Actually, it's far simpler:

#ThinkPads became the #AK (or rather #AKM) of #Laptops because 5-15 years ago one could get a baseline #refurbished or #used & #surplus'd X-series #ThinkPad for like € 100 shipped...

• They are thicc almagamations of quality #plastic (#Thinkpadnium is close to #Nokianite aka. #Nokium) and #Magnesium (for enhanced rigidity)...

Even a #child can #mod and maintain it, and they do!

• It'll run whether the battery is missing, the screen ripped off or the SSD is dead.

Jackal Voice: "They ain't biodegradable!"