New X60 notebook owner...

[Scottfish]

Was a member here years ago, but can't remember my username for the life of me.

I grabbed a used X60 today, so I am back!!

I am already running Ubuntu 12.04 and have some RAM and an X6 dock on the way.

Are there any pitfalls I should look out for with this machine?

What is the benefit of a modded BIOS?

I have a 7200 rpm drive in there now, should I splurge on an SSD?

[billp117]

The X60 is a nice laptop. It only supports 3GB memory but runs Windows7 very nicely.

If you have the $$ an SSD would be OK...but the X60 can run a much larger drive for just peanuts.

Welcome back to the forum.

[Scottfish]

Thanks Bill. And here, I am, the moron who got misinformation when I searched, so I optimistically ordered two x 2gb sticks of RAM. I had read reports of three and also reports of four gig max.

Since this it won't be necessary for me to fill this thing w/ media, my main reasons for possibly wanting an SSD are boot/load times and also battery life. Will an SSD actually help me in those respects? I have read that updating the BIOS will trick the system into SATA II read/write times. Is that possible?

[Ollo]

Thanks Bill. And here, I am, the moron who got misinformation when I searched, so I optimistically ordered two x 2gb sticks of RAM. I had read reports of three and also reports of four gig max.

Since this it won't be necessary for me to fill this thing w/ media, my main reasons for possibly wanting an SSD are boot/load times and also battery life. Will an SSD actually help me in those respects? I have read that updating the BIOS will trick the system into SATA II read/write times. Is that possible?

I think SATA 2 only is supported by the X61 and x61s with the modded bios, not the x60. But an SSD would surely be very nice in your system anyhow, speedwise and it's less noisy. Not sure if you will notice much on the batterytime though.

[RealBlackStuff]

The X60 series can take 2x2GB RAM, but only a little over 3GB is usable (chip limitation), so your purchase is not wasted.
As Ollo stated, SATA II is only possible on T61/R61/X61 machines with a modded BIOS.
However, other benefits of a modded BIOS for your X60 are: Slic2.1 tables for Vista and W7 and all Whitelists are removed, so you can use any wifi card.
Depending on who made the BIOS, other 'tricks' may have been applied, like Fn/Ctrl swap.

[Scottfish]

Awesome on the quick responses guys!!

I will snag an SSD for this puppy then. Having an SDHC slot is always helpful for a little added space, so a 60-ish GB drive will do just fine.

[Scottfish]

Had to reel myself in today and start a spreadsheet for incoming purchases and outgoing sales regarding laptops and computer equipment after ordering a dock, new RAM and a "like new" replacement battery in the last 24 hours.

Doing so because I saw that's refurb'd x220 was only $600. I think there is such a feat feeling about utilizing old hardware though. Especially if I can keep that spreadsheet balance around $200. .

Now... If only some of the stuff I have on Craigslist would sell some can rationalize an SSD.....

[RDKirk]

The X60 series can take 2x2GB RAM, but only a little over 3GB is usable (chip limitation), so your purchase is not wasted.
As Ollo stated, SATA II is only possible on T61/R61/X61 machines with a modded BIOS.
However, other benefits of a modded BIOS for your X60 are: Slic2.1 tables for Vista and W7 and all Whitelists are removed, so you can use any wifi card.
Depending on who made the BIOS, other 'tricks' may have been applied, like Fn/Ctrl swap.

I have not been able to find modded BIOS for the x60 tablet. Any links available?

[RealBlackStuff]

There seems to be one here: http://www.boerse.bz/boerse/freischaltu ... en-52.html
Search for the name Marmorkuchen.
You need to register to be able to download.
Don't know if it also got the wifi Whitelist removed...

[Scottfish]

Since "tricking out" my X60, I have had very few issues. Mainly, the mouse and keyboard plugged into my dock do not work after resuming from suspend. But... this thing boots Debian so fast from SSD, that I don't mind shutting down!!

After initially thinking I needed a modded BIOS, I have decided that I am content with how she runs as-is.

I am working on a little website project currently and have decided to do 90% of it on my Thinkpad and 100% of it in open source. The only thing I am offloading to my desktop is the photo editing.

[fcgarcia]

Greetings - can you advise what model SSD you purchased? I am about to remove Vista and have just d/l Ubuntu 12.04 64bit. I already have 4GB RAM.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

FCG

[Scottfish]

I picked up a Mushkin Chronos for my SSD.

[fcgarcia]

S,

Thanks for the quick reply. I was negligent in asking you why you selected that model over others such as the Intel SSDs. DId you get a 1.8 or 2.5? No problems with the install? Do you mind if I ask how much?

Is your X60 baby running smooth? Any further advice for someone about to do the same?

Thanks again.

[Scottfish]

S,

Thanks for the quick reply. I was negligent in asking you why you selected that model over others such as the Intel SSDs. DId you get a 1.8 or 2.5? No problems with the install? Do you mind if I ask how much?

Is your X60 baby running smooth? Any further advice for someone about to do the same?

Thanks again.

I tried this one based on price and reviews. Advice is to just do it and remember if you want to run windows, install w/ AHCI.