What to buy? x40-41 or a t-42

[bezomo]

Im looking for something to take to school every day. Im a pure street warrior when it comes to computing, always on the go with my backpack and tech jacket. I was looking at the t42's and noticed they started at 4.5 lbs. Being realistic, im guessing it will be around 5lbs with more than minimum features. That plus all my textbooks might be a bit overkill... Secondly, im looking for something rugged, thats why i looked towards thinkpads in the first place. I know the t42's are built solid, but what about the x40's -41's ?
Could i drop this one off my desk or knock it around in my bag as well? Seems very very light and "plasticy" to me...?

oh , and performance isnt really a big issue
(and im posting this on both fourms so x40 or t42 owners dont bias this up)

[Yotam]

As a X41 Tablet owner I can tell you some things about it:

1. It is LIGHT! If I take only it in my backpack it feels just empty, with the power adaptor and my external combo.
2. It is well built. Like all IBM laptops. Off course, if you drop it - it could break. I saw a T42 falling down from a table and then it did not work anymore.
3. X40 looks like a T42, but smaller, with no touchpad (the tablet, of course, is a bit different). It doesn't look "plasticy".
4. T42 performances are much better. It has better CPU and better HDD.
5. It is QUIET (except HDD ticks, that are quiet, but disturb.

And... don't listen to me only. Read a lot opinions and reviews and decide what is the best for you.

[bezomo]

ok ive read some stuff on the hd ticking. Is it all x40-41 laptops that have this? when did you buy yours? Am i sure of getting a laptop that ticks me off? haha

[bhtooefr]

Especially if you're comparing to a T42...

Don't rule out the X32. It's 3.5 pounds, but has a LOT more power, and is cheaper.

[bezomo]

within the time i posted this, ive been looking at the x3* options. I hear they use old cpu technology. (not Dothan) and are actually pentiumIII's... besides that, how does the x3* compare x4* series? physically they look the same and the battery life seems to be almost the same.. same with the weight

[stgreek]

within the time i posted this, ive been looking at the x3* options. I hear they use old cpu technology. (not Dothan) and are actually pentiumIII's... besides that, how does the x3* compare x4* series? physically they look the same and the battery life seems to be almost the same.. same with the weight

X30 is a Pentium III-M, the X31 and X32 are Pentium-M. They are slightly larger than the X4x series, but accomodate a much more comfortable keyboard, are more sturdy and (the most important of all) can take normal 2.5" HD, which means their performance is MUCH MUCH better than a similarly specced X4x (which only have the slow 4200 1.8" drives). Battery life is indeed similar, the X3x extended battery is a bit different from the X4x battery. As bezomo said, since you are looking for a capable laptop to take everywhere with you, I think that an X31/32 will be a much better bargain than an X40/41.

[bhtooefr]

The X30 and 31/32 are totally different laptops that just happen to be the same size and take the same accessories.

As stgreek said, the X30 is a Pentium III-M based laptop. i830 chipset, Intel integrated graphics, SDRAM.

The X31 is a Pentium M Banias based laptop. i855 chipset, ATI Mobility Radeon 7000 with 16MB RAM, DDR.

The X32 is a Dothan version of the X31. All specs are the same, except the processor's been upgraded on the X32.

[Yotam]

X32 is much better than X41, if you compare performance, but it IS bigger and heavier.
About the HD ticks - most of the X41 and X41 Tablets has this. It is very silent, almost unnoticable, but when you hear those sounds it's weird. This laptop is so quiet, so it is an unpleasant surprise to find that your HD makes some noises. I ordered my X41T at July 24th and got it at September 8th.
Although all the minorities, I think, as one who size and weight are the most important things for me in laptop, that X4x laptops are GOOD. I like the 12" screen size and they are some of the smallest available, and made by IBM what means quality. I must admit that I've never used a X3x laptop, just saw one.

[DavidNZ]

I've had my X40 for over a year now, and overall am more than pleased with it. I'm a bit of a road warrior with it (around the world thrice) and it's peformed flawlessly.

I've had the HDD replaced (before any major damage was done, thankfully), and I've spilled water on it (in a hotel room in Glasgow). It's been stuffed in several bags (backpacks, briefcases) and has been my primary work horse for, as I say, the past year and a bit. It's been my most enjoyable computing experience by far.

I'll probably end up getting a X42 if and when they become available.

[domi]

X30 is a Pentium III-M, the X31 and X32 are Pentium-M. They are slightly larger than the X4x series, but accomodate a much more comfortable keyboard

Could you please explain in what way the keyboard is "much more comfortable" on the X3x than on the X4x?
Thanks, Dominique

[bhtooefr]

DavidNZ: My bet is that it will be called the X60.

[domi]

Why "X60" (and not X50, for instance) and in what way would it differ from the X41? And please, not yet another Ultrabase!
-Dominique

[motodude]

You might consider scanning your textbooks into your lappy. I went paperless this semester and it's great, no books just a three subject notebook and my T42.

[bhtooefr]

I just have a feeling that they'll bump all the numbers up to match.

Otherwise it would have been the Z50, not the Z60.

[bezomo]

ok so im really considering the x32 now. I read that its 3.5 lbs compared to a x40 which is 3.2 lbs? this isnt a big difference to me. And the battery says up to 5 hours with a standard 6cell? This actually sounds a bit bs to me, because with my experience with laptops, 5 hours usually means with screen on dim, idling...?

[aamsel]

Yes, I would like to know the answer to this one also, since the X3x and the X4x are both supposed to have keyboards that are 97 percent of the T series size.

Andrew
Austin, TX

...Could you please explain in what way the keyboard is "much more comfortable" on the X3x than on the X4x?
Thanks, Dominique

[pphilipko]

DavidNZ: My bet is that it will be called the X60.

What happened to the X50?!

[domi]

Yes, I would like to know the answer to this one also, since the X3x and the X4x are both supposed to have keyboards that are 97 percent of the T series size.

According to tabook.pdf, the following description of the keyboard is identical for both the X31 and the X41:

Standard-size 26 keys / 97% size of T Series / 87-key / 18.5mm pitch; 2.5mm stoke

Overall dimensions do differ:
X31: 273mm x 223mm
X41: 268mm x 237mm

So the X41 is marginally (5 mm) narrower and a bit deeper (probably to accomodate the fingerprint reader). That shouldn't affect the keyboard itself that much. So please, stgreek, do tell us why/how the X3x keyboard is "much more comfortable" than the X4x keyboard.
-Dominique

[stgreek]

X30 is a Pentium III-M, the X31 and X32 are Pentium-M. They are slightly larger than the X4x series, but accomodate a much more comfortable keyboard

Could you please explain in what way the keyboard is "much more comfortable" on the X3x than on the X4x?
Thanks, Dominique

The spacing between keys in X3x is larger than in X4x. A person that is used on typing on a T series keyboard, like me, will type comfortably on the X3x but will find the X4x keyboard too small, in the sense that the keys are not exactly where you expect them to be. You have to try it to understand what I am talking about, but having an X31. X40 and T42 (among other laptops) I can assure you the difference exists.

[domi]

The spacing between keys in X3x is larger than in X4x. A person that is used on typing on a T series keyboard, like me, will type comfortably on the X3x but will find the X4x keyboard too small, in the sense that the keys are not exactly where you expect them to be. You have to try it to understand what I am talking about, but having an X31. X40 and T42 (among other laptops) I can assure you the difference exists.

Did you read the thread (Link with X41 keyboard layout?) I started a couple of days ago? The reply to it says in essence there's no difference between the X31 keyboard and the X41 keyboard. It even points to another thread with a photo showing both keyboards side by side. Do you still maintain your claim? Have you actually used your X31 and an X4x side by side?
-Dominique

[stgreek]

It even points to another thread with a photo showing both keyboards side by side. Do you still maintain your claim? Have you actually used your X31 and an X4x side by side?
-Dominique

Yes, yes and yes. I am not a salesman trying to sell you one or the other, I am a user. If you want to believe me do so, if not go and give them a try yourself. I am sure there are places where you can try them both side by side.

[pphilipko]

It even points to another thread with a photo showing both keyboards side by side. Do you still maintain your claim? Have you actually used your X31 and an X4x side by side?
-Dominique

Yes, yes and yes. I am not a salesman trying to sell you one or the other, I am a user. If you want to believe me do so, if not go and give them a try yourself. I am sure there are places where you can try them both side by side.

Hmmm...that's unusual. I didn't notice anything different about the X40 keyboard from the T4x series when I made the switch. The only noticeable difference, in my view, is the shortened backspace, which doesn't bother me at all once I got used to it.