Optical Drives for x60/x60s

[Konagal]

I'm confused about my CD/DVD options if I buy one of these computers. As I understand it I can:
1) buy a CD/DVD drive that operates via the USB port
2) buy the x6 ultrabase AND buy a CD/DVD drive

Option 2 is alot more expensive so I'm wondering if there's a downside (other than inconvenience) to option 1 (e.g. might there not be enough battery power to use the CD/DVD for an extended period, for example on a plane trip)?

If I do option 2, I understand that it HAS to be the x6 (not an earlier model) but can any Lenovo/IBM ultrabay slim model be used with the x6 or do I have to use the model that Lenovo sells specifically for the x60?

Information appreciated

[lucas]

afaik, you must have A/C power to use the ultrabase x6. in which case, it seems like the external drive is the obvious choice if you aren't concerned with the other features of the ultrabase.

the following lacie drive can either use A/C power or can use two usb ports when on the road. (only $90).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827187032

[madana]

afaik, you must have A/C power to use the ultrabase x6.

As far as I know, this is not true. LaptopLogic.com review tested X60s Ultrabase DVD runtime on battery. In other words, they obviously did not have to plug it in for the test.

[lucas]

well that's crazy.

thanks for the info.

[MIB]

afaik, you must have A/C power to use the ultrabase x6.

As far as I know, this is not true. LaptopLogic.com review tested X60s Ultrabase DVD runtime on battery. In other words, they obviously did not have to plug it in for the test.

Yes, I can confirm that, I was using the x6 ultra base without the a/c power plug in with my x60s.

[Konagal]

[quote="lucas"]afaik, you must have A/C power to use the ultrabase x6. in which case, it seems like the external drive is the obvious choice if you aren't concerned with the other features of the ultrabase.

the following lacie drive can either use A/C power or can use two usb ports when on the road. (only $90).


Thank you for the information about the LaCie drive. Do you know how much it weighs?

I'm not interested in the other features of the x6 but do want to be able to play CDs and DVDs while traveling. Which will last longer to run a CD/DVD drive (or are they the same?) -- 2 USB ports operating the drive or the drive being operated through the x6 ultrabase?

[ozmann]

I'm not interested in the other features of the x6 but do want to be able to play CDs and DVDs while traveling. Which will last longer to run a CD/DVD drive (or are they the same?) -- 2 USB ports operating the drive or the drive being operated through the x6 ultrabase?

The Ultrabase has a minimal amount of circuity for the port replication, so the battery drain should be essentially the same whether the CD/DVD drive is in the base or used as a portable unit with USB power. Note that I have an Ultrabase for my X40 and find it clunky enough that I'm reluctant to travel with it. I am buying a USB powered drive.

If you will not be burning DVDs, DVD-ROM drives that play, but do not burn DVDs will be cheaper and probably draw less current.

[lucas]

i bought the lacie drive and recieved it today. it weighs .88 lbs.

note: it seems really nice, no drivers are necessary to use it, it runs great using two usb ports. however, i'm a bit disappointed by the build quality. the outer casing seems a bit cheap. then again, i am used to thinkpad quality and i am ocd. i think it's a good buy, overall, fwiw.

[asiafish]

I used to have a USB DVD drive on an old Toshiba Portege (USB 1.1). It worked well enough and didn't cause too big of a battery drain (reduced from 3 to 2 hours, which is about the same as using a regular DVD in its expansion dock.

I've since used X-esries ThinkPads with the ultrabases (X2, X3 and X4) and other than the bulk of the X2 and X3 models, consider it to be the very best way of getting DVD playback for travel. Yes, they add a bit of size, but sitting in a hotel room its nice to have the ThinkPad in the base and watch movies without needing headphones. Yes, headphones sound better, but when lying in bed, I just want to relax without any appendages on my head.

My current rig is an X41 with X4 ultrabase, which is perfect for me.