the eDP cable (which
+let me tell you is not fun). But after all that trouble you can end up with a
+really nice AFFS display as shown here:
+
+![A really nice AFFS display mod](img/affs.jpg)
+
+This image was taken [from this forum post][affsforum]
+   
+[usbc]: https://www.electronics-lab.com/usb-c-pd-module-provides-9v-12v-15v-20v-sells-1e/
+[wf]: https://static6.arrow.com/aropdfconversion/3819c6435740abdd592c1d40adffdfba809ffe79/ar9382.pdf
+[ryf]: https://ryf.fsf.org/
+[affsforum]: http://thinkpads.kr/xe/?mid=gallery&document_srl=80883