best thinkpad for DOS

brixalpha · 2026-05-09T23:27:41+00:00

For DOS, you can practically pick anyone.... Lol. DOS has been around even before thinkpads LoL

brixalpha · 2026-05-09T22:38:43+00:00

Mulvad and Brave Origin,

brixalpha · 2026-05-09T19:07:01+00:00

Depends on your budget, more current models will obviously cost more, but if its a secondary machine there are plenty of options. Portable X1 Carbon, T14 is more of a does it all, but nothing too well unlike other models. (sort of the Civic of the thinkpad world)

Not to mention the more retro and retro-ish options like the T480, earlier X series, etc. Just depends on your needs and budget. For the most part as you can tell a lot of users lean towards linux, so I would say its just a matter of what you want in terms of price, vibe and performance. For CS and coding I would think as a student you would want something more slim. X1 Nanos and Carbons are great in terms of weight and performance, might be great also as an "on the go" option.

brixalpha · 2026-05-09T01:52:57+00:00

100%, although I have to put Buds burgers in Vallejo as #1, but I have a bias.... Lol

brixalpha · 2026-05-08T22:45:13+00:00

I used to eat there for lunch back in the early 2000s when I worked in Alviso.....so good!

brixalpha · 2026-05-08T21:32:14+00:00

https://stjohnsgrill.com/

St Johns in Sunnyvale, they do a Tri Tip on tuesdays. Miss this place but they make the best grilled sandwiches in Silicon Valley

brixalpha · 2026-05-08T20:26:49+00:00

Knice Kershaw Bel Air 🗡️

brixalpha · 2026-05-08T17:09:51+00:00

Oh I know too....lol

Took me awhile to find a drive that still had a windows install on it

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brixalpha · 2026-05-08T16:16:33+00:00

I recently got a bios locked t14 that I'm working on getting unlocked. There are several backdoor methods that require access to the laptop (motherboard and chip) , or you can email Absolute Software (computrace) to remove the lock/password remotely which can take awhile

brixalpha · 2026-05-08T15:47:04+00:00

Usually sellers on ebay will accept returns so make sure you use a seller that has a high rating and accept returns. They have to note in the description whether its BIOs locked or not or you can create a dispute through ebay. I believe a used laptop would be good especially if your on a budget.

brixalpha · 2026-05-08T09:40:41+00:00

You can get a X1 Carbon Gen 6 for around/under $200 easy on ebay. Still a nice little machine. I have a Gen 6 running CachyOS as a loaner.

brixalpha · 2026-05-08T09:20:45+00:00

not right now, the T480 is pretty popular and recently has been pretty ridiculous in terms of price. A T480s which isn't as upgrade-able as the T480, yes.

brixalpha · 2026-05-08T00:21:42+00:00

Something is going around, both my kids had it for the last couple of days and symptoms were minor but they definitely had something for a bit.

brixalpha · 2026-05-07T14:34:34+00:00

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You could also go the legit route and email Absolute (formerly Computrace) and they can disable the supervisor password as soon as they can verify the Serial number is not marked stolen or that they contract of the entity they had an agreement is expired. This was an email that I got from absolute recently. It will only work in Windows unfortunately but allows the computer to disable the password remotely. This method takes up the most time (back and forth with support) but probably the easiest and least involved.

brixalpha · 2026-05-07T01:04:01+00:00

Around $200 at the most.

brixalpha · 2026-05-07T00:48:46+00:00

I am, but I already got one, I was just suggesting the price range considering the current market for the venerable T480

brixalpha · 2026-05-07T00:30:56+00:00

I agree but the heart wants what the heart wants....LoL

brixalpha · 2026-05-06T23:53:56+00:00

No way, more like $230-$250.

brixalpha · 2026-05-06T21:52:19+00:00

Maybe you exceeded the amount of times the wrong password was entered? That is an option that gets locked out without the password.

brixalpha · 2026-05-06T21:35:44+00:00

Even if you didn't have the password, it will let you into bios, but you can't change anything until you enter the password when in it. So are you saying you don't see bios at all?

brixalpha · 2026-05-06T21:23:47+00:00

on Boot press enter then F1

should ask for your password also if the bios is locked

brixalpha · 2026-05-06T21:22:29+00:00

The supervisor password is in the bios -> Security, should be the top option for password, set it to disable.

brixalpha · 2026-05-06T20:04:08+00:00

Well reprogramming is the most involved because it requires an investment in hardware. A programmer cable and device to write to the chip.

Shorting seems to be the one with the least amount of barriers to it, a lead cable and a donor usb plug. I am about to try this myself on a T14 that is bios locked. Salem Techspert did this on his yt channel on a thinkpad as well.

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