3D Printable Case
Aging and brittle plastics mean there are less and less cases and case parts to go around. That’s why I undertook a project to model every piece of the case so it can be 3D printed.
Project Butterfly / 701c.org
Latest posts
The New Battery
Batteries are one of those things that degrade over time and can be incredibly destructive - especially in the 701 series. Let’s build a new one from scratch - with a video walkthrough!
Teardown Guide
Many of the guides here require you to disassemble the 701. I’ve written a comprehensive guide and posted it on iFixit.com. As you may have guessed, I fully support the right to repair! Also included in this section is the original 1995 IBM Service Training video.
Critical Fixes
Whether you have just acquired a new 701C or are diving head first into an extensive restoration, there are common issues and, more importantly, critical things you’ll want to take care of as soon as possible. This is a list I have built from my own experiences and research. It is by no means complete and will continue to evolve.
Cables & Connectors
Missing or have a damaged HDD caddy? Here is the pinout for the non-standard 44pin IDE to 68pin PCMCIA adapter…
New Case Parts
Clips, slides, port covers, and battery doors; these things can get easily damaged when the plastic begins to deteriorate or go missing entirely if they’re not fully attached. Here is a list of high-quality models I’ve made to replace the common components on the 701c body.
Painting & Decals
The 701C, like other ThinkPad lines, suffers from deteriorating rubber paint. This guide will walk you through all the steps and techniques to restore the case and icons to a near-factory condition.
Screw Restoration
You may be thinking - Is this necessary? The lack of modern replacements for vintage laptops doesn’t stop at chips, screens, and hard drives. If you’re going all in, restore the looks of rusted screws while protecting them from future corrosion.