Thinkpads Forum

I know it is a nice one what is your experience on the X61?

I think the X61 a wonderful machine -- I've owned several and have sold two of my previous machines here on the forum -- Seems to me I've read some posting here on the forum where individuals wanted a different screen -- either larger or sharper, but I'm not expert, so I'm not exactly sure what the screen issue is for some thinkpadders -- I don't think I've read of anyone who really dislikes the X61 -- on the other hand, the netbooks get a bad rap quite often -- they are so small and cute, but that is exactly what many decide they don't appreciate -- once they type on the very-small keyboard and scroll the reduced-size screen, they decide -- too small --

You won't have that feeling at all with the X61 -- Comparing, I use my T41 fairly regularly -- it is downstairs on kitchen desk for my mom to play solitaire every morning -- then I use it for banking/word processing/travel arrangements, etc. -- anything I may want to quickly print off -- but I wouldn't travel with it -- My husband is using our current X61s on his home desk -- it replaced his Z61t -- He's very happy with the X61 -- he mostly uses it for research and communication -- it processes fast, and it will be the perfect size if he needs to travel --

I'm actually happy with any ThinkPad (for the build-quality-reliability) that is fast and has a clear and bright screen -- All the machines in my signature fit that description -- the X61 processes fast and has a very nice screen where I never think about scrolling or font size, but at the same time is very small for handling and packing -- I also really like my IdeaPad S10, but the small screen and small keyboard are a minor issue,as well as the processor being a little slower (not slow -- just slower) I wouldn't want to use the IdeaPad in place of my X61 for meetings or classes even though it is smaller. I absolutely love my X300 -- although it is a little larger than I might prefer, it is extremely light and has an SSD which allows me not to worry about movement and bumps to the HD -- it's perfect for my lap at home -- My X200 is new to me and I like it a lot -- again, I don't have a lot of special needs -- just fast with bright and clear screen -- my X200 is almost as small and I think weighs about the same as the X61 -- will probably use it for travel also.

For me, as an average/not specialized user, the only difference in the X61, X200 and X300 is the size -- the X61 and X200 are smaller and will pack more easily than the X300 -- someone with more specialized needs would probably have a different opinion than mine

Great that is really really helpful I think that could be a viable option now so would you say it was worth the money?

I'm a VERY careful buyer -- I try to buy quality at the best (and fair) price I can find. The Marketplace on this Forum has never disappointed me. If I was currently in the market for an X61, I would be purchasing one of these posted on the Forum in the last several weeks. The specs and prices of all three are similar -- if you decide you are ready to purchase an X61, you would have three very good choices.


http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=83636
(Warranty Expires Jan 30 2010 would need to be extended before that date)

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=82466
(With Warranty till Oct 2010)

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=83590
(Warranty Expired - comes with X6 Ultrabase/or will take $100 off price)

I have my eye and the first one is that a good choice and is it a good buy?

Okay, I went back and looked closely at each listed machine -- I would purchase any one of the three -- all three look good to me.

Now, because you are leaning toward the first one, I looked carefully again at that listing and absolutely like that machine also -- I am basing my opinion on the fact that I love the X61 for my needs, and this particular X61 is a great price on a near-new-condition machine -- you also have the opportunity in the next several weeks to extend the warranty if you wish (that's not something I do because of the ThinkPad original build quality, but some ThinkPadders do purchase extended warranty.)

Only you know for sure exactly what you are looking for -- but my personal opinion is you've made a very good choice

OK thanks I will do some more research but may end up using the T42 on a desk semi-permanently as my main programming computer and using the AsusEee PC 1000HE as a portable/main programming machine.

Any thoughts

Thanks!!!!

The x series and the asus eee pc series are completely different.

The keyboard - there are worlds between both systems. If you do not need to enter text, the asus is good enough.

The 10 inch asus eee pc display - which is most likely widescreen ? - does offer you much less vertical resolution than the 12 inch x60 - series.

If you need a computer on the go to "read" information, the asus maybe fine. However if you need to "enter" information, go with any thinkpad.

Yes but the Eee PC would be used along side the T42 and the T42 would be the main programming machine and the Eee PC the portable programming machine!!!!

comptechexpert wrote:OK thanks I will do some more research but may end up using the T42 on a desk semi-permanently as my main programming computer

Then why not just get a desktop computer, with a nice external monitor? These days, you can buy a used top-of-the-line Pentium 4 desktop in perfect working condition for well under $100US on eBay or Craigslist -- I bought two just two months ago, one for $55 and the other $65. For the external monitor, a Dell 2007FP rotated 90 degrees into portrait mode would be perfect for programming. Its S-PVA (or IPS in some models) panel looks much better than regular TN screens so you can work for long hours without straining your eyes, and in portrait mode you get 1600 pixel rows so you can view so many lines of your programs. The cost of a high-end Pentium 4 desktop plus the Dell 2007FP is around $250, similar to the cost of a used T42 with 1400x1050 screen.

comptechexpert wrote:and using the AsusEee PC 1000HE as a portable/main programming machine.

I thought you had already made up your mind to get the X100e. Are you getting the AsusEee PC just to save some money? The Asus 1000HE has a 1024x600 screen. Excluding task bars and menu bars, you probably would have only like 500 pixel rows to view your programs. As I recommended earlier, you really want to get something with at least 768 pixel rows, which both the X6* and X100e have. Besides the X100e, other netbooks with 768 pixel rows include the Sony Vaio W121AX, the HP 210 HD Edition, and certain configurations of the Dell Mini 10, HP 5101, and HP 5102. In fact, I would prefer any of these 1366x768 netbooks over the X6* Thinkpads. These netbooks are smaller and thus easier to carry around, and provide 33% more working area.

Thanks for that. As I say I will look into all of the options and I am still open for comments.

comptechexpert wrote:But can somebody please find me somewhere good to find a X61 for under £350.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IBM-Lenovo-ThinkP ... 4a9de04658

.X61 with the Ultrabase docking station
.Windows 7 Ultimate x64 (fresh install!!)
.Intel Core 2
.2GB Ram
.80GB HDD,
all for £350.00 with 1p postage. The cheapest on eBay.

Also has Wi Fi and USB.

Is this good enough for you needs? You can expand the hard drive but my A31 has 80GB storage and I am happy with it, for me, as the A31 is my secondary computer, the hard drive doesn't need to be extremely large. Also, that Intel Core with 2GB RAM will be fast for you.

pianowizard wrote:Then why not just get a desktop computer

Desktops are usually cheaper than laptops. Why not try and get a second hand Pentium 4 desktop PC running XP, Vista or maybe even 7 with a large drive and create a good desktop setup? I have my A31 set up on a desk (complete with docking station), but I am using the desktop pc (HP DX2200) at the minute. With a desktop, you can run more programs and applications on it and (I know the TP keyboard is top notch...) typing is much easier as you are not constantly having to stretch over to the keys to press keys. Desktop PCs are usually more performance orientated than laptops are, but a Sony VAIO laptop costs over £1000 (performance laptop), whereas you can pick up a performance PC, second and or new, for less than that.

pianowizard wrote:Then why not just get a desktop computer, with a nice external monitor?

+1 on this. It seems like you can get about double the performance for the price by going with a desktop instead of a laptop.

I have been running a T60 bare base/motherboard as our main desktop for a couple months. I know I could get much better performance by selling the setup and getting a real desktop--especially considering that I have a docking station for it too (needed the power button and USB ports). The biggest reason I chose this current setup and not a desktop is because of power consumption. This machine runs 24/7 and sharing external drives and printers over the network.

Oh, and I think the X100E is a very interesting machine. I would like to get my hands on one once prices come down.

Thanks good point that is what I will do I am going to get the A58 small form factor with the highest spec for the small form factor A58 what do you think?

how many computers and laptops do you actually have, comptechexpert?

What do you mean?

...just how many computers and laptop you currently use at the moment.
Did you see my eBay link to the X61?

I saw that link yes but am still looking for a computer for my programming which at the moment looks like it will be the A58 and a second hand T42.

my main programming workhorse is a T42 Thinkpad with a dockstation connected to my 22'' screen. It has 2GB RAM, and a 320GB HD. It's not the fastest machine in the world, but enough for me (ARM cross-compiling on Linux, and recently Java, NetBeans, Maven...).

When I travel I use an small Acer Aspire one. But it lacks serious power...

But I'll tell you one thing: get a dual-core machine. With an X61 you get an ultraportable, and when you get home at the afternoon, you can dock it and work like you were in front of a workstation (buy a big display).

tirant wrote: But I'll tell you one thing: get a dual-core machine. With an X61 you get an ultraportable, and when you get home at the afternoon, you can dock it and work like you were in front of a workstation (buy a big display).

Yeah, I really think that an X61(s) is your best bet. It's dual-core, modern, and has the benefit of being usable as both a portable and as a desktop machine.

If you want something newer, go for an X200.

X61 is a nice machine anyway, I don't really understand why anyone wouldn't want one!!
I think it does what you need it do comptechexpert...
Now here's the big question - how much will it cost? Well, a quick search on eBay shows about £350 ish, like the link I posted. I'd wait until you're lucky and find a good, solid and reliatively cheap one on eBay or on the web. Most of the X61's on eBay are X61T's (X61 Tablets) which cost £400 +

The x61s is far slimmer and lighter than the x61. I'd pay premium for the s version. The keyboard is not a full size one. The display is 4:3 ratio.

ssd_thinkpad wrote:The x61s is far slimmer and lighter than the x61. I'd pay premium for the s version.

Erm... not quite. It's the same size as the X61. It is lighter, and it does have better battery life, but IIRC the former's only true if you get the Ultralight screen, and the latter's due to the use of a (slower) LV CPU. Now unless you actually need a lot of CPU power it'll likely be fine, but just keep in mind that the improved battery life is not without its drawbacks.

The x60s is slimmer and lighter than the x60. I do believe the same is true for the x61 and the x61s. In fact the x6 series looks much more like the x3 series where the x6s series looks more than the x4 series. As far as I understood, the "ultralight" means high backlight screen and not that the model is weighting different in any way.

ssd_thinkpad wrote:the "ultralight" means high backlight screen and not that the model is weighting different in any way.

Actually, "Ultralight" does refer to both meanings of the word "light", i.e. bright and light weight. The Ultralight LCD panel is slightly thinner than the non-UL panel, thus allowing the lid to be slightly thinner as well, making the whole laptop 0.2 lb lighter. Not an immediately obvious weight advantage, but it does become noticeable after one has carried the laptop around for a while.

comptechexpert wrote:That is a really nice computer but wouldn't I have to buy a new power supply considering I live in England?

Nope.

The X6x adapters are switching, so you're fine with both 120 and 240. All you'll need to do is pick up a US->UK adapter (about 3 quid at Argos, etc.) I did just that when I first brought my ThinkPad over to the UK, and it's worked just great ever since.

ssd_thinkpad wrote:The x60s is slimmer and lighter than the x60. I do believe the same is true for the x61 and the x61s. In fact the x6 series looks much more like the x3 series where the x6s series looks more than the x4 series.

I have to disagree. The case plastics for X61 and X61s are the same -- same goes for the X60/X60s. They're totally interchangeable.

The only difference in the chassis is the lid -- the s models with the "Ultralight" screens have a different (lighter) lid so as to accommodate the different panel.

An X60s or an X61s without the "ultralight" screen is identical (in terms of form factor) to its non-s siblings. They're the same weight-wise too, IIRC.