IBM ThinkPad: The history of ThinkPad
Did you know the ThinkPad® name was thought up during a coffee break? According to IBM legend, an IBM researcher took from his pocket a notepad, which had the word THINK on it, and conceived the idea of a small, portable tool on which to write, read, work — and think.

     First Introduced: 2001 - ThinkPad T Series
2001 also saw the introduction of the ThinkPad T Series, a range of machines that provides a balance of performance and portability. A Titanium Composite body helps keeps the weight down even with a 14.1" screen—a size similar to many desktop models. To aid portability users can swap in different optional components, such as a DVD player, writeable CD drive or numeric keypads. Recognizing the increasing importance of security, IBM introduced in 2001 the world's first security chip (IBM Embedded Security Subsystem) on select models. Users increasingly use their notebooks over multiple networks and in many diverse environments, so IBM developed the system to help safeguard users data and systems.

    First Introduced: 2002 - ThinkPad A31p
IBM introduced its first mobile workstation, the ThinkPad A31p. The company's first mobile computer was designed to meet the specific, high-performance needs of workstation users. The new notebook combined the mobility of a ThinkPad notebook with the power of a workstation, affording users high-speed graphical performance with wireless technology, security and manageability capabilities. 

    First Introduced: 2002 - ThinkPad X30
This notebook extends the value proposition of superior expandability and all-day-computing in a small and light (just 1.6kg) ultra portable. With up to eight hours of battery life when fully equipped with an optional ThinkPad X30 Series Extended Life Battery, it is a perfect combination of usability and portability that provides the optimal solution for users constantly on the go.

   2003 - ThinkPad T41
The ThinkPad T41 is the first notebook equipped with its own parachute: The IBM Active Protection System is an integrated motion sensor that continuously monitors your system hard drive to help prevent some hard drive crashes when a fall or similar event is detected. This innovative ThinkPad notebook is about 1" slim with a travel weight starting at 4.5 lb, a long battery life and comes packed with ThinkVantage™ Technologies.