Is X40 really a step-up from the X31?

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plucky duck · #1 Post by **plucky duck** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 12:16 am

Don't mean to slam the X40, but just a personal observation.

To me, the X40 is a step backwards. Not sure why IBM is discontinuing the X31 in favour of the X40. Sure the X40 is redesigned and smaller, but that's pretty much all it has going for it.

The proprietary 1.8" slower RPM hd and the lack of a firewire, alongside the slower processor is not attractive. I like ultraportability, but would like some decent speed to go along with it as well. The X40 and X31 are comparably priced, yet the X31 seems to offer better bang for the buck.

Just curious as to why those who went with the X40 did not go with the X31?

With news that the T41 and X31 being discontinued, any info as to what's coming down the pipeline?

Txiasaeia · #2 Post by **Txiasaeia** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 12:57 am

Plus, the X40 is not that much smaller than the X31. Rock climbers measure their packs in terms of ounces; maybe that's IBM's thinking too - the more you have to lug around, the less you'll like your computer? I dunno. I can't even feel my X31 when I'm lugging it around in my backpack.

Cobos · #3 Post by **Cobos** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:59 am

I'm waiting for my X40 and I choose that over the X31 since I don't care about CPU performance (my old desktop XP1800+ handles everything nicely). Likewise I don't mind as much the lower HDD performance from the X40 compared to the X31. I want the machine as small as possible as well as the battery time to be as long as possible. And since the X40 with the 8-cell gives me 7.5 hours compared to the much lower X31 I want the X40. And considering the X31's size and weight (with the extended battery) I start to seriously miss an optical drive since in the above 1.5kg range there are Sony's and Panasonics with an optical drive...
But I do see that the X40 and the X31 caters to two different tastes and thus I can't understand why they are killing the X31 either ?

Cobos

Edit: Silly typos

DavidNZ · #4 Post by **DavidNZ** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:23 am

I went with the X40 primarily because it my first (and probably last for a long time) chance to own something pretty much 'brand new'. I did consider the X31, but to me the fact that the X40 was 'new' and 're-designed' won me over. Then again, i've always been a sucker for marketing. It works on me.

Plus, I had never seen either an X31 or an X40 when I ordered, so it just seemed logical to me, at the time, to go with the 40.

I'm in cobos as well: the slower HD didn't matter to me. I've been using it for a few weeks now and i'm generally impressed with how it performs. if I want screaming graphics and the ability to play Doom 3 when it comes out, I would have bought something else. For my needs, portability and reliability were/are paramount.

David

ldbobby · #5 Post by **ldbobby** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:56 am

I chose the X40 because I wanted the lightest laptop possible. I would only be programming and doing general school work on it, so it fit the criteria. I need not play any of the latest games, so the integrated video card didn't bother me. Although I wish the HD was faster, I'm sure a 7200RPM 1.8" hard drive will be released some time in the near feature. And the battery power definately won me over. ~7.5 hours of use with the 8 cell... and ~9.5 hours with the extended battery added. I could go through the whole week with light use and never have to charge it. Or literally go through a whole day(on and off between classes often and at home) and end up having to drain the battery a bit before I sleep (I want to keep my batteries very healthy

)

Also, I'd have to agree with DavidNZ... I'm one h**luva sucker for new things.

eriqesque · #6 Post by **eriqesque** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 9:39 am

ldbobby wrote: and end up having to drain the battery a bit before I sleep (I want to keep my batteries very healthy )

Also, I'd have to agree with DavidNZ... I'm one h**luva sucker for new things.

If you like to take care of your batteries
then I would avoid doing that. LI-Ion Batts Do not like to be drianed
at all.

ldbobby · #7 Post by **ldbobby** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:59 pm

eriqesque wrote: If you like to take care of your batteries
then I would avoid doing that. LI-Ion Batts Do not like to be drianed
at all.

I hear so many different stories about how to take care of batteries I don't even know what to believe anymore

. But... at least I'm half with each crowd... my 8 cell only gets drained to about 8 percent before I start to charge again, as for the extended battery, it drains fully before I give it a full charge.

** Edit
Actually though, doesn't IBM's Battery maximizer drain the batteries 100% before it gives them a full charge when you choose to improve your battery health?

tselling · #8 Post by **tselling** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 5:15 pm

From what I understand, if a LiIon is drained all the way it ruins the smart sensor and cannot be recharged. I doubt battery maximizer drains it to this extent. Also LiIon batteries are sensitive to heat so if you drain it all the way, its best to recharge with the Thinkpad turned OFF so heat is minimal. So if you recharge the battery from close to zero while the laptop is on, you may lose capacity due to the heat.

Is X40 really a step-up from the X31?

Is X40 really a step-up from the X31?

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