Looking for a small X series TP... Recommendations?

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cogitordi · #1 Post by **cogitordi** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:35 pm

Hello folks, I'm looking for a 12" or smaller Thinkpad. According to my research, the older X series models offer great value for what I need. I'd rather buy a used Thinkpad than an EEE PC. (My current TPs are a 380z and a T40.)

Which model would you recommend to a user who wants to do e-mail, browsing, WiFi hot-spotting, and some mobile programming (C++, Perl, Ruby, Web design)? The goal is to have a reliable, well-equipped mobile computing tool that can be a PDA but also offer power beyond what PDAs offer.

Which X series model is the most expandable or upgradable?

Thanks for your help.

P.S. I may install Ubuntu on the computer.

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pianowizard · #2 Post by **pianowizard** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:53 pm

cogitordi wrote:Which X series model is the most expandable or upgradable?

I'd say the X31. The X4* is smaller and lighter, but they use 1.8" hard drives so you can't upgrade beyond 60GB.

If you don't mind having 800x600 resolution, the 10.4" 240X is even smaller than the X series. The S30/31 and some 240Z (both 10.4") have 1024x768 res, but they were made only for the Japanese and are extremely hard to find. Otherwise, they would be exactly what you're looking for.

bobbarker · #3 Post by **bobbarker** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:05 pm

I'd second the X31. On fleabay you can get them for about the same price as an Eee and they're plenty powerful for web/email/whatnot.

billp117 · #4 Post by **billp117** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:18 am

The X30 - X32 ThinkPads are great. The X40 series are very cool. But, if you can afford it...the X60s is very cool as it weighs less than 3 lbs with the small battery. It all depends on your budget.

But, are you not perhaps thinking about a tablet? If you are looking for PDA type functions...perhaps you might want to look at an X series tablet as a possibility. You can find good deals on the X41 tablet. I am not sure how well they support Unbuntu...perhaps someone else can answer that question. The non-tablet X series work fine.

Once you start using the X series...you may never go back to your larger ThinkPads.

pgoelz · #5 Post by **pgoelz** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:37 am

I love my X41 and accept that I may not be able to expand beyond a 4200 RPM 60GB drive. It is plenty fast.

I have not actually installed Linux on it (yet) but I have run the live CD version of PCLinuxOS and it worked great. Absolutely everything worked including WEP wireless and the ThinkLight right out of the box. Mandriva should be the same.

My only complaints about the X41:

It is in fact a bit too small.... it wants to sit between my legs a bit while on my lap, and with the power connector on the side I am afraid of stressing it so I balance it on one leg.

The keyboard is not quite as nice a feel as my old Thinkpad 600.

Battery life is about 2.5 hours tops on the small battery. Not bad really but I'm used to more.

The USB ports are on the left and right sides. I wish one side had a second port so devices like my external DVD burner could plug in without having to run cables to both sides.

Paul

ajkula66 · #6 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:52 am

I'm going to say X31 or X32. When maxed out, these can be very powerful. And you should be able to do it for around $500 on a X31. I'm talking 2Gb RAM, 7200rpm HDD and media slice. X32 is an even more appetizing proposition with its Dothan CPU, but these are not as easy to find, and cost more money.

On the other hand, if you don't mind spending significantly more, X61s is a very sweet machine and one that I wouldn't mind having, but you're going to be coming closer to a $1,000 range for a properly set unit. And, unlike X31, most of these will have some warranty remaining.

Just my $0.02, obviously.

t20user · #7 Post by **t20user** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:13 am

I agree with the general census above: the X31. They seem to be the best value right now since there are a lot more of them available compared to the X32, and they have USB2.0 vs the X30's USB1.1. There are some good deals on X40's also, and if you put the CF SSD as discussed in another thread it is a great machine.

cogitordi · #8 Post by **cogitordi** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:48 am

Thanks for the informative replies, gents!

The community here at thinkpads.com always impresses me.

Utwig · #9 Post by **Utwig** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:44 pm

Well 600 Euros for X32 with ultrabase X3.

Then 130 for 2GB RAM, 100 for 250GB 5400 or 100GB 7200 drive
Then about 100 for battery (machine like X is really meant to be portable, not confined to AC), maybe DVD burner for ultrabase, 150.

We arrive at 830-980 Euros, for which you can buy a decent new laptop already.

Now, a new X61s with warranty is ~1500 Euros, this is a lot but you get new battery, warranty, ...

ajkula66 · #10 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:58 pm

Utwig, if you ever decide that you want a new machine, someone here can buy it for you and ship to Slovenia...even with duty and taxes you'll be better off...

discoy2k · #11 Post by **discoy2k** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:21 pm

to compile, run dreamweaver, and photoshop at the ame time you need at minimum an X60 core duo with 3GB and 1.83GHz cpu.

thats to run at the same time, my X32 and X31 wont handle it.

pxa270 · #12 Post by **pxa270** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:43 am

pgoelz wrote: The keyboard is not quite as nice a feel as my old Thinkpad 600.

Does any laptop have as nice a feel as the legendary 600 series?

Serious question. The 600s seem to be widely regarded as the apex of ThinkPad (and consequently, laptop) keyboard design.

WarMachine · #13 Post by **WarMachine** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:58 pm

pxa270 wrote:
pgoelz wrote: The keyboard is not quite as nice a feel as my old Thinkpad 600.
Does any laptop have as nice a feel as the legendary 600 series?

Serious question. The 600s seem to be widely regarded as the apex of ThinkPad (and consequently, laptop) keyboard design.

I had exactly the same thought than you !

I've no word to describe the perfection of the 600's keyboard.

The best after, among the laptops I own, is the X20 one.

To give a reply to our OP, I'd say go for the X31.

The prices are very reasonable for this machine nowadays.

I'll receive mine tomorrow, and I paid it 296€ (PM 1.4GHz, 512 MB, 40 GB HDD, X3 base, with DVD and FDD Drive, and an bag).

I will probably upgrade the HDD, but I need to see what HDD I have on this machine, because the vendor didn't know, and I'll put 512 MB more. That'll cost me 80€.

So, my X31 will cost me 380€. Which is great.

W.

madcow · #14 Post by **madcow** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 3:18 pm

I got my x40. Now I hardly use my t61. I use it to play games and for stuff that x40 can't handle.

obpsym · #15 Post by **obpsym** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:49 pm

WarMachine

I can recommend the Samsung 160G drive, silent, cool running and fast, I've got one in my X32, one in a USB case and another in my 240X. Part No- HM160HC.

WarMachine · #16 Post by **WarMachine** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:52 am

Thx for your advice obpsym.

I know the Samsung are pretty good HDDs, I already have 2. One in my T23, a 40 GB one (SpinPoint M40 - MP0402H), and another one, in a 3.5" IcyBox (IB-360U-B-BL) HDD enclosure :

Samsung SpinPoint P - SP2514N - 250 GB

As I don't want to spend to much money (I have 80€ for HDD and 512 MB RAM), and as I don't have too much needs in term of storage capacity, I will choose the 80 GB one.

I especially love the silence of these.

In my X20, I have a Seagate (Momentus 5400.2), it's horrible, very noisy when accessing the data...

OTOH, its a fast drive.

With the Samsungs, not a single ccrrrrr...

W.

EDIT : Off Topic : Whooohooooh, you lucky guy, you have an S31 !

I would like to have one, but here, in France, it's very difficult to find one...

I wonder If you could create a topic with pics of this beautiful piece of laptop ! Could you do that for me ?

cogitordi · #17 Post by **cogitordi** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:51 pm

Hello friends,
Bonjour les amis,

Would $450 USD be a good price for one of these?

Thinkpad X32 1.8GHz CPU, 1024 MB RAM, 40 GB disk, optical combo drive with Ultra Base

qviri · #18 Post by **qviri** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:15 pm

Assuming a fair cosmetic condition, that is a good price.

Ask about the warranty, it may have some remaining.

WarMachine · #19 Post by **WarMachine** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:55 am

Bonjour Cogitordi !

In France, for this machine, you would pay more (500 or 600€, I even saw one at 1100€ !

).

Probably the same price as yours online (but its so rare you'll see X31, X4x, but not the X32 !

).

So, and especially if the laptop is in good condition, the price is very nice.

W.

Paul88 · #20 Post by **Paul88** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:00 am

Hi WarMachine,

Did you get a new HD for X31 yet? I just put mine with 80GB, 5400rpm and I run like a charm.

Enjoy,

Paul

WarMachine · #21 Post by **WarMachine** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:48 pm

Hello Paul !

Yes, I have a brand new Samsung Spinpoint M5, it's a really nice HDD.

I'll do an HDTach, and I'll post the results here.

W.

EDIT : HDTach for my Samsung :
http://xs225.xs.to/xs225/08110/hm080gc844.png

cogitordi · #22 Post by **cogitordi** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:31 pm

I received my X32 today... thanks again to everyone for the advice.

I have a couple of questions:

- there's a nick in the case that exposes the unpainted metal; what can one use to paint such blemishes?

- my X32 purchase didn't include the original OS installation disc, but I'm interested in buying it or at least knowing what software was installed by the accompanying media; does anyone have a list of the default applications on an X32 running WXP?

billp117 · #23 Post by **billp117** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:02 pm

Congratultations on the X32...you have a fine machine.

As for the nick...put a nice Windows XP sticker over the nick...our use a black sharpy. Also, some flat black touch up paint would work...available at your local automotive store. They usually come with a very small brush.

As for the Recover disks...you can find them in the Market Place on this forum. http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=56674

Good luck...Bill

cogitordi · #24 Post by **cogitordi** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:15 am

Thanks for the helpful tips!

Is there anything software in the recovery discs that folks consider essential? WXP drivers are available from Lenovo, of course.

teetee · #25 Post by **teetee** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:09 pm

cogitordi wrote:Thanks for the helpful tips!

Is there anything software in the recovery discs that folks consider essential? WXP drivers are available from Lenovo, of course.

In my experience with X24 and X41 Tablet, no, freshly installed Windows XP plus the correct drivers worked just fine. With the ThinkVantage and other IBM/Lenovo software you have extra functionality(ex. fingerprint authentication) but I wouldn't consider they are essential.

iThinkiAmBen · #26 Post by **iThinkiAmBen** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:35 am

madcow wrote:I got my x40. Now I hardly use my t61. I use it to play games and for stuff that x40 can't handle.

Yes, I am neglecting my Powerbook, and it's all cute little X41's fault.

fredstev · #27 Post by **fredstev** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:32 am

I made a big mistake reading this thread. Gave me an almost uncontrollable desire to own an X31/X32. Just picked this X31 up on Ebay, and talk about a clean one owner! I can find no signs of wear or use on it anywhere. The power supply and cord were still in their original IBM packing.

Looks like the T43p is gonna get a little break.
Fred

cogitordi · #28 Post by **cogitordi** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:16 pm

I just wanted to let you know how much I am impressed by the X32. I think this is the best notebook (and best Thinkpad) I've ever used: light, fast, great screen and keyboard, *no* trackpad, solid construction, surprising battery life, superior performance.

And the "nick" that I mentioned in the shell turned out to be a stain that I scraped off with a fingernail.

I would not hesitate to recommend the X32 to anyone!

proaudioguy · #29 Post by **proaudioguy** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:24 am

cogitordi wrote:I just wanted to let you know how much I am impressed by the X32. I think this is the best notebook (and best Thinkpad) I've ever used: light, fast, great screen and keyboard, *no* trackpad, solid construction, surprising battery life, superior performance.

And the "nick" that I mentioned in the shell turned out to be a stain that I scraped off with a fingernail.

I would not hesitate to recommend the X32 to anyone!

Anyone else interested in X32s, there is at least one company on ebay selling them. I've purchased 2 from them so far. I had some issues (mostly cosmetic) with one of them and sent it back and they took care of it. You can't find that kind of service too many places.

WarMachine · #30 Post by **WarMachine** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:38 am

cogitordi wrote:I just wanted to let you know how much I am impressed by the X32. I think this is the best notebook (and best Thinkpad) I've ever used: light, fast, great screen and keyboard, *no* trackpad, solid construction, surprising battery life, superior performance.

And the "nick" that I mentioned in the shell turned out to be a stain that I scraped off with a fingernail.

I would not hesitate to recommend the X32 to anyone!

Pleased to read that you're satisfied with your X32.

I've used my X31 intensively since March. As it's the same type of laptop (just not as powerful as yours, but perfect for my use), we can compare easily. I'm totally satisfied too.

Just because I'm curious...

I've received a T42 a few days ago, and it has a Pentium-M Dothan 1.7 GHz (not much difference between yours and mine). T42 is relatively noisy (without TPFancontrol). What about your X32 ? Do you use TPFancontrol ? I use it on every of my Thinkpads which can handle it (T23, X31 and T42). It's a terrific software ! And my laptops are now silent (especially the X31).

Thx !

W.

Looking for a small X series TP... Recommendations?

Looking for a small X series TP... Recommendations?

Re: Looking for a small X series TP... Recommendations?

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