Thinkpad x61 newbie!

[VanZan]

Purchased my first thinkpad! I was looking for something cheap but decent to try Linux out on. I purchased this on eBay last week:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271393933641? ... 1439.l2649

and a SSD from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B ... UTF8&psc=1

I kind of bought blind. I wouldn't be surprised if the two aren't compatible but since they didn't cost the earth I'm not too fussed but I'm hoping I'll be alright. If anyone has any salient advice for me I'd be most grateful.

[Saucey]

Hello and welcome to the forum!!

X61's are great machines, with that SSD you should have no problems!!
I believe it should be plug and play.

[VanZan]

You are fantastic!! Thank you!

[WillAdams]

I just installed the 32GB version of that drive in my x61 and it's working quite nicely --- still debating about installing the Middleton BIOS.

Still setting my machine up --- wanting to find a nice sleeve w/o a zipper which I can use to protect the machine in my laptop case. Debating on getting some spare power adapters --- will probably at least get one for the x6 Tablet Ultrabase I picked up (that's something worth mentioning --- there are two different X6 Ultrabases, one works w/ Tablets, the other w/ regular laptops --- be sure you get the right one).

Finding the power switch for the wireless radios a bit fiddly --- it keeps getting accidentally turned off.

[pkiff]

Finding the power switch for the wireless radios a bit fiddly --- it keeps getting accidentally turned off.

I've had that problem on some of my X60/X61 Tablet machines. It seems that some switches become loose over time. New switches or ones that have rarely been used are actually sometimes a bit tight and have the opposite problem: too hard to switch. I'm not sure how to fix it after they start to become loose.

Phil.

[RealBlackStuff]

Make it a permanent ON by dropping some glue in the green part of the sliding switch, you can still use Fn/F5 to switch it off.

[ArtShapiro]

Purchased my first thinkpad!

Congratulations. The X61 non-tablet doesn't seem to get much discussion here. Other than the dismal 768px vertical resolution, I like mine. It's considerably lighter than my couple of T60p machines, which is an obvious advantage when taking a laptop somewhere. You'll probably be quite happy with your new purchase, and you got it for a great price.

Art

[VanZan]

Purchased my first thinkpad!

Congratulations. The X61 non-tablet doesn't seem to get much discussion here. Other than the dismal 768px vertical resolution, I like mine. It's considerably lighter than my couple of T60p machines, which is an obvious advantage when taking a laptop somewhere. You'll probably be quite happy with your new purchase, and you got it for a great price.

Art

Thanks Art! I'm loving this little machine!

Still setting my machine up --- wanting to find a nice sleeve w/o a zipper which I can use to protect the machine in my laptop case.

Are there any nifty official laptop cases etc ? Actually any official accessories that would probably be quite cheap now?

[ZaZ]

Lenovo did make a sleeve for the X series, part number 78Y2374. I'd check eBay. If you'd like something bigger, there's the ThinkPad UltraPortable Case.

[VanZan]

Thank you Zaz!

[VanZan]

I'm just curious about something (maybe I should give it its own thread?). The "foot" of the battery that came with the x61 is missing. Now on eBay I can find replacement "feet" for the laptop itself but I don't have a clue about one for the battery. It's a trivial thing really but it's bugging me.

Any way I can remedy this? I could buy a new battery I suppose but there's nothing wrong with the current one and it seems a bit of a waste (of money and the footless battery).

Thanks all!

[VanZan]

It just occurred to me that maybe my best hope is to get some replacement feet for the laptop and try one of them in the battery "foot" slot....

[ArtShapiro]

The "foot" of the battery that came with the x61 is missing.

Huh???

My X61 battery has no foot, nor indication that anything is missing. (Although in looking, I see one of the four rubber computer feet has come off.) I'll post a picture if need be, but your assertion is curious. Are there different models of battery?

Art

[Saucey]

Maybe its only common the 8 (or is it 9?) cell batteries...
I know the X61T has a foot for the battery, seems OEM on the unit I am using.
The X61s has that spacer that screws on for the battery which is also a foot as well, but isn't on the small six cell one.

[85101]

I'm just curious about something (maybe I should give it its own thread?). The "foot" of the battery that came with the x61 is missing. Now on eBay I can find replacement "feet" for the laptop itself but I don't have a clue about one for the battery. It's a trivial thing really but it's bugging me.

Any way I can remedy this? I could buy a new battery I suppose but there's nothing wrong with the current one and it seems a bit of a waste (of money and the footless battery).

Thanks all!

You must mean 92P1227.

[VanZan]

Here's a pic:

http://cl.ly/image/1t3T2P0n3i2t

As you can see at the top I've pulled the battery out a bit and at the top right there's the slot/indent for a foot!

[axur-delmeria]

You can use adhesive rubber feet. Just look for one with the same thickness as the remaining feet, then cut it to the right size with a box cutter.

I've done it on other laptops, but not on Thinkpads yet--mine still have complete sets of rubber feet-- but I think it will work just as well.

[RealBlackStuff]

Just in case: x60 and X61 have the same 'feet'.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Think-Pad-R ... 19c3411764
This X60 one is cheaper than the same X61 set from the same seller...

[VanZan]

Thanks for that link...purchased! I think the seller is confused though. His listing for the x61 doesn't look right but that link for the x60 looks identical to the ones on my thinkpad.

[CPC464]

I'm writing now from my X61s, it's a still a wonderful machine. This is my second one, I had another one years ago, sold it and went for a X200 that wasn't that bad at all, but I didn't like its feeling too much. After having replaced my X200 with a X220 I bought a pair of cheap second-hand X61s (For many things I prefer 4:3 format), I have one for daily use and I keep the another one just for spares. X61s have become really cheap right now, and they are still very capable machines, and hard like rocks. Mine has got 4GB of RAM and a 240 GB SSD with Middleton BIOS installed. I already had the SSD installed before I installed the Middleton Bios, and the difference in speed is noticeable.

The major drawback I see in this machines is the LCD, it could be of better quality. I have got a X61 with IPS and the difference between screens are like the difference between night and day. Unfortunately the X61 is bigger and heavier, not so good to carry around (And it lacks the Thinklight, which I use often). Recentky I have calibrated my X61s LCD and now it looks a bit better.

Overall a very good machine, one of my favorite Thinkpads, and the last of the mohicans in 4:3 ultraportables...

[Dekks]

Very underated machines IMO, i've got 3 including a Tablet and a rare Penryn T8100 which i use the most.