Thinkpads Forum

I've finally decided to go for the tablet version of the X61. The reason is probably the same as with many others - higher resolution.

I do have some questions though, before I place the order.

- 7200 rpm 100 GB HDD - is it worth it?
I can't order it instead of the 5400 rpm version, I need to buy it seperately. Where/when will I notice the difference? Looking at the numbers/specs only, it's almost the same as 5400 rpm disks

And because many of participants on these forums have in depth knowledge and different sources at lenovo - do you think new models will be offered in Q4 in Europe. Model selection is very limited, WWAN is practically non-existent whereas 1G Turbo memory isn't listed in a single model. When do usually "new" models come out? October, november?

Thanks again for your help.

If you can order a 160 GB 5400 rpm drive, the performance is reasonably close to a 100 GB 7200 rpm drive. Or, alternately, order with the least expensive drive you can and upgrade afterward to a 7K200 (200 GB 7200 rpm), the fastest one available.

The drive speed will be most apparent when booting and when working with large files -- Photoshop, images, video, sound etc.

The next X series new product introductions are not planned until Q2, although it's quite possible that the model selections in any given country may well be updated before then.

The problem is that there is not a single model I could choose say disks seperately, display as well etc. So I am doomed to go with a model that is closest to what I want, and then upgrade.

I guess I will order without the original IBM 7K 100 disk and wait a bit and buy 7K 200 disk. The disk that comes with the computer is the 80 GB 5400 disk.

Since I do use photoshop, video and i hate slow boot times - i will most probably order a new hdd soon.

Is the 7K 200 "compatible" with thinkvantage active disk protection? Do you happen to have an URL or apx price of such HDD? I will be visiting LA in fall and might as well buy it there for half the EU price I guess...

Yes, the 7K200 will work with the active protection. You can then either use your 80 GB in an external USB housing or sell it to reduce the cost of the 7K200.

I have one more question regarding HDD.

Once I install all my programs, update the computer etc., can I make a complete IMAGE (including the factory restore partition) of the original HDD to a 2nd - external HDD. And once I buy the 7K 200, can I somehow transfer that image stored on the 2nd HDD (temporary) to the 7K 200 disk?

Oh - does the 7K200 disk drain much more power - just a rough estimate, would my battery last say 10 min less because of that or is the battery consumption negliable.

Many thanks for your help!

Hey, that's two questions!

You can use an application such as Acronis TrueImage or Symantec Ghost to clone drives. You can even do that directly from the original 80 GB to the 7K200.

The power consumption difference is on the order of 0.1-0.2W (you can find 7K200 specs on http://www.hitachigst.com/ but I don't know which 80 GB drive will ship with your X61). Given that on-battery power consumption of a lightly-loaded X61 is +/- 10W, it should be only a few per cent difference in battery life.

Hehe, that's right - it was 2 questions instead of announced 1 Thanks for answering both!

I want to clone the disk exactly as it is from the factory (custom factory restore) + updates + programs I install --> that is before I start actually using it, copying files etc. Because once that starts, registry gets "dirty" etc.

That's why I was hoping it'd be possible to clone disk A to disk B and transfer the clone (of disk A) from disk B to disk C = the 7K 200 new HDD.

Just create a set of restore disks when you first get your system. You can then boot with those when you install the 7K200 and you'll end up with a factory install on the 7K200.

Wow, didn't know that works that way. Will it also create a "hidden factory partition" on the 7K200 using this procedure?

That's right. You may need to call Microsoft to reactivate Windows after you switch hard disks, though.

OK, thanks for your advice. I suppose Microsoft won't complicate thinking I have "pirate" or illegal windows on my laptop. As long as I have the label with key it should be ok I guess.

When I switched to a new HD, used the recovery disks to reinstall the IBM partition and then reinstall Windows XP I did NOT have to call Microsoft. Using your Lenovo OEM version of XP will allow you to install the OS many times (unlimited I believe) without activating or anything.

Thanks for info!

I've just placed an order. ETA is 18th August... it will be a long wait!