Thinkpads Forum

Thinking I need some more oomph and wondering what the next (least expensive) move up the Thinkpad food chain would be staying with the same basic form.

Thanks,

David

An X41 is almost the same machine as the X40 with a faster CPU (low power, but similar to T43). Tt uses faster memory. (DDR2). It will take the same dock and hard drive as your X40, although you will need to reinstall the OS. It is less improvement than an X60, but a lot cheaper. I just got two of these in. If you want to discuss, send me a PM

However, the X60 takes 2.5" SATA drives that are readily available, versus the 1.8" drives of the X4x machines, and based on how cheaply Lenovo was firesaling X61 Tablets not that long ago... you could probably get an X60 very inexpensively.

Alternately, the X31/32 can actually be a step up from the X40/41 in certain ways, if you're on a VERY tight budget. Faster CPU, I believe faster graphics, but it's DDR1-only, takes 2.5" PATA drives, and is a bit heavier. The X32 and X41 actually came out at the same time, because the X31 was still selling well due to its more powerful hardware, and when the Dothan Pentium M came out, it got the new CPU, making it the X32. (You can also very easily make an X31 into an X32 equivalent just by upgrading the CPU, though.)

You can't upgrade the CPU on an X31 without upgrading the mobo...

But, yes, a full-fledged X32 with 2GHz Dothan and a 7200RPM drive, if you can find one, will run miles around the X40, and will be faster than any X41.

With that said, such a high-end config will cost more, due to being a rarity, so a low-end X60, which will be even better, might paradoxically be cheaper.

If you find youself interested in a X60s send me a PM and I'll reply with details.

John

dr_st wrote:

But, yes, a full-fledged X32 with 2GHz Dothan and a 7200RPM drive, if you can find one, will run miles around the X40, and will be faster than any X41.

With that said, such a high-end config will cost more, due to being a rarity, so a low-end X60, which will be even better, might paradoxically be cheaper.

Absolutely true. However, I'm certain that for normal everyday use a maxed-out X32 will be as fast-if not faster-than a X60.

One thing that X60 does have on its side is the ability to run SATA drives and chipset that maxes at 3GB instead of 2GB RAM on X32. And, truth being told, X60s really are dime a dozen nowadays...

X3x series is too clunky. Had a X31 and it was a brick compared to the X40. Like an axe compared to a sword.

So I want the same lithe form with more HP. Just checked X60 on fleabay and can grab one for less than $400 shipped. That's doable. Not sure I will, but I could do it.

Things like adapters, docks, etc. have to figure in too.

Having first hand experience with each & every X model since the advent of this ThinkPad series, my vote goes to the X60 hands down in a flash. It's the best of all the X's in my opinion based on many factors. Briefly, the slim, trim size. Stellar build quality, best keyboard with the most responsive trackpoint. Install an SLC SSD in the future as prices drop, max out the ram & you have a rocket. I've already installed a MemoRight 128GB SLC SSD in mine and its outrageously fast. That's my take on it. I plan to use mine far into the future.
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Cheers...

ajkula66 wrote:Absolutely true. However, I'm certain that for normal everyday use a maxed-out X32 will be as fast-if not faster-than a X60.

Point taken, and I have to agree, than if you compare a maxed out X32 with a 2-2.1GHz Pentium M and a 7200RPM drive, it will be faster for normal every day use than a low-end X60 with a Core Duo 1.66GHz and a 5400RPM drive, unless you do a lot of multitasking which can benefit from the dual core CPU.

archer6 wrote:Having first hand experience with each & every X model since the advent of this ThinkPad series, my vote goes to the X60 hands down in a flash. It's the best of all the X's in my opinion based on many factors.

Agree again, with the exception of one thing - battery life / bulk ratio. The X3 series can get exceptional battery life with the standard 6-cell battery, noticeably more than an X4/X6 with the standard 4-cell. True that the X4/X6 with a 8-cell can get more, but that huge protruding battery makes the laptop more bulky than the X3.

Nonetheless, all things accounted for, I'd probably be happiest with an X60 as my primary ultra-mobile, use the 4-cell on a regular basis, and have an 8-cell in storage as a backup.

Regarding the form factor: The x60s series has around the same form factor like the x40. The x60 series is some more bulkier than the x60s series. Like archer6 mentiones, in the feature you'll be able to grab cheap slc ssds you can input in your x60(s), that's a big advantage for these models.

Regarding batteries: They are always in the price point of 100$ and they do not get cheaper due to its technology. So even for a very old model, the price point stays the same. This is also true for netbooks, where up to one third of all costs are because of their batteries. Batteries tend to loose their capacity over time, even if they are not used. Lenovo does not produce x30 / x40 batteries any more. If battery life is important for you and you want to be able to buy a replacement in the feature, get the most recent series you can find for your budget. Which in this case is another great argument for the x60 series.

ssd_thinkpad wrote:Regarding the form factor: The x60s series has around the same form factor like the x40. The x60 series is some more bulkier than the x60s series.

This is the exact reason I have both the X60 & X60s models. In my case I travel internationally several times per year. I like the thin & compact form factor of the X60s as it's so light and easy to put in my carry on bag. Also speed is not an issue for the ways I use it, thus I have the ULV 1.5GHz processor for great battery life. Since I do not want a protruding battery on the S model I simply carry a spare slim 4 cell which is flush on all sides and doesn't add bulk to the machine.
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Cheers...

dwilsonfl wrote:So I want the same lithe form with more HP. Just checked X60 on fleabay and can grab one for less than $400 shipped. That's doable. Not sure I will, but I could do it.

If the form factor is critical to you, make sure you get one with the (non-protruding) 4-cell battery.

dwilsonfl wrote:Things like adapters, docks, etc. have to figure in too.

Yep, all that is different. But maybe you can sell your X40 and use the money to buy an X6 Ultrabase?

From personal experience, the move from the x40s to the x60s was a huge leap in speed and functionality. The availability of easily upgradeable 2.5" SATA drives alone is worth the jump (can go all the way to 500gb 7200rpm Seagate for $150). Loved the 4gb ram, but the chipset will only support 3gb even with a 64bit OS. I have since moved on to the x61s (because it had a better video card and supports up to 8gb ram for the future). Not as impressive a leap as the 40 -> 60, but a good step up nonetheless. If you could pull a good price on the x61s I'd do it, even if it cost a few hundred more than an x60s. Mine came with Vista Business 64bit SP1; runs just as solid as XP SP3 on the x60s (I've kept as a spare/Win 7 test unit), and gets a decent 3.5 in the WEI ratings (I know, they are "worthless" but they do provide relative comparisons among sytems in my experience).

Why no love for the X200-x300 series: I prefer the 4:3 screen format and styling of the original Thinkpad line, PLUS I already had to ultrabay docking stations for the x60s so moving to the x61s was a no-brainer.

Well, for some work loads, the slow dual core will be faster than the fast single core...

ssd_thinkpad wrote:Regarding the form factor: The x60s series has around the same form factor like the x40. The x60 series is some more bulkier than the x60s series.

Indeed, I consider the X60s to be the successor to the X4*, whereas the X60 was the successor to the X3*.

So, I recommend the OP to move up to the X60s. If he needs more real estate as well in addition to performance, then upgrade to the X200s (1440x900 res), although it wouldn't be "the same basic form".

Windows 7 note:

This is only anecdotal (ie - no benchmarking because I prefer real world experience than theoretical speed) - Win 7 (64bit) on the x61s is much "snappier" than Win 7 (32bit) on the x60s. Can't tell if it's the video subsystem, or extra 1gb of ram it can see, but Win 7 on the x61s is faster and more responsive than WinXP Sp3 was (and far better than the Vista Business 64bit that it came with). And this "experience" is on an x61s upgraded from Vista as opposed to a clean install on the x60s. That really surprises me because I've always recommended clean OS install (and will do that when moving to the retail version of Win7). Therefore, if I were "future proofing" with this upgrade from the x40, I'd go with a good used (or Lenovo Outlet refurb) x61s.

I like the X40 and X41 form factor. I have the X61.. It's nice..but I sure miss the form factor of the X40 and X41. The x60 and X61 are a bit heavier than the X4x.