[coreboot] Lenovo X220t variants with SMD-Flash-ROMs

[Philipp Stanner]

Yes, you're probably right.

Though I wonder when and how they programmed the firmware. Before or
after soldering?


Am 05.08.2017 um 19:41 schrieb Igor Skochinsky via coreboot:
> Hello Philipp,
>
> Saturday, August 5, 2017, 6:01:04 PM, you wrote:
> PS> PS: Rantmode: Why the hell don't they just solder a socket? It's not
> PS> that unrealistic that someone bricks the BIOS while updating the
> PS> firmware from time to time. Being able to replace the ROM with a fresh
> PS> one is a huge plus.
>
> A socket would add some cost; not just of the part itself but
> also cost of the assembly process since flash chip could not be soldered
> together with the rest of the components now, and possibly other
> logistical issues (e.g. they would have to order DIP chips
> specifically for this model instead of SMD parts like for everything
> else).
> It would also increase the height of the board, and you know how
> everyone is obsessed with thin laptops nowadays. 
>
> Just because it would be convenient for maybe ten people in the world
> doesn't make it an incentive for the manufacturers. 
>
> Besides, 99.9% users are not expected to ever open their device, let alone mess
> with the chips. If they get a brick (which is a pretty rare thing
> nowadays AFAIK), they send it off for repairs.
>