x31 v. x40

X2/X3/X4x series specific matters only
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richarddd
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x31 v. x40

#1 Post by richarddd » Tue Aug 31, 2004 2:58 pm

Will there be a significant difference in speed between

x40, 1.3ghz, 40gb, 768mb

x31, 1.4ghz, 80gb (4200rpm), 512mb

if most use is office apps, web stuff, some avi or the like viewing?

Any noticeable difference in screen or keyboard?

Do I understand that the USB on the x40 is 500ma, so that I can plug an external notebook USB drive without any other power source?

stgreek
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Re: x31 v. x40

#2 Post by stgreek » Tue Aug 31, 2004 4:44 pm

richarddd wrote:Will there be a significant difference in speed between

x40, 1.3ghz, 40gb, 768mb

x31, 1.4ghz, 80gb (4200rpm), 512mb

if most use is office apps, web stuff, some avi or the like viewing?

Any noticeable difference in screen or keyboard?

Do I understand that the USB on the x40 is 500ma, so that I can plug an external notebook USB drive without any other power source?
The specs are pretty much the same, since the processor speed is countered by the extra ram, so no difference there. Screen should be the same too. However, the X31 has a much sturdier design, and the keyboard is excellent. The X40 has a small palm rest which can be a problem for those with hands. As for the drive, I believe you are fine as long as it is not a power-hungry dvd-r. The X31 is IMO a better choice, because of the 2.5 vs 1.8 drive and its superior keyboard, but you might value weight more than that.

Stavros

eriqesque

#3 Post by eriqesque » Tue Aug 31, 2004 4:56 pm

I agree with all that was said above
except the superior keyboard and the sturdier design.
I just received an X40 last week and coming from a T40 the build quality is much better than that of the T40 so I can't imagine the X31 being even better than this.

As for the keyboard AFAIK they are the same.

This keyboard is as sturdy as any. No flexing very secure and tight fit.

As for the palm rest there you may have a poin it is a little on the shallow.
If you use the X40 on a desk its thin enough that you can rest your hands on part of the palm rest and part of the desk for a completley comfortable typing experience.

stgreek
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#4 Post by stgreek » Tue Aug 31, 2004 5:33 pm

Actually, you will be surprised how much better the build quality of an X31 is. Compared to it, my T40 looks flimsy and plastic, but I have only used (not owned) an X40 so cannot really comment on that.

Stavros

eriqesque

#5 Post by eriqesque » Tue Aug 31, 2004 6:00 pm

Well thats what I was saying.
The build quality of the X40 is so much better than the T40 was

I just couldn't imagine the X31 being that much better built
than the X40
Since this is actually perfect.

pphilipko
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X31 vs. X40

#6 Post by pphilipko » Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:45 am

I have seen many X31's and X40's in numerous stores. To be honest, in terms of build quality, they're both just as sturdy (the X40 may even be a bit sturdier!) and the keyboards of each are both quite well-made. If placed side to side, the X40 looks so much more sleeker than the X31. X31, in terms of looks, looks like a miniature R series, and the X40 can be compared to a T4x series. The X31 DOES look chunky compared to the X40! :shock: In terms of performance, the X31 without doubt soars ahead of the X40. It all weighs upon whether you want less weight and better looks or a chunkier and 'not as good looking' BUT more powerful laptop. Personally, I don't need the firepower as much as the weight loss, so I decided on the better looking X40. :D All I do is surfing and typing, with occasional programming. It its the perfect machine, in my opinion. :lol:
Phil
IBM X40, 2371-AV0
Lenovo T61, 6458-AB1
En route: X61t

DavidNZ
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#7 Post by DavidNZ » Wed Sep 01, 2004 2:12 pm

I went with the X40 soley because of the slightly smaller footprint and, at the time, I heard there wasn't much difference between it (or at least the one I bought) and a similar-spec X31. I only use mine for writing (I'm an academic), email and the web. I do use it for statistical analysis using SPSS, but a 1.2Ghz processor for this is fine. Overall, an excellent machine.

D
X40 (2371-6EM) w/ 768 RAM
XPP SP2
DLINK DI-614+

plucky duck
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#8 Post by plucky duck » Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:17 pm

I agree as well, the X31 feels much more solid than the T42. Since the LCD is smaller the casing does not flex at all. The palmrest is SOLID compared to the palmrest on the T series.

Now that I have the T42 the next laptop I plan on getting would be the next gen X40s.
I am Canadian

stgreek
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#9 Post by stgreek » Thu Sep 02, 2004 3:41 am

Oh and another thing I forgot to mention, the 12.1" TFT is miles brighter than the T40 14.1" TFT, both on XGA. I believe it has something to do with the physical size of the screen.

Black Body
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Battery lifetime

#10 Post by Black Body » Thu Sep 16, 2004 9:14 am

with standered battery

X31: >5h
X40: 3.5h

If you do not like 8cell battery for X40, which will survive 7.5h but distroy the good-looking of X40, you should consider this issue.

whickman
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#11 Post by whickman » Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:26 pm

I have found the x40 to be a fine machine for academic use, which means losts of PowerPoint, some DVD (with no problems) and Web site maintenance for our department. However, I use a 1 GB Lexar flash drive and a 5 GB mini drive (inserted in the PC card slot) to minimize hard drive use.

I also obtained the recovery CDs and then deleted the 5GB of hard drive devoted to rapid restore.

I'd like to see Hitachi come out with a 60 GB nonstandard 1.8-inch drive. The x40 uses a Hitachi 40 GB minidrive. Currently, both Toshiba and Hitachi have 1.8-inch 60 GB drives, but their design and shape are not configured properly for x40 use. Hitachi will not commit to a timetable for an x40 60 GB minidrive, other than to say that we should "check the Hitachi Web site regularly for an announcement."

My wife uses an x31 for her writing work, and I consider the x40 and x31 to be fine machines. I'd recommend the x40 if you are not doing any heavy-duty video work or if you are a serious gamer.

whickman
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#12 Post by whickman » Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:28 pm

Quick add: And I also added 1 GB of memory for the x40, which noticably boosted the speed on my machine.

bushkerry
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#13 Post by bushkerry » Fri Sep 17, 2004 5:55 am

whickman, do you have a total of 1 gig of ram now, or 1,5 gig?

whickman
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#14 Post by whickman » Fri Sep 17, 2004 7:41 am

I have a total of 1.5 GB of memory now. Works great!

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