Looking to buy a Thinkpad Subnote: X20 or 240?

[t20user]

I am looking to get a subnote for traveling light. At first I was going to get an X20, but then I saw some older models that look even smaller like the 240. I am mostly concerned with the size and price; specs should be at least 300MHz, 6Gb, 64M or better: I think most 240’s have this. What do you recommend? Should I stick with an X20 type?

[bhtooefr]

The main problem with the 240 is that it's got only an 800x600 screen. Many X20/21 models have 1024x768 screens.

I'd go with the X20/21, because the 240 is 3 to 3.5 pounds (depending on who you ask). An SVGA X20/21 is 3.1 lbs, and an XGA X20/21 is 3.5 lbs.

[t20user]

I will probably go with an X20. Form the specs I can find, the 240 is a hair smaller and lighter. I read from sellers on ebay (not a great source I know) the 240 is 2.9lbs and 10" x 8" x 1.05", and the X20 is 3.3lbs and 10.75" x 8.75" x 1". Can anyone verify this? I couldn't find dimensions on the Lenovo site.

[bhtooefr]

The X21 2662-66U (that's an XGA model) is either 3.52 or 3.53 lbs and 1" thick, depending on who you ask.

There's no 3.3lb X20 or 21, as the SVGA models are 3.1lbs, and .94" thick.

I found something saying that the 240 is 1.3kg, which is 2.87 pounds.

FWIW, the X20 will blow any 240 out of the water, performance wise. A 240X will be a little faster.

[verktyg]

I have 2 240X PIII M 500 192MB memory TPs and an X31. I like the 240's better, probably because I carry them around in my car and they take a lot of abuse. If I trash one, I'm only out $3-400 USD vs $2k with the X31. They are really tough.

I use them instead of palm pilots, I have big fingers! 240 weight depends on the battery type.

The 240 seems to be a [censored] child in the TP family. Almost all of the IBM software is different from other models.

[bhtooefr]

Yeah, but keep in mind, he's talking about an X20. If he trashes an X20, he's out $3-400 - same as a 240X.

[verktyg]

WOW! I could have had a V8!

I bought my first 240X (PIII M 500 w/192MB RAM, 12G HDD) about a year and a half ago from on on line dealer for $400 USD. It was an IBM refurbished unit but was pretty rough. A few weeks later I picked up an identical 240X in new condition for $300 USD. There's only about a 50 number difference between serial numbers.

I got the 240X to replace an old Sony 505G that's about the same size. I was doing a lot of air travel at the time and got tired of humping around my T20 for shorter trips. Some one sitting next to me on a flight was using a 240 and it was a lot faster than my P II 200 505G. I liked that they could use it on the tray table whereas I always had problems with my T20 when the person sitting in front of me reclined their seat.

I was under the impression that the X series TPs were just slightly smaller that The T series and a lot more money. When I saw the specs on the X series TPs - WOW! I could have had a V8!

I bought an X31 last fall after the mainboard on my T20 took a dump. I figured that I would use it to replace both the 240s and the T20. I've never gotten used to it and I fixed my T20 so, the X31 sits on the shelf.

I changed jobs a year ago and now I travel around locally by car every day so I've been happy with the 240s. Had I known, I probably would have opted for a used X series TP.

[Jumphog]

My old X20 is sat in front of me, ive just weighed it and its 1650g or 3.63.. lbs, thats with battery, hard drive - all the normal stuff.

Id go with the X20 over the 240 - it may be a little bit bigger, but its got a much better video system, and is pretty powerful with a 600mhz p3.

[ragefury32]

Heh. Personally, I would rather go with an X22. Radeon graphics, Coppermine P3, internal MiniPCI wireless.

And oh yeah. I am a 240 user too. 400MHz Celeron, 320MBytes of memory, 12GByte HDD, MiniPCI wireless. The 240s are tough birds, and they are a tad smaller than the X2x series machines, and given the extended range battery, 4 to 5 hour runtime. In terms of modern firepower they are not that great, but they are reliable (assuming that you can live with that glare-prone and flicker-infested LCD) and have practically all the ports you need on board. Given a choice between a 240 and an X20, I'll go 240 (not 240X. The X have the faster CPU but the lower usual memory count), but given a choice between the 240 and the X22, I'll go X22.

Of course, nowadays I run an X31 for work, but for home use, the 240 does everything that I need like a champ. Kudos to IBM for the solid design.