X31 (2672-CBM) - Battery life/comments/other sub-notebooks?

[pmhutch]

Hello

I’m looking to buy a used sub notebook PC mainly for web-mail when away from home (thru’ WiFi hotspots, for example). I don’t want to spend too much (hence the reason for looking for a second hand model), and I have the opportunity to buy a used X31 (2672-CBM) – computer only, no media slice, port replicator etc.

The X31 isn’t quite as small or as light as I would like, but the smaller and lighter PCs may be more recent (e.g. from Sony), and therefore significantly more expensive. Therefore I may settle for this X31.

My question is with regard to battery life (I assume that I would probably have to buy a new IBM battery, e.g. from eBay). Have you any experience with this machine, and a feel for how long the battery lasts in practice (as opposed to ‘official’ figures)? What is teh battery life like if you put the machine into standby or hibernation? How long does it take to wake up from hibernation - is it significantly faster than boot-up?

Are there any other small machines (IBM or non-IBM) which might be on the second-hand market which I should consider (in the price range of hundreds rather than thousands of Dollars)? Screen could be smaller than 12 inches.

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks
Paul

Melbourne
Down Under

[pianowizard]

I think that on eBay, the prices of the X40 and the X31 are getting very close. The former is a full pound lighter than the latter. This sucks because that means my X40 is depreciating really quick, but it's good for you.

[pmhutch]

Thanks for your reply.

I see from you list of euiqpment that the Toshiba Portege is even lighter than the X40, so maybe I should expand the search.

However, I currently have two Thinkpads (600e and T41) and really like them (especially the TrackPoint), so sticking with IBM would be good.

Cheers
Paul
Melbourne

[pianowizard]

I see from you list of euiqpment that the Toshiba Portege is even lighter than the X40, so maybe I should expand the search.

The Portege R100 is only around $400 to 500US on eBay these days. You won't find anything lighter than 2.38 lbs for less money.

[phr]

I think an x31 is only about a half pound heavier than a comparable x40.

[bigtiger]

I think that on eBay, the prices of the X40 and the X31 are getting very close. The former is a full pound lighter than the latter. This sucks because that means my X40 is depreciating really quick, but it's good for you.

Do not mean to hijack this thread, but Pianowizard, do you find any problem with your Portege R100, in terms of stability, usability (aka, keyboard feel, etc) and performance?

Spec wise, I think Portege R100 is pretty similar to a ULV X40.

As to the price of X40 and X31, I do not think X40 is close to X31. They are different. X40 is more expensive than X31, like around $200.

[pianowizard]

I think an x31 is only about a half pound heavier than a comparable x40.

According to the tawbook:

X31: 3.6 lbs
X40 with 4-cell battery: 2.7 lbs (my unit is 2.76 lbs)
X40 with 8-cell battery: 3.1 lbs

That's why I would never buy an X31 or X32. It's WAY too heavy to carry around, but not good enough to be a desktop replacement (screen too small and resolution too low).

[pianowizard]

Do not mean to hijack this thread, but Pianowizard, do you find any problem with your Portege R100, in terms of stability, usability (aka, keyboard feel, etc) and performance?

Spec wise, I think Portege R100 is pretty similar to a ULV X40.

As to the price of X40 and X31, I do not think X40 is close to X31. They are different. X40 is more expensive than X31, like around $200.

Both laptops are very stable; neither has crashed even once since day one. Other than the R100's incredible light weight, the X40 is better in every other way. The R100's lid is fairly soft and can get scratched or dented easily. The keys are big, but are shallow and don't feel as good as Thinkpad keyboards. The display is also not as bright. I would say that the R100 is a great system only for people who need the absolute lightest notebook, like myself.

Yes, the average price of X40 is still around $200 more than that of X31, but the cheapest X40's on eBay are now in the $500 - $600 range, overlapping with the more expensive X31's.

[bigtiger]

Both laptops are very stable; neither has crashed even once since day one. Other than the R100's incredible light weight, the X40 is better in every other way. The R100's lid is fairly soft and can get scratched or dented easily. The keys are big, but are shallow and don't feel as good as Thinkpad keyboards. The display is also not as bright. I would say that the R100 is a great system only for people who need the absolute lightest notebook, like myself.

Yes, the average price of X40 is still around $200 more than that of X31, but the cheapest X40's on eBay are now in the $500 - $600 range, overlapping with the more expensive X31's.

Thanks. I would not argue about the price comparison.

Nice to know that the Toshiba is also reliable. I know it is the high end one but have never imagined it will be as reliable as a thinkpad. As far as feeling is concerned, I think nothing beats a thinkpad. The keyboard bears so many patents and few brands can compete with that of the Thinkpad line. I have used Toshiba, Dell, Compaq, Sony, Gateway and HP. Their keyboards do not even even close to that of thinkpad line.

As to the screen, I am pretty surprised. Toshiba makes good LCDs. They do not even care to use the best LCD in their own laptops? weird. Anyway, nice to know.

[boon]

the toshiba r100 got really short battery life unless you get 2 batteries, that I read in cnet reviews. I'd rather go with x31 or x40 and get 2 batteries instead...

[dmar]

pmhutch,

never saw this thread until just now. Since I have an x31, I'll chime in on a couple of your questions.

1) For your intended use, you might look to an x-2x series. They're even cheaper than the x-3x, and will do everything you need. Not sure about weight & size...off the top of my head, I think it's smaller than the x-3's.

2) Based upon my power settings, I used to get about 2+ hours on a 4-cell, screen half bright, wifi on, and turn off lots of processes.

3) Hibernation makes a world of difference. Haven't timed the boot up, but it's seconds compared to minutes off a fresh startup.

[tomh009]

My X31 (1.6 GHz, 1.3 GB, 7200 rpm drive) still gets about three hours with wireless on -- and that's with nearly 700 cycles on the standard battery!

Is it too big to carry around? It all depends on your personal criteria ... it's smaller than my old Toshiba and Dell, and easily hauled around. But it is indeed bigger than the X40 (or X60).

The single biggest downside of the X40/X41 is the slow (an oddball) 4200 rpm 1.8" disk drive.

[BB]

I have had an x31 for three years, and I still get three+ hours on the battery--more, of course, with frequent use of suspend.

I have had lighter computers (A Sony Picturebook--2.2 pounds), but the x31 is not only light, it is solid. One can go even lighter (try a Palm and folding keyboard), but the sheer flexibility of the ThinkPad wins out if you are on the road. I stock my harddrive with lots of reference materials, which i can't do on the Palm.

and I find it very usable: I just got back from a year-long trip on which it was my only computer, and it was a pleasant experience. I am an academic, so I spend lots of time every day writing and reading e-mail. The keyboard is a joy, and the screen was big enough.

I now have a TP T43, and while the screen is bigger, I can still live with the smaller x31 screen. Plus, the X31 is somehow more stable than the T43, which crashes frequently. The T43 is also much hotter. I understand you want a subnotebook and not something as big as the T43; I mention it despite this because I want to make the point that the size of the x31 is more than adequate.

One realy big advantage of the x31: it accepts standard 2.5" laptop hard drives, so it is easy and relatively cheap to upgrade the hard drive. I may be wrong, but I believe that the x41 series uses a physically smaller drive, which is rather expensive to replace and not available in a very large size.

Frankly, I think an x31 off e-bay (you can often find brand new ones) is a great deal.

bb

[tomh009]

Indeed, both X40 and X41 use the slow-and-expensive 1.8" drives.

There is a very nice X31 for sale in the marketplace forum:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=33743
$550 including the ultrabase is quite a nice price. You may be able to find them for even less on eBay (esp. without the ultrabase), but with some additional risk.

And as a desktop replacement it's wonderful -- I am typing this on my X31, with an ultranav keyboard and a 20" LCD panel plugged into the ultrabase.

[pianowizard]

One realy big advantage of the x31: it accepts standard 2.5" laptop hard drives, so it is easy and relatively cheap to upgrade the hard drive. I may be wrong, but I believe that the x41 series uses a physically smaller drive, which is rather expensive to replace and not available in a very large size.

Indeed, the use of 1.8" drives is the biggest problem of X40 and X41. The prices of the X60s have been going down pretty fast on eBay and sometimes you can get one for under $1,000. So, instead of an X31, you may want to consider getting an X60s. It's lighter and more powerful than the X31, and also uses 2.5" drives.

[dmar]

I wonder why the x60s is depreciating to under $1,000 already. Is it an end of year thing? Upcoming Vista? It's been kind of a quick moving market the last 6 months.

If this is indeed a market trend, then I would say early 2007 -- an x3x should fetch around 400 on average. Worth the wait? I think so.

[tomh009]

I wonder why the x60s is depreciating to under $1,000 already. Is it an end of year thing? Upcoming Vista? It's been kind of a quick moving market the last 6 months.

Probably because you can buy brand new ones on sale from Lenovo for under $1400 ...

[pianowizard]

I wonder why the x60s is depreciating to under $1,000 already. Is it an end of year thing? Upcoming Vista? It's been kind of a quick moving market the last 6 months.

Probably because you can buy brand new ones on sale from Lenovo for under $1400 ...

So the real question is why Lenovo is slashing prices so quickly. Vista may be part of it, and perhaps a new model (other than the X60 tablet) is also coming out soon?

UPDATE: a NEW X60s with 1.66GHz Duo Core/1GB/80GB/1yr warranty was just sold for $957 shipped on eBay.

[tomh009]

So the real question is why Lenovo is slashing prices so quickly. Vista may be part of it, and perhaps a new model (other than the X60 tablet) is also coming out soon?

For sure, Core 2 Duo models are imminent. But I have to believe that any bigger updates will not happen until the Santa Rosa chipset is available about four months from now.

[dmar]

piano,

remind me to consult you for my ebay searching when it comes time to look for an x60s

Although... if Lenovo keeps dropping prices, I might just go straight to the source!

[pianowizard]

Although... if Lenovo keeps dropping prices, I might just go straight to the source!

That's fine as long as you don't mind wait for 1 to 2 months! Elsewhere, including eBay, you get your laptop within a week.

[boon]

it might be because lenovo is trying to compete with other notebooks, and since they are company in china, I guess thinkpads can be built with less expense!

and well all the cpu's have been out and no sign of a even better cpu release yet so the only next release, maybe a x61 /w intel core duo 2? otherwise theres nothing else to release..

you might even consider the x30 it is even cheaper and with x40 they are comparable in performance, only drawback is the non usb 2.0.