Buying my first TP! x31 vs x40..

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onigiri · #1 Post by **onigiri** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:07 am

Hi,
I've been lurking in this forum for a bit on advice for buying a thinkpad. I have previously owned an EEE 900, but found the keyboard annoyingly unresponsive (pushing twice or more for keys to register) and would lag while listening to music and web surfing.

Anyway, I recently sold that, and was looking at the x series thinkpad. Originally eyeing the possibly x61 or x200, I came across some much cheaper x31/x40.

From reading through this forum, the general censensus seems to be gearing towards favouring the x31 over x40.

But here's my dilemma:
Right now, I have an option of getting a x31: 1.7ghz/512mb ram/40g hdd/wifi for ~$260.
Or x40 of 1.4ghz/512mb ram/60g hdd for $300
Neither include a docking station.

The thing is, I am not sure I will ever need to upgrade my hdd (so the costly x40 hdd may not be so bad). And I might be okay with the slow hdd. I'm a bit attracted to the x40's smaller size and weight, but I wouldn't mind the extra weight and size for a better build quality. Is the difference between the two noticable? I know I saw pics, but they are never the same as in real life. I'm especially curious about the weight difference, and if they are easily upgradable (in terms of ram, not hdd).

Overall, are the prices worth it? How much time would I be able to get out of it?

Thanks!

zaqrack · #2 Post by **zaqrack** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:51 am

If you really don't intend to upgrade the hard drive, I'd say go for the X40. The X31's stock harddrive is nearly as slow as the dreaded 1.8" in the X40.
The X40's speed is really not so bad if you use hibernating and use a proper defragment software regularly. Or linux. The X40 flies with linux.
But be careful, a not well maintained slow HDD results in lagging.

Definitely upgrade the RAM at least to 1GB (The X40 maxes out at 1.25/1.5 depending to soldered amount of RAM, as it only has one socket.
I went for the X40 and love every bit of it, eve after I have also used an X31 for a while.
Especially the 5 hour battery life of the 2 year old extended 9cell battery is great, while watching movies (I use NHC), and I just prefer the look of the machine compared to the X31. It is a personal choice though.

Weight difference is close to none if you use the extended battery of the X40. With the stock 4cell it is considerably less.

Puppy · #3 Post by **Puppy** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:00 pm

I'd go for X31. The size/weight difference is not that significant while the X31 performance is better (X40 has ULV cpu model). I bought X31 refurbished by IBM and I'm very satisfied with it. I need model with PCMCIA slot to get mobile Internet (the only way over here) so that makes new models useless for me.

sjthinkpader · #4 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:06 pm

The $400 Ideapad S10 looks very compelling. However it may be very close to the Asus EEE PC in terms of performance.

j-dawg · #5 Post by **j-dawg** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 2:09 pm

If you're willing to spend a little more, you might be able to snag an X60, which would probably be better then either, but you'd have to hunt for it. I've seen them for around $500-550ish, and even at minimum spec it'd be some tough competition for an X31 or an X40 to keep up with. It'll also have at least a 5400rpm hard drive and DDR2 RAM, which is cheap.

Granted, if you're replacing an Eee, you don't need nearly that much power, but y'know, y'know. It's another potential option.

EDIT: Actually, poking my head around the Craigslist postings, you can get an X60 for peanuts these days. I'm looking at a 1.83GHz Core Duo with a 100GB HD, 1GB of RAM, Verizon WWAN, and Bluetooth, with docking station and DVD burner, for $500 even. If you didn't want that and sold the dock, you'd have a decent spec X60 for probably around $400. Sell the WWAN card and you're looking at even less.

dr_st · #6 Post by **dr_st** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:23 pm

Between the original two options, I'd go for the X40. The difference in speed between the 1.7 Banias and the 1.4 Dothan will be very small, and it's a lighter laptop. Hard drive is slower but with lager capacity.

Now whether to invest in an X60 is a different story.

#7 Post by **underclocker** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:04 pm

Head says X31; heart says X40.

For performance get the x31; for lightweight elegance and up to 11 hours of runtime get the X40.

(Or wait until the X60s model drops below $500 and avoid a decision, you can have it all.)

onigiri · #8 Post by **onigiri** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:36 pm

Question: How easy is it to upgrade? I have never upgraded before. I heard the x31 (and possibly x40 as well?) does not support ddr2 ram. is it easy to find ones supportable? Similarly with hard drives (if I ever do want to upgrade).
As for the x60, it's appealing, but unfortunately from what I've seen on craigslist around this area is in the thousands O__O

Puppy · #9 Post by **Puppy** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:43 pm

underclocker wrote:Head says X31; heart says X40.

Very good point

ajkula66 · #10 Post by **ajkula66** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:55 pm

It is true that neither X31 nor X40 support DDR2 RAM, but upgrading is easy, less than 5 minutes of you have a screwdriver...

And the hard disk is no different. It can be replaced quickly and easily. However, 1.8" disks for X4x series are no longer in production, and 60GB ones (the largest size available) command some downright insane prices...think about anywhere from $100-150 for an item in original unopened packaging...that alone would make me pass on an otherwise cute X4x units...

Personally, I'd go with X31. Or, as others have suggested, save a bit more money and go with X60 which is in a whole different universe IMHO...

sjthinkpader · #11 Post by **sjthinkpader** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:11 pm

At the office, we went from X31 directly to X60s/X61s for some reason. The newest X61s were purchased with 3 WiFi antennae ready for 11n. We were not aware of the 1.8 inch HDD issue at the time.

j-dawg · #12 Post by **j-dawg** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:28 am

onigiri wrote: As for the x60, it's appealing, but unfortunately from what I've seen on craigslist around this area is in the thousands O__O

Ah, but there is still hope:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=68585

syedj is selling a couple, for ~$500. That's still more than you'll pay for an X31 or an X40, but I'd say it's worth it.

onigiri · #13 Post by **onigiri** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 5:15 pm

So, I ended up listening to my head, and got the x31. It came here rather quickly, and I'm typing on it now. It's much smaller than I imagined, and in fact came in a small box, I couldn't believe it was my thinkpad. It was a bit heavy for it's small size though. So far I'm pleased, but I still wonder what it would have been like to get the x40. It came in good physical condition, but I'm not sure how to test everything else.

I was considering upgrading, but it seems finding DDR ram is hard and expensive. Any advice for a thinkpad newbie? Especially a buying-an-old-thinkpad newbie in terms of upgrading, or things I'd have to look out for?

Thanks a bunch for all of your advices.

hadoken · #14 Post by **hadoken** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:44 am

You're not missing much by going with the X31. I bought an X40 on a whim, already owning an X31. It's got a slightly better coolness factor because it's a little smaller but the X31 has better technical specs (dedicated GPU, Firewire, 3.5" drive) so I got rid of the X40.

As for DDR, check Frys periodically. You can get 1GB DDR sticks for $10 + shipping after rebate right now. I'd jump on that since it does not come around that often any longer.

OldManClayton · #15 Post by **OldManClayton** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:02 pm

j-dawg wrote:Actually, poking my head around the Craigslist postings, you can get an X60 for peanuts these days. I'm looking at a 1.83GHz Core Duo with a 100GB HD, 1GB of RAM, Verizon WWAN, and Bluetooth, with docking station and DVD burner, for $500 even. If you didn't want that and sold the dock, you'd have a decent spec X60 for probably around $400. Sell the WWAN card and you're looking at even less.

Where are you finding them that cheap?? I check my craigslist everyday and there's never an x60 on there... Ebay's always upward of $1000... (Ok, granted, I'm looking for the tablet version... but still...)

Buying my first TP! x31 vs x40..

Buying my first TP! x31 vs x40..

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