ThinkPad T20 series

IBM ThinkPad T20 series

Company type	Product line
Industry	Computer hardware
Predecessor	IBM ThinkPad 770 series
Founded	May 2000
Defunct	July 2003
Fate	Replaced by ThinkPad T30 series
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Laptops (ThinkPad T20, T21, T22, T23)

The IBM ThinkPad T20 lineup debuted in May 2000, succeeding the 770 series and marking the first T-series generation under Lenovo management. This range comprised four variants: T20, T21, T22, and T23. Although the ThinkPad T30 replaced it in May 2002, production of the T20 series continued until July 2003.

Features

Expanding on the foundation laid by the 600 series, the T20 models introduced features such as S-Video output, Ethernet connectivity, and the UltraBay 2000 hot-swappable drive bay. The graphics hardware was enhanced from a 4 MB NeoMagic 256ZX to an 8 MB S3 Savage chipset (increased to 16 MB on the T23), enabling hardware-accelerated 3D rendering. The T23 model further offered optional Wi-Fi through mini-PCI cards equipped with integrated antennas on selected configurations.

Operating systems provided at launch included Windows 98, Windows 2000, and various Linux distributions; later T23 units also supported Windows XP. Across all models, compatibility extended to multiple OS versions, including older Windows releases and Linux platforms. With a minimum of 512 MB RAM, the T23 was capable of running Windows Vista or Windows 7.

Among notable hardware challenges were issues like the “Blink of Death,” which caused abrupt shutdowns and failure to power up. Certain T23 units experienced malfunctioning rear memory slots that restricted maximum RAM to 512 MB instead of the intended 1 GB. Additionally, cold solder joints near the CPU led to coil detachment, resulting in boot failures or system freezes.

Models

• ThinkPad T20 — The original model featured Intel Pentium III processors clocked at 650, 700, or 750 MHz with SpeedStep support. Display choices included either a 13.3" or 14.1" XGA TFT panel. Accessories comprised external floppy drives and interchangeable CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drives, with hard drive options spanning from 6 GB up to 20 GB. Standard connectivity involved optional Ethernet via mini-PCI installation, one USB 1.1 port, a PC Card slot, and S-Video output. Memory started at 128 MB and could be expanded to 512 MB using PC100 SO-DIMMs.
• ThinkPad T21 — Upgraded with Pentium III processors running at 750, 800, or 850 MHz alongside SpeedStep technology; display offerings expanded to include a high-end exclusive 14.1" SXGA+ TFT panel. Storage ranged from 10 GB to 32 GB hard drives paired with swappable CD/DVD drives. Connectivity options included mini-PCI modem cards or combined Ethernet/modem cards plus one USB port. RAM was standard at 128 MB with expansion up to 512 MB.
• ThinkPad T22 — Equipped with Pentium III CPUs from 800 MHz up to 1 GHz featuring SpeedStep; display options encompassed both XGA and SXGA+ TFT screens. Storage capacities mirrored those of the T21 with maximum hard drives reaching 32 GB. Included were mini-PCI modem or Ethernet/modem combo cards and a single USB port. RAM configurations began at either 128 MB or 256 MB expandable to a maximum of 512 MB.
• ThinkPad T23 — The final iteration incorporated Pentium III-M (Tualatin) processors operating between 866 MHz and 1.20 GHz with SpeedStep functionality; display choices included XGA and SXGA+ TFT panels. Connectivity was enhanced by two USB ports plus optional mini-PCI modem or wireless cards on select models. Storage options ranged from 15 GB to as much as 60 GB hard drives, accompanied by CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, or combination drives. Memory started at either 128 MB or 256 MB and could be upgraded up to 1 GB via PC133 SO-DIMMs.

Comparison

For complete model specifications: https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/withdrawnbook/tawbook.pdf

Model	Intro- duction Date	With- drawal Date	Base Price	Screen Options TFT	CPU Options	Memory (std - max)	Video Controller	Audio Controller	Hard Drive Options				Misc Info	Operating System
T20	May 2000	?	?	13.3" XGA (1024×768) 14.1" XGA (1024×768)	Intel Pentium III at 650, 700, or 750 MHz with SpeedStep Technology, 100 MHz Bus, 256 KB Cache	128 - 512 MB @ 100 MHz SDRAM	Via S3 Savage IX8 8 MB SGRAM AGP 2x	Cirrus CS4264 CS4297A	6 GB	12 GB	18 GB	20 GB	Ultrabay 2000 ThinkLight UltraPort 56K Modem Li-Ion Battery (approx. 4 hr)
T21	Oct 2000	?	?	13.3" XGA (1024×768) 14.1" XGA (1024×768) 14.1" SXGA+ (1400×1050)	Intel Pentium III at 750, 800, or 850 MHz with SpeedStep Technology, 100 MHz Bus, 256 KB Cache		Via S3 Savage IX8 or IX8+ 8 MB SGRAM AGP 2x		10 GB	20 GB		32 GB
T22	Mar 2001	?	?		Intel Pentium III at either 800 or 900 MHz, or up to 1 GHz with SpeedStep Technology, 100 MHz Bus, 256 KB Cache		Via S3 Savage IX8+ 8 MB SGRAM AGP 2x		15 GB	30 GB
T22 (Small Business)		?	?	14.1" XGA (1024×768) 14.1" SXGA+ (1400×1050)	Intel Pentium III at either 900 MHz or 1 GHz with SpeedStep Technology, 100 MHz Bus, 256 KB Cache					30 GB	32 GB	48 GB			-	T23	Jul 2001	?	?	13.3" XGA (1024×768) 14.1" XGA (1024×768) 14.1" SXGA+ (1400×1050)	Intel Pentium III at either 866 MHz or 1.13 GHz with SpeedStep Technology, 133 MHz Bus, 512 KB Cache	128 MB - 1 GB @ 133 MHz SDRAM	Via S3 Super Savage IXC16 16 MB SGRAM AGP 4x	Cirrus CS4299	15 GB	30 GB		48 GB	Ultrabay 2000 ThinkLight UltraPort 56K Modem 802.11b Wireless LAN Li-Ion Battery
T23 (Fall Edition)	Oct 2001	?	?	14.1" XGA (1024×768) 14.1" SXGA+ (1400×1050)	Intel Pentium III at speeds of 1.0, 1.13, or 1.2 GHz with SpeedStep Technology, 133 MHz Bus, 512 KB Cache	30 GB	40 GB		ThinkPad UltraBay Plus ThinkLight IBM ThinkPad UltraPort 56K Modem Wireless LAN Li-Ion Battery

See also

• ThinkPad T Series