what`s the performance gap between X31 with T41

[smartzhao]

IBM ThinkPad X31 NCH
PM1.6G/256M DDR333/40G(4200)/12.1XGA/ATI Radeon 16M /

IBM ThinkPad T41 7KH
PM1.6G/256M DDR333/40GB(5400)/14.1XGA/ATI 7500 32M/


what`s the performance gap between X31-nch with T41-7kh ?
if i change the hardisk of X31 from 80gn 4200rpm to 5k80 5400rpm?
i think X31 should have a better performance. and then what`s the gap between x31 and t41?
does X31 support ram with DDR333? i remember it only support ddr266.

the main use of my laptop is only for programming especially with java.
never paly any game, only a few dvd film for fun. so i need a better performance for programming, compiling,testing and running.

i will add the ram from 256m to 1024m.

T41 price is only expensive 100+$ than X31 in China. i am irresolute to determine which one should i buy?

[Txiasaeia]

An answer to one of your questions at least: the memory controller for RAM is limited to 266MHz, so although it supports PC2700 (333MHz) RAM, there's no point - might as well get PC2100 RAM, if it's cheaper.

[cynic]

If you change the hard drive, there will be no difference. Though the specs show higher ram speed in the X31, the details will show it doesn't use a memory controller that supports more than PC2100. The T41 can support a true PC2700. Either way, the performance difference will be next to nothing. I would, however, make sure you upgraded to at least 1/2gig of RAM. The X31 at 12" XGA will look sharper though because the pixel density is higher. Both use the same 855 chipset and both max out at 2Gig RAM. The only other thing is that the X only has 1 PCMCIA slot (though it does have anothe slot-SD or CF, I forget which)

[vjacob]

And... X31 has Firewire, X40 doesn't, so overall and with intensive DVD use - you might get better performance (when connecting DVD I take it). I don't know about USB2, but I prefer Firewire anyday, by any means. It's a shame IBM dropped Firewire in X40.