IBM ThinkPad 700/700C
The ThinkPad 700/700C are 486-based laptops that were released in October 1992.
The ThinkPad 700 and 700C were really the first "true" ThinkPads. The 700T came first, but it was not actually a laptop.
These ThinkPads, along with the 720, are weird beasts. They are based on IBM's Microchannel architecture, not ISA, and they use proprietary ESDI hard drives. This means that getting one working can be really difficult if the drive has gone bad. I currently don't know of a single modern replacement for them, so your only option is to get another ThinkPad and hope it has a working drive in it.
The systems shipped with 25MHz 486SLC processors, with a 50MHz 486SLC2 upgrade being made available later on. They were also available in a beige color, I believe only in Europe/Germany?
These models were badged under the PS/2 brand name. Labels on the inside read "700 PS/2" and "700C PS/2".
Specifications
| Spec | ThinkPad 700 PS/2 | ThinkPad 700C PS/2 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | October 1992 | |
| CPU | CPU Type: Unknown IBM 486SLC @25MHz | |
| Chipset | Unknown | |
| RAM | Type: IC DRAM Standard: 4MB Soldered Maximum: 16MB | |
| Storage | 2.5" ESDI Requires Adapter: Yes Standard: 82, 120, or 122MB | |
| Display Options | 9.5" Passive Matrix Grayscale @640x480 | 10.4" Active Matrix Color @640x480 |
| Graphics Chipset | Western Digital WD90C26 VRAM: 512KB | Unknown VRAM: Unknown |
| Audio | PC Speaker | |
| Main Battery | NiMH | |
| CMOS Battery | - Lithium CMOS Battery - NiCad Reserve Battery | |
| Power Supply | Proprietary 4-pin | |
| Media Drives | 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive | |
| PC Cards | None | |
| Networking | Modem | |
| Other I/O | - 1x Parallel - 1x Serial - 1x VGA Out - 1x PS/2 - 1x Dock Connector | |
| BIOS | IBM BIOS | |
| Pointing Device | TrackPoint II | |
Resources
 Service Manual |
 Product Specification Reference |
|---|
Common Faults & Maintenance
Hinge Failure
The plastics of the ThinkPad 700 have gotten very brittle with age. This, combined with a poor hinge mounting design combined with the hinges growing stiff over time causes the plastic case to break near them, usually at the base. Epoxy and hinge lubrication will be necessary to prevent this failure on an intact ThinkPad.
Capacitor Failure
There are a handful of SMD electrolytic caps in the lower half of the ThinkPad 700 that leak with age and must be replaced. The display on the 700C also needs recapping for the same reason.
Rubber Coating Rot
These ThinkPads do have the rubberized coating found on most later models, and it is pretty much always degraded and sticky at this point, 30+ years on from when they were made. Isopropyl alcohol and a plastic scraping tool work well to remove it.
ESDI Hard Drive Failure
As mentioned higher up on this page, these ThinkPads use proprietary ESDI hard disks. If they fail, you're pretty much out of luck for a replacement.
Battery Leaks
The main battery and internal NiCad reserve battery in these ThinkPads are both prone to leaking. Remove the reserve battery and closely monitor the main battery to prevent future damage to your ThinkPad.
Page last updated (MM/DD/YYYY): 03/05/2025
Update Reason: added resources and issues sections
Back-Navigation
Home < Laptop Portal < IBM < ThinkPad 700/700C