Physical durability of different X-series?

[Reboot]

I had X21 in the past that was nearly indestructible, so I decided to pick up a newer X-series for my work. Ended up getting an X30 in absolutely mint condition. Despite no other signs of use there was a crack clean through the right-hand side of the keyboard bezel.* Overall I love the X30, but now that I've had it apart the entire structure appears poorly designed.

How do the various X-series models stack up when it compares to durability? The X3x appears to get the majority of complaints about cracks and bits falling off, but then I've talked with people who thought it was stronger than the X40. What's the opinion here? While I'm going to keep the X30 for now, I'd like to eventually get something that can withstand more action.

*I ended up repairing it in a creative way. There's a channel on the underside of the plasic edge. I potted a 2" length of scrollsaw blade (thin springy steel strip) in epoxy into the channel. So far it's holding up. It appears that if this was done _before_ the crack it might prevent the problem in the first place.

[tom lightbody]

welcome to the forum

> How do the various X-series models stack up when it
> compares to durability?

> withstand more action

suggest moving back to the x2* series. From amongst my
4 x3*s and 9 x2*s, I can report the humble x20-12U
(500MHz,SVGA) 4 years onboard oceangoing sailboat
(vibration, moisture, temperature/humidity extremes,
salt air): navaid at sea, e-mail machine many harbors,
still ticking. Great keyboard third in my experience
only after the legendary 600 series, and the (desktop)
model "M."

(Also good keyboards, tho not identical, x22 & x24.)

> x3*

experience much less. So far, OK. As for "feel,"
personally, to the plastic palmrest I prefer the
"furry" or "rubberized" palmrest of the x2*s. Also I
find the keyboards not such a pleasure. (x30 & x31)

I've had them all apart for "frankenpad" purposes, I'm
not sure I agree with you opinion of build quality.
The x3* LCD bezel design, for example, is very good:
following the HMM, removal and replacement goes "by the
book," with no embarrasing little pieces of black
plastic left on the bench.

Overall: internal wireless is convenient these days on
the road: I'm trying out an x22 2662-9EU and an x24
2662-MWU.

> palmrest fix

truly, you are a proper thinkpadder: well done.

[Reboot]

Thanks for the input. I had tried to find a later X24 at first, but I couldn't locate anything in good condition. From a user perspective the X30 fits my needs better. Plus, it cost me less than $100. Upgraded 2672-4BU with not a scratch other than the keyboard bezel crack. At this point I'm not sure I could go to a slower notebook. Already have my 600E for that.

I have no issues with the LCD housing or the ease of service. My problem is with the design of the system half of the machine. Most of the force on a laptop's body is from opening the screen or picking up by the front. The X30 has almost no front-to-back integrity. The left side of the bottom pan has fairly low side walls and the right side has none at all. All the flexing force is absorbed by the two tiny strips of plastic on either side of the keyboard. If IBM has made the keyboard bezel thicker, or had provided more vertical walls/bracing on the bottom pan, or had used some kind of internal structure, I'd have a much higher opinion.

truly, you are a proper thinkpadder: well done.

I wish I had taken photos when I had it apart. Might be able to see part of it through the hard drive bay.

I started out with an IBM PS/Note N51 (first ThinkPad, I think) that lived most of its life with machine screws and nuts taking the place of broken screen hinge towers. Seems like half the laptops I own end up with some DIY improvements over time.

[underclocker]

I'd say the X20-X24's were lick rocks, very solid. The hinge design actually improved with the X22, X23, X24's, so I'd say those were the best, plus they had the 133MHz bus and a few other features, some even had internal WiFi.

I had an X32 for a while and it was really solid, too, so maybe the X31, X32's are good, too.

I've had an X40 for years and really like it, but it's not as strong as the X22 I had for years before it. The X40's have very vulnerable LCD's. I mean the machine only weighs 2.7lbs., X2x's and X3x's weigh at least 3.5lbs.

I don't have enough experience with X6x's or newer, so I can not comment on those.

[uux]

Structure wise, the X30 and X31/X32 are very similar. The design is pretty much the same. Some parts are even interchangeable. I've used a X31 as my daily driver for a number of years. Despite how it appears when taken apart, it's a very solid machine. The plastics do seem to break a little more easily than the other X series I've used. I'm very careful with my machines, but there are exceptions. I've dropped my X31 several times, accidentally fallen asleep using it only to find it on the floor on the far side of the room (guessing i tossed it), and have put it through various other abuses. It works fine and never appeared to be damaged. However, the right side of my keyboard bezel is cracked from over tightening the HDD cover screw. Go figure.

IMHO, the X40/X41 are built much better. They feel lighter, which is a bit misleading by giving the perception that they are less sturdy. The downsides are the thinner LCD housing (you really do not want to put much, if any, pressure on the lid), the 1.8" HDD, and the keyboard doesn't seem up to par with the other X series I've used (tried both Chicony and NMB). My X40 has gone through the same abuse as my X31 over the years (what can I say, I'm a klutz). With the exceptions of replacing the keyboard and HDD over time, it is in pretty much the same condition that I received it in.

The X6x series seem to build off the X4x design. I haven't had mine long enough to comment on the long term durability, but so far they seem to be an improvement. The keyboards seem superb and I prefer them over the X3x or X4x keyboards.

Basically, in my experience, all of the X series that I've used have out lived my use for them. Durability isn't really an issue for any of them.

[sjthinkpader]

X20
I had one of these for a few years. The single screw per side made the LCD hinge always wobbly. Those two screws needs to be tightened from time to time. The later two screw designs are much better. I like to hold the computer by the back edge. Eventually a few vertical lines went missing in the middle of the LCD and it was replaced under warranty.

X30
The plastic material used in the keyboard bezel is not right and many including my unit cracked. We had quite a few X31 in the office and none had other serious mechanical problems.

X40
Generally pretty solid. The magnesium bottom case helped rigidity a lot. I have a few personal samples but we never used this version in the office.

X60s/X61s
We are using these in the office now and user reported general degradation of durability as compared to X31, KB markings coming off, exterior wear being more pronounced. Mechanically seemed solid.

[uux]

X60s/X61s
We are using these in the office now and user reported general degradation of durability as compared to X31, KB markings coming off, exterior wear being more pronounced. Mechanically seemed solid.

Now that you've mentioned it, I have also noticed that.

[TheRedFox]

in my small experience with an X31, and my current frankenpad (X31 casing, X32 motherboard) are that the externals, minus stickey-outey bits are pretty solid, the screen casing is very firm, and the internals are mostly good, but there is the common issue of cold-solder that happens to many. In that respect, it's not so good. I tend to handle electronics a lot and I'm fairly hard on them, but my X31.5 has been putting up with my abuse fairly well.

[Reboot]

Anybody know if they strengthened the keyboard bezel between the X30 and X31?

[Reboot]

Just got the Ultrabase for my X30. Same opinion. The Ultrabase X2 is a solid unit--you can't twist, bend, or squeeze the thing. The Ultrabase X3 feels fragile in comparison. Large parts of the housing are unsupported and deform with pressure.

[sjthinkpader]

You can attach a 2nd battery plus an Ultrabay2000 battery in this beast.

[godling]

Anybody know if they strengthened the keyboard bezel between the X30 and X31?

not sure if I would call it "strengthened" but they redesigned the side ports from the x30 to the x31/32. The audio jacks and USB port locations are different, based on the mobo -- but did the mobo re-design force the frame change, or did the frame change force the mobo redesign?

Just thoughts ...

-Jon