T30 HD to T41P

[Fred Mertz]

I have a T30 with SXGA and I will be getting a T41p without HD and Caddy.Are they compatible? Which one would you prefer? Thanks.

[Neil]

Both machines take PATA IDE hard drives. The caddy is also the same, but the cover is very different between the two machines.

Which machine would I prefer? The T41p, of course. I've owned three or four T30's, and they just don't fit my needs very well. Too big and bulky. If I'm going to have that much bulk, I prefer the A31p.

[rkawakami]

If your question is more along the lines of "would the OS (Windows, I'm assuming) already on the T30 drive work correctly when placed inside the T41p?", then no, probably not. The hardware differences between the two systems may preclude Windows from running. If you have (or make) a clone of the drive, then by all means give it a shot. The worst that can happen is that the OS will get hosed so badly that it won't boot with either system. You'll still have the original T30 setup in that case. You might get lucky and Windows could boot into a generic VGA mode (or you force it into Safe Mode) where you could then download and install all of the drivers needed by the "new" hardware in the T41p. Or you could simply get a factory restore disk set for the T41p and install Windows from scratch.

I would also go with the T41p but would treat it with care (as an A31p) since they both can have video issues.

[Fred Mertz]

Thanks Neil and Ray.I was hoping I might get lucky and just be able to swap HD's and be good to go.I will get a HD cover and put a fresh install on the T41p.For the past 3+ years my wife has really beaten up the T30, even carrying it by the screen and it still keeps on going. What a tank!

[Neil]

Well there is that one thing going for the T30....they are durable. One the other hand, the T41p would probably fair better being wagged around by the lid, than it would by one corner of the palm rest!