X41 vs X32

Message

Scud · #31 Post by **Scud** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:15 pm

Believe it or not, mine already shipped!

pphilipko · #32 Post by **pphilipko** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:40 pm

Scud wrote:Believe it or not, mine already shipped!

How did you manage it?!?!?!

Scud · #33 Post by **Scud** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 11:05 am

beats me. Ray's post made me look at my order status to see if the ship date changed like his (it was originally for 5/20). To my surprise it said it shipped. Interesting route it's taking via UPS; started from Hong Kong, now in Icheon Korea.

rayfranco · #34 Post by **rayfranco** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 11:56 am

Actually, my order got delayed, and I had to start over again.

This was due to a problems with IBM's website. They duplicated my order, and because of this I had to call AmEx, and let them know that I was indeed ordering one and only one Thinkpad X32.

Scud,

IBM has began a partial shipment on my order. The free case and travel mouse have been shipped but not the Thinkpad X32. You might want to double check and make sure the Thinkpad X32 shipped and not some of the free stuff.

Scud · #35 Post by **Scud** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 12:04 pm

that's the downside of the EPP, no free stuff

The only item I have on my order is the Thinkpad and a California recycling fee (I'd be depressed if the shipment was just a paper that outlined the recycling info!)

htorres · #36 Post by **htorres** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:52 pm

i had 2 of the 15 inch machines...then i had the x40....i now have (my final machine) the 14 inch fvu...and i love it....but dang i still remember that little x40! I just loved carrying that thing around....my pals at work loved it.....my daughters loved it...and the battery life.....ay callate...........i fully intend to get one of the x machines next....and i swear i will keep it!! Sometimes kids...its the intangibles that get you...and that you remember....[censored]..i sound like a love struck puppy..............

Scud · #37 Post by **Scud** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 12:46 pm

My X32 came in today! It's a wonderful machine so far. Let me know if you guys have any questions.

Orbitz · #38 Post by **Orbitz** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 12:52 pm

Congrats Scud

Hopefully the X41's won't be too far behind!

xchric · #39 Post by **xchric** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 7:55 pm

Can someone post some pics about the differences between the sizes of X40 and X31
I think x41 has the same size as x40, x32 has the same size as x31.

Scud · #40 Post by **Scud** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 9:32 pm

I also have an X40, so I'll post some pictures this weekend (unless someone beats me to it)

Orbitz · #41 Post by **Orbitz** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 10:44 pm

According to the tabbook there was no change in size from 40 to 41 and 31 to 32 was there? It would be nice to see close up shots tho of the size difference between the X4x and X3x...don't think I have seen them shown anywhere side by side.

zhaozhong · #42 Post by **zhaozhong** » Thu Apr 28, 2005 11:30 pm

Can you verify the kind of video card X32 uses? Also, if you happen to have a port replicator or dock around, can you check if X32 supports DVI output via them? Thanks!

Scud wrote:My X32 came in today! It's a wonderful machine so far. Let me know if you guys have any questions.

basilio · #43 Post by **basilio** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 3:35 pm

As far as I know, X30/X31/ do not support DVI through mini-dock or port replicator II although dock and replicator have DVI port. I guess X32 would not support DVI through dock or rep, but I'm not sure..

Does anybody clarify this point ?

Thanks.

Scud · #44 Post by **Scud** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:37 pm

The X32 has the same Radeon Mobility as the X31. It doesn't appear as if the X32 changed that much over the X31.

Things I dislike about the X32 in comparison to the X40 (I have photos showing all):

-The X32 feel like an older design that the X40. One area that exemplifies this is the hinges. In the photos, you can see the X32 uses a metal slice, while the X40 uses a metal nub. I don't know if there is much of a difference, but I just feel better seeing more metal.

-The X32 uses two clips to hold the cover down, instead of one. This is annoying as it requires two hands to open up the X32.

-The X32 has a larger bezel which (to me) makes it a bit "uglier" than the X40.

All the things I like about the X32 over the X40 are the items that are known to all (faster cpu, hard drive, titanium shell, etc..). To be honest, I don't mind the external battery sticking out of the X40. To me it's nicer than looking at a parallel port (a port I haven't used in over 3 years).

I haven't used the X32 long enough to make a comparison of the overall use. I don't know if I ever will be able to since the X32 will be a development machine, while the X40 is used mainly for web surfing.

In summary; the X32 feels like a 12" T42, while the X40 feels like a subnotebook of a different (and newer) design. It's personal preference in determining if that makes the X40 better or worse than the X32.

Now on to the photos. Discalimer: I am a bad photographer, so please be kind.

Setup: X32 vs. X40 (with 8cell battery)

Overhead shot (X32 on left)
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/3721/dsc002692mg.th.jpg

Side view (X32 on left), with AC adapter for comparison
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/2769/dsc002706ne.th.jpg

Left side (X32 on top)
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/3298/dsc002803ec.th.jpg

Rear (X32 on top)
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/9246/dsc002812vm.th.jpg

Right side (X32 on top)
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/3416/dsc002823fw.th.jpg

X32 in it's glory
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/8505/dsc002726ka.th.jpg

X40 in all it's glory
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/5166/dsc002797az.th.jpg

The left hinge of the X32.
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/9076/dsc002738wd.th.jpg

The left hinge of the X40
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/583/dsc002779wb.th.jpg

The bezel of the X32.
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/830/dsc002746hg.th.jpg

The bezel of the X40.
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/106/dsc002782nz.th.jpg

The front of the X32. Note the two clips to open the cover.
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/5470/dsc002756dx.th.jpg

The front of the X40. Only one clip to open the cover
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/5868/dsc002760ls.th.jpg

Edited by Moderator: That was a nasty shock to anyone on a dialup line. Don't post images in a thread without a warning in the subject line.

Orbitz · #45 Post by **Orbitz** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 12:51 pm

Thanks Scud! Actually, the X32 does look noticeably "chunkier" then the X40 to my eye although both look great. Been kind of hard to visualize that as many on the forums have said this even though they have very similar measurments.

jmt · #46 Post by **jmt** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 5:18 pm

Thanks much for the pictures. Very informative.

alant · #47 Post by **alant** » Sun May 01, 2005 3:52 am

Thank you Scud

Much appreciated. Now I'm very keen to receive my X41 that I ordered three weeks ago. The X41 is replacing my X23, which has been a great machine.

Rgds - Alan.

bigblue · #48 Post by **bigblue** » Tue May 03, 2005 12:24 am

Scud wrote:The X32 has the same Radeon Mobility as the X31. It doesn't appear as if the X32 changed that much over the X31.

So what does the X32 bring? Just a faster processor, and a 2MB L2 cache (vs. 1MB)? IBM really let us down with this minute update.

joprodse · #49 Post by **joprodse** » Tue May 03, 2005 1:17 am

bigblue wrote:
Scud wrote:The X32 has the same Radeon Mobility as the X31. It doesn't appear as if the X32 changed that much over the X31.
So what does the X32 bring? Just a faster processor, and a 2MB L2 cache (vs. 1MB)? IBM really let us down with this minute update.

Well for us X30 users, there'll be a nice update though. Since I allready have all the peripherals It'll be a economical update too I think... But ok, a faster systembus, faster memory, and a sharper GPU wouldn't hurt

rayfranco · #50 Post by **rayfranco** » Sat May 07, 2005 9:58 am

Scud,

Believe it or not I'm still waiting on my X32. I believe you got mine

I went from Packing, to 2weeks, to back ordered, to less than two weeks, and now I'm back at packing.

We know you think the X40 is sexier, but how does the performance of the X32 compare to the X40 and X41? Is the performance worth ordering the X32 over the X41? How long does it take for the machine to boot? This is my first wireless notebook. Can the wireless features be turned off for booting, and activated only when needed?

Scud · #51 Post by **Scud** » Sun May 08, 2005 6:51 pm

I'm sorry that IBM is having such a difficult time getting you your unit. I wonder if the Lenovo transition is causing the delay?

As for the X32..

Well, the first think I did was create an image of the original drive, then place a 7k60 in the X32. I also placed a 1gb dimm in the X32 as well.

A couple more items I noticed between the X32 and X40;

-the X40 has a red led for the keyboard light, while the X32 is white.
-the X40 has the sensor to park the heads on the hdd while the X32 does not.

for some reason my battery is draining down to nothing when I leave the notebook in standby overnight. I'm trying to troubleshoot that issue (maybe bluetooth is on or something like that).

The X32 is being used as a development machine, so it's difficult to ascertain the performance relative to the X40. I can say that the X32 is fast, very fast. I'd say it takes about 30 seconds to boot to the desktop. Perhaps less because I have so much loading (SQL Server, Java, etc..).

I must say that the X32 is not as dreamy as I was hoping for. Very often I think of returning the X32 to IBM and ordering the X41. The little differences that favor the X41 nag at me and all too often I feel the X32 is just an old laptop with a fast cpu stuffed in it. Perhaps if I wasn't spoiled by the X40, I would feel different. I don't know. This week will be do or die for the X32 as I will be using as my primary development machine. The only thing holding me back from the X40 is the [censored] 4200rpm drive. That is just too slow for the kind of work I plan on doing, and no amount of polish is going to hide that.

As to if the X32 is worth it over the X40. If you do any activity that requires disk I/O and/or cpu horsepower, then the X32 is the clear winner. To me that makes the X32 very much a niche product, where the X41 can satisfy the majority of users.

dmdsoftware · #52 Post by **dmdsoftware** » Sun May 08, 2005 6:59 pm

basilio wrote:As far as I know, X30/X31/ do not support DVI through mini-dock or port replicator II although dock and replicator have DVI port. I guess X32 would not support DVI through dock or rep, but I'm not sure..

Does anybody clarify this point ?

Thanks.

I believe the DVI on the replicators/docks are only active for certain A series models.

rayfranco · #53 Post by **rayfranco** » Sun May 08, 2005 10:50 pm

Scud,

I don't know why you are so critical of the X32's wow factor. I would rather look at the obsolute parallel port than the extended battery sticking out of the back of the X40 and X41 like a kludge. I do not have an X40 and X32 in hand to compare as you do, but when I first viewed your excellent pictures, I said to myself that I made the right decision in ordering the X32 over the X41. From the pictures, I can't see that much difference. As you pointed out in your comments, a lot of what you are complaining about is subjective. Do you know a laptop that will give you the performance of the X32 and looks as good as the X32? Well, quite complaining.

The dell X1 looks excellent, and it will satisfy the majority of users: web surfing, word processing Excell, and email - and its only 2.5 lbs. However, with a 1.1 GHz processor and a 1.8 inch, 4200, HDD, it too is not a performance machine. I actually think it looks better than the X41.

However, if one of my clients has to wait 2 to 3 minutes for a machine to boot, I wont have him as a client for long.

I too was considering the 7k60, but if I can get by, I'm going to wait a while. I think the next big thing in HDD will be merging of flash memories with them. This might solve the performance problem with the X41. However, I bet it first appears in the 2.5 inch form factor. The 1.8 inch drive in the X40 and X41 is not only 1.8 inches, but it is a prioritory drive that does not meet the current standard for 1.8 inch form factor drives. It must have been an executive that made that decision. In addition, I don't see why they can't dress up the X32 with new hinges, bezel and a single latch since these would not affect its footprint, docking station or compatibility with the other X30 series machines.

Please keep me posted on any problems with 7k60, and please let me know about the battery drain when leaving the X32 in standby. I don't have a lot hair left to pull out.

In my opinion the X30 series has out lived its antisipated life. However, it still sells too good for them to drop it. Furthermore, because of the increased current draw of the Intel Somonia chipset, both the X32 and the T42 are going to be around at lot longer. More precisely, every review I've read said the T42 is a better value than the T43. The same thing happened when IBM put the Somonia chipset in the X41, but there are yet to be real reviews on the X41, and there are no reviews on the X32 since it was only a processor change with some new wireless options.

If it's not broke, you don't have to fix it. The X32 's a proven machine that's a real work horse.

rayfranco · #54 Post by **rayfranco** » Mon May 09, 2005 2:22 pm

Zdnet/Cnet have downgraded the X40 rating to 5.2 out of 10, as of 3 May 05.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=11082

Orbitz · #55 Post by **Orbitz** » Wed May 11, 2005 12:59 am

I just noticed that the price on the X41 I have been waiting for (model 25286nu with Mastercard) on the Lenovo site increased by $220 in the last day (although I am buying from Bill if I can wait it out).

Scud · #56 Post by **Scud** » Wed May 11, 2005 9:50 am

Ray, the more I use the X32 the more I appreciate it. The last two days I've done some serious coding on the X32 and it has performed like a champ. I think I still have issues with the battery losing too much juice when it is in standby (I decided to place it in hibernate mode when the lid is closed)

2Ghz processor with a 7200rpm drive, 1.5gb ram, and over a gour hour battery life. Those specs are hard not to be impressed with.

My wonder over the X40 has diminished as I am now focused on the X32. I still think the X32 could use some more improvements (minor design issues, better video), but overall it is a great laptop that feesl very solid.

Reading all the reviews on the net, I think we got lucky that the X32 still uses the old Sonoma chipset.

Some more notes from daily use:

The keyboard is very tight and has an excellent tactile response to it. The smaller key size causes some spelling mistrakes (sic), but overall it's one of the better keyboards I have used.

I'm trying to geta Treo650 to test, but until then the Bluetooth is turned off.

Battery life is excellent. I can easily pull in over 4 1/2 hours of heavy (coding/compile) use. When the processor is in reduced mode, I don't notice much of a difference.

The X32 came with the desktop background of the IBM world map, while the X40 came with the cad drawing of a Thinkpad. Dunno why or what prefer, it's just odd that IBM has it this way.

I don't use my X3 dock with cdrw/dvd. I purchased an external lacie dvd burnie that operates on usb2.

jmt · #57 Post by **jmt** » Wed May 11, 2005 1:49 pm

Scud,

You will love the Treo650 and Bluetooth. At airports and other places where WI-FI is charged, it works great as a wireless modem for my T42 and X-40.

mekman · #58 Post by **mekman** » Thu May 12, 2005 5:51 am

rayfranco wrote:Scud,

Believe it or not I'm still waiting on my X32. I believe you got mine I went from Packing, to 2weeks, to back ordered, to less than two weeks, and now I'm back at packing.

I ordered a X32 on 4/30/05 with a ship date of 5/31/05, I'm hoping it comes sooner...let me know when you get yours.

joprodse · #59 Post by **joprodse** » Sat May 14, 2005 7:44 am

WOW, when I started this poll I was sure it woult be like 90% for the X41 and 10% for the X32... Hmm, seems like IBM made the right decision not to cancel the X30 series after all.

Still waiting for the X32 (2672-KJG) to be released in sweden. (tweak it with an extra 1GB RAM stick and a 7K100 drive...

)

KentM · #60 Post by **KentM** » Sun May 15, 2005 7:33 am

Jocke,
I have ordered a X32 through Dustin here in Sweden. Estimated delivery date is June 10th.

I couldn't stand the noisy fan of my relatively new X40. IBM offered me a 25% discount on a new machine.

Kent

X41 vs X32

X41 vs X32

Did you get yours yet Ray?

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