Upgrading from an X41

[cockroach]

Hi there

I've been a proud & (mostly) happy Thinkpad owner for quite a while, currently using an X41. However, that machine is about seven years old now and with its low (1.5 G) memory and the slow single core CPU I think it's time to get something a little faster.

So I took a look at the current machines (like the X230, X1 etc) and can't seem to find anything that looks remotely interesting - they're all way too big and seem to have "dumbed down" mac-style keyboards. Therefore I think I'll just get an X6x, they seem to be the logical step forward from an X41. I realize that they're rather outdated too (CPU-wise) but my main desktop machine is also a Core 2 Duo and IMHO that thing still performs quite well.

Anyway, the thing now is that I have a hard time deciding on whether to get an X61 or X61s. From what I've read in other threads so far they both seem to suffer from heat issues (or not, depends on who you believe) but are quite decent machines otherwise. According to the specs the X61 seems to be a little faster, the X61s a little lighter ­and more power efficient – is any of that noticeable? That is, is the X61 significantly faster than the X61s or is it just an "on paper" advantage? Any idea how they would perform compared to a desktop system with an E6750, assuming I would put an SSD in the Thinkpad? I guess what I'm really wondering is, if you had to buy one of them (as you non-primary computer), which one would you choose?

[wolfman]

Welcome to the forum!

I had an X61 with a core 2 duo, 2.0 gigahertz, 8gb RAM and an Intel X25-M 80gb SSD (second generation). It was a fantastic little machine. The reason I sold it was I wanted a machine with higher resolution and I upgraded to the T410 then the T420 (for the ability to go to 16gb of RAM).

I'd have no issues getting the X61 again if it met my needs. You should be able to get one for a song these days. With an SSD and 8gb of RAM it did a great job and was an admirable performer. Would run like lightning compared to your old X41.

[cockroach]

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks!

I had an X61 with a core 2 duo, 2.0 gigahertz, 8gb RAM and an Intel X25-M 80gb SSD (second generation). It was a fantastic little machine. The reason I sold it was I wanted a machine with higher resolution and I upgraded to the T410 then the T420 (for the ability to go to 16gb of RAM).

I'd have no issues getting the X61 again if it met my needs. You should be able to get one for a song these days. With an SSD and 8gb of RAM it did a great job and was an admirable performer. Would run like lightning compared to your old X41.

Thanks, that sounds awesome!

[Tasurinchi]

With the current price developments I would also consider an X200/s. They are faster, the keyboard is bigger due to the 16:10 screen, they run really cool and the RAM upgrade is significantly cheaper. Putting 8GB of DDR2 RAM in an X61x will cost you a little fortune.

According to the specs the X61 seems to be a little faster, the X61s a little lighter ­and more power efficient – is any of that noticeable?

For things like internet and office usage I doubt there will be a noticeable difference. What are you planning to use the Thinkpad for?

[cockroach]

With the current price developments I would also consider an X200/s. They are faster, the keyboard is bigger due to the 16:10 screen, they run really cool and the RAM upgrade is significantly cheaper. Putting 8GB of DDR2 RAM in an X61x will cost you a little fortune.

True, but the X200 is a little too big for my taste (it also feels heavier but I might be wrong about that). Plus I'm not a big fan of all that "dead" space around the display.

For things like internet and office usage I doubt there will be a noticeable difference. What are you planning to use the Thinkpad for?

Mostly web and some sysadmin work (with lots of terminal windows, browser tabs etc) plus occasionally for small-scale coding and watching videos.

After reading some other forum posts I'm also considering the SXGA+ upgrade, that might be a fun little project.

[Tasurinchi]

true, but the X200 is a little too big for my taste (it also feels heavier but I might be wrong about that)

It's not really much heavier. And the size difference is not so terrible in my opinion. But that's very subjective of course...

(with lots of terminal windows, browser tabs etc) plus occasionally for small-scale coding and watching videos.

In my opinion a widescreen would be a plus here. WXGA gives you definitely more pixels over XGA, both wide and high... There are also X200s with WXGA+ models but they are pricey (but it's a gorgeous resolution in 12.1").

In both series you can mod the screens, SXGA+ with the X6x and AFFS screen for the X200x

[ZaZ]

they're all way too big and seem to have "dumbed down" mac-style keyboards.

If you like the old style keyboards, you certainly could look at the X220, which uses the old style keyboard. With the four-cell battery, it's just under three pounds and should get about four hours of battery life. While the X220 is bigger you get a much better screen if you opt for the IPS, which you should, and you can do two drives with the mSATA + HDD setup. The X200s is even lighter than you X41 and some like the higher resolution.

[AGoodSolution]

I've personally owned and support x41 / x41t's, x200s / x200t and the x220 and I would skip the x61 completely.

The x6's have heating issues, they have two fans and offer no advantages over an x200 in equivalent tablet / nontablet configuration.

Albeit, there is a loyal x6 community and they can't be faulted... your upgrade path from an x4 to an x6 is trading in one used car made in the 1990's for another used car made later in the 1990's.

An x200s is extremely light and sturdy, batteries are easier to find especially OEM if you prefer it but I don't find the more expensive OEM batteries necessary and I risk sparking an entirely new debate by saying as much. My x200s and x200t are lighter than equivalent x41 and x41t.

You'll have a wider selection of x2's since the x6 is dying off, they're age is the reason a larger parentage of them are in the scrap heap.

Both the x6 and x2 can support full size 2.5 SATA drives, the x2's are faster in every circumstance, can shoulder more RAM and execute every operating system better and faster. The bugs have been worked out of the x200's, the x220's are experiencing some BIOS issues with the latest updates causing instant shutdowns that mimic Intel's thermal kill.

[Raceboy]

If one cares about screen quality but does not like 16:9 screen of the X220, then X61s with SXGA+ IPS screen conversion would be pretty much the only reasonable path. Also X61 with Penryn CPU (T8100/8300/9500) are quieter and produce less heat than those with Meroms.

4GB of memory is more than enough for casual usage or sysadmin job and the machine is compact. Gives you 6+ hours of battery life also with 8cell.