thinking of buying a t60, have a few questions..

[skanky]

would there be any problems fitting a SATA Hitachi 7k100 to a T60?

-http://uk.insight.com/apps/productprese ... =printable
-http://uk.insight.com/apps/productprese ... =printable

the first one is the same as the second but says:
"Connector: 22-position Serial ATA (SATA) plug"
..they're both SATA, would the above make a difference? i read on the T4x forums that (i think) T43 onwards dont like non-IBM/lenovo ATA drives and spit out a 2010 error and then some sort of fix is needed.

does the same apply for the T60 and SATA drives?

also what part numbers am, i after for the following:
-the most basic/cheapest port replicator available that has DVI output which can output 1600x1200 via DVI (im currently using modded catalysts on my T42 with my PR as the standard ibm drivers dont like that 1600x1200 via DVI but is fine with VGA at that res, grr! :/)
-2nd hard drive caddy (i have one for the T42, i assume that wont work as its ATA?)
-internal dvd rewriter (i assume they're dual-layer nowadays?)

whats the 5400rpm SATA like compared to a 7200rpm ATA in terms of both in noise and speed? i assume the 7200rpm SATA will be better than the ATA 7200rpm equivalent.. yes?

also are the power adapters from a T42 compatible with the T60/dock? i know that the power adapters that come with dell laptops and dell docking stations are different as the dell docking station needs to be powered and the standard power supply cant hack it.

tia!

[Dark Energy]

I'll try two of those:

1 - the hard drive should be compatible with no problems. I recently bought a t60p, and a seagate momentus 2.5" drive from Newegg (100Gb, 7200) and it worked perfectly. Didnt have to change or fiddle with anything. The only vaguely annoying thing is that you have to take off two rubber rails and unscrew things and swop caddies around if you have more than one drive, but its no biggie.

2 - I dont think you'll notice any appreciable noise difference between a 5400 drive and a 7200 drive. At least, I cant... I also havent noticed any appreciable difference in battery life. You'll notice a speed difference if you do something particularly disk intensive, but for normal things like browsing the web or watching movies or whatever, the sepeed difference is not significant.

[RonS]

1. That SATA drive will work just fine in a T60. I've never heard of a T60 not liking any particular drive. I think that was a problem just on the T43.
2. You want a Thinkpad Advanced Mini Dock, part number 250410U. The Port Replicator doesn't have DVI, but the Advanced Mini Dock and Advanced Dock both do.
3. You can use the 2nd hard drive caddy for the T42 in the T60. Yes, it works perfectly. If you look in the open bay of a T60, you'll see both ATA and SATA connectors. The T42 caddy fits - with the only caveat being that the outside bezel curves down on the T42 but is flat on the T60. You have to really scrutinize closely to see that it's not a perfect match. If you buy a T60 caddy, then it takes a SATA drive.
4. I think you want part number 40Y8623. But when you order, just specify DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim [add $60.00]
5. I've never used a 5400 SATA. But I know that the 7200 is very fast and almost totally silent; at least the 5 that I've used have been silent. The 7200 drives are remarkably faster than 5400 drives - much more than the specs seem to indicate. ALWAYS go for the 7200 drives.
5. Power adapters from T4x are not compatible with the T6x. The voltages and connectors are different. But realize that the dock doesn't take a power supply; it takes 110v input and has an internal power supply.

[skanky]

oh wow i didnt know i could reuse my T42's ultrabay hdd caddy with the T60! i dont mind that it isnt shaped the same, i only use the 2nd hdd+caddy for backup purposes so its never always in the machine.

can i also use a ATA drive with the caddy or does it *have* to be SATA?

whats the part number of the t6x power supplies?

so the advanced mini dock has an internal power supply and doesnt need to use a t6x power supply? (the port replactor for the t4x uses the original t4x power supply)

edit: is this the right dock that has DVI, the part number seems different to the one supplied: http://www.pcwb.com/catalogue/item/IBMOP419