Advice on buying a NOT netbook x31/32

[stuartf]

I am looking for a traveling machine (at hoe I use the T43 with the Flexview screen, it is a load on the road!) and given my tendency to retro-grouchism, thinking that an x32 or 31 might fit the bill. Nothing intensive, word processing, powerpoint, internet, email.

My wife has an x32, it has been great for her. Would notice a lot of difference between the x31 vs X32 or even the x 60??

Price is a factor but more important is something reliable, I do a far but of traveling by air.

TIA,

stuartf

[ajkula66]

In reliability you can hardly beat a X60/s, and at today's price range for these machines it's a sin not to buy one...

On the other hand, a well-loaded X32 is nothing to be sneezed at, but is not going to be inexpensive since they're fairly rare. I wouldn't be surprised if you could find a X60 for less than X32 these days.

My $0.02 only...

[proaudioguy]

In reliability you can hardly beat a X60/s, and at today's price range for these machines it's a sin not to buy one...

On the other hand, a well-loaded X32 is nothing to be sneezed at, but is not going to be inexpensive since they're fairly rare. I wouldn't be surprised if you could find a X60 for less than X32 these days.

My $0.02 only...

X60 just can't compete with the X32 palm-rest (not burning your hand) and keyboard though.

[Tasurinchi]

I am looking for a traveling machine

For maximum portability I would recommed a X4x series! But as the previous posters said above, you may find X6* machines for reasonable prices. May I ask your budget range?

As you can see below in my sig, I own X31/X40/X41 models. While all of them are really very light & portable, the X4s are a bit more lighter and thinner.

My 0.02 cents...

[dr_st]

X60 just can't compete with the X32 palm-rest (not burning your hand) and keyboard though.

And battery life with the non-extended battery.

[Temetka]

I'm going to vote for the X4x series.

Very lightweight, durable easy on the eyes.

Ever since I got my X41T I have totally fallen in love with the form factor and the, dare I say it, personality of the machine.

[PizzaandWine]

I just switched in the opposite size direction, from a netbook to a x31. It has been a pleasure, much easier on the eyes (screen size) and fingers (great, non-flexy keyboard) and not too much additional weight on the shoulder.

Previous posters have noted that the x41 is a bit lighter, smaller, and has newer hardware. All very fair. One advantage to the x31 is a more standard (though not the standard) hard drive. Whereas the x41 uses a 1.8'' slow drive, the x31 takes any 2.5'' PATA drive. Plus you can pick them up awfully cheap. I got mine in great shape for 200, one sold just yesterday for 169+shipping. Not very powerful in the video department (Flash has issues under Linux, though I doubt it would on Windows), but enough to get the job done for the tasks you describe.

In short, the x31 has been a great intro to thinkpads for me. If i had the few extra hundred dollars around i'd switch to an x60 in a heartbeat.

[Tasurinchi]

Whereas the x41 uses a 1.8'' slow drive, the x31 takes any 2.5'' PATA drive.

True. Although when I'm using both machines I don't see any big difference on performance (doing similar tasks as the thread starter stated in the original post). On the other hand I feel that the Intel graphics are more capable that the ATI Mobile M6.

I do a far but of traveling by air

If you will be traveling a lot, another point to consider is the availability of high capacity batteries. I know there are 8-cell batteries for the X4 models, but I have no clue what's available for X3 models (apart from the standard 4-cell batteries). Maybe someone with more knowledge can share a comment here.

My 0,02 cents

[underclocker]

If you can swing $300, then an X60s is the way to go. It's just under 3 lbs. with the 4 cell battery and you might even luck out and find one with internal Bluetooth and Verizon WWAN, maybe even, remaining warranty. It's a modern machine with a Core Duo CPU, fast bus, fast hard drive, etc.

From $100 to $300, then either an X31/X32 or X40/X41 would be fine. The X4x machines are lighter and sleeker, but take longer to boot and the hard drive options are less flexible and more expensive.

I've owned X20/X21/X22/X23/X24/X31/X32/X40/X41/X60s machines, so far the X60s is the best traveler. (Oh, I never tried an X30.)

[dr_st]

If you will be traveling a lot, another point to consider is the availability of high capacity batteries. I know there are 8-cell batteries for the X4 models, but I have no clue what's available for X3 models (apart from the standard 4-cell batteries). Maybe someone with more knowledge can share a comment here.

X3 standard battery is 6-cell, which gives a noticeable advantage in battery life over the standard 4-cell of the X4x/X6x. But once you get to Extended batteries - X4x/X6x gain the advantage. There _is_ an extended "slice" battery for X3x (which connects like the dock). With this battery, X3x will leave most laptops in the dust as far as autonomy length is concerned, but it is rare, expensive and very cumbersome.

[Tasurinchi]

The X4x machines are lighter and sleeker, but take longer to boot

That would depend more on the OS I think... My X40 using Ubuntu 9.10 bootet faster (55") than my X31 using Win7 (1:15"). Granted, I don't have the Hitachi stock drive, but a new 80GB Toshiba drive, which is one of the many new drives available for the X4 series.

[stuartf]

What a helpful diversity of opinions, based on each of your experiences, thanks!

To clarify, although I travel a lot by air, I make little us of battery power (AC outlets becoming more common on aircraft).

I have always been intrigued by the great form factor of the X4x series; on the other hand, if I can find an X60s for $300, that would do me just fine. I will keep my eyes open.

Oh, and after a brief plunge in the Linux realm, I have my tail between my legs and in back of the cumbersome embrace of MS.

[virge]

I've used X30, X31, X60 and X61s (ultralight) machines and just this week took ownership of an X40. Out of these machines, I would say that the X6x machines are the most durable. If I was a "power user" that's what I would choose because they're available in dual core and have the ability to use extended batteries. The ultralight screen (not in all X61s models) is supposed to be brighter. I haven't noticed the difference, although it would probably be more obvious if they were side by side.

As it is, I acquired the X40 because its the lightest of these X series machines. The X4x machines are the least durable of the X series (my opinion)-- if you take a look on Ebay you will see that many have screen problems. I think the lid is too weak, and the machine would have to be treated with more care.

My wife puts her bare X61s in her backpack with the power adapter directly on top of the lid (despite my many attempts to correct this behaviour) along with books and binders. Its been 4-6 months now and the only damage are some scuffs and dings. Screen is still perfect. A X3x might do as well, but definitely not an X40!

The X40 is for me though, and I generally baby my machines.

[godling]

It's the x31 for me. I've got Win7 running (no Aero) on a Transcend SSD, boot time ~30 seconds, great performance. Battery life is over 4 hours without tuning down the screen brightness. Phenomenal.

x32 is a step up in performance, as they modified the internal architecture somewhat. Similar battery life, but, as someone else said, they're rare and therefore more expensive.

-godling