Thinkpad A30 or 600X?

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jimzim66 · #1 Post by **jimzim66** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 7:43 pm

Hello all!

I have used a hand-me-down 600X for some time now (2645-5GU), complete with DVD-ROM, 500-something megs of RAM, and a 20GB IBM Travelstar HDD.

I was recently given an A30, model 2652-CU7. This obviously seems like a better machine, but I just thought I would ask you experts: Since I can only keep one, which one would you choose?

JHEM · #2 Post by **JHEM** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 7:54 pm

Can't really answer the question without knowing what you use your Thinkpad for.

Travel much with it?

James

Website · #3 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:11 pm

As James stated, it would depend upon your usage....travel weight included.

The specs for your A30 are pretty good:

IBM/Lenovo wrote:Product: ThinkPad A30 2652-CU7 [change]

Original description: PIII-M 933MHz (512KB), 256MB RAM, 20.0GB HDD, 14.1 XGA(1024x768) TFT LCD, 24x-10x CDROM, Modem (CDC), Ethernet (CDC), TV out, Li-Ion battery, Win2000

600X:

IBM/Lenovo wrote:Product: ThinkPad 600X 2645-5GU [change]

Original description: PIII 650MHz (256KB) 256MB RAM 12.0GB 13.3 XGA TFT 1024x768 6X-2.3X DVD, Win98

Personally, I like the specs of the A30, but the 600 series is such a fantastic example of a Thinkpad. With the highest upgrade that you can do, the 600X will only go up to 850MHz and 576MB ram. The A30 can be upgraded to 1.2GHz and 1GB ram.

I would recommend playing with both of them, if you have the ability to do so. The A30 also has a built in floppy drive if that matters to you. Some like not having to track down an external floppy, or switching between Optical and Floppy drives.

jimzim66 · #4 Post by **jimzim66** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 11:15 pm

I am primarily a Mac user, so I like to keep a Windows system around. I do minor traveling with it (the weight doesnt seem to be a factor), namely going between my moms and my dad's house, which requires me to carry it a few yards. Nothing too intensive.

After upgrading the RAM and HDD in my 600X, it now has a tendency to freeze random, even after a cold start. So it is finding less and less use. Plus I do use floppies occassionally, so the built-in drive would work well for me. But im torn between the two...durability and weight in the 600X, while more expansion capabilities in the A30. I'm leaning towards the A30.

Website · #5 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:31 am

If it helps, the 600X has a better resale value, at this point, because of the sought after keyboard and overall durability.

You could easily sell your 600X ($150-200) and buy the upgrade parts for the A30, if you so choose to do so.

Heck, I'll offer you $150, if you are interested.

#6 Post by **dorronto** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:21 am

tfflivemb2 wrote:If it helps, the 600X has a better resale value, at this point, because of the sought after keyboard and overall durability.

You could easily sell your 600X ($150-200) and buy the upgrade parts for the A30, if you so choose to do so.

Heck, I'll offer you $150, if you are interested.

Boy Steve,

Not even an offer from you for my 600x that's still on sale!!!!!!

Ron

Website · #7 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:34 am

dorronto wrote:Boy Steve,

Not even an offer from you for my 600x that's still on sale!!!!!!

Ron

Sorry

That's only because there is a minimum 600Mhz requirement from the friend of mine, so that it will play the Dora game for his daughter.

The 500MHz model that you have caps off at 500MHz, I believe...as far as upgrading goes.

jimzim66 · #8 Post by **jimzim66** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 1:05 pm

What is so special about the keyboard on the 600X? I do like the A30, but oh man this is tough!

Website · #9 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 1:13 pm

The 600, 600E and 600X have the most responsive and comfortable feeling of all the Thinkpads, according to most users, myself included.

There have even been a few polls on here asking the same question.

jimzim66 · #10 Post by **jimzim66** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 6:02 pm

Oh man this is real hard! My biggest downer on the 600X is that it randomly locks up for no apparent reason. And I like the prospect of being able to upgrade the A30.

Website · #11 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 6:31 pm

Yeah, that is a tough choice.

You could always list them together in the forum and and see which one sells first....then you wouldn't have to decide.

#12 Post by **schen** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:38 pm

I've owned a couple of different 600s and there's nothing like the feel of them. But that being said, the A30 gives you the opportunity (if you feel like messing with it) to upgrade it to a whole different level. It will take the 1.13 or 1.2 Ghz Tualatin PIII that is one of Intel's finer designs that really pushes the early P4s. When you run it with 512mb or even better 1Gb of RAM and top that off with a 5400 or 7200rpm drive, you really have a machine that you can keep for a while! Beside, the A3x series have 2 swappable bays which really give you a lot of flexibility in how you have the machine configured, up to and including having a slide-out keypad in the Ultrabay Enhanced on the right side!

But it all depends on how you use it and which machine fits that the best. My wife loves her A31 (after having grown from an A21 to A30 and now this), but I carry mine around quite a bit so would gladly give up the flexibilty of the 3 spindle design for the lighter T23 that I use.

Thinkpad A30 or 600X?

Thinkpad A30 or 600X?

A30 vs. 600

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