Julian Oliver

Finally putting my x230 to rest, the last `sudo poweroff`. Hardware is failing beyond the point that makes continuing to repair it worthwhile.

On this laptop I deployed nearly 60 servers (most for at risk groups), 12 tech art projects (solo & collab, some toured worldwide), & gave many lectures & workshops.

If there was ever a loyal and electric steed, it was this x230. It ran #Debian & was good.

I bought it in 2015, for EUR145 on the German eBay, 2nd hand.

#permacomputing #righttorepair

Nov 8, 2023 at 6:02amWeb
Show threadJulian OliverNov 8, 2023
What will I harvest? I'll take the screen, the power socket, the 8GB of DDR3, the 'nipple' and the SSD which probably has another year of low volume I/O still left in it. The mainboard is failing but I'll keep it, maybe up on the wall. Better hoarded for a fix or sentimental reasons than e-waste on a poisoned shore, thousands of kilometers away.
Show threadchris actualNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver RIP soldier 🫡
Show threadAnarchozionist/DatenproletNov 8, 2023
@lackattack @JulianOliver
*comrade
Show threadnevNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver ave atque vale #ThinkPadClub
Show threadJoshua ByrdNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver RIP
Show threadJoshua ByrdNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver I'm just waiting for my t480s to arrive ......
Show threadJulian OliverNov 8, 2023
@phocks That's what I switched to! Love it. 1st week in. 2nd hand 'business refurb'. Immaculate.
Show threadKanceptNov 8, 2023
@phocks @JulianOliver and keep my link handy if have power/thunderbolt issues. https://gitlab.com/MobileAZN/lenovo-t480-thunderbolt-firmware-fixes
Adam McNutt / Lenovo T480 Thunderbolt firmware fixes · GitLab

GitLab.com

GitLab
Show threadJoshua ByrdNov 8, 2023
@kancept @JulianOliver thanks
Show threadnearNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver may the earth rest lightly on it
Show threadtinfoilhatNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver RIP
Show threadcuan_knaggsNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver and i'm looking at this from my x201
Show threadJulian OliverNov 8, 2023
@mensrea Ahh, fine steed!
Show threadcuan_knaggsNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver it is, but i do need to get some new ram. one module died and running on 4gig is limiting
Show threadrubenNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver i have always found keyboard markings fascinating because of their intensive and passionate use. it tells us a lot about their history
Show threadsquelch41Nov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver I have an x240 also second hand from ebay - love the build quality, size, upgradability. Really like the lenovo x series!
Show threadJason Robinson 🐍 🍻 🚴Nov 8, 2023
@[email protected] Rest in peace, trusty workhorse 💚
Show threadDigitalStefanNov 8, 2023

@JulianOliver This is my reminder to repair my T440p, which currently has a poorly charging connector.

Still love the old Lenovo, but I got tempted away by the first gen Framework, which is currently in front of me with 3 external displays attached.

I love repairable tech.

Show threadAntonNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver F
Show threadArkadiusz WieczorekNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver cool, I still use my X200 😎
Show threadajNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver I ran this model for many years too, and then my dad used it for almost 10 years after that. Indestructible!
Show threadjasegNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver That machine was a beast. I had my x230 from 2013 to 2022, and upgraded the display to 1080p halfway through. Since I retired it, it's running part of https://jaseg.de/ from my broom closet.
Home

Show threadĸurthNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver i will neverneverever put my X220 to rest. The Last with a *real™* keyboard ^^ #thinkpad
Show threadstdevelNov 8, 2023
@kurth @JulianOliver Pretty decent machine! The X61 keyboard is also pretty dope. :)
Show threadĸurthNov 8, 2023
@stdevel
Yeah :) I have two of them, too. But they are unfortunately almost unusable now, performance- und display-wise, except for terminal work :(
@JulianOliver
Show threadstdevelNov 8, 2023
@kurth @JulianOliver Unfortunately you’re right - mine is in pretty good condition but the screen it’s really dim. Also 1024x768 is way too less and the ULV CPU is also a problem.
There was the X62 fan mod, but impossible to get these days: https://www.notebookcheck.net/X62-Laptop-Review.211598.0.html
X62 Laptop Review

In-depth review of 51nb's ThinkPad X62 (Intel Core i5 ES, Intel HD Graphics 5500, 12.1", 4:3, 1400x1050, 1.2 kg) with numerous measurements, benchmarks, and evaluations

Notebookcheck
Show threadTushar ChauhanNov 8, 2023
@kurth @JulianOliver Yes, the last of the oldschool thinkpads with a proper keyboard! I have a couple of those stashed away. Moved to T480 - the move to usb c charging really borks it.
Show threadGiles EdwardsNov 8, 2023

@JulianOliver Ahh, the navigation nub. My older sister swears that was the apex of laptop cursor interface.

RIP, little machine.

Show threadNick AubertNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver That was a well spent €145! My old x230 functions a home server. It has a built-in KVM and backup battery.
Show threadel sacarinoNov 8, 2023

@JulianOliver T400 checking in!

My kids have been bugging me to let them play Minecraft, so I unretired my workhorse and threw Ubuntu 22.04 on it. Runs like a champ. 💪

Show threadJason123santaNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver I always want a thinkpad but don't own one. Never did use one.
I have some acer laptops and the pinebook pro but not a thinkpad.
Show threadWurzelmannNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver RIP 😔
Show threadDave FischerNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver I've been through a lot of thinkpads, very nice laptops. The only reason I'm not sitting in front of one now is that someone gave me a toughbook.
Show threadDanielNov 8, 2023

@JulianOliver

The wear pattern on your keyboard is fascinating. What caused the wear on your alt key?

I started coding on DEC VT100 terminals and eventually transitioned into screen and emacs in a windowed terminal emulator. Before switching to GUI based IDEs, my keyboards had a literal fingernail indent on the left control key and there werw no legible letters on the Z, C, V, X, or S keys.

Show threadJulian OliverNov 8, 2023
@liminoid_space I'm a heavy DWM (dwm.suckless.org) user, and in this window manager that's modkey :-)
Show threadDavid CarewNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver I’m going to be very sad when mine finally gives up the ghost. Those x230s are great machines
Show threadNotSlowEnoughNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver hell of a machine. I remember the moment I upgraded it with an SSD and it was like a fresh new laptop for many more years. Mine is still in use for the easy jobs.
Show threadBaschtNov 8, 2023
@JulianOliver this machine was the pinnacle of portable computing. The last ThinkPad with the satisfying click-on-lid-close I had 🤩
Show threadJulian OliverNov 8, 2023
@bascht 100%
Show threadMike MeadNov 9, 2023
@JulianOliver
Show threadWojtek SychutNov 9, 2023
@JulianOliver Still better than Lenovo's ThinkPads. As a T14s (AMD Gen1) owner - I'd be upgrading IBM models for as long as possible.
...which reminds me: gotta check #FreeBSD hardware support for FrameWork, Dell and few other vendors' AMD-based laptops.