**For IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad laptop enthusiasts.**

Blog posts are encouraged.

**Tips:**

* When buying a used ThinkPad, remember to check that the BIOS is not locked with a supervisor's password and that Computrace is not enabled *and* activated.

* When buying a new ThinkPad, consider taking the IPS screen option if possible, as it doesn't cost much.  Not only will it have better brightness, colour, contrast and viewing angles - you will most probably more than make up the investment when selling it.  Corporate bulk purchasers don't usually go for it.
([Comparison video](https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/3dqr2b/x220_ips_vs_tn_new_4k_video/)\)

* The only tools you need for servicing a ThinkPad are a set of small screwdrivers and a nylon spudger (for taking the screen and keyboard bezels off), and possibly a pair of tweezers.  A can of compressed air may be useful too, and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and cotton buds are good for cleaning, but not on the screen.  Never use nail polish remover (acetone).

* When reinstalling Windows, try the [Lenovo disc images](https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht035659), as longer battery times have been reported, probably due to custom drivers.

**Useful links:**

**[The /r/thinkpad FAQ wiki](http://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/wiki/index)**

[ThinkPad buyer's guide for n00bs](https://www.bobble.tech/free-stuff/used-thinkpad-buyers-guide)

[ThinkPad Design - Spirit & Essence](http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/69081166#/69081166/1)

[ThinkWiki (Linux)](http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkWiki)

[ThinkPads.com Support Community](http://forum.thinkpads.com/)

[Lenovo Community Forum](https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-Notebooks/ct-p/thinkpad_en)

[Specification guides for current models](http://psref.lenovo.com/)

[Specification guides for discontinued models](https://psref.lenovo.com/WithdrawnProducts)

[Lenovo Outlet  (US)](http://outlet.lenovo.com/)

[Lenovo Parts Removal and Replacement Videos](https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/solutions/ht505031) (select ThinkPad tab)

[Lenovo Windows Digital Download Recovery Images](https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht103653)

[YouTube Lenovo Service Channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiNzWKyztaaAe6m0yx9ONLw)

[Mirror of Hardware Maintenance Manuals for discontinued models](http://thinkpads.com/support/hmm/thinkpad-hmm.html)

[Lenovo Parts Lookup](https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/partslookup)

[Lenovo System Service Parts](https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/documents/tpad-fru-kr)

[Lenovo Accessory Compatibility Matrix](http://www.lenovo.com/accessoriesguide)

[Lenovo Battery Recall](https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/documents/hf004122)

[Lenovo Photo Library](https://www.flickr.com/photos/lenovophotolibrary/albums) (including lots of wallpapers)

[IRC Channel](https://web.libera.chat/##ibmthinkpad) (##ibmthinkpad on Libera)

**Related Subreddits:**

/r/lenovo

/r/laptop

/r/SuggestALaptop

/r/LinuxOnThinkPad

/r/thinkpadsforsale

/r/thinkpadsetups

/r/ThinkCat

/r/thinkpadcirclejerk

[](/sidebar)

<div class="md">For IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad laptop enthusiasts.

Blog posts are encouraged.

Tips:

<ul>
<li>When buying a used ThinkPad, remember to check that the BIOS is not locked with a supervisor&#39;s password and that Computrace is not enabled and activated.</li>
<li>When buying a new ThinkPad, consider taking the IPS screen option if possible, as it doesn&#39;t cost much. Not only will it have better brightness, colour, contrast and viewing angles - you will most probably more than make up the investment when selling it. Corporate bulk purchasers don&#39;t usually go for it.
(<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/3dqr2b/x220_ips_vs_tn_new_4k_video/">Comparison video</a>)</li>
<li>The only tools you need for servicing a ThinkPad are a set of small screwdrivers and a nylon spudger (for taking the screen and keyboard bezels off), and possibly a pair of tweezers. A can of compressed air may be useful too, and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and cotton buds are good for cleaning, but not on the screen. Never use nail polish remover (acetone).</li>
<li>When reinstalling Windows, try the <a href="https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht035659">Lenovo disc images</a>, as longer battery times have been reported, probably due to custom drivers.</li>
</ul>

Useful links:

<a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/wiki/index">The /r/thinkpad FAQ wiki</a>

<a href="https://www.bobble.tech/free-stuff/used-thinkpad-buyers-guide">ThinkPad buyer&#39;s guide for n00bs</a>

<a href="http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/69081166#/69081166/1">ThinkPad Design - Spirit &amp; Essence</a>

<a href="http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkWiki">ThinkWiki (Linux)</a>

<a href="http://forum.thinkpads.com/">ThinkPads.com Support Community</a>

<a href="https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-Notebooks/ct-p/thinkpad_en">Lenovo Community Forum</a>

<a href="http://psref.lenovo.com/">Specification guides for current models</a>

<a href="https://psref.lenovo.com/WithdrawnProducts">Specification guides for discontinued models</a>

<a href="http://outlet.lenovo.com/">Lenovo Outlet (US)</a>

<a href="https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/solutions/ht505031">Lenovo Parts Removal and Replacement Videos</a> (select ThinkPad tab)

<a href="https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht103653">Lenovo Windows Digital Download Recovery Images</a>

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiNzWKyztaaAe6m0yx9ONLw">YouTube Lenovo Service Channel</a>

<a href="http://thinkpads.com/support/hmm/thinkpad-hmm.html">Mirror of Hardware Maintenance Manuals for discontinued models</a>

<a href="https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/partslookup">Lenovo Parts Lookup</a>

<a href="https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/documents/tpad-fru-kr">Lenovo System Service Parts</a>

<a href="http://www.lenovo.com/accessoriesguide">Lenovo Accessory Compatibility Matrix</a>

<a href="https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/documents/hf004122">Lenovo Battery Recall</a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lenovophotolibrary/albums">Lenovo Photo Library</a> (including lots of wallpapers)

<a href="https://web.libera.chat/##ibmthinkpad">IRC Channel</a> (##ibmthinkpad on Libera)

Related Subreddits:

<a href="/r/lenovo">/r/lenovo</a>

<a href="/r/laptop">/r/laptop</a>

<a href="/r/SuggestALaptop">/r/SuggestALaptop</a>

<a href="/r/LinuxOnThinkPad">/r/LinuxOnThinkPad</a>

<a href="/r/thinkpadsforsale">/r/thinkpadsforsale</a>

<a href="/r/thinkpadsetups">/r/thinkpadsetups</a>

<a href="/r/ThinkCat">/r/ThinkCat</a>

<a href="/r/thinkpadcirclejerk">/r/thinkpadcirclejerk</a>

<a href="/sidebar"></a>
</div>

trackpads suck

t5_2qvhj

IBM and Lenovo ThinkPad laptop enthusiasts!

<div class="md">IBM and Lenovo ThinkPad laptop enthusiasts!
</div>

Please remember to flair (tag) your post!

<div class="md">Please remember to flair (tag) your post!
</div>

Is this a good investment for my first thinkpad?