X30 -> X32?

[joprodse]

Hey!

The never ending X32 vs X40/41 story goes on.

I really need a new computer since my trusty X30 is falling apart, but I'm still quite happy about the formfactor of the X3x series, so the X32 seems to be the choise for me right? (2Ghz / 1G RAM / 7k60 of course )

Or should I go for the "new" series of the X4x's? Everybody saids that it has all the "new" standards better graphics faster memory and so on. Or is there any REALLY important feature that makes the X4x the right choise?

Since I have the X3 dock, DVD-Burner, Floppy, Extra HDD adapter for the X3 it's quite a lot of equipment to replace if I go for the X4 line...

I basically use Office2003, Photoshop, IE6.0, Nero 6 and an simple Invoice program on daily basis

Any suggestions?

[stgreek]

The question is actually very simple: Are you playing games?

If yes, the chipset on the X41, albeit using shared memory, is much faster than the one on the X32.

If no, the possibility of a 7200rpm drive and the faster processor more than make up for the chipset, plus since you already have quite a few X3x things, you can use them on the X32, while the X41 will require a large investment in getting the extras for it.

If I were you, I would go for the X32 since playing games on a shared-memory 12.1 XGA monitor is not the best experience you can have anyway.

[bhtooefr]

For what you're running, an X32 will DEFINITELY do the job.

And, as stgreek said, your accessories will be compatible with the X32, and not the X41.

[mzd]

Don't choose X32, just two reasons:
1) Weight. Weight_X41<Weight_X32<Weight_T42, so if you choose x32, why not choose T42?
2). Screen. The screen of X32 is not good.
3). Appearance. A little bulky

So if I want a powerful machine, I will choose T4x, otherwise X4x.

[bhtooefr]

The screen of the X32, from what I've heard, is just fine on AC. Set the brightness to high in the BIOS, and it'll be great on battery, as well.

[pphilipko]

In reply to bhtooefr, there have been some complaints with the X3x screens in relation to the X4x screens, not just in brightness, but also in crispness. For me, I find the screen one of the more critical aspects of a computer, but others may disagree...

[dmdsoftware]

I'm in the same position as you. Time to upgrade and debating between a X41 (it would be the X41T if I go for the X41 at all) vs the X32.

I'm leaning towards the X32 for reasons you mentioned plus the ones outlined in this compelling comparision of the two beasts.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2438

[joprodse]

The question is actually very simple: Are you playing games?

Nop, no gaming on this machine at all...

Don't choose X32, just two reasons:
1) Weight. Weight_X41<Weight_X32<Weight_T42, so if you choose x32, why not choose T42?

About the weight issue the T42 is about 30% heavier than the X32 (2,2kg vs. 1,65kg) so I consider that a bit to heavy carrying around on an daily basis, although the x41 is almost 30% lighter than the X32 so it would be even better from that point of view.

The screen of the X32, from what I've heard, is just fine on AC. Set the brightness to high in the BIOS, and it'll be great on battery, as well.

I hope that the screen on the X32 is at least as good as on my three years old X30. I’m very pleased with the quality on that screen and I do prefer some more batterytime prior to screenbrightness when I’m out of the office. I’m a little but curious about crispness vs. brightness but I’m guessing that’s quite hard to “explain” without actually compare the screens right?

I’m quite convinced that I will do really fine with the X32 for at least a couple of years, and the fact that I have a “backupsystem” based on some 2,5” hard drives using the X3 hdd-adapter makes it even more convenient to continue the X3 way for now.

Thanks

[dmdsoftware]

Also forgot to mention, a main selling point for the X32 for me is:
1) I will be upgrading to a 7200rpm 80GB drive - currently not an option on the X4*s.
2) I will be upgrading to 2GB RAM - the maximum on the X4*s is either 1.25GB or 1.5GB, depending on how much base memory is installed.
3) reuse existing devices (optical drives, media slice).
4) firewire port.
5) I don't have any SD devices, but I have a ton of Compact Flash devices I use - so a Compact Flash reader builtin is handy.

For my non-gaming purposes, the X32 will outperform the X4*.

[mzd]

I forget another thing. The fan of X32 is great, no fan noise at all. So if you are caring about fan noise, go to X32.

[pphilipko]

I forget another thing. The fan of X32 is great, no fan noise at all. So if you are caring about fan noise, go to X32.

There's no fan noise either on the X41.

[bhtooefr]

What about X41s with LV processors instead of ULV?

That said, the X32 also has longer battery life than the X41 4-cell. That 8-cell gets the X41's weight up there, FWIW (but also propels it well past the X32 in battery life).

[pphilipko]

What about X41s with LV processors instead of ULV?

That said, the X32 also has longer battery life than the X41 4-cell. That 8-cell gets the X41's weight up there, FWIW (but also propels it well past the X32 in battery life).

My LV X40 is so quiet, you'll have to place your ear beside the fan in order to hear it.
IMHO, if you really need that processing power and fast hard drive, a T series would be much more suitable than an X32 as a main computer (not to mention that the X32 has an ancient graphics card).

If the X40 had an ULV processor, I doubt that the fan would even turn on...my X40's fan turns on only after 30 minutes...

[bhtooefr]

Ah, didn't look at your sig... *ducks*

I'll just say this: I will go with the X32 (or whatever successor there is to the X32) when I upgrade. I like the fact that the X32 has plenty of CPU power, is just as expandable as a T series, is cheap, and is smaller than a T series. For the games I play, a Radeon 7000 w/16MB RAM should be enough. (Then again, at minimum resolution and quality, the software renderers on this thing are enough...)

[joprodse]

a T series would be much more suitable than an X32 as a main computer (not to mention that the X32 has an ancient graphics card).

But still the T-series is about 30% heavier than the X32's right

[bhtooefr]

Nice quote butchering, there, joprodse

That wasn't me, that was pphilipko...

Aaanyway... The T series has the advantage that it has a high resolution screen. The X series does not.

[joprodse]

Sorry bhtooefr!