A quest to build (my) ultimate ultraportable for < 2000USD

[ThinkRob]

So I've decided to do a new hardware build. After my X40 rebuild and my X60s refurb projects, I've been aching to get back into the hardware game with a more ambitious project.

I've been tempted by X200 series ever since I owned an X200s, but I couldn't stand the screen and keyboard issues -- but now that I've got a bit more time to devote to a project I figured I have a chance to build what is a geek's dream ultraportable (or at least mine).

Without further ado, here's what I've got in mind:

Base

ThinkPad X200s
1.4 Ghz ULV
WXGA (1280 X 800) w/ 2 x 2 UltraConnect
Intel WiFi 5100/5300

I can get that system fairly cheap from the outlet or from resellers. Now for the mods...

WWAN
Ericcson F3507g (via Dell Mini 5530). Should be simple: flash the BIOS, tape 20 and I'm done. If necessary, a small "plate" style auxiliary antenna can be taped to the chassis frame above the battery, centered beneath the keyboard. I did that when I added WWAN to my X200s, and it worked great: the channels for the cables are already there, and while it's not optimal, it's a pretty easy way to boost reception.

WiMAX
Intel 5350. Easy upgrade. Should be fairly easy to find a cheap one too, esp. if the BIOS patch will allow use of a non-Lenovo part.

Battery
6-cell and 9-cell. Nothing special here.

Display
Upgrade to AFFS. I intend to use either a HV121WX4-120 or HV121WX4-110. I can find them for a decent price on eBay (assuming I'm patient and willing to strip off the digitizer, etc.)

For this reason I'm going to try to find one of those (somewhat rare) machine with both the ULV chip and the WXGA screen. Even harder, I'm going to try to find one with a *CCFL*-backlit WXGA screen, since I'm not sure whether the LED-backlit WXGA-equipped X200s units come with the X200-style lid (i.e.the one upgradable to AFFS) or the X200s-style (i.e. the carbon-fiber ones designed to accommodate the WXGA+ panels.) Failing that, I'll get the cheapest ULV-equipped unit and just swap the top assembly (not fun or cheap, but doable.)

Display Casing
I haven't really checked the inside dimensions of the lid, but, space permitting, I'd like to try to strengthen it a bit. Ideally I could bond some DragonPlate (carbon-fiber composite sheeting, 1-2mm, ideally) to the inside of the lid to help protect the panel, but again: since I don't know how much space the AFFS mod will will leave, this may not be possible.

Keyboard
This is an area of concern. I had the Chicony (42T3737) and while it was less-flexy than the original one, it's nowhere near T6x levels. I think I have a way of fixing that. The plan for this one is to get an original FRU, strip off the back plastic, and bond thin, solid sheets of aluminium to the backplate. I've debated using a carbon fiber sheet (again, Dragon Plate) instead, but since the screws and TrackPoint electronics prevent me from using a single sheet I don't really know if CF could be used in a way that provides a substantial benefit.

Drive
SSD. Probably X25-E, but I'm tempted by the Vertex LE and other SandForce-based drives. Either way, a very high-end drive.

RAM
4GB, using whatever's cheapest.

Other
If possible, I'd like to change the top two row and page forward/backward keycaps out with those from an older ThinkPad to restore the grey trim. It's doable on some X6x keyboards with the keys from an X40 (but not all X6x and X4x keyboards -- I can't remember the exact FRUs), so I'd like to see if I can do the same with the X200 keyboard. Not a big deal, but a nicety.

---

So that's the plan. Any suggestions or improvements to the above?

[JGA]

I just purchased a refurbished X200s from the Lenovo Outlet with the goal of doing something similar to you. I bought one with a WXGA LED display because I'm almost sure that the other lid assembly is only used for the WXGA+ display (according to the X200s service parts list). To install one of the Boe Hydis AFFS CCFL displays, I'll need to purchase a CCFL cable assembly and CCFL inverter card (about $75 for both parts from Lenovo or cheaper on Ebay).

BTW, I haven't seen any X200s with a CCFL display for sale at the Lenovo Outlet. It appears that Lenovo started using WXGA LED displays in the X200 series around October 2009.

-Jeff

[ZaZ]

I don't have recommendations for you, but it sounds like a sweet machine.

[harrigan]

For what it's worth, my X25-E seems to draw really low power at idle. I saw a significant drop at idle going from an OCZ mlc to the X25-E (see the amazing power thread). From that perspective I can highly recommend the 32GB X25-E for your "very high-end" drive. However, you should also read this and decided if it applies to your usage scenarios or not:
http://www.mysqlperformanceblog.com/200 ... nsactions/

I'm not familiar with carbon fiber but Dragonplate does advertise strips on their web page. Strategically placed strips of carbon fiber on the keyboard might give you what you want and end up being lighter than the aluminum strips.

If there's no room inside the lid casing, why not glue the carbon fiber to the outside of the lid? Glue on a sheet with the exact same width and height as the lid and then finish it with Dragonplate veneer that wraps around the lid's edges to give it a seemless look.

--EDIT--
This is a purely selfish request so feel free to ignore it. Could you post power draw numbers from before and after the AFFS swap? I'm really curious to know what affect the swap has on battery life.

[ThinkRob]

For what it's worth, my X25-E seems to draw really low power at idle. I saw a significant drop at idle going from an OCZ mlc to the X25-E (see the amazing power thread). From that perspective I can highly recommend the 32GB X25-E for your "very high-end" drive. However, you should also read this and decided if it applies to your usage scenarios or not:
http://www.mysqlperformanceblog.com/200 ... nsactions/

I use JFS as my main FS, and I don't use LVM, so I'm not anticipating any problems.

I'm not familiar with carbon fiber but Dragonplate does advertise strips on their web page. Strategically placed strips of carbon fiber on the keyboard might give you what you want and end up being lighter than the aluminum strips.

That's what I'm thinking.

If there's no room inside the lid casing, why not glue the carbon fiber to the outside of the lid? Glue on a sheet with the exact same width and height as the lid and then finish it with Dragonplate veneer that wraps around the lid's edges to give it a seemless look.

I love the properties of carbon fiber, but not the looks. I don't want to ruin the classic ThinkPad look with a gaudy-looking weave pattern. (Personal preference.)

It would be awesome if I could get a whole lid assembly made of CF, but I lack both the CAD skills and the disposable income for a custom fab like that.

This is a purely selfish request so feel free to ignore it. Could you post power draw numbers from before and after the AFFS swap? I'm really curious to know what affect the swap has on battery life.

I'm still in the planning stages, but when I get around to building and using it I'll be sure to document everything.