IBM ThinkPad 750 Series
The ThinkPad 750 Series were a group of five 486-based laptops, comprised of the 750, 750CS, 750C, 750P, and the 750CE. All had 33MHz 486SL processors except for the 750CE, which had a 50MHz 486DX2.
The 750P is notable for including a convertible pen-touch display.
For whatever reason, I couldn't find much info on the 750CE besides the fact that it exists, and the specs thinkwiki.org had up. It's missing from IBM's PSREF. I think it was introduced later on, probably sometime in 1994. Thinkwiki claims this one had a removable LCD cover to allow it to serve as an overhead projector, like the 755CDV and a few others could, but another source disputes this.
Some models in this series were sold with a gray case in Germany due to regulation that existed at the time.
Specifications
| Spec | ThinkPad 750 | ThinkPad 750CS | ThinkPad 750C | ThinkPad 750P | ThinkPad 750CE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | September 1993 | November 1993 | September 1993 | 1994 | |
| CPU | CPU Type: Soldered QFP Intel 486SL @33MHz | CPU Type: Unknown Intel 486DX2 @50MHz | |||
| Chipset | Unknown | ||||
| RAM | Type: IC DRAM Standard: 4 or 8MB Maximum: 20MB | Type: IC DRAM Standard: 8MB Maximum: Unknown | |||
| Storage | 2.5" IDE Requires Adapter: Yes Standard: 170 or 340MB | 2.5" IDE Requires Adapter: Yes Standard: 340, 540, or 810MB | |||
| Display Options | 9.5" Passive Matrix Grayscale @640x480 | 9.5" Passive Matrix Color @640x480 | 10.4" Active Matrix Color @640x480 | 9.5" Passive Matrix Grayscale w/ Pen Touch Support @640x480 | 10.4" Active Matrix Color @640x480 |
| Graphics Chipset | Western Digital WD90C24 VRAM: 1MB | ||||
| Audio | Crystal CS4248 | IBM Mwave | |||
| Main Battery | NiMH (Smart) | ||||
| CMOS Battery | Unknown | ||||
| Power Supply | Proprietary 4-pin | ||||
| Media Drives | Ultrabay - 2.88MB Floppy Drive | Ultrabay - 1.44MB Floppy Drive | |||
| PC Cards | 2x PCMCIA Slots | ||||
| Networking | None | ||||
| Other I/O | - 1x Parallel - 1x Serial - 1x VGA Out - 1x PS/2 - 1x Dock Connector - 1x Mic In - 1x Line Out | - 1x Parallel - 1x Serial - 1x VGA Out - 1x PS/2 - 1x Dock Connector - 1x Mic In - 1x Line Out - Infrared | |||
| BIOS | IBM with Easy Setup | ||||
| Pointing Device | TrackPoint | ||||
Resources
 Service Manual |
Withdrawn Models PSREF |
|---|
Common Faults & Maintenance
Rubber Coating
The case of the 750 Series ThinkPads is coated in a rubber finish. This finish goes bad with age on probably 95%+ of these laptops at this point, and turns sticky. The coating can be removed with some work to solve this problem.
Bad Capacitors
The 750 Series ThinkPads suffer from electrolytic capacitor failure and leaks in the display (on at least the 750C) and I think also within the motherboard. If you get one of these, I'd highly recommend a full disassembly and recap.
Other Notes
The plastic on these can get quite brittle with age. I don't think hinge failure is common, but be careful.
The LCD on any of the models in this series can develop Vinegar Syndrome.
I've also seen one 750C screen develop Tunnel Vision, a failure usually only experienced on Active Matrix Monochrome and Grayscale LCDs manufactured by Hosiden. The 750C LCD was manufactured by Hosiden, but I've never seen reports of tunnel vision on any other color LCD.
Gallery
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Page last updated (MM/DD/YYYY): 02/20/2025
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