After reading about the Ts & Xs; I purchased an used X23

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HarryWild · #1 Post by **HarryWild** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 1:27 am

Hi all,

I am a new member!

Here is my story below:

Past user of a Thinkpad 770z

I initally was going for the X40 with the Dothan 2m on board cache but heard from here and Notebookreview.com about he 1.8" Hitachi Drive and just how slow it was. That did not make an sense to purchase it unless you do alot of CALCs with no hard drive interactions. Then I was going to purchase a T42p; but I say the actual size of it and it was huge; even the 14" size. So, I am being practical and going with one that includes everything - Utrabay docking station, DVD/CRW and wirless g modem. I may have to purchase a USB 2.0 Card unless I can purchase something that goes into the Utrabay instead of the X23 itself then I could leave the Wireless modem in.

I am planning on calling IBM for the recovery CDs for the Windows2000 and try installing Linux on it! If it does not work then I will reinstall Windows back. Everyone is talking about Linux so I decided to take a try at it! I hope it will run fast! Anyone know? I new of course to Linux!

I am also planning to buy a 512mb and replace the 256mb memory; making it a 640mb total for this machine. I don't really know if it is worth it since it is only 128mb more and it $100?

If you are not familar with the X23 here are the specs.:

Intel Pentium III 1.13GHz with 384MB RAM (an upgrade from the original 128MB,) 30GB HDD, 12.1-in XGA TFT display with 1024 x 768 resolution, 3.5” Floppy and CD-RW & DVD-ROM player are in the INCLUDED PORTABLE DOCKING STATION

I will update the Bios too.

New battery.

***************************************************8
Here are the questions I have:

1) Which Linux is the best for the X23 in terms of compatibility, stability and for office applications bundles? Is Sun good. I know of it only because of the StarOffice program. Suse? Red Hat?, others?

1b) Resources forums on Linux and THinkpads?

2)Well it be fast!**************************

3)What else should I do to make it fast!

4)Does any 2.5" 7200rpm hard drive work with Thinkpads or do they all have their subsectional identity. I know that would speed it up since I purchase a new ThinkCentre S50 (3.2GHZ hyperthread Pentium 1Gig DualDDR) and took out the Barracuda hard drive and replaced it with a Western Digital SATA 10,000rpm 10meg cache 74GB Raptor hard drive - it so cool to use. It boots XP Pro in 7 seconds! Everything flys - Office programs are instantanous.)

I am guessing IBM installed a 30GB 4200rpm in the X23!

5) Is there a USB 2.0 accessory to use update the docking station?

6) Do you have to purchase an antenna for the wireless g modem? I read somewhere here that if you don't have an antenna; the wireless card does not work?

7) upgrade memory or not? If Linux does work /should I for Windows; it so little more 128mb! Well updating the bios possibly increase the total RAM? Probably no but I would love to see it to at least 2gig same as the T42 and X40.

The X23 is missing the latch on the left side of the lid. I will call IBM to order the part. My question is it hard to replace/install back.

I plan to spend up to an additional $600 for upgrades.

Thanks for any suggestions or help that you can give me!

By the way; I am going to use it for mostly surfing the web; like at coffee houses/shops and outside in the summer. Maybe travel too. Really nothing else; but I can tell that the memory, CPU and hard drive still make a tremendous impact on surfing performance - even with a 1.5mps line!

HarryWild · #2 Post by **HarryWild** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 3:34 am

However, I found out through reading a newsgroup that starting with the X22; a built-in antenna is included with the subsequent models; is that correct?

Can I pull out the mini-PCI card and replace it with a wireless g mini-PCI card? gernic brand okay like Agere?

Found out that Linspire for laptops is recommended but it is slow!
No support for DVD unless you buy something I not sure what that is the product or module.

Thanks again sorry for the error!

lfeagan · #3 Post by **lfeagan** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 10:45 am

I would try going with Suse 9.1 as it should run very well on an IBM notebook as they used to have (and may continue) many partnerships on things. Suse should also include DVD support with it by default. If you are the type who likes recompiling your kernel, Suse may not be for you. But, if you want a Windows-like experience but still have the useful *nix type tools, I would say Suse is a good choice.

Voodle · #4 Post by **Voodle** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 7:22 pm

should've got an x31, all the speed and none of the 1.8" drives

That said though, the X23 isn't a terrible machine - except for the lack of USB 2 and possibly internal wireless. a few answers to your questions:

2) depends mostly on the disk and memory unless you're doing processor intensive things.

3) see above

4) it does take any 2.5" hd, I used a hitachi 7200rpm 60gig in an x20 and that worked without fault

5) you could use a cardbus USB 2 card, but you won't be able power external devices with just that.

6) depends on the model, if it doesn't have internal wireless already, it's not really worth upgrading unless you want to spend out on replacement parts and aren't afraid to dismantle the LCD (which isn't all that hard as long as youre careful with the cables), the parts you'd need are 26p9824 and 26p9819 from here: http://www-132.ibm.com/content/home/sto ... _main.html and the two parts come to $88, then you'd need to get a wireless card.
It should be a relatively simple process if you follow the hardware maintenance manual, someone on these forums did this with a T23, and the instructions he provided may be useful to you: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... b76467c673

7) depends on what you want to spend on it

it takes any pc133 sodimm which makes finding memory much easier.

HarryWild · #5 Post by **HarryWild** » Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:37 pm

Thank lfeagan and Voodle,

I am thinking like you Voodle. Maybe I should just get an X31!

I hoping the next X series - x50 series will incorporate back the optical drive into the chasis of the notebook. I know that IBM makes alot of money on the accessories for the docking station; but I think they realize that there are not generic notebooks that have done this like the Asus and other custom notebooks for the 12". They have nearly the same weigh as the X31 but faster data bus and better video. Even Sony's Vais series 12" have the optical drive included. Better yet; I looking for a WXGA screen too!

Thank you for your replies.

Harry

floyyed · #6 Post by **floyyed** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 5:45 pm

Voodle wrote:should've got an x31, all the speed and none of the 1.8" drives

That said though, the X23 isn't a terrible machine - except for the lack of USB 2 and possibly internal wireless. a few answers to your questions:

2) depends mostly on the disk and memory unless you're doing processor intensive things.

3) see above

4) it does take any 2.5" hd, I used a hitachi 7200rpm 60gig in an x20 and that worked without fault

5) you could use a cardbus USB 2 card, but you won't be able power external devices with just that.

6) depends on the model, if it doesn't have internal wireless already, it's not really worth upgrading unless you want to spend out on replacement parts and aren't afraid to dismantle the LCD (which isn't all that hard as long as youre careful with the cables), the parts you'd need are 26p9824 and 26p9819 from here: http://www-132.ibm.com/content/home/sto ... _main.html and the two parts come to $88, then you'd need to get a wireless card.
It should be a relatively simple process if you follow the hardware maintenance manual, someone on these forums did this with a T23, and the instructions he provided may be useful to you: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... b76467c673

7) depends on what you want to spend on it it takes any pc133 sodimm which makes finding memory much easier.

I have a X23, then i bought 26p9819 and 26p9824 for upgrading to wireless module. However, the LCD rear cover 26p9819 does not come with both sides of plastic wireless cover.....
I don't get it .... How come it does not with these plastic cover?
Maybe in some of parts list on page 132? (HMM)
IF someone can help me?
thx

Zeitgeist · #7 Post by **Zeitgeist** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 5:45 am

floyyed wrote:

I have a X23, then i bought 26p9819 and 26p9824 for upgrading to wireless module. However, the LCD rear cover 26p9819 does not come with both sides of plastic wireless cover.....
I don't get it .... How come it does not with these plastic cover?
Maybe in some of parts list on page 132? (HMM)
IF someone can help me?
thx

I successfully upgraded a T23 model thanks to Flatdraft´s excellent instructions:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... =zeitgeist

Just try to translate this instruction to the x23 model.

floyyed · #8 Post by **floyyed** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 4:53 pm

Zeitgeist wrote:
floyyed wrote:

I have a X23, then i bought 26p9819 and 26p9824 for upgrading to wireless module. However, the LCD rear cover 26p9819 does not come with both sides of plastic wireless cover.....
I don't get it .... How come it does not with these plastic cover?
Maybe in some of parts list on page 132? (HMM)
IF someone can help me?
thx
I successfully upgraded a T23 model thanks to Flatdraft´s excellent instructions:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... =zeitgeist

Just try to translate this instruction to the x23 model.

well.....thanks a lot...
I have already install the NEW LCD cover and set up the wireless cable...
However, because of missing two wireless plastic cover on the LCD cover
right now my lcd has two 1.5 in long hole on both side.....
sigh.... where can i find these two antenna cover?
Or i have to keep waitting for ebay second hand wireless LCD assemblely set?

After reading about the Ts & Xs; I purchased an used X23

After reading about the Ts & Xs; I purchased an used X23

Correction it an X24 instead of X23

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