ThinkPad 380
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Predecessor | IBM ThinkPad 365 |
| Founded | May 13, 1997 |
| Products | Laptops |
The IBM ThinkPad 380 series, introduced on May 13, 1997, represented a mid-tier laptop lineup from IBM, distinguished by the inclusion of both a CD-ROM drive and a Floppy disk drive within the same chassis. This series followed the IBM ThinkPad 365 and garnered notable commercial success in its market category.
Features
Originally delivered with Windows 95, the ThinkPad 380 was compatible with multiple operating systems such as Windows NT, OS/2 Warp, Windows 98, and several Linux variants, making it a flexible option for professional environments. The initial offerings comprised the standard ThinkPad 380 and the ThinkPad 380D, which featured an integrated CD-ROM drive. Equipped with a 150 MHz Intel Pentium processor—optionally enhanced with MMX technology—the machine started with 16 MB of RAM and a 1.08 GB hard disk. While Windows 3.11 ran efficiently on the base setup, increasing memory to 32 MB significantly improved performance under Windows 95.
Models and features
- IBM ThinkPad 380E — Expanded on previous models by including 16 MB of soldered memory plus one slot for memory cards up to 64 MB, allowing a total of up to 80 MB RAM. Offered an internal 56k modem as an option and came with either a 150 MHz or an upgraded 166 MHz Intel MMX processor.
- IBM ThinkPad 380ED — Built upon the 380E by standardizing the 166 MHz CPU, introducing an optional longer-lasting 2.5-hour battery alongside the standard two-hour battery, and providing larger hard drive capacities ranging from 2.1 GB to 5.1 GB (with later availability as options on earlier models). This iteration experienced a slight weight increase.
- IBM ThinkPad 380XD — Featured a more powerful 233 MHz Pentium II MMX processor and included 32 MB of onboard memory, supporting maximum RAM expansion up to 96 MB officially (and unofficially up to 160 MB). Added a USB port, allowed user-replaceable hard drives between 3.2 GB and 6.4 GB, and offered an optional upgrade to a 266 MHz processor.
- IBM ThinkPad 380Z — The final model in the series, equipped with an optional mobile Pentium II processor running at 300 MHz, incorporated S.M.A.R.T. hard drive technology, sported a larger TFT LCD display with a resolution of 1024x768, supported ACPI features, included improved speakers with an internal sub-woofer, and featured a unique port replicator designed exclusively for this version.
Except for the original base model, all variants supported Windows operating systems up to Windows XP, requiring a minimum of 64 MB RAM alongside at least a 2.0 GB hard disk for optimal functionality.
Reception
In 2021, Clint Basinger from Lazy Game Reviews released an unboxing video and evaluation of the ThinkPad 380ED.