IBM ThinkPad 701: The Legend of the Innovative Butterfly Laptop

 

IBM ThinkPad 701: The Legend of the Innovative Butterfly Laptop

The IBM ThinkPad 701, colloquially known as the "Butterfly" laptop, was an innovative subnotebook released by IBM on March 6, 1995. Its unique sliding keyboard design garnered significant attention. Developed by a team including Richard Sapper, John Karidis, and Sam Lucente, the 701 was part of IBM's ThinkPad line and became one of the best-selling laptops of 1995.

 

Development Background and History

The IBM ThinkPad 701 was a collaborative project between the manufacturing facility at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, USA, and the development facility in Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The initial keyboard concept began as a photocopy in spring 1993, evolving into a plexiglass prototype by summer. Funding for the notebook was approved in the fall of 1993, but delays resulted in the use of the Intel 486 processor instead of the more advanced Pentium.

The keyboard design was spearheaded by John Karidis, with the overall ThinkPad design led by Richard Sapper. Internally, IBM referred to the laptop as "Butterfly," but the legal department did not approve product names based on living creatures. Therefore, it was released under the model name ThinkPad 701.

Hardware Specifications

The IBM ThinkPad 701 was powered by the Intel i486 processor, available in DX2 and DX4 versions. Memory ranged from 4MB to 40MB, and storage options varied from 360MB to 720MB. It featured either a DSTN or TFT LCD display with a resolution of 640x480. The graphics chipset was the Chips and Technologies CT-65545, and the sound system included the ESS 688 and Yamaha OPL3.

Key Specifications

• CPU: Intel DX2 50/25 MHz or DX4 75/25 MHz
• Memory: 4MB to 40MB
• Storage: 360MB, 540MB, 720MB
• Display: 10.4-inch DSTN or TFT LCD, 640x480 resolution
• Graphics: Chips and Technologies CT-65545
• Sound: ESS 688, Yamaha OPL3
• Dimensions: 24.6 x 20 x 4.3 cm
• Weight: 2.25 kg (4.96 lbs)

Keyboard Design

The most distinctive feature of the ThinkPad 701 was the "Butterfly Keyboard," officially known as the "TrackWrite." This design allowed the laptop to be compact when closed and provide a full-sized keyboard when open. The keyboard was divided into two roughly triangular sections that slid apart as the laptop's lid was opened, driven by a cam on the hinge to ensure synchronized movement.

Release and Reception

The IBM ThinkPad 701 was launched on March 6, 1995, with prices ranging from $1,499 to $3,299. IBM advertised the product using only an image of a butterfly, later adding the IBM logo and the text "Watch for the announcement." The laptop was highly popular upon release, earning 27 design awards in 1995 alone and becoming the top-selling laptop of the year.

Discontinuation and Legacy

The IBM ThinkPad 701 was discontinued on December 21, 1995, as larger screens made the folding keyboard unnecessary. The ThinkPad 760, released shortly after, offered larger screens and a full-sized keyboard without the need for a folding mechanism. Although the butterfly keyboard was innovative, it did not continue in later models. However, Lenovo filed a patent in 2021 for a keyboard similar to the one used in the 701, indicating a lasting impact.

Collector's Item

Even after 26 years, the IBM ThinkPad 701 remains a popular item among collectors. It is displayed in prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Die Neue Sammlung in Munich, and the Computer History Museum. The ThinkPad 701 continues to impress with its unique design and technological innovation, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of laptop development.

Conclusion

The IBM ThinkPad 701, with its groundbreaking Butterfly Keyboard, revolutionized the laptop market. Though discontinued, its legacy endures, influencing modern laptop design. The ThinkPad 701 is more than just a laptop; it is a symbol of technological innovation and design history.