Considering purchasing an X40, but have a few questions...

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bamberg29 · #1 Post by **bamberg29** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 2:08 pm

Hello all,

I am considering purchasing an IBM X40, but have a few questions:

1. What is the difference between the different model numbers? I tried looking around the Internet, but haven't been able to find any real information on different model numbers. Are the newer X40s any different than the earlier ones? (in terms of software, design, etc).

2. What is the best way to add Bluetooth to an X40? Is there a Mini PCI card that can be bought for it? The reason I ask is because I'd really like Bluetooth, but I'm not interested in buying one of the more advanced X40s that has Bluetooth as an option. All the European-spec X40s have Bluetooth, so why don't the US ones?

3. Is 256 MB ram soldered in by default? The reason I ask is because it seems like when you add memory (when customizing the system), it adds that amount on top of the 256 MB default memory.

Anyway, the X40 I'm considering is the 23866GU with the following specs:

Low Voltage Intel Pentium M Processor 1.20 GHz
40 GB HD
256 MB ram

Is this system a good buy for the money? ($1529.10) Thanks a lot in advance.

David

ldbobby · #2 Post by **ldbobby** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 4:27 pm

1. The difference between models could be a combination of things, CPU, amount of default soldered on RAM, Bluetooth, length of warranty, HD capacity, and maybe the Security Chip.

2. Yes, there is a mini PCI card you can buy. It replaces the current modem mini pci.
Lots more info here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... =bluetooth

3. In your case, the 256 RAM is soldered on by default. so you have a max of 1284 megs of ram I believe, (1028+256). If it had 512, it would have 512 soldered on by default.[/b]

bamberg29 · #3 Post by **bamberg29** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:19 pm

ldbobby wrote:1. The difference between models could be a combination of things, CPU, amount of default soldered on RAM, Bluetooth, length of warranty, HD capacity, and maybe the Security Chip.

What is the "Security Chip?" And by the way, thanks for your answers!

David

ldbobby · #4 Post by **ldbobby** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:45 pm

I for one don't really know jack about it =D. Too lazy to read about it and activate mine. But here is where you can find all you need to know about it:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46391

#5 Post by **aamsel** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 9:27 pm

My understanding is that on the X31 and X40, you can change the modem card for a combination modem and bluetooth card, but that does not get you bluetooth, because the bluetooth antenna has to be installed, which required totally disassembling the LCD frame, etc.
RIGHT ????

Andrew
Austin, TX

ldbobby wrote:2. Yes, there is a mini PCI card you can buy. It replaces the current modem mini pci.

eriqesque · #6 Post by **eriqesque** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 11:02 pm

aamsel wrote:My understanding is that on the X31 and X40, you can change the modem card for a combination modem and bluetooth card, but that does not get you bluetooth, because the bluetooth antenna has to be installed, which required totally disassembling the LCD frame, etc.
RIGHT ????

Andrew
Austin, TX

Short answer Yes
However there are a few models I believe that have the antenna already there, but I could be wrong and that could be in T series I am thinking of.

ldbobby · #7 Post by **ldbobby** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:27 am

I don't believe any X series are "Bluetooth expandable ready," shall we say. But, some people have bought the antenna wire and just left it inside the case, like coil it and leave it near where the other mini pci cards are. You may not get the best possible distance by doing this, but you should get enough. And this doesn't require taking apart the LCD

kalo93406 · #8 Post by **kalo93406** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 5:31 am

bamberg29 wrote:Hello all,

I am considering purchasing an IBM X40, but have a few questions:

1. What is the difference between the different model numbers? I tried looking around the Internet, but haven't been able to find any real information on different model numbers. Are the newer X40s any different than the earlier ones? (in terms of software, design, etc).

2. What is the best way to add Bluetooth to an X40? Is there a Mini PCI card that can be bought for it? The reason I ask is because I'd really like Bluetooth, but I'm not interested in buying one of the more advanced X40s that has Bluetooth as an option. All the European-spec X40s have Bluetooth, so why don't the US ones?

3. Is 256 MB ram soldered in by default? The reason I ask is because it seems like when you add memory (when customizing the system), it adds that amount on top of the 256 MB default memory.

Anyway, the X40 I'm considering is the 23866GU with the following specs:

Low Voltage Intel Pentium M Processor 1.20 GHz
40 GB HD
256 MB ram

Is this system a good buy for the money? ($1529.10) Thanks a lot in advance.

David

1. http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... &langId=-1

2.Just get a model with Bluetooth installed... The time and labor you would put into finding, buying, installing, updating the bluetooth parts etc is not worth saving a couple bucks to start IMO.

I've had my X40 for just about a week... I have to say I just got my bluetooth working the way I want.. I've done all the software updates and was miffed about bluetooth, but then I saw on another thread somewhere that a guy got bluetooth working well. So I kept at it.. and now I'm listening to radio from my X40 over my bluetooth headset and can walk around my room here.. This is the option I really wanted with bluetooth. i really like it. The thing with bluetooth for me was to not allow the Microsoft SP2 to take over bluetooth. I got the latest drivers from IBM for bluetooth 1.4.3.4 dated 3/15/04. In ACCESS IBM help, view references, use onsystem help, contents, getting conected, wireless connections, using bluetooth, replacing bluetooth software... it talks about how to use the IBM software over any microsoft software. If you install SP@ like I did when you first turn on Bluetooth "fn/f5", microsoft bluetooth takes over.... This didn't seem to allow for the headset profile so I tried the IBM software and it seems to work good. A widdicom driver gets installed.

Cheers roger

bamberg29 · #9 Post by **bamberg29** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 12:07 pm

kalo93406 wrote:2.Just get a model with Bluetooth installed... The time and labor you would put into finding, buying, installing, updating the bluetooth parts etc is not worth saving a couple bucks to start IMO.

I would, but the cheapest X40 with Bluetooth is $1719, whereas I'm looking at not spending more than $1500. If the Bluetooth models X40's were about $1599 or so, I wouldn't mind spending the extra $100, but $220 is a bit too much. Especially since I don't mind paying $100 for parts and putting the antenna/card in myself.

David

Tsuioku · #10 Post by **Tsuioku** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 4:29 pm

Unless you really need the extra USB port... you ever consider a BT dongle?
I don't have practical exp doing this just that I often hear people recommending that.

Also, for the X40 users out there.... how do you find its mobile performance when using programs like AutoCAD or video editing progs?
I love the form factor of the X40... but the higher performance X31 is really tempting...

PS. Not trying to thread-jack here... Just thought it would be best to have an X40 Q&A thread.

kalo93406 · #11 Post by **kalo93406** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 4:37 pm

Most reviews don't recommend the X40 for video editing.. I've never done it so don't have first hand experience, but i remember reading it several places. Check out some online reviews and I'm sure you will see iit mentioned...

Considering purchasing an X40, but have a few questions...

Considering purchasing an X40, but have a few questions...

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