Did I get lucky, or what? Say goodbye Toshiba M200

[adamr]

So, I'm about 30 days into the Toshiba Portege when I realized I just didn't like the machine. I hate the keyboard. Can't stand the trackpad and the screen is SO hard to see (extreme glare and grainy).

So I called my IT dept and asked them to get me the X41 Tablet. My only hesitation originally was the XGA screen (vs Toshiba's 1400x1050) and the faster processor in the Toshiba.

I asked for bluetooth and 60gb hard drive. I also asked for the extended battery and docking station along with DVD drive.

Well, the package came and it said the 8-cell battery was backordered. Funny thing is, the X41 came with the 8-cell battery!!! That's right - the 8-cell battery was in the BOX. Didn't even know it was an option.

So, now I've got my X41 Tablet with 60gb, bluetooth and extended battery.

I also received the docking station which seems to be compatible with the DVD burner I had in my T42p.

I've got the machine just about loaded and am very happy.

I think I'm going to have to get the 4-cell battery also, however. The 8-cell does give you 5hours of life but man is it big.

What external travel CD/DVD ROM/burner are people using?

[redskin]

What external travel CD/DVD ROM/burner are people using?

I use the Targus PADVW010U

[Greg Gebhardt]

That 8 cell battery is mighty fine for working all day. Make a nice handle when walking around using the x41 tablet. I guess it is all how we use our tablet but the 8 cell gives me uncorded use all day long with suspend between uses.

[vagabond]

I took the geeky route and bought an enclosure that runs off USB and a bare DVD burner drive to go in it. The enclosure can be found at http://www.centrix-intl.com/?DirectBuy= ... =EX-BLK-01 and the drive I got was the Poineer dvr-k15 (though I hear the dvr-k051 (slot load disc), Panasonic (Mat****a) UJ-845, and NEC ND-6500A work well too). I like the combo cause it's really slim and light for travel purposes. The enclosure runs fine on one USB port, but if you need more power, just plug in the second cable. I haven't tried burning with it yet though. Also, it ended up being cheaper than the Targus drive (mine was about $130 total incl shipping).

In my research I also found a USB->power cable that has an inline battery. Interesting, and outputs 5V. I guess you can use it with any external drive. http://www.bixnet.com/usbcawibuba.html

As far as the battery goes, I also like the run time I get with the 8 cell, but wish it were smaller (of course). Still, I'm afraid the 4 cell would only give me a little over two hours, which is just not enough.

Dan.