Getting a tablet, X41T or X61T?

[greg.billings]

Hi,

I have an X41 notebook and looking to get the tablet version. I need the smallest possible dimension with an 8 cell battery for 5+ hours of run-time. Reading the spec's the X61t with the 8 cell battery is 1LB heavier than the 8 cell X41 tablet. From a pure money standpoint, by the time I get a used X41T, buy a used IBM 60GB SSD I might as well get an X61T.

I am a sales rep in the field and using app's on my blackberry isn't cutting it. Anyone used both series - how much does 1LB feel like in day to day use (standing / walking etc.). Any help would be appreciated.

Not sure which is better to ink with, Windows 7 over XP Tablet 2005 SP3. If Win 7 is much better than maybe jumping to X61T would be better just to get proper video driver support.

I don't need the dual core CPU or more than 1.5GB RAM. I don't play games, encode video or anything else.

[K0LO]

Greg:

I've owned both tablets. To be honest, I haven't noticed the difference in weight but I sure do notice the difference in performance! Go with the X61T if at all possible.

Don't even bother with Windows XP Tablet Edition; it's really long in the tooth and Windows 7 inking is vastly superior. Win 7 runs decently well on the X41T but the graphics does not support Aero themes and certain types of accelerated video can hard lock the machine. It's an Intel issue and they are not supporting 915 GM graphics any more. Windows 7 runs very well on the X61T - it's the fastest PC that I use currently; faster than my desktops. You won't be disappointed by its performance, especially if you're used to the X41.

Hope this helps.

[ajkula66]

You may also want to consider X60 tablet, some of which are still under warranty, likely to cost less than their X61T siblings, generally run cooler and offer better battery life...

My $0.02 only...

[lstratos]

i have both also but remember the x41t uses a 1.8 drive.. so if you need replacement, you're limited, ie 1.8 ssd drive or the hitachi drives..

[Tasurinchi]

you're limited, ie 1.8 ssd drive or the hitachi drives..

... and all Toshiba & Samsung ZIF drive models, which brings the "limitation" to at least 14 different drives from capacities of 30GB up to 240GB (the latter being ridiculously expensive, but is still a posibility)...

Anyhow... if your budget allows it I would also go for an X6xT. But if budget is tight and you have to stay with a X41T don't be afraid of limited amount of drives...

My 0,02 cents

[lstratos]

right but its easier to buy off the shelf ssd (in the future) then to convert zif drive into pata, spending time looking for cables, etc..

[Tasurinchi]

right but its easier to buy off the shelf ssd (in the future) then to convert zif drive into pata, spending time looking for cables, etc..

Well, you can buy this and this off the shell as well. Plug them together (it's out of the box plug&play, no need of conversions, disassembling, soldering, or any kind of extra job) and put it in the X40. It's really not difficult... Won't be as fast as an SSD, but faster and silent than the stock drive, less expensive and with far more storage space.

There used to be a ready to plug 120GB drive, sold assembled together with the connector so that would be even easier, but I cannot find it in Ebay right now...

[koray]

I had an X41T, a nightmare with the stock HDD (sluggish, really sluggish). Then I got an X60T, much much better, I loved it. Finally I upgraded to an X61T with 1400x1050 LCD and Intel X25-M G2 SSD. I can't be happier.

X41T was my first step to paperless working (with PDF Annotator software). With the screen resolution and performance of X61T, I am totally paperless and not missing the X41T a bit. Now if only X61T would support full speed SSD (3Gbps instead of 1.5), but that's another story.

K.

[cu52]

I have had the X41T and currently have the X61T and the x200T. Don't waste your time with the x41 due to processor speed and hard drive upgrades. Get a good X61T, depending on how you are using it they also have the touch screen (not just pen) that is what I have and it is better than having just the pen capabilities.

For more battery there are extended batteries that plug into the bottom of the machine to get you more. With my X61 tablet and two 8 cell batteries I can get a full 8-10 hours of use. search X61 extended battery.