New X32 came today

[asiafish]

Well, my X32 came today. It is replacing my T42p which is shipping out to its new owner tomorrow evening. So far I'm trying to get things working, but ran into trouble getting Access Connections from my T42p image too recognize the Intel 2200 card in the X32. I've tried the suggestions from this list, and finally decided to just ditch my T42p image and build-up the original X32 image from scratch.

Other than hardware compatibility issues with the T42p software load, the X32 is a delight. The computer is fast, stable and appears very well made, at least as well as the T42p. The hinges are very firm and smooth and the keyboard, while a tad smaller than I am used to, has the same excellent feel that makes ThinkPads the best machines to type on.

My X32 is the 1.8 GHz Pentium M, with 1.12 GB of RAM (1GB module and an old 128MB module I had laying around), with an 80GB 5400 RPM TravelStar in place of the 40GB unit that it came with. I originally was going to install the 80GB 7200RPM drive that I bought into the X32, but went ahead and put that into my PowerBook instead, as my priority for the X32 is battery life.

Speaking of battery life, I'll be sure and run a few tests in the coming days. I bought it with the standard 6 cell battery, and the high-capacity plate battery as well. Nice as the plate battery is, I'm thinking that perhaps a second main cell would have been a better choice (I'll be saving for one), as the Ultrabase X3 (which I also bought) has a slot for a second maincell, but does not work with the extended battery. My guess is that the X32 stuffed with the second main cell in the X3 and the DVD/CDRW combo drive will make an outstanding all-day machine. The T42p had awesome battery life when used with the 9 cell and the ultrabay slim battery, but I gave up the DVD drive to get it. If the X32 with two maincells gets anywhere near the same, I will be extatic.

Despite the lack of X3-compatibility, the extended battery is just the ticket for long days in the city. Instead of the AC Adapter I can carry this battery and get hopefully close to all-day unplugged use. With the battery attached the computer won't fit into my Waterfield or Brenthaven cases (both were purchased for the 12" PowerBook, but it disappears into my briefcase without any trouble.

Speaking of sleave cases, anything for the 12" Apple PowerBook should fit an X32 (without dock or extended battery) just fine. The two computers are about the same size, with the ThinkPad perhaps a tad thicker and the PowerBook a smidge wider. The ThinkPad is a bit difficult to get out of my vertical orientation Waterfield mainly because it isn't as smooth and slick as the PoweBook, and tends to hold onto the interior of the bag a bit tighter.

Going from a 14" SXGA+ to a 12" XGA isn't really that bad, probably because I already use a 12" XGA on my PowerBook and am quite used to it. Also, I do very little that requires the real estate, and usually zoom my documents to get larger text instead of putting two docs side-by-side.

Time will tell, but so far my impression of the X32 is quite favorable.

[FRiC]

Going from a 14" SXGA+ to a 12" XGA isn't really that bad, probably because I already use a 12" XGA on my PowerBook and am quite used to it. Also, I do very little that requires the real estate, and usually zoom my documents to get larger text instead of putting two docs side-by-side.

Which one has smaller text? The 14" SXGA+ or the 12" XGA? I'm planning to order a new ThinkPad with the 14" SXGA+, but they aren't available locally and I'd like to have an idea how small the text is. I have no trouble with the X32's 12" XGA...

[aamsel]

Great comments!
What can you say about the screen on the X32? How much brightness does it have compared to the T42p you had?
I am assuming that text looks more pixelated on it (as with any XGA screen compared to an SXGA+ screen), since it has less pixels being 1024 X 768.
How apparent and obvious is this to you while surfing or typing documents?

Andrew
Austin, TX

...Other than hardware compatibility issues with the T42p software load, the X32 is a delight. The computer is fast, stable and appears very well made, at least as well as the T42p. The hinges are very firm and smooth and the keyboard, while a tad smaller than I am used to, has the same excellent feel that makes ThinkPads the best machines to type on...

[asiafish]

First the text size. Text is smaller on the 14" SXGA+ of the T42p, but not by too much. If you have no problem with the X32, you should do fine with the SXGA+ as well.

The screen on the X32 is, if anything, a little brighter than the one on the T42p, though wiht the default settings (which I like) the screen is much dimmer on battery power (whole range is dimmer). Since the screen is one of the biggest power hogs in a laptop, having the entire range dimmer is a real boost to runtime.

The text is a bit more pixelated, but it is by no means annoying, especially with ClearType enabled.

On the subject of runtime, I used the X32 most of the day today on battery power. It was in and out of my bag, but for one stretch ran for 2 hours while I wrote a legal brief and scrolled through many large PDF files (kept the hard drive spinning), and at another time I ran my disk defrag program (Raxco Perfectdisk), which took about an hour. All told, I'd guess that I ran it for a little over 4 hours, and at the end I still had 63% battery left (main and extended batteries). Not bad at all.

With the extended battery installed, it is a perfect fit for my Brenthaven case, which was designed and sold as a compliment to the 12" Apple PowerBook. Its amazing as that case is an excellent fit for hte PowerBook, which is smaller than the X32/Extended battery combo, but it also accomodates the 2 battery X32 like it was made for it. Sadly my Waterfield sleeve case will absolutely not take the X32 when the extended battery is installed. I'm debating buying another Waterfield for this particular combo, as I like the minimalist style.

I'm even getting used to the slightly smaller than usual keyboard. This is probably the toughest part of using an X-series, and honestly I wish they were able to push the keys out a bit more to the edges or just make the surfaces a bit less tapered (full-size keycaps, less space between them). I notice a definite difference in the size of the individual keycaps, and while the feel is outstanding, it is taking a bit of getting used to. The 12" Apple is roughly the same size as the undocked X32, and while a pound heavier, has its optical drive built in (I'll take the light weight), cannot take a second battery (need that) but has keys that are truly full-sized, feeling every bit as spacious and nice as the T-series.

I'll get used to it, as I anticipate spending a lot of time typing away at this thing while waiting in the many lines that immigration requires.

[FRiC]

Hi, thanks for your detailed review. It was very helpful. I'm actually also looking at the X32. But basically, I'm looking at anything lighter than my R51. I love my current setup, but carrying it between my two work locations, my home, and dorm is getting tiresome.

[asiafish]

Well, the T-series are a lot lighter than the R, and the X just that much lighter again. My T42p with 9 cell and ultrabay slim batteries was in the 5.5~6lb range. It was heavy enough that I would usually take my PowerBook (4.6lbs) with me when I travel. The PowerBook is great for that as in addition to light weight, it is also small and still has its optical drive built-in. The only problem was it only takes a single battery and the metal case is a bit delicate for rough use (I put a $600 dent in the corner a few weeks ago).

The X32 is a good compromise, but it is just that, a compromise. You give up the optical drive unless you want to keep the X3 slice on it, in which case you are better off (less weight, bigger screen, better video) just getting a T-series. With the extended battery clipped to the bottom the X32 is about the same weight as the PowerBook, though without an optical drive (but more than twicethe battery life). By itself the X32 is the same size as the PowerBook, at 3.6lbs it is one pound lighter (yay) and gets about 4~5 hours on a charge, which is perhaps 30~45 minutes more than the PowerBook, nad just short of a T-series with the 9 cell (considerably better than T-series with 6 cell).

From your R you have to ask yourself hte same questions I did. Can you live with a much smaller screen (in my case, also much lower resolution)? Can you do without an optical drive most of the time? Is the smaller keyboard going to bother you? Do you need a decent graphics card (X32's ancient Radeon has only 16MB and absolutely sucks for any games newer than the year 2000 or 2001).

For me, the pluses (long battery life, light weight, compact size) make up for the very real minuses (I think, I just got it so I cannot be sure), but your mileage will vary.

Andrew