X32 vs X40

[wujstefan]

Hello,
I am wondering about how to invest my savings.
I've been looking for a really small notebook that has a trackpoint. The choice can be one - Thinkpad X-series.
Still, I have available X32 and X40 in a nice condition. I am looking for pros and cons for both of them.
What I expect from it is:
- long battery life
- CPU able to handle system emulation (for example vmware with win98)
- largest HDD possible

I would be megagrateful if you, fellow Thinkpadders will help me choosing proper system.

[jronald]

Google:
X40 half sized HDD.
X40 HDD issues

YMMV
Ron

[Neil]

Really, if your looking for a large hard drive, don't even consider either. As already mentioned, the X40 (I love mine, BTW) needs a 1.8" PATA hard drive and they are all small, expensive and hard to find. I have a 16GB CF card in mine substituting for a HDD.

The X32 would use a standard 2.5" PATA hard drive, but 320GB is the largest available in the format, and they are more expensive than their SATA cousins. So my advise would be to look to an X60 or better yet X61.

[jronald]

If its between the 2, go with the X3?'s. Neil is correct though, the X60 series is probably the better thought.

Ron

[wujstefan]

How about the weight? Is there a large difference between X32/X40/X60?

[dr_st]

X32 with the standard battery weighs more than the X40/X60 series with the standard battery, but has better battery life.
With the extended battery of the X40/X60, they weigh about the same, but the X40/X60 will feel more bulky. However, the extended battery will boost their battery life past that of the X32.

[wujstefan]

Well that makes me pretty concern about buying a X32 system in some good config.
The last thing i wanted to ask is about - the Active Protection System.

I do travel a lot, mostly by train. I have seen here at forum some opinions about APS being present or not in these systems.
Is it true that X32 has no APS? And how much will I need an APS in my system? Are HDD's really so fragile when it comes to shock?

[RealBlackStuff]

All APS does is sensing if the laptop is falling.
If it senses that, it immediately moves the disk heads to their parking positions, so that when the laptop crashes, the disk platters are not damaged.
For daily use, APS doesn't do anything if the laptop just sits on your lap or on a table.

[wujstefan]

So when using my X32 while traveling by train does no harm to HDD? Even when starting and/or stopping at station?
I should take a look at mine T60p's APS working while in train journey this weekend.

Thank you all, that actually helped me to make a decision a lot!

[pianowizard]

On a train, the APS might be activated so frequently that you want to turn it off anyway.

[dr_st]

On a train, the APS might be activated so frequently that you want to turn it off anyway.

There's supposed to be a feature to ignore repetitive shocks exactly for this purpose. I haven't investigated how well it works, though. It is also possible to lower the sensitivity, so that normal shocks won't trigger it, but something major, like the laptop falling of the table will.

[jronald]

I cant imagine that a train would repeatedly engage the APS system. First and last movement does not really effect a HDD. as ALWAYS its the sudden stop at the end that does damage. My wife and kid routinely travel with a R51, T30 and X31....never had an issue. This travel is by car, but just the same Im thinking the laptop will be fine as long as the human owner is.

Ron

[pianowizard]

I cant imagine that a train would repeatedly engage the APS system.

I have read about people turning off their APS (or equivalent HDD protection systems on other laptop brands e.g. the HP DriveGuard) while on a train. I don't know how often you take a train but I used to somewhat frequently and certain trains jolt quite a bit.

[craigmontHunter]

yes they jolt (as do cars on a dirt road ), but if you enable the taskbar icon, it will turn to a yellow arrow when it had detected repetative shocks, telling you it will not stop the disk unless something outside the pattern happens For example; it ignores the repativie shocks to the disk on the train, the train stops suddenly and the computer falls to the ground, it will stop the drive.