IBM ThinkPad 760

Summary

IBM ThinkPad 760 was a notebook computer introduced in 1995 by the IBM corporation into the market as part of the ThinkPad 700-series. It was succeeded in 1998 by the ThinkPad 770 series.

IBM Thinkpad 760-series
IBM ThinkPad 760ED
ManufacturerIBM
Introduced1995
Discontinued1998
ProcessorIntel Pentium I
Frequency90 MHz – 166 MHz
Memory8–64 MB EDO RAM
PortsSerial, Parallel, VGA out, IBM docking port, IBM external floppy drive port, CardBus (Windows 9x only), Video In, Video Out, MPEG-2 decoder (some models)

Features edit

The 760-series of the IBM ThinkPad was available at the time of its production as the most state of the art notebook available to the public by IBM. It featured the most advanced in mobile technology, and came standard with the latest of hardware available to laptops and notebooks of its time. It used the Intel Pentium processor, and utilized EDO RAM soldered onto the motherboard to prevent booting without usable RAM, and the ability to easily exchange critical hardware components, such as the Hard Drive, Battery, Option hardware that can fit in the UltraBay, and the RAM. This model also featured the unique keyboard that could slide upward on the back side on rails to "flip up" towards the user and provide a more ergonomic feel.

The 760C and L models did not provide space for an optical drive and were a thinner form factor similar in size and shape to the outgoing 755-series. This is despite the fact the 755-range accomodated it's own optical drive.

The later 765 models were another form factor again, having a larger footprint more akin to the 770-series.

Models edit

Note – the "D" in the model number signifies the machine had the updated chassis with provision for fitment of a CD-ROM drive, or when using an adapter plate, an internal floppy disk drive. The models without the "D" didn't officially come with the updated chassis.

  • IBM ThinkPad 760C – Was the first model shipped, with the original 90/120 MHz Pentium processor. This shipped with a Floppy Drive, 810 MB hard disk drive, and Windows 3.1 preinstalled. It had 8 MB RAM (which was soldered onto the motherboard), with an option of upgrading. There was also the option of having a modem built in for internet connection, and a choice of 10.4" or 12.1" TFT displays, both with a maximum resolution of 800x600.
  • IBM ThinkPad 760CD – Produced as a small improvement over the original 760C, again with the improved 90/120 MHz Pentium processor and option of RAM expansion. The chassis was updated to allow the standard fitment of in internal CD-ROM drive.
  • IBM ThinkPad 760L – With the original 90/120 MHz Pentium processor. This shipped with a floppy drive, 810 MB hard drive, and Windows 3.1 preinstalled. It had 8 MB RAM (which was soldered onto the motherboard), with an option of upgrading. There was also the option of 10.4" or 12.1" TFT displays, both with a maximum resolution of 800x600. These are effectively a 760C machine, but without the improved sound card/DSP.
 
760LD internals
  • IBM ThinkPad 760LD – Produced as a small improvement over the original 760L, again with the improved 90/120 MHz Pentium processor and option of RAM expansion. The chassis was updated to allow the standard fitment of in internal CD-ROM drive.
  • IBM ThinkPad 760E – This was the much improved model to be released, with the RAM expansion module standard and the better-performing 120/133/150 MHz Pentium. This was shipped with a Floppy Drive and allowed for up to a 2.1 GB hard drive option. This model also included Windows 95 as an option. This model also came with a RAM expansion module which had an additional 8 MB RAM to total 16 MB of usable RAM, and had 2 slots on it to allow up to 80 MB RAM to be installed (2x32 MB RAM modules in addition to the standard 8/16 MB). This option will be in all later 760 models. This model also introduced the option of a CD-ROM drive, these laptops can be distinguished with a modified front. It also had the option of an enhanced 12.1" TFT display with a maximum resolution of 1024x768.
  • IBM ThinkPad 760ED – This featured the CD-ROM edition of Windows 95 preinstalled which included Internet Explorer 2.0. This also featured software options and improved services over that of the 760E, including an enhanced video card with MPEG2 hardware decoding and a DSP card with built-in modem/fax functionality.
  • IBM ThinkPad 760EL – Was made alongside the 760ED, but standard configurations were of lower specification. 100/120/133 MHz processors, and the option of 12.1" 800x600 TFT or 11.3" 800x600 DSTN displays, with 810 MB – 1.2 GB hard drives.
  • IBM ThinkPad 760ELD – Every one of these made featured the modified front to fit the CD-ROM, but still offered a Floppy Drive option which would include a specially built bezel that fits in the front to help the floppy drive fit correctly. These featured all the options and services the 760EL offered.
  • IBM ThinkPad 760XL – Basically an SVGA+ screen version of the 760XD and without the DSP. Released 1997. Maximum RAM of 104MB.
  • IBM ThinkPad 760XD – This model, released in 1997, offered an XGA screen and received the more recently developed 166 MHz Intel Pentium MMX proccesor. A far improved model version of the 760. This model featured 48 MB RAM standard and a CD-ROM standard. Offered a 2.1 GB and 3.0 GB hard drive option and came pre-installed with Windows 95. The 760XD is also used on the International Space Station.[1]
  • IBM ThinkPad 765D/L – This was the last of the 760 series made, featuring a 13.3" XGA screen, Pentium MMX processor rated at 166 MHz, and a maximum of 104 MB of RAM.

Model Comparison edit

Model Introduction

Date

Withdrawal

Date

Base

Price

Display

Options

Resolution

Options

CPU Memory

(std - max)

Video

Controller

Audio

Controller

Hard Drive

Options

Misc

Info

DSTN TFT
760L Feb 1996 Oct 1996 ? 10.4"

Color

640x480 Pentium I - 90 MHz

60 MHz bus

256 KB cache

8 - 64 MB

70 ns

FP

CYBER9320

1 MB DRAM

VL Bus 2.0

ESS1688 810 MB Both:

UltraBay

2x Infrared Ports

NiMH Battery

L:

1.44 MB FDD

LD:

4X CD-ROM

760LD ? 10.4"

Color

Pentium I - 90/120 MHz

60 MHz bus

256 KB cache

760C Oct 1995 ? 10.4"

12.1"

Color

640x480

800x600

Mwave

MDSP2780

720 MB 1.08 GB Both:

UltraBay

28.8 Kbps Modem

2x Infrared Ports

Li-Ion Battery

C:

1.44 MB FDD

CD:

4X CD-ROM

760CD ? 12.1"

Color

1.2 GB
760EL May 1996 ? ? 11.3"

Color

12.1"

Color

Pentium I - 100, 120, or 133 MHz

60 or 66 MHz bus

256 KB cache

8 - 104 MB

70 ns

CYBER9320

1 MB DRAM

PCI 2.1

ESS1688 810 MB 1.08 GB Both:UltraBay

2x Infrared Ports

NiMH Battery

EL:

1.44 MB FDD

ELD:

4X CD-ROM

760EL

(Fall 96)

Oct 1996 Jul 1997 ? 11.3"

Color

12.1"

Color

Pentium I - 120 or 133 MHz

60 or 66 MHz bus

256 KB cache

CYBER9320 (DSTN)

CYBER9385 (TFT)

1 MB DRAM

PCI 2.1

1.35GB 2.1GB
760ELD May 1996 May 1997 ? 12.1"

Color

Pentium I - 100 or 133 MHz

66 MHz bus

256 KB cache

8 - 72 MB

70 ns

EDO

CYBER9320

1 MB DRAM

PCI 2.1

810 MB
760E

(SVGA)

Jan 1997 ? - 12.1"

Color

Pentium I - 120 or 133 MHz

60 or 66 MHz bus

256 KB cache

8 - 104 MB

70 ns

EDO

Mwave

MDSP2780

810MB 1.08 GB 1.2 GB Thick:

UltraBay

1.44 MB FDD

Both:

28.8 Kbps Modem

2x Infrared Ports

Li-Ion Battery

760E

(XGA)

Oct 1996 Oct 1997 ? - 12.1"

Color

640x480

800x600

1024x768

Pentium I - 150 MHz

60 MHz bus

256 KB cache

16 - 80 MB

70 ns

EDO

CYBER9385

2 MB DRAM

PCI 2.1

2.1 GB Both:UltraBay

28.8 Kbps Modem

2x Infrared Ports

Li-Ion Battery

E:

1.44 MB FDD

ED:

4X or 6X CD-ROM

760ED

(SVGA)

May 1996 Jan 1997 ? - 12.1"

Color

640x480

800x600

Pentium I - 133 MHz

66 MHz bus

256 KB cache

1.2GB
760ED

(XGA)

Oct 1996 Oct 1997 ? - 12.1"

Color

640x480

800x600

1024x768

2.1 GB
760XL Apr 1997 Jan 1998 ? 12.1"

Color

640x480

800x600

Pentium I - 166 MHz

66 MHz bus

MMX

256 KB cache

16 - 104 MB

70 ns

EDO

CYBER9385

1 MB DRAM

PCI 2.1

ESS1688 All:UltraBay

2x Infrared Ports

Li-Ion Battery

760XL/765L:

1.44 MB FDD

760XD/765D:

8X CD-ROM

28.8 Kbps Modem

760XD ? 12.1"

Color

640x480

800x600

1024x768

32 - 104 MB

70 ns

EDO

CYBER9385

2 MB DRAM

PCI 2.1

Mwave

MDSP2780

3.0GB
765L Jun 1997 Jul 1998 ? - 13.3"

Color

ESS1688
765D Jul 1997 ? - 13.3"

Color

MwaveMDSP2780

References edit

  • http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/vol4hmm.pdf
  1. ^ "Space Station Computer Systems".

External links edit

  • ThinkPad 760ED: The Business Laptop With a Quirky Keyboard!