Thinkpads Forum

Do you regular x-series thinkpader's plug into an external monitor/keyboard/mouse at your home (non-travel) workstation?

If so, what do you use?

Thx.

If you want to dock at home often, your best bet is to get an Ultrabase for your X-series machine. Beyond that the sky is the limit for external peripherals. Personally for my X61s I use an X6 Ultrabase cabled up to an IOGEAR 4-port USB KVM switch. I use the KVM to switch between the X61s and (3) other Lenovo products. My LCD is a Samsung Syncmaster 2033sw (150000:1 Dynamic contrast, 20", 1600x900 widescreen), keyboard is a Microsoft Narural Ergonomic 4000, and the mouse I prefer is a Logitech MX400. You'll probably get a ton of different answers past the Ultrabase part.

My work (office) setup for my X61 used to be an X6 Ultrabase connected to an Ultranav keyboard and a Dell 2001FP 20" IPS monitor (1600x1200). No mouse. Very nice.

My new X200s came with the Ultrabase, and I do plan to get an external monitor for it as well. 1680x1050 isn't much more than the built-in 1440x900, though, so my monitor options are a 1920x1200, which is huge -- and are there IPS ones available? -- or maybe picking up an inexpensive used 2001FP, which is very much a known quantity to me.

A T30 with the Mini-Dock here. I have two older Samsung screens I'm happy with, a 970P and a 215TW. Both are S-PVA, noted for their high native contrast, wide viewing angles and relative color accuracy, which I can confirm. The 215TW doubles up for TV and games and I can't discern any of the disadvantages that plagued some other models at the time, such as ghosting, bad black levels or inaccurate color, though it's probably not the most saturated, color-wise (which I happen to like).

For a keyboard I use the IBM USB travel keyboard, which is basically like an IBM laptop keyboard (buy on eBay). Most people seem to prefer real mice, but if, like me, you find those more prone to giving you RSI due to lack of elbow support while using them, then I'd recommend it. It also makes a good solution for a home theater or gaming PC, using it in your arm chair.

FragrantHead wrote: For a keyboard I use the IBM USB travel keyboard, which is basically like an IBM laptop keyboard (buy on eBay). Most people seem to prefer real mice, but if, like me, you find those more prone to giving you RSI due to lack of elbow support while using them, then I'd recommend it. It also makes a good solution for a home theater or gaming PC, using it in your arm chair.

I really like the look of that keyboard. I hadn't seen it before and have the same feelings on external mice. Thanks

I no longer own a mouse.

There are some 24" 1920x1200 IPS models: HP LP2475W and Philips 240PW9EB, to name a couple. Also there are nice PVA models, like the DELL 2408WFP, and the Lenovo 22" L220x, also with 1920x1200. Some 22-24" IPS models from LG are supposed to come out later this year.

If you are looking for a 20" 1600x1200 IPS, the DELL 2007FP is still manufactured:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod ... u=320-4687

As is the HP LP2065:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm ... 15933.html

Thanks! 22" is much more appealing to me than 24", as the 24" panels take a ton of desk space.

As I recall, only some of the 2007FP panels are IPS, others are S-PVA. Dell is infamous for switching hardware specs without a model number change or even notice. (Some of the later revs of the 2001FP were S-PVA as well.) So if it were to be a Dell, I think I would rather buy used, so that I can verify the rev before buying. And used 2001FPs sell for little more than $100 now. Hmmmm.

tomh009 wrote:I no longer own a mouse.

I've _never_ owned a mouse...ha...ha...ha!
True story: from day one with my ever favorite TrackPoint, capped off with a rubber cover in my favorite color - red, it's been just me & my ThinkPad....heh!
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Now if that's not a great testimony to the brilliant design of a ThinkPad....I don't know what is.....
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Think Fast... ThinkPad!
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posted via BlackBerry Bold

tomh009 wrote:Some of the later revs of the 2001FP were S-PVA as well.

Wow, Tomh, I can't believe it's you! Welcome back! Where have you been?

For several months, I had an IPS 2001FP and an S-PVA 2007FP side by side on my desk. While the IPS did seem to have more natural-looking colors and wider viewing angles, the S-PVA looked more crisp and had higher contrast. In other words, each technology has its own advantages, although I prefer the S-PVA.

Indeed, I'm back ... my work really was taking all available time but I finally have made a change, and I'm taking full advantage of my new-found spare time to rejoing this community!

Thanks for the S-PVA comment. I hadn't done a side-by-side comparison so I was discounting the S-PVA option, unnecessarily it appears.

But the challenge I have is that in order to get substantially more resolution than my X200s (whose dpi is getting close to your special QXGA T43p!) I need a big panel, and that's big physical space. The good old UXGA is one option, or maybe the Lenovo 22" 1920x1200 panel. Hmmm.

Indeed the difference between S-IPS and S-PVA on the 2007FP is not one that should be given too much thought. Both panels are excellent and pianowizard is completely right saying that each has its own (minor) advantages.

If one does care about the panel differences, when buying a 2007FP, one should look into the serial number, since it specifies the panel. If it ends with L - it's LG (S-IPS). If it ends with S, it's Samsung (S-PVA). Of course it means you have to know the serial number before purchase, which means you should see the box. Hard to do when buying online.

BTW, this exact same principle is also valid for the 2007WFP (which cannot be bought new anymore), and probably also for older models, up to 2001FP.

Just some extra info. Hope no one minds.

Thanks, dr_st. Checking the rev or serial number is much easier with a used unit from eBay (or similar), so that's what I would be inclined to do.