Question Re: X series

[Ronny Floyd]

Hi folks,

Is there a thread somewhere on this site that explains the differences between the X2/X3/X4 Thinkpads ? I recently bought my first Thinkpad (600E) and I have spent alot of time reading up on all of the various types of the older Thinkpads. I like the idea of an "ultralight" with a 12" screen. Also, the thought of something faster and with a larger hard drive than what I have. I plan to keep my 600E but I want an X series also.

These older Thinkpads are mighty addictive !

Thanks,
Ronny
600E/ 366mhz/ 20gig hd/ 512ram

[rkawakami]

From the standpoint of how the factory has described these different Thinkpad systems, your best bet would be to download the relevant PSREF documents from here:

http://www.lenovo.com/psref/

Since the "newest" system you are looking at is the X4 series, you'll have to click on the "Withdrawn products" link at the bottom of that page. The "IBM Thinkpad A, T and X Series, 2000 to 2005 (withdrawn models)" link is the "tawbook.pdf" and will have systems up to the X31 and X40. Other X31 and X40 models, along with X32 and X41 systems are covered in the "ThinkPad Notebooks, 2005 to present (withdrawn models)" link (ltwbook.pdf). With respect to your hard drive question, you probably do not want to consider the X4 models since they use the smaller 1.8" drives and have severe restrictions in size, availability and above all, price. Note that you can replace the regular hard drive with a solid-state disk (SSD) drive but that's not a "faster" solution either.

My recommendation would be to look at the X31. They have USB 2.0 and FireWire ports, take standard (PATA; parallel ATA) notebook disk drives and can be had with up to 1.7Ghz Pentium-M processors. Maximum memory is 2GB of the DDR PC2100 or PC2700 variety. The fastest X24 has a slightly slower (1.13Ghz) PIII CPU than what came in a top-of-the-line T23 (1.20Ghz), yet can only handle 640MB of SDR memory (which is generally more expensive per MB than DDR). This is definitely faster than your 600E but I don't know what you are looking to do with the system.

[charles.atcher]

Another great web site with the different models is the thinkwiki.org

[j-dawg]

Having owned an X24, I'd say that while it's usable, it's probably worth shelling out the extra $50-100 for an X31 or X40. The lack of USB 2.0 and the slow hard drive are not much fun. On the other hand, the X24 is fairly slim and light though it cannot compete with the X40 in that regard.

[TheRedFox]

What about the X30?
I personally have an X31 that i'm especially fond of, though I've only just gotten it. It's speedy (to me anyway), light, and comfortable to use.

[sjthinkpader]

I used a X20 for work for a few years before moving to a T41. I liked the form factor a lot and performance was adequate in 2000. The only real problem is the single screw per side on the hinge made it wobbly. Later X2x went to two screws per side. I liked to hold the computer by the back edge and it developed vertical lines from the flex'ing. This series came from LG and they are generally well made.

We used quite a few X31 in the office and one or two had the MB replaced. Other than that they were pretty sturdy.

We skipped the X40/X41 generation and moved to the X60s/X61s. The big complaint on X6x is the lack of compatibility with regular docks thus no DVI support.

Now I have a X20, X30 and X40 around the house. The X40 has a CF/SSD in it and it is kid's roaming machine. It fits into a backpack easily and very light weight.

The X30 and X20 are great for light web use like looking up facts on IMDB while watching TV or looking up technical material while working on something. The X20 handles the hard drive master/slave/Cable Select differently and some IDE/CF adapters don't work in it.

[dr_st]

My personal favorite in terms of design is the X3x series. Solid notebooks, very balanced weight/battery life with the 6cell battery. With the X4x/X6x, you can either get a small and light laptop with a 4-cell batt, or long battery life with an 8-cell batt, but not both at the same time. The X3x sits well in the middle, as the 6cell battery easily gets over 5 hours of battery life when new, and the laptop weighs ~1.6kg.

You can look in my thread in the picture forum for comparison pictures of X32 and X61, where I muse more about it.

Now, in terms of performance, the X32 is the best of the pre-X60 series, since it comes with full fledged 2MB cache standard voltage Dothan CPUs. It is followed by an X31, which is the same, but 1MB Banias CPUs. The X40 and X41 lag behind due to the slow low voltage processors and horrendous 4200RPM hard drives.

If I were to get a used X-series, I would go for an X32 with 1.8/2.0/2.1GHz CPU and 1GB of RAM. It can still pack a good punch.

[miggy]

In terms of raw cpu (x86) power, X32 ("Dothan" one) is on par with desktop Athlon64 3000+ or 3200+ cpus. With 2GBs of RAM and fast HDD it can be considered to be a small workstation... X4s are more in the "netbook" category

[ajkula66]

dr_st wrote:

Now, in terms of performance, the X32 is the best of the pre-X60 series, since it comes with full fledged 2MB cache standard voltage Dothan CPUs.

Agreed. The only problem with X32 is the fact that their rarity and performance still command a fairly high price, especially when compared with X60...which sells at bargain basement prices these days...

[TheRedFox]

From what I understand, the X31 can get 8 or more hours of battery life with the extended life battery that clips on to the bottom, the same battery is not compatible with the X32... just a thought.

[t140568]

This has answered some of my questions too! Thanks, everyone!

[Ronny Floyd]

This is great to get real answers from folks who have first hand experience. Thanks everyone.......please keep it coming !

Ronny

[dr_st]

From what I understand, the X31 can get 8 or more hours of battery life with the extended life battery that clips on to the bottom, the same battery is not compatible with the X32... just a thought.

As far as I know, it is compatible. Tabook clearly states it as one of the accessories for the X32, and even lists expected battery life with the extended life battery.

[ajkula66]

dr_st is correct. Batteries can be shared throughout X3x range regardless of model.

[TheRedFox]

As far as I know, it is compatible. Tabook clearly states it as one of the accessories for the X32, and even lists expected battery life with the extended life battery.

oh! okay. I guess the X32 truly is the pinnacle of the pre-X6x X series. more expensive though, I suppose.

[mikeh]

What about the X30?

IIRC, No USB2, which ruins it for most people. X31 is much better.

[xena08]

How long a X41 extended battery should last? Lenovo says up to 7.5hr and I get 4hr (I already discharged it fully and then charge it).

[mikeh]

(I already discharged it fully and then charge it).

That won't extend the life, but it might improve the accuracy of your time-remaining meter.

[xena08]

So 4 is normal or a new one will last longer?

[paul*robertson]

Is there much difference between the X31 1.4 and 1.7. Does the 1.4 run cooler, as i understand the X31 can be quite a hot machine.

[sjthinkpader]

If you use "lowest" or "adaptive" power settings, 1.7 and 1.4Ghz Banias CPUs used in X31 should not be that different. Both run at 600Mhz at the lowest speed setting.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... ng#p512241

The X40 essentially use the same range of processors but it has ULV CPU versions. I have a X40 1.0Ghz ULV. The X32 uses Dothan CPUs. All three machines are in the DDR, Banias/Dothan generation.