3lectr1c's Laptop Collection - IBM ThinkPad 701C

IBM ThinkPad 701C

This 701C was being offered for sale in one of the discord communities I'm a part of, and I snatched it right up for $120. It was in good condition and the battery hadn't leaked, but the catch is that it was being sold as "tested dead". When I got it, it was indeed displaying a "no power" symptom. That was, until later that night when I tried it again and for whatever reason, it just sprung right into life and booted. It needs a bit of work, mainly with the sticky rubber coating removal, and the hinges are very stiff, but it freakin' works!

This is one I never thought I would own, mainly because prices for these have gotten way too high. Yes, the TrackWrite keyboard is awesome, but not awesome enough for me to pay multiple times what a comparable laptop without the keyboard would cost. So I'm thrilled that I was able to get one for a reasonable price!

Release Year	1995
CPU	Intel 486DX4 @75MHz
RAM	24MB
Primary Storage	360MB IBM
Display	10.4" Active Matrix LCD @640x480
Graphics	Chips & Technologies 65545
Sound Chip	ESS AudioDrive 688
OS	Windows 3.1
Battery	OEM NiCad, holds 1 minute of charge
CMOS Battery	Dead
Power Supply	Barrel Jack
Issues	Stiff hinges, dead CMOS battery, rubber coating pending removal.
Where I got it	Community member
When I got it	September 2025
Price Paid	$120