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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →A dead IBM ThinkPad 701c can be given a modern computing platform—but the project reported by Hackaday was a custom, unfinished conversion, not a ready-made upgrade or a new Lenovo laptop. In July 2023, Jenny List described builder Karl Buchka’s effort to fit a Framework motherboard into a 701c while preserving its distinctive butterfly keyboard.
What makes this ThinkPad 701c project unusual?
The 701c is a mid-1990s 486 laptop best known for a keyboard that expands as the lid opens. That compact, folding design is the point of Buchka’s rebuild: rather than discard the machine’s defining input hardware, he aimed to retain it while replacing the obsolete computer inside.
Hackaday’s July 10, 2023 report described the donor laptop as profoundly dead. Buchka was adapting a Framework motherboard to revive it. The report characterizes the 701c as one of the most sought-after ThinkPads, but that is the article’s description, not a measured market ranking.
What had been built by July 2023?
The Hackaday report documented work in progress, with several major pieces described but no finished-build confirmation.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible Model: Lenovo Thinkpad T14 Gen 1 or Thinkpad T14 Gen 2 Laptop
- Compatible Model: Lenovo Thinkpad P14s Gen 1 or Thinkpad P14s Gen 2 Laptop
- Compatible P N: 5N20V43760 SN20V43688 Color: Black. US Layout with Backlit
- WEAR-RESISTANT: This Thinkpad T14 Gen 1 2, Thinkpad P14s Gen 1 2 Laptop keyboard was under UV-processed, the symbol on the keys can be still very clear after being repeated 10 million times.
- Each replacement keyboard was tested before shipping and working good!
- Framework motherboard: The modern mainboard was the planned computing core; the report does not identify its generation.
- Butterfly keyboard: A Teensy microcontroller handled the original keyboard. The report does not specify the Teensy model or explain the circuit and firmware implementation.
- Display: Buchka had made an iPad display panel work with the Framework board. The iPad model and the display-interface components were not identified.
- Lower case: He designed an entirely new lower case intended to house the Framework board and position its USB-C ports at the edge.
- External ports: A custom port replicator was being made to occupy the space used by the 701c’s original USB-based expansion modules.
How does the butterfly keyboard fit into the rebuild?
The keyboard’s folding mechanism lets it expand beyond the laptop’s compact footprint as the lid opens. It is not simply a conventional keyboard connected to a replacement motherboard: the project reports using a Teensy microcontroller to handle this unusual input device. The source does not provide enough implementation detail to reproduce the interface, or to identify a specific Teensy board as a suitable substitute.
That distinction matters for anyone considering a similar conversion. Keeping the original keyboard is a separate engineering task from installing a modern board; the project’s reported Teensy is part of the keyboard solution, not evidence that the Framework motherboard alone can accept the 701c keyboard.
Rank #2
- 【Compatible With】: Lenovo ThinkPad X280 X390 X395 Series Laptop
- 【Compatible With】: Lenovo Thinkpad L13 Gen 1 & L13 Gen 2, Thinkpad X13 Gen 1 & L13 Yoga Gen 1 Series Laptop
- 【Keyboard Layout】: Color: Black. US Layout with Backlit with Pointer
- 【WEAR-RESISTANT】: This lenovo thinkpad x390 x395, thinkpad l13 gen 1 & l13 gen 2, thinkpad x13 gen 1 & l13 yoga gen 1 laptop keyboard was under UV-processed, the symbol on the keys can be still very clear after being repeated 10 million times.
- 【Quality Guarantee】: Each keyboard was tested before shipping and guarantee 100% working and brand new! Offer 6 month full warranty for any defects. Please do not hesitate to contact us and you will get a reply with 12 hours!
Can you put a Framework motherboard in an old ThinkPad?
This project shows one builder adapting a Framework motherboard for a 701c, but it does not establish a standard, drop-in method. Buchka designed a new lower case, adapted a display, and added a custom port replicator; the report does not provide a complete parts list, assembly procedure, or tested compatibility guide. A different 701c conversion would need its own mechanical and electrical design.
The account also does not identify the Framework board generation, iPad panel model, display-interface hardware, or Teensy model. Those omissions prevent treating the story as a build recipe or assuming the described parts can be purchased and assembled as a known-compatible kit.
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- 【Compatible Model】For Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 7th 2019, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8th 2020 Laptop, ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 4 2019 & X1 Yoga Gen 5 2020
- 【Compatible part numbers】SN20W73833 PK131L11B00
- 【You Can Get】Keyboard x 1. Original replacement US layout.
- 【Safe】Easy for you replace your faulty, cracked or broken keyboard, seller remind that you should replace the keyboard in the off state.
- 【Note】Please cheak whether this keyboard fits your laptop or not easily before bidding.
Is the conversion finished, and are the design files available?
Not established by the July 2023 report. It described the project while it was still in progress. The article said the design files were expected to be put online eventually, but that intention does not confirm that files were later released. The cited account provides no current status or verified download location.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Compatible Models】This replacement laptop keyboard only fits for Lenovo ThinkPad E580 E585 L580 E590 E595 L590 T590 P52 P72 P53 P73 / P15s Gen 1 / T15 Gen 1 Laptop. Please check the pictures and description carefully before bidding. If you are not sure of which kind of keyboard you need, please do not hesitate to contact AUTENS customer service, and we will try our best to help
- [Warm Tip] If the backlit or track point or any keys not working well after installed . please check for the connection again. and try to confirm on BIOS to see if the setting is on. or contact seller support before return.
- 【About AUTENS】AUTENS is specialized in many laptop accessories such as replacement laptop keyboards for years. If you are looking for some other laptop replacement keyboards, please feel free to contact us, and we promise to response it in 24 hours
- 【Tips for Finding Models】 As this AUTENS replacement keyboard is compatible with many series of Lenovo laptops, please press Ctrl+F in the detail page and input your laptop's model number in the frame to check whether this keyboard fits for your laptop or not
- 【Pay Attention to Connecting the Ribbon Cables】AUTENS replacement laptop keyboards are new and fit for your laptop perfectly. If some keys don't work after installed, that is not because keyboard is broken but customers do not connect well the ribbon cable of this laptop keyboard with their laptop, in this case please try to reconnect more times. Many customers solve this problem after reconnect it
Rank #4
- With Backlit.
- Compatible Models: for IBM ThinkPad T570 T580 T575 P51S P52S.
- P/N: 01ER582 01ER541 SN20M07934 01HX219 01HX259 SN20P41561.
- 【Solution of keys don't work】If some keys don't work after install ,You can try to reconnect the ribbon cable in case bad connected ,pls use a dry cloth to wipe metal head of the connect ribbon,then try to connect about few times,many customer solve this problem after did this.
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