Future of the X series? (X3*, mainly)

Message

bhtooefr · #1 Post by **bhtooefr** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:08 am

Does anyone know?

Specifically, what's the future of the X3*? I figure IBM's going to get rid of it, around when they release the X41's replacement.

See, I'm going to be in the market for a new X32 around June or July (with four years of ThinkPad Protection. It wouldn't have saved my X21's HDD, but it's worth it, AFAICT...) However, I'm sure there won't BE an X32 to buy by then. And, no, used won't work - I've learned my lesson about used laptops (*points to his X21*).

I will need something reasonably fast, cheap, and upgradeable (that excludes the X4 and anything derived from it). Light weight is a must (the reason why I like the X series so much). It needs to be usable for older games, but not much newer stuff, so integrated graphics will work.

So, what will be my option? The Z60t? I don't WANT a widescreen, though

domi · #2 Post by **domi** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 10:24 am

When I was in the market for a replacement to my trusted X22 (Spring 2004), pundits had it the X3* line was dead in practice (that was right after the X40 was introduced). Well, I bought an X31 anyway (couldn't live with the 40 GB HDD size limitation - at the time - of the X40). We know what followed: the X41 *and* the X32. I'm sure IBM/Lenovo acknowledged the fact there was a market among business users for ultraportables that can take HDD's of any size/speed. I don't think that market will be catered by the new Z. I'm not saying there will be an X33, but Lenovo will likely continue to sell the X32 as long as there are enough people ready to buy it. Now there are 60 GB drives for the X41 (I don't care it's only 4200 rpm), I'd be ready to consider the X41 (or its follower) as a replacement to my X31. However, I'm worried about the future of 1.8" drives with the IDE interface and the lack of competition in this segment (no-one else than Hitachi). Wouldn't the X42/X50/X60/whatever start using the much more common 1.8" drives with the ZIF connector?
-Dominique

stgreek · #3 Post by **stgreek** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 11:43 am

bhtooefr wrote:Does anyone know?

Specifically, what's the future of the X3*? I figure IBM's going to get rid of it, around when they release the X41's replacement.

See, I'm going to be in the market for a new X32 around June or July (with four years of ThinkPad Protection. It wouldn't have saved my X21's HDD, but it's worth it, AFAICT...) However, I'm sure there won't BE an X32 to buy by then. And, no, used won't work - I've learned my lesson about used laptops (*points to his X21*).

I will need something reasonably fast, cheap, and upgradeable (that excludes the X4 and anything derived from it). Light weight is a must (the reason why I like the X series so much). It needs to be usable for older games, but not much newer stuff, so integrated graphics will work.

So, what will be my option? The Z60t? I don't WANT a widescreen, though

Unless the X41's replacement is a pretty fast one with 2.5 HDs, expect the X3x series to have a long life....X41 is NOT the replacement for X31, it is an ultraportable (where the X32 is more of a thin-and-light 12.1" T series). Therefore I would expect that Lenovo will continue the X3x series, which has been hugely popular.

LumberJack · #4 Post by **LumberJack** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 6:11 pm

I hope so because I think this is one of the strongest products in the Thinkpad line.

LJ

bhtooefr · #5 Post by **bhtooefr** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 7:11 pm

I wouldn't be opposed to a whole new X32-derived series...

Whatever they release, it's going to be different, seeing as the Z series (and the new T and R series that'll be coming out) use different power and dock connectors.

pphilipko · #6 Post by **pphilipko** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 7:20 pm

bhtooefr wrote:I wouldn't be opposed to a whole new X32-derived series...

Whatever they release, it's going to be different, seeing as the Z series (and the new T and R series that'll be coming out) use different power and dock connectors.

I think the X3x series will be discontinued...and they'll probably make an X50m = derived from X32 and X50t = derived from X41, from what they've already released...

Deckard · #7 Post by **Deckard** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 7:42 pm

It would be really pity if they would discontinue the X3x series. The X31 was my best purchase in the last five years. It's small, compact, light, yet powerful and fast. I call it "the biggest PDA you can buy"

After upgrading the WiFi card to a/b/g and increasing the RAM to 1GB,, it became the ultimate mobile computing device for me.

I don't like the limitations on the X4x series (such as the hard drive, lack of firewire etc).

domi · #8 Post by **domi** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:33 pm

bhtooefr wrote:(and the new T and R series that'll be coming out)

Do you have a link (or hard evidence) about this?
-Dominique

Quattro · #9 Post by **Quattro** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 12:11 am

Is it standard in the industry for X-Series-sized laptops to have no optical drives built in?

bhtooefr · #10 Post by **bhtooefr** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:50 am

domi: No hard link, but I remember reading about it when reading about the Z series...

Quattro: The X series and the Dell Latitude D410 don't have built-in optical drives. Everything else in the 12.1" 4:3 non-tablet class has a built-in optical drive, from what I've seen...

AndyL · #11 Post by **AndyL** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:25 am

The HP/Compaq NC4000 series also have no built-in optical drive. They have a separate media slice just like a Thinkpad X.

joprodse · #12 Post by **joprodse** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 9:33 am

Here in Sweden I just heard from one of my suppliers that the X3 series will be discontinued. It's a pain to get hold of X32s here and you have to wait at least 4-5 weeks for one, if you even find someone that bother to place the order

They really push you against the X4-series...

bhtooefr · #13 Post by **bhtooefr** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 9:36 am

I don't care if the X3 is discontinued...

As long as there's something to replace it.

If they discontinue the X3, and don't replace it, I'll have to get a Dell Latitude D410. You hear that, IBM? The X41 is so bad at meeting my needs that I would go to DELL...

joprodse · #14 Post by **joprodse** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 9:42 am

Hahaha!!!! bhtooefr

Let's all go to Dell, and we'll be all out of trouble... (not!)

But I agree with you about the X41, maybe an X33 is on it's way?

Deckard · #15 Post by **Deckard** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 10:00 am

What other alternatives do we have there with a 12.1" display? (other than Apple)

I have looked at the Fujitsu Siemens Lifebook P series, they are really cool. The only downside is the small 10.6" display. But other than that it's nice. It even comes with a modular bay for optical drives.

http://scr3.golem.de/screenshots/0406/l ... ebookP.jpg

domi · #16 Post by **domi** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 10:11 am

Deckard wrote:What other alternatives do we have there with a 12.1" display? (other than Apple)

Anyway, the 12.1" iBook G4 is 2.2 kg, ie. more or less the same as the lightest T4x (14.1" XGA). And the iBook hasn't even got a TrackPoint. Given the choice, I'd pick up a T4x any day.
-Dominique

bhtooefr · #17 Post by **bhtooefr** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 10:15 am

Hmm... going nuts here...

The Dell Latitude D410 is what you get when you Sonoma-ize an X32 knockoff (so it's got a better GPU than the X32, and faster CPUs to boot).

HP's (*shudder*) nc4200 is comparable to the D410.

Averatec makes lots of el cheapo 12.1" 4.5lb ultraportables.

Edit: the HP has both a pointing stick AND a touchpad, and weighs 3.5 pounds (without "MultiBay" - HP's UltraBase clone). I'm feeling a pull from the dark side (NOT because of the touchpad, though - I hate the things.)

The D410, for that matter, does as well, but Dell's pointing stick is only a two-button affair. FWIW, it's 3.8lbs...

chihyangtsai · #18 Post by **chihyangtsai** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 2:26 am

there will be a new series named X60, as well as T60
As we can see ...there are some new docks when Z series introduced
and those will be used in this coming new generation
of Lenovo/Thinkpad Z60 T60 and X60

To some extents, X32 is an old design, when u consider the DDR266 and ATI7000
that is a little absord.
BTW, Napa-Yonah is a whole different story
when it comes to designing NB heat/power issues.

stgreek · #19 Post by **stgreek** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 2:49 am

bhtooefr wrote:Hmm... going nuts here...

The Dell Latitude D410 is what you get when you Sonoma-ize an X32 knockoff (so it's got a better GPU than the X32, and faster CPUs to boot).

It also has all the Sonoma downs, such as higher power consumption on chipset which means heat, noise and loss of the supposed improvement on the battery life.

gst · #20 Post by **gst** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:38 am

joprodse wrote:Here in Sweden I just heard from one of my suppliers that the X3 series will be discontinued. It's a pain to get hold of X32s here and you have to wait at least 4-5 weeks for one, if you even find someone that bother to place the order

one shop here has removed the X40/X41 from their site some days ago. on my question if the x41 is still available from them they said that x-series notebooks (they didn't mention a specific model) will be available again in some weeks and they can't currently name a price.

they didn't say anything about a x41 successor, but IMO it seems that either a X42 or X50 will be released soon.

bhtooefr · #21 Post by **bhtooefr** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:48 am

Yep, an X42:

http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... 26rls%3Den

US367GE ThinkPad X42 - model: 2527-67G
Intel Pentium M 758,1,5 GHz Low volume days, 512MB RAM, 40GB HDD, 12.1"tft XGA (1024x768), Intel Graphics Media accelerator 900, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Intel WLAN 802,11 a/b/g, Bluetooth, finger print, 4 Cell Akku, Win XP pro, 1 year warranty

US2ÑGE ThinkPad X42 - model: 2525-ñg
Intel Pentium M 758 1,5GHz Low volume days, 512MB RAM, 60GB HDD, 12,1"tft XGA(1024x768), Intel Graphics Media accelerator 900, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Intel WLAN 802.11a/b/g, finger print, 8 Cell Akku, Win XP pro, 3 years warranty

US26EGE ThinkPad X42 - model: 2525-6eg
Intel Pentium M 758 1,5GHz Low volume days, 512MB RAM, 60GB HDD, 12,1"tft XGA(1024x768), Intel Graphics Media accelerator 900, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Intel WLAN 802.11a/b/g, finger print, 4 Cell Akku, Win XP pro, 3 years warranty, inclusive X4 Ultrabase and Dvd/cd rw Combolaufwerk

They list an X32 in with the X42s, though...

I've seen references to X42s coming in Japan, but they linked to Asian porn.

"thinkpad X50" is purely "OMG! LIEK, I WANT ONE! MAKE THEM!"

gst · #22 Post by **gst** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:59 am

bhtooefr wrote:Yep, an X42:

http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... 26rls%3Den

US367GE ThinkPad X42 - model: 2527-67G
Intel Pentium M 758,1,5 GHz Low volume days, 512MB RAM, 40GB HDD, 12.1"tft XGA (1024x768), Intel Graphics Media accelerator 900, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Intel WLAN 802,11 a/b/g, Bluetooth, finger print, 4 Cell Akku, Win XP pro, 1 year warranty

the models listed on this page are all X41's.

compare:
http://www.ip-web.de/ThinkPad/X41/index.htm
http://www.ip-web.de/ThinkPad/X42/index.htm

the page was last modified on the 21. september. this page seems more like a template-page for the X42 until they get the actual specifications (it isn't linked on the mainpage too.) but at least it confirms that there will be a X42 soon.

gst · #23 Post by **gst** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 9:04 am

at least on the polish ibm page the X42 is listed too...
http://www-5.ibm.com/shop/pl/pc/notebooks/xseries.html

bhtooefr · #24 Post by **bhtooefr** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 9:15 am

Interesting... looks like people are using placeholders everywhere...

Unfortunately, I was hoping for something other than an X42...

Edit: Realized something. If the X42 is going to be released, it's going to use the same accessories as the X40/41. That means that they're not phasing out the older accessories yet.

There's still hope for an X33

beq · #25 Post by **beq** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 2:53 pm

I had also looked at the Fujitsu Siemens LifeBook series since a lot of people spoke highly of it. And when I was looking for a cheap laptop recently, I found Averatec has great prices and many good reviews.

But in terms of specs on paper (for features vs. size/weight), has anyone tried the Panasonic (or Sony) Japanese models from Dynamism?

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 8&start=47

bhtooefr · #26 Post by **bhtooefr** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 4:54 am

ThinkPad X32-related blog entry

My official plea to Lenovo to keep the X32, or replace it with a comparable model.

(Linked for Google's sake

)

joprodse · #27 Post by **joprodse** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 8:08 am

YEEEESSS!
My dealer just called me and told me that my X32 finally showed up here in Sweden. I'll get it tomorrow morning.

I actually didn't think it would come at all, and I was quite sure I had to get myself an x41, with new DVD-RW, Extra HDD-drive bay, a new set of spare batteries etc etc

I just hope this new one will serve me just as well as my X30 has for the past three years

Deckard · #28 Post by **Deckard** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 8:30 am

Hmm, so I think it is going to be a wise idea to secure a X32 before the lights go off.

bhtooefr · #29 Post by **bhtooefr** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:01 am

I would do it, but I don't have much money

I'm window shopping like mad, pricing out a config. I'm going to look at a certain way to get a lower price that has a vowel and two consonants, and rhymes with "OPP". No, I'm not posting the price.

This is what I'm picking out:

ThinkPad X32 2884-A2U
Adding 256MB stick of RAM - should I go with another supplier?
Adding UltraBase X3
Adding UB2K CD-RW/DVD combo

Can't say specific prices here - I'm checking both edu and CC discount right now. Both are *NOT* fair game on this board, right?

Is there a way to get financing on this thing, especially at edu prices? Because if there is, I may just spring for it. I'm getting a little sick of fighting my X21's hardware failures - one gets fixed, another gets worse.

Deckard · #30 Post by **Deckard** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:22 am

I wouldn't order RAM from IBM. They have silly extraorbitant prices. Your local computer store is much cheaper.

Luckily I have the X3 Ultrabase and the CD-RW/DVD combo drive (came with the package)

Also I have a few other external hardware that I am using with my current X31 (ext. hard drive, ext. DVD burner etc) So, I'm pretty good set.

All I need is a X32, yes money is also a concern for me. Maybe Santa Claus might do me a favor

Future of the X series? (X3*, mainly)

Future of the X series? (X3*, mainly)

Re: Future of the X series? (X3*, mainly)

Who is online