The ThinkPad R Series is a line of budget to mid-range Laptop, laptop computers released as a successor to the ThinkPad 300 Series and ThinkPad A Series originally developed by IBM from 2001 until 2005 when they sold their consumer PC division to Lenovo in 2005. It was then developed by Lenovo from 2005 to 2010 when it was discontinued in favor of having multiple different models for the different market segments that the R series originally occupied. IBM originally released the Thinkpad R Series (Starting with the R30) as the mid-range mainstream model of the ThinkPad brand. It was conceived as a laptop "for the business executive working on a budget - a road warrior with an office network whose out-of-office work rarely goes beyond running PowerPoint shows or demonstrating spreadsheets". A laptop created as the T series but lower end, the R series computers had IBM make sacrifices in materials and construction (notably the lack of a magnesium midframe and rubberized metal lid) which higher end models of ThinkPad like the T series had. This, along with lower performance configurations when compared to the T series allowed the R series to become the lower end regular laptop model of the ThinkPad line. Despite having a cheaper build when compared to the higher end T series of its time, it still received favorable reviews. In a review on the ThinkPad R40, CNET gave the laptop a score of 8.2, writing in their summary statement that "Good performance, along with great design and battery life, make the ThinkPad R40 a trusted friend for the traveler and the desk jockey". Starting from the R50, it became completely based on the T series (instead of just looking similar) with the same concessions as before. Though the R series did include a FireWire port which was not brought to the T series until the ThinkPad T61. In 2010, the R Series was discontinued in favor of the L, SL, and the E series of Thinkpads. In 2017, it was brought back and continued as a more premium version of the ThinkPad E Series, in China only, with premium features already optioned such as aluminium lids and finger print readers.

ThinkPad T Series, T Series Based Models

2001-2002

R30

The ThinkPad R30 came in 2 display options: an XGA 13.3" or 14.1". It was, along with the A30, the first ThinkPad to use the design features of a bevel on the left back corner of the laptop and exposed metal hinges, a feature that would be present on most subsequent ThinkPads released.

R31

The ThinkPad R31 came in 2 display options: an XGA 13.3" or 14.1" and is a minor internal hardware revision bringing socketed processors, a new chipset which meant a new CPU generation, and the IBM Embedded Security Subsystem to the R series. Although the dimensions were the same, with these new additions, the weight of the laptop was increased by about 0.1 kg(0.2 lb).

R32

The ThinkPad R32 came in 2 display options: an XGA 13.3" or 14.1", but despite being named as a minor revision to the R3x generation, like most other IBM ThinkPads with their generations, the last model in this generation saw major revisions to the internals and some minor changes to the exterior. These revisions include: using Mobile Pentium 4-M CPUs instead of Mobile Pentium 3-M, Using DDR-266 RAM instead of PC-133 SDR RAM, and a reworked motherboard with rearranged components along with the addition of battery terminals for an ThinkPad UltraBay, UltraBay battery.

2003

R40

The ThinkPad R40 came in 4 display options and 2 different body types: an XGA 13.3" or 14.1" in the 14" body type and either an XGA or an SXGA+ 15.0" in the 15" body type and was a sort of facelift to the previous R32, keeping the core design the same the (It looks more similar to the R32 than the R32 to the R31 from the bottom). This was the first R series ThinkPad to have the options for an UltraNav trackpad, a 15" display with a higher resolution 1400x1050 SXGA+ display panel, and Bluetooth. This was the first R series ThinkPad to have USB 2.0 and a hot-swappable UltraBay included.

R40e

The ThinkPad R40e came in 2 display options: an XGA 13.3" or 14.1" and was the budget version of the R40. With the budget status came the removal of the UltraBay (having a screwed in place optical drive), docking connector, the S-Video out port, 4 pin FireWire 400 port, and IrDA 1.1 port, and the second speaker. It was also unable to be optioned with Bluetooth, a 15" screen, Pentium M processors, or trackpad.

2003-2006

R50

With a new number in the middle also came with a new design. This time instead of coming up with a brand new design for the R series, the T series design for the T40 had its magnesium midframe removed, became thicker to maintain stiffness, and a few styling details were changed to create the new design of the R50. The R50 came in 3 display options: an XGA TN 14.1" or either a XGA TN or an SXGA+ IPS 15".

R50p

The R50p came in 2 display options: either a UXGA IPS or a QXGA IPS 15". This was released as an indirect successor for the Axxp series of ThinkPads as there was no 15" version of the T40 or 41 to create a 15" Txxp model at this time.

R50e

The R50e came in 2 display options: XGA TN 14.1" or 15".

R51

The R51 came in 3 display options: an XGA TN 14.1" or either a XGA TN or an SXGA+ IPS 15".

R51e

The R51e came in 2 display options: XGA TN 14.1" or 15". This was the first R series model released by Lenovo in September 2005.

R52

The R52 came in 3 display options: an XGA TN 14.1" or either a XGA TN or an SXGA+ TN 15" and was the first model to use DDR2 memory. From this model on, the R series was unable to be optioned with an IPS display until the new E series based R series models.

2006-2008

R60

The R60 came in 4 display options: either a XGA or an SXGA+ TN panel for both 14.1 and 15". A new number in the middle meant a redesign with this design being based on the T60 released two months prior. This was the first R series model to use a SATA hard drive rather than IDE and while the previous R52 technically had SATA run to the hard drive, it was adapted to IDE in order to maintain compatibility with previous models and to cut cost on the hard drive.

R60i

The R60i came in 4 display options: either a XGA or an SXGA+ TN panel for both 14.1 and 15" and was only offered in the Chinese market.

R60e

The R60e came in 1 display option: a XGA TN 15".

R61

The ThinkPad's transition from 4:3 to the wider Aspect ratio (image), aspect ratio of 16:10, started in 2005 right after Lenovo had acquired the Thinkpad brand with the Z Series, had now begun affecting the R series. Although the R60 series was unaffected, starting with the R61, the R series, too would transition to 16:10. So the R61 came in 6 (maybe 8) display options: an XGA or SXGA+ 15" 4:3, a WXGA 14.1" or 15.4" 16:10, a WXGA+ 14.1" 16:10, or a WSXGA+ 15.4" 16:10. If Lenovo's source is to be believed, either an XGA or SXGA+ 14" 4:3 were also available. This generation of ThinkPad also received the magnesium rollcage similar to the one on the T series. That along with the T series also receiving 4-pin FireWire continued to narrow the differences between the T and R series of laptops.

R61i

The R61i came in 7 display options: an XGA or SXGA+ TN 15", a WXGA TN in either 14.1" or 15.4" with both also able to be glossy, or a WXGA+ TN 14.1". It was a budget configuration of the R61, being practically the same laptop, just without some high end options such as a discrete GPU or WWAN. Along with that, it most crucially has the option for being touchpadless unlike the regular R61.

R61e

The R61e came in 1 display option: a WXGA TN 15.4".

R61u

The R61u came in 4 display options: a WXGA TN 14.1" or 15.4", a WXGA+ TN 14.1", or a WSXGA+ TN 15.4". Contrary to its name, it is not a slimmer version of the R61 but instead was just the same computer but only available for schools.

2008-2010

R400

The R400 came in 2 display options: either a WXGA or a WXGA+ TN 14.1". This shared the same core design with the 14" widescreen R61 with only shifted around ports. This generation of ThinkPad R series also replaced UltraBay Enhanced which used PATA/IDE with Serial UltraBay Enhanced which used SATA. Though the slot is the same as the UltraBay Enhanced. So accessories such as UltraBay batteries for the previous Ultrabay will work on this new Ultrabay and vice versa. With this generation of Thinkpad R series, it became virtually indistinguishable both internally and externally with its T series equivalent. In fact, the R400 and the T400 share the same Hardware Maintenance Manual. It is likely that it is because of this similarity between the T series and the R series that it was eventually discontinued in 2010.

R500

The R500 came in 2 display options: either a WXGA or a WSXGA+ TN 15.4". This shared the same core design with the 15" widescreen R61 with only shifted around ports.

2010-2017

The R series was then discontinued and had a 7-year hiatus until 2017 when it was brought back only in China as a more premium E480.

ThinkPad E series, E series Based Models

2017

R480

The ThinkPad R480 came out in 2017 as a China exclusive, higher end version of the ThinkPad E480. It and every subsequent model is the same as the E Series equivalent except for having been optioned with higher end features. For this model, its distinguishing feature is the aluminum lid.

R580

The ThinkPad R580 came out in 2017 and has the same differences from the E series as the R480 but instead of being based on the E480, it was based on the E580.

2018

R490

Just like the previous R480, the R490 was based on the E series of its time—for this case, the E490—changing almost nothing except having an aluminum lid and being a name upgrade just like the previous year. This was only offered in China and uses Whiskey Lake Intel U series processors.

R590

The R590 is the 15 inch version of the R490 and was based on the E590 instead. Except the R590 had real physical difference as all E590s came with aluminum lids.

2019

R14 Gen 1

Along with other offerings from Lenovo starting in 2019, the R series changed to the new naming scheme of model letter, followed by screen size, with generation numbers to denote new models. So for the R14 Gen 1, it is the first generation 14 inch R Series ThinkPad. Just like the previous models of the new series, it is just a higher configuration model of the E series. However, in this case, is completely nonsensical as configurations of the E14 with both an aluminum lid and body exist while the R14 only has an aluminium lid and a plastic body.

R15 Gen 1

This is the first generation of 15 inch R series ThinkPad based on the E15 gen 1.

2020

R14 Gen 2

Changes were minor with the second generation of ThinkPad R14. It shares essentially the same design as the first generation but updates the internals to 11th gen Intel and to include a second m.2 PCIe slot in exchange for the 2.5" SATA along with Thunderbolt 4 in place of the USB-C 3.0 and USB-A 3.0 port. This is based on the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2. This has both the aluminum lid and base.

R15 Gen 2

This is the second and last generation of ThinkPad R15 based on the ThinkPad E15 Gen 2.

2021

R14 Gen 3

This is the 3rd generation of ThinkPad R14 based on the ThinkPad E14 Gen 3 using 5000 series Ryzen CPUs. There is no 15 inch model for this generation and there is no other model other than the 14 inch for all subsequent R series ThinkPads.

2022

R14 Gen 4

This is the fourth generation of ThinkPad R14 based on the ThinkPad E14 Gen 4. This is the last R series ThinkPad to have a keyboard with 1.8mm of key travel.

2023

R14 Gen 5

This is the fifth generation of ThinkPad R14 based on the ThinkPad E14 Gen 5. This is the first generation to only have IPS displays offered, and the first generation to finally have a display option with more pixels per inch than the 2048x1536 15" panel offered on the R50p, at 188.68 PPI compared to 170.67. Although it does have a lower PPI, there are still more pixels on the QXGA panel of the R50p. It only loses on PPI due to it being a larger display.

2024

R14 Gen 6

This is the sixth generation of ThinkPad R14 based on the ThinkPad E14 gen 6. This is the first generation of R series ThinkPad to have 2 SODIMM slots since the Rx90 generation released in 2018.

Notes

References

{{IBM personal computers ThinkPad, R series IBM laptops Lenovo laptops Computer-related introductions in 2001