Thinkpads Forum

Ok, as a computer guy myself, I appreciate this is a 'duh' set of questions. I hope I can make this interesting and start a discussion. Sorry if I don't have all the nomenclature correct!

I've been asked by a CEO of a company to get a replacement for their X30 system, which has an ultrabay (the item that clicks to the X30 to make it heavier, but adds stuff, like cd drives) as well as a dock (so that they can easily connect the whole thing in to an external keyboard/mouse/network/mouse.)

The point is ULTRALIGHT/ULTRAPORTABLE, but super powerful AT HOME/WORK.

I'm planning on ordering either an X60 or X60s, but lenovo.com does NOT explain things very well.

The $2399 X60 has an "ultrabay dvd recordable drive" - but is that in the slim part of the system, or do they include the clickable in ultrabay unit? Totally unclear!

What I want is the lightest, but most powerful system with the lightest weight for travel, but with the extras (ultrabay unit/dock) that make it a desktop replacement.

It seems like Lenovo would make this clear, but I am confused, even being quite computer literate.

Price is not an object here - just the lightest, most powerful system with the right attachments when docked.

Help????

Thoughts?

Am *I* the one offbase here, or is lenovo not clear on what is what?

Thanks for any help.

Welcome to the Thinkpad Forums

I think that the Optical drive is included in the X60 Base, much like the current X4X Series. You are right about it not being all that clear, but I remember where the difference was resolved in another thread on this forum.

Thanks christopher.

I'm reading, and I hate reposts too, so I'll try to dig for that thread.


Question (and I think I know the answer) - the X60 base is not at all compatible with x30 (or docks). Correct?

Also - in configuring extra memory - they seem to have two different prices for the same extra memory? I can't figure out what that difference is.

i've just read every thread in this area, and didn't find the reference that clears up the ultrabase issue that you've referred to.

I'm sorry to ask, but could you point me to that conversation?

No problem

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... t=x60+base

Thanks. You'd think I'd read them all... darn. Thanks.

Any answers to other issues still appreciated!

Also if you download the lastest tabook.pdf, you'll have information on most of the different thinkpad models and the options included with them. I don't remember where exactly to download it, but there was a link in one of the forums on this site.

The tabook.pdf should be in the FAQ here; See

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitu ... tabook.pdf

HTH

Great resource, but no offense, it shouldn't take this much extensive research to simply buy a nice system - especially when I'm willing to spend whatever it takes to get the best stuff.

I guess for a thinkpad, you have to 'join the club' and do the initiation to know exactly what comes with what and how to get it?

Could be worse, could be part numbers for HP Lab, now Agilent, Lab Equipment. When something un-expected arises, however, it is always nice to have a safety net of documentation for it; even if it is a tad more complex.

Oh, I definitely appreciate it - I'm using it now to get a definitive idea of what I am ordering, so that I won't order something twice or not at all.

Just seems like the lenovo configuration list would be more definitive as to what you are getting (like an ultrabase when you get a drive with the system).

I'll ask this again as well - what do I get by spending the extra money for what appears to be the same thing?

512 MB included in base system
768 MB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $30.00]
768 MB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $54.00]
1 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $75.00]
1 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $94.00]
1.5 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $199.00]
1.5 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $200.00]

Lenovo (as well as other Lappy manufact) do that. The same specs, dif prices. Go with your gut.

Well, my gut says why pay more for the same thing? I don't see any difference. But, again, it's confusing to have something like this in the configuration list.

Also, I was looking at a 100gb version of the X60/X60s yesterday, yet today it is not there. Do they come and go like that?

Same happened to me, but I got a good deal. I saw a post here that will help you find and compare what you need. Go to customize and buy, put in your model number in the address bar after you click on it. It will come up with teh specs.

DataAve wrote:Same happened to me, but I got a good deal. I saw a post here that will help you find and compare what you need. Go to customize and buy, put in your model number in the address bar after you click on it. It will come up with teh specs.

Thanks. Can't remember the model number that had the 100gb drive yesterday, and cant find it on tabook.pdf - but i tried a couple of model numbers in the URL address bar and they kept coming up not found.

You need to replace the model number in there and it works.

DataAve wrote:You need to replace the model number in there and it works.

With your reassurance, I tried again, appears to be case sensitive. Now I just need to find what model had the 100gb drive, because I can't find that in tabook.pdf

ImSeeker wrote:I'll ask this again as well - what do I get by spending the extra money for what appears to be the same thing?

512 MB included in base system
768 MB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $30.00]
768 MB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $54.00]
1 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $75.00]
1 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $94.00]
1.5 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $199.00]
1.5 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $200.00]

I seriously can't believe they'd do this for no reason. IS there one, or is this just garbage in their configuration area?

Looks like a website glitch. Lenovo has been updating so much web information that they can't keep up with it. They can't (apparently) even update their number of weeks for shipment for X60 and T60 models in a timely manner, which, I agree is a little hard to believe.
Call a sales rep tomorrow, at least they will know the cost of RAM upgrades.

Andrew

ImSeeker wrote:

ImSeeker wrote:I'll ask this again as well - what do I get by spending the extra money for what appears to be the same thing?

512 MB included in base system
768 MB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $30.00]
768 MB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $54.00]
1 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $75.00]
1 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $94.00]
1.5 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $199.00]
1.5 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $200.00]

I seriously can't believe they'd do this for no reason. IS there one, or is this just garbage in their configuration area?

So it sounds like I'm hearing - don't trust the web site, just call, and get someone who HOPEFULLY will know better.

That seems to confirm my original thought/query that the web site configuration purchasing options just can't be trusted overall.

I can't confirm or deny that. I don't know the real answer to the RAM upgrade issues you saw, and assume they are an error. Also, the website has been incorrect about X60 and T60 ship dates. The sales staff does not know everything about everything, but they do know how to configure each model, can tell you what they come with and correct pricing, and they are quite courteous. They have the answers to the questions that you have been posting here. All you have to do is call them tomorrow.

How I got someone decent at Lenovo was that I placed 2 or 3 calls to sales, until I spoke to someone that I preferred talking to, and got his name and extention. I also got his email address and he replies to my questions within the business day.

In another thread, you followed my reply to your questions with a reply of your own. Member: floyyed replied to you, and you had questions about the docking stations and ultrabase configurations. These are questions that the Lenovo sales people can answer quickly and easily for you. Since this is a new series, I don't want to just "take a stab" and give you a wrong answer, since I have never ordered a system with an ultrabase or dock.

Finally, you replied about a link that was posted:
http://www-8.ibm.com/lenovoinfo/sg/edm/ ... losure.pdf
and:
http://www-8.ibm.com/lenovoinfo/sg/edm/ ... losure.pdf

Don't these PDF's fully explain the docking/Ultrabase options including all of the part numbers?

Alternately, a good idea would be for you to get in touch with Bill who owns and operates this website. He sells Thinkpads and can tell you how they are configured. He discounts the standard models (not express), can normally save your paying tax, and is a really nice person. MANY people on this forum have purchased from him.


Andrew

ImSeeker wrote:So it sounds like I'm hearing - don't trust the web site, just call, and get someone who HOPEFULLY will know better.

That seems to confirm my original thought/query that the web site configuration purchasing options just can't be trusted overall.

Andrew -

thanks for such a long and courteous reply.

Yes, I'm learning a LOT as I go along - I know MUCH more than I did 2 days ago. I do learn from research.

(Like I was the person who pointed out that you could get X60 info from that .pdf file - I found it and read it.)


I'm much more comfortable at this point in making an order - but as you say, maybe having someone human will be helpful at this point in finalizing the order.

Example info I've learned: for x60, they have not yet released a dock; they are relying on the X60 with ultrabase as the 'entire system' at this point in time. Doesn't mean that a dock won't still come, but there is not one yet.

So, thanks for all your helpful info.

It still doesn't change my opinion that the lenovo 'buy a computer with your wanted configuration' website is very bad and does not help the new user who just wants to buy a computer.

I've now done my research, and am fairly comfortable - but a good website would have obviated that need. Not a good sign for the future of sales of thinkpads - other than to those who already know what they want, of course.

Thanks again for your help. I appreciate it.

The IBM website has always been a bit complicated, however, the impressive and amazing thing to me has always been that EVERYTHING you could want to know about a model or series is available online. There is no other company that has movies showing how to remove and install a keyboard, etc. Or blowups and diagrams showing the complete parts assembly of a notebook, listings for every part with the vendors shown. Hardware maintenance manuals showing how to replace every part in the notebook, etc. Other than for these new series, there is extremely comprehensive information available online for everything, and soon the new models will be added. For example, put in a serial number for an IBM/Lenovo and pull up every part in it, including the vendor. This is something that IBM has always had, and that I hope Lenovo stays with forever. No other notebook manufacturer comes close to this.

Andrew

ImSeeker wrote:...I've now done my research, and am fairly comfortable - but a good website would have obviated that need. Not a good sign for the future of sales of thinkpads - other than to those who already know what they want, of course...

ImSeeker wrote:I'll ask this again as well - what do I get by spending the extra money for what appears to be the same thing?

512 MB included in base system
768 MB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $30.00]
768 MB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $54.00]
1 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $75.00]
1 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $94.00]
1.5 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $199.00]
1.5 GB (2 NonParity DDR2 SDRAM SoDIMM PC2-5300) [add $200.00]

If you pay the lower price you will get an extra memory ram and install by yourself. If you pay the higher one, they will install it and ship with your x60. That is what I get when I ordered my X60.

Hi,

For example, put in a serial number for an IBM/Lenovo and pull up every part in it, including the vendor.

I was looking for such a possibility these days but I couldn't find out how to do this. How do I search for a serial? Just type it into the "search"-field doesn't seem to work?

Greetings, southy