Thinkpads Forum

YES, we've had this discussion before, but not in one place, and I'm curious to know what YOU all have of the following:

#1 - Case/Sleeve/Skin
#2 - Screen Protector
#3 - Keyboard Protector
#4 - Anything Else

With #1, I've been through it before, but I can't find what I'm looking for, which is something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Speck-MacBook-See ... B000NY8IVG

Booo! Not fair. The Mac guys get to have all of the fun with a protective case that lets exposes all of the ports and ventilaton areas. The X61 leather case used with the reserve edition isn't available separately, but this would be even better.

With #2, I once ordered a screen protector from eBay and when I applied it, there was NOTHING but bubbles and sticky resedue left on my X3 screen. There's gotta be something out there with an exact fit. All I've seen so far are these cheapie ones: http://cgi.ebay.com/Screen-Protector-IB ... dZViewItem

With #3, all I've seen are these: http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-X60-X61-X-Serie ... dZViewItem

They don't look like they're made SPECIFICALLY for the X61.


Then with #4, anything else you could suggest.

Thinkpads don't need to be babied. Case/keyboard/screen protectors? Bah!

As for must-have accessories, I'd say an extra AC adaptor, USB DVD burner, 8-cell battery, and 4-cell enhanced battery.

Thinkpads need to be babied. When I buy a laptop, I think, "Use, Use, Use and then sell". I'd want it to be in immaculate condition when I sell it. Lol, I even kept the box!

I did purchase an extra adaptor and have the UltraBay with a Dual Layer burner. I'll look into the 8 cell.

Sleeve - Get Zeroshock III (www.shinza.com), it's the most awesome sleeve I've used. The 11-inch sleeve fits X61 and X61s with 4-cell. The 12-inch sleeve fits X61t and X61 with 8-cell.

Screen? Make sure you clean it often with camera lens cleaner and a good microfiber cloth. My T42 screen from 3 years ago is still perfect.

Keyboard? Call Lenovo support and get a new one.

The other must-have is a good portable mouse. I personally use Logitech VX Revolution and couldn't recommend it more.

I don't know if you'd consider it an X60 accessory, but get a USB drive of high capacity from a good brand with a retractable connector. Convenient, reliable, and easy to manage--no lost caps. I paid $40 for a 2gb Sandisk Cruzer about a year and a half ago and regret it not a hair. A good 4gb drive is considerably cheaper than that these days.

Is the Shinza sleeves as light as other foam sleeves? The spec says 0.5 lb which seems kind of heavy to me.

I just sent SPECK an email about creating a shell for the X61 like this these here:

http://www.speckproducts.com/



I'd LOVE one of these for my X61.

epu wrote:YES, we've had this discussion before, but not in one place, and I'm curious to know what YOU all have of the following:

#1 - Case/Sleeve/Skin
#2 - Screen Protector
#3 - Keyboard Protector
#4 - Anything Else

#1 -- I use a Zeroshock case skin thing. It protects the laptop very well, and has a little zip compartment for a USB memory key and a small cable or two. The 12" size fits perfectly with the 8-cell battery installed, which is all one tends to need for a day of work.

#2 -- never seen the need for one. Give it a good clean with proper cleaning fluid/cloth every month or so and it'll be all good.

#3 -- again, haven't seen the need. The keyboards are durable enough on their own. It'd be a [censored] shame to compromise the excellent keyboard feel with a plastic overlay.. may as well just use the keyboard, then if it wears out or comes to some other untimely demise, just buy another keyboard FRU.

#4 -- the most useful item is an 8-cell battery. With one of these, I find I don't need to take the AC adapter anywhere; it's enough life for a full day of work. SO convenient not to have to lug one of those around!

I bought a 4-cell slim battery as a "just in case" measure, but have never used it so far (and most likely never will). In hindsight, a second AC adapter to leave at work would have probably been a better idea.

A small Bluetooth mouse is also handy (I have a Logitech V270, and a MS Wireless Presenter 8000 -- the latter is great for at work/presentations, with the PowerPoint remote control and laser pointer; but for long times at the computer I prefer the comfort of the Logitech).

As I use the X60 purely as a "road warrior" machine, as far as an optical drive is concerned I find a USB DVDRW more handy (and cheaper) than the Ultrabase. As most everything comes to the machine over a network or a USB memory key, it's rarely used except for a software install.

If you regularly hook up an external keyboard/mouse/monitor though, the Ultrabase is very handy.

RE: MS Wireless Presenter 8000

I use one of those with my x61s, i absolutely love the fact its wireless, but the clutchless wheel bugs the crap out of me, as does the cursor refresh rate in windows, (really low, feels strange to use).

This is compared to a logitech laser gaming mouse though....

Yeah the clutchless scroll wheel drives me nuts.. one of the main reasons the V270 is for extended use. Shame, because it's a really cool design with the remote control on the other side, laser pointer etc..

I remember finding a utility to up the refresh rate of USB mice, which might help out with the 8000. Here's a link info on the utility

I bought a Waterfield sleeve with flap for my X61T. They look great and easily open and close with the nice fat velcro strap. The sleeve itself is fairly thick, providing protection.

I'm really set on getting a hard case for my X61, that covers and PROTECTS the unit, like those SPECK cases, or the RESERVE cases that cost so much.

The #1 accessory for the X61: the Ultrabase!

Also I second the recommendation for the SFBags Waterfield sleeve.

Xtal wrote:The #1 accessory for the X61: the Ultrabase!

Also I second the recommendation for the SFBags Waterfield sleeve.

When I was planning the purchase of my X61s an Ultrabase was NOT on the list. Because I scored one for little or nothing more on the machine I purchased at the Lenovo Outlet I have to say that it is pretty cool.

The Waterfield SF Bags sleeve and piggyback pouch are also high on the must have list.

Then add a spare charger ( or two or three ) along with both styles of batteries ( 4 & 8 Cell ) and you are good to go. Lenovo has a sale on the 65W chargers for under $30 so I have attached to the Ultrabase, one in my car / travel bag, and one at home. I also added a slimline AC/DC/Air charger with tips for my iPod, Blackberry, and cellphone all in one.

With all of the goodies, I still like my X61s more than my T60P in terms of sheer convenience .

* Backpack
* Spare charger
* Extra batteries - if needed
* External USB DVD drive or UltraBase with DVD drive.

Sleeves are IMHO a bit pointless. Thinkpads are much more robust than Macbooks and much harder to scratch or crack. Over my history i've never seen a Thinkpad with such visible damage. And i don't really hold my X60 dearly, its seen dust, falls and heavy objects around it with light sand. Looks as new.[/list]

Raindrop wrote: Lenovo has a sale on the 65W chargers for under $30 so I have attached to the Ultrabase, one in my car / travel bag, and one at home.

Is that sale over? It shows at $39 now...

Overseas Trip Essential Accessories

ThP X60s with high capacity battery (8 cell)
1. carry bag »» Targus TR700 (Elite Notebook Easyroller)
2. ac/dc slim combo adapter (ThP & mobile)
»» ThinkPad and Lenovo Slim 90W AC/DC Combo Adapter [41N8480]
3. additional 8 cell high capacity battery +6 hrs
4. external battery charger - for above »» ThinkPad External Battery Charger [40Y7625]

A. stereo headset - music and skype (jack converters: 3.5, mini USB)
B. flash card usb adapter & few 16GB-SD; 8GB-TransFlash (portable apps, video etc)
C. usb-a - mini-b - for mobile phone
D. Portable Media Center »» SanDisk Sansa View 16GB
E. AC universal travel adapter (converter EU/UK)

bri wrote:

Raindrop wrote: Lenovo has a sale on the 65W chargers for under $30 so I have attached to the Ultrabase, one in my car / travel bag, and one at home.

Is that sale over? It shows at $39 now...

BRI,

I guess the sale has ended although it was up a couple of days ago. I would suggest you keep checking the Lenovo site and see if they go back on sale again.