X40 purchase questions

[beq]

I apologize if these have already been asked/answered. I'm new and have tried perusing searched threads up to a point...

My X40 questions are from IBM's ThinkPad.com online store:

- Is the Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG (+ optional Bluetooth Combo) a MiniPCI card, or is it integrated directly on the motherboard? In other words, will adding the IBM/Atheros 11a/b/g MiniPCI card simply replace the Intel, or will the Intel part remain inside (thus adding weight)? But if the Intel part is a MiniPCI card which gets replaced, then how can I have 11a/b/g + Bluetooth as an internal solution (since the IBM/Atheros part does not include Bluetooth)?

- X40 weights are listed variously as 2.71, 3.17, and 3.2 lbs? For example one unit with 4-cell batt is listed at 3.2lbs, while another unit with 8-cell batt is listed at 2.71lbs!

- Aside from the 4-cell ($159) and 8-cell ($179) batteries, the add-on page also lists an "Extended Life" battery for $189, what is this?

- Do any of the units come bundled with the X4 Ultrabase Dock -- particularly those that come with an optical drive? Otherwise wouldn't it be confusing if you got an X40 with bundled optical drive, but no way to use it until you buy the dock later?

- What is the "Multiple Battery Charger II" exactly?

- Are any of the cases/locks/Computrace options offered by IBM online store worth it?


And for some reason I can't find the 2371-H9U X40 unit offered by this site (ThinkPads.com) listed on IBM's online store. Since I don't have IBM's price, I likewise don't know how much ThinkPads.com sells it for (they just mention 10% off)? Also, the linked specs page lists Bluetooth but no WiFi, can this be true?

[beq]

Well I should've checked the Tabook.pdf file first. It seems some X40 units do come bundled with the X4 dock, I wish IBM's store would at least mention that fact for the relevant units.

Also the Tabook file implies the Bluetooth component is integrated with the modem part (CDC?), which is separate from the Wi-Fi part? Whereas the IBM store mentions "Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG and Bluetooth Combo" and "Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet and 56K V.92 designed modem" -- which made me think the Bluetooth is integrated with the Wi-Fi part, and the modem with the NIC?

And the file also lists the 2371-H9U as having the IBM/Atheros 11a/b/g Wi-Fi, plus Bluetooth.

Finally it's clarified that 2.7lbs is the 4-cell weight whereas 3.2lbs is the 8-cell weight. And the extended-life battery goes in the base dock (but I'm still curious how, as there is also an Ultrabay Slim battery that can also go in the dock?).

I guess I should completely disregard IBM's online store descriptions?

[beq]

Anyways which one should I go for, the 2371-H9U (IBM a/b/g but no dock/optical), or the 2382-HCU (Intel b/g + dock + CD-RW/DVD-ROM)? Both have P-M 738, 512MB, 40GB, Bluetooth, 8-cell battery, 3yr warranty, etc.

What I mean is, is it better to start with the 2371 then add the dock, or is it better to start with the 2382 and substitute with the IBM a/b/g (and perhaps DVD writer instead of CD-RW)?

It seems the 2371 model isn't sold by IBM's online store, but it is offered by this site (ThinkPads.com). Presumably I'd have to buy the dock/drive accessories separately from IBM afterward. Can anyone tell me what IBM's normal price was (assuming they had offered the 2371-H9U previously)?

The 2382 model is on IBM's online store (but not listed on this site ironically). If I order the 2382 from IBM I can make my Wi-Fi substitutions at the time of the order. Also perhaps I can check out the shareholder discount program for reduced price?

Last option is to wait months for the X41, or a reduced price on the X40 (which is too long for me)...


I'm also not sure what kind of optical drive to get with the base, if I need to splurge on the DVD writer, or if I can just use my existing Addonics MFR USB 2.0 DVD writer drive (battery operated, flash card slots, plays MP3 and DVD movies to TV, etc)...

[sdaniels]

Hi,

I've got the 2371-H9U with the dock and CD combo drive. Here are some of my observations:

1. The IBM a/b/g card based on the new Atheros II card is awesome. The range on that card is better than the Cisco stuff I use at work.

2. If you are a student/faculty/alumni you can get this unit for a good price from the IBM website. I was able to get the 2371-H9U, dock, 4-cell battery, and optical drive for $2,140.

3. You could also try Bill Morrow who maintains this website. Others have been very happy with his pricing and service.

4. I have used my dock/drive less than five times and will probably end up selling it on ebay or this forum. Nothing wrong with it, I just don't use it as much as I thought I would.

5. There have been several posts on this forum about the DVD burner that goes in the dock... most say to stay away as the burner is very slow.

6. I added another 512 MB to my system. Probably not needed, but I'm a VMware guy.

[JaneL]

>I guess I should completely disregard IBM's online store descriptions? :(
>

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=1689

#16

[beq]

Thanks very much for all the info sdaniels and nonny!

2. If you are a student/faculty/alumni you can get this unit for a good price from the IBM website. I was able to get the 2371-H9U, dock, 4-cell battery, and optical drive for $2,140.

Wow that's a great price indeed, how'd you manage that? I checked IBM's general edu site and found the 2371-H9U listed for $2,006. Adding the dock on the order costs $149 (vs. $175 if purchased separately from the edu site, vs. the $199 normal price). Adding the CD-RW/DVD combo drive and an extra 4-cell battery cost $140 and $143 respectively. That would total to $2,438 (before tax) even at the student price, which means you'd paid almost $300 less Does that edu site offer big sales now and again, or perhaps your school has a special discount?

3. You could also try Bill Morrow who maintains this website. Others have been very happy with his pricing and service.

4. I have used my dock/drive less than five times and will probably end up selling it on ebay or this forum. Nothing wrong with it, I just don't use it as much as I thought I would.

5. There have been several posts on this forum about the DVD burner that goes in the dock... most say to stay away as the burner is very slow.

Yeah Bill is very responsive and quite competitive with the prices I'm encountering, and he can get the unit in stock sooner than the 15 days ETA from the IBM edu site (though he does not accept CC where you could've used a frequent-flyer or cash-rebate card -- and PayPal's eCheck payment alternative takes a few days to clear). Anyways, IBM had additionally charged me tax on my previous ThinkPad purchase from them, which is not insignificant (did you get charged tax too?)...

Thanks for your thoughts on the optical drives. I see that the T43 now advertises a new DVD+/-RW Ultrabay Slim drive (Multi-Burner Plus), whereas the old model for the X40 is a DVD-RW drive (Multi-Burner). I wonder if the new drive has better performance... If so I guess it might be smart to wait and buy the new drive later then stick it in the X40 dock. I had thoughts about needing an optical drive a lot for CD software installs, DVD movie playback, etc, but it could very well be that I'll be using it as infrequently as you

[sdaniels]

No Problemo. I purchased mine on 12/1 and received it on 12/21. At the time of purchase, they offered the x4 dock at no additional cost. Make sure you add the lappy to your cart and then click on the 'add options' button in the cart. From there, you should see a drop-down list of the current promotional deals for your laptop. Yes, I did have to pay $86 in tax, but that was included in the $2,140 price I will be selling my base and combo drive in favor of a Lacie Dual Layer mobile burner that is USB powered.

[beq]

I purchased mine on 12/1 and received it on 12/21. At the time of purchase, they offered the x4 dock at no additional cost. Make sure you add the lappy to your cart and then click on the 'add options' button in the cart. From there, you should see a drop-down list of the current promotional deals for your laptop. Yes, I did have to pay $86 in tax, but that was included in the $2,140 price

Just to confirm, when you mentioned getting 4-cell battery earlier, did you mean buying an extra 4-cell batt in addition to the 8-cell batt that already comes with the 2371-H9U? If so, I guess overall you paid something like $350-400 cheaper than I can get buying the same order from the IBM edu site currently, that's amazing! When I check now the only edu promotional deal offered is a MS Office Student/Teacher Ed for $120-130 as I recall. I can't believe there's such a huge difference, I wonder if it's a once-a-year holiday thing...

Oh well, I'm kind of needing the laptop soon (if I could wait a couple of months for the next big promotion, I would just wait for the X41 altogether).

That Lacie drive looks to have a nice looking design. I was tempted to buy similar small (dual-USB-powered) drives in the past too...