Buying X32 but which configuration?

[gildor]

From reading their posts, I conclude that X32 owners are generally very happy with their purchase and I've decided to buy one.

I had settled on the following model: 1.80 GHz, 256 Mb, 40 Gb 5400 rpm, Ultrabase + DVD/CDRW combo but I have last minute doubts about it.

I'm sure the ultrabase could be very useful for some, but I'm wary of travelling with it for at least two reasons: my main use of the DVD combo would be burn my digital pictures to CD. When travelling, I would hardly ever wath DVDs (too tired at the end of the day...). Secondly, in these times of air travel with unlocked luggage (and mostly of the soft kind), I wouldn't like to pack it with checked luggage. That means carrying it either attached to or separate from the laptop. In other words, wouldn't I be better off with a slim external burner?

I'm also asking myself whether the 2 GHz version with 80 Gb 5400 and bluetooth (but no ultrabase) would be worth the extra cost considering I would use the laptop for at least 4 years.

Any feedback that could help me decide would be very appreciated.

[asiafish]

I've heard that the 2GHz versions run a bit hot (frequent fan use), my 1.8GHz is cool enough for lap use and the fan rarely turns on.

[epbrown]

If you plan to take the ultrabase everywhere, you're better off getting a T-series rather than X. If all you're worried about is saving photos, why bother burning them to CD? You can save them on your hard drive or back them up to a flash drive (that's what I do) or other media.

[aabram]

I agree with epbrown - the reason for getting an X would be small size and small weight. Carrying an Ultrabase somewhat negates those points. In your situation I'd definitely go for separate slim drive, especially if thats the only thing you need from the Ultrabase. You can always buy a dock later on should you desperately need it and sell the external drive - there will always be an aftermarket for those.

Whether the 2GHz will last you next 4 years depends heavily on your needs. If you have been content with your current applications and usage pattern for last few years then you proabably will also be fine for next few years too. Do you really need 2GHz? Use an adaptive power scheme and see what your usage is like. For example, I'm typing this on an X30 which is 1,20GHz but most of the time it's running at 800MHz. Only rarely I see it staying at 1,2 longer than few seconds. For my usage pattern 2GHz would be an overkill. HDD speed, on the other hand, proabably yields more immediate benefit so you'r proabably want to get 5400 from day one if you have that choice.

As for bluetooth - I used to think that I definitely need it but now I have few BT dongles gathering dust because I just don't use them anymore. If you do the heavy syncing with your phone/pda then it might be for you but you might as well be better off buying a separate dongle for those rare occasions. If you doubt whether you'll need it or not then you most likely don't

[tvi55]

Secondly, in these times of air travel with unlocked luggage (and mostly of the soft kind), I wouldn't like to pack it with checked luggage.

That's anyway good advice. Because most airlines exclude the reimbursement of electronic equipment, which is checked-in with your luggage and gets lost or damaged.

[asiafish]

The ultrabase is a great accessory for users like me who usually leave it at home, but occasionally take longer trips (2 or 3 weeks) and bring it along for hotel room use. The ultrabase is small and light enough when attached the laptop to be almost like a T-series when I really need it (in both size and features), but the beauty of the X concept is that MOST of the time, the base stays home and I only carry what I need. My travel weight is either 3.6lbs if I don't anticipate needing more than 4 hours, or 4.5lbs if I need all day power (extended battery).

[gildor]

After doing a little math, I concur with asiafish that the ultrabase is practically given away ($87) with the 1.8 GHz X32 configuration, so that getting it is a no-brainer, whether used frequently or not.

Regarding the 2GHz/512Mb/60Gb/BT version, I've concluded that for my needs it isn't worth the additional ±$300. Thank you asiafish and aabram for your comments on this subject.

epbrown:
when on the road for a month or longer, I like the idea of burning pictures to CD for redundancy and peace of mind. You are right, though, to point out that I could save them on another device such as an external portable storage device. After reformating the camera's memory card, the point is to have the pictures in at least two locations.

[lugdunum]

I have been following your decision to buy an X32. I too read all these same posts and made the same decision. I ordered my X32 on 11/11 and it came in less than a week, despite IBM giving me a "ship date" of 12/01.
I love the machine - I'm not sorry I got the model with the dock (mine is the same as Asiafish - 2884-M2U). I'd rather have the dock than an external drive when the machine is sitting on my desk.
Let us know if you go with the X32 - I don't think you'll be sorry!

[bezomo]

i have the 2ghz model of the x32 and it doesn't run too hot. Actually not at all. It runs at the same mhz as the 1.8ghz when unplugged and you can set it to run at a lower mhz while plugged in through the bios. Id buy the model with the fastest processor for sure.

[gildor]

Thank you, lugdunum and bezomo, for your recommendations.

Since it is too early for me to order the X32 -- I will pick it up early February during upcoming trip to the US -- I have some time to mull over which version to get, although I'm leaning towards the 2GHz-BT version in spite of the hefty price difference. One of the reasons is that I'm a heavy Dragon Naturally speaking user and I see that good quality BT headset microphones are appearing on the market. In the long run, built-in BT seems a more future-proof solution.

[aamsel]

I don't know anything about Lenovo's true timetable for retiring old models, and introducing new ones. However, I would not bet on an X32 being available in February. The current TABOOK show 6 models plus 2 models withdrawn as of November. Not a good sign, I don't think.

However, there could be an X33 in the future or whatever it might be called that is perhaps better, we just don't know.

But...I wouldn't plan on an X32 down-the-road unless you get it from an EBAY seller, etc.

Andrew

[asiafish]

If there is no X33, then I would try hard to get the X32 you want while they are still selling them, it is really that good.

Andrew

[gildor]

Thanks for the good advice about not waiting too long before ordering. The problem is that since I would be picking up the laptop on February 12, I wouldn't want to order so long in advance that the machine would just sit at my relatives' home and I would lose the advantage of the 30-day return policy. I did, however, speak to a Lenovo rep (a very patient and knowledgeable person) who assured me that shipment could be delayed to suit my needs. She agreed with me that mid-December would be a good time to order. In any case, even three or four days at the end of the 30 day period would be sufficient to try out the machine and return it if defective.

I've been looking at express CTO configurations and it seems that I could get a 2 GHz/BT/768 MB/40 GB 4200 model which, after upgrading to a 80 GB 5200 or 7200 and an extra gigabyte RAM, would end up being cheaper than a preconfigured one.

Any comments on that? And would a 7200 Rpm Drive be overkill in an X32 -- heat-wise and battery-wise?

[BB]

I have an x31 with the ultrabase, and recommend it.

True, when the ultrabase is attached, the computer is heavier and thicker, and not as pleasant to carry. But having said that, it is still pretty light. (and even with the extra thickness, still fits in my Tom Binh Brain Cell.)

Not only does it provide a CD or DVD drive, it allows for a second battery, and functions as a docking station as well. That’s how I use it at home, as a docking station. I rarely carry it with me, except on long trips. (I’m on one now, and did bring it for back-ups.)

You could get by with an external drive from a third-party supplier, but would still not have the other advantages of being able to charge a second battery or have a docking station.

By the way, if you just want to run big databases or programs off a CD, you can often copy them to your hard drive and run them from there with a program like Virtual Drive. I “carry” a good ten pounds worth of dictionaries on my hard drive this way, and don’t need a CD-rom drive to play them at all.

[aamsel]

No, it would be perfect.

Andrew

...would a 7200 Rpm Drive be overkill in an X32 -- heat-wise and battery-wise?

[asiafish]

I've got a big 5400 RPM drive in mine and it is fast enough. Heat and noise are not significant enough to discuss, and having had a 7200 RPM in my T42p, can honestly say that the difference in noise/heat is negligible. Battery life went down by 5-15 minutes (depends on activityy) on a hour battery when I upgraded my PowerBook from 5400 RPM to 7200 RPM, while boot time dropped from 58 seconds to 43.

You make the call.

[gildor]

Glad to hear that a 7200 Rpm drive is an option in a X32 although, if I get a configuration with a 5400 rpm that seems fast enough, I won't rush to upgrade.

Returning to the ultrabase question, I'm afraid it has turned into a non-issue because I just came across the following IBM press release:

http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/467934/cod

As of tomorrow, there will only be a handful of X32 models offered, excluding the 2884M2U with the ultrabase thrown in almost gratis. Who knows though, there might be an even better offer coming up. Anyway it's a relief to see that the X32 series will still be available for a while.