diff --git a/src/x301/hardware.md b/src/x301/hardware.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bcee90d --- /dev/null +++ b/src/x301/hardware.md @@ -0,0 +1,43 @@ +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 diff --git a/src/x301/img/affs.jpg b/src/x301/img/affs.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2a943ee Binary files /dev/null and b/src/x301/img/affs.jpg differ