My new thinkpad.. X21.

Message

ixwood · #1 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 2:35 pm

Hi All

I recently found this forum after finding an old 600x I'd abandoned years ago when i sgot my work laptop.

I was looking for memory on ebay and ended up buying a x21. lol. I couldn't resist at £31.

One pin missing on pcmcia card. Is that a big problem? Do I need it and can it be replaced?

I only really need one. Any suggestions for the 600x? What do you guys use 2nd/3rd laptops for?

WHat's the stat on the x21 and what's reasonably easy to do. Just memory I guess.

Oh and I right in thinking it's a speedstep ( I'm slowly starting to get all this! lol)?

Cheers

Ian

ixwood · #2 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:11 pm

Crucial says only 1 memory slot. That's dissapointing.

ixwood · #3 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:30 pm

I'm just reading up now.

This ultrabay thing is confusing me. Not sure if mine's coming with one. Probably not.

It does come with a docking station though, which is a bonus. Although, it doesn't look like my 60 will fit. It would have been nice if it did.

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:43 pm

Here's a couple of IBM documents which will help you with your new system:

X2x Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM)
Personal Systems Reference guide - tawbook.pdf

If you are referring to a missing pin in the PCMCIA (PC card) slot, then yes it is possible to change. Refer to page 84 in the HMM. This slot is used to attach wireless cards, flash card readers, external drives and other peripherals.

The tawbook guide lists the major specifications of some of the A, T, X and G-series systems. Page 57 lists the various X21 models that were offered. If your particular type number (2662-xxx) is not listed, you can go to this site:

Support and downloads

and enter your type number in the product number box.

edit: X2x systems do not have any Ultrabay built-in. That's available with the optional dock or "media slice" (aka Ultrabase).

#5 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:46 pm

I dislike giving memory upgrade advice around here on machines that I do not own because someone who owns one will inevitably post that you can add a bazillion MB of ram if you do a BIOS update or something

. The X21 is a cool little machine, it has 64MB base memory and you can add an additional 256MB PC100 SODIMM for a total of 320MB RAM.

ixwood · #6 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:48 pm

Thanks, that's great!!

This thinkpad business is addictive,

Although, considering the 600 can have 256 more memory and it's only a couple of 100mhz quicker, I'm not sure it's much of an upgrade. if at all. Any thoughts?

What do people do with their Spare laptops? I'm not sure whther just to flog one on, or do something with them both. One linux and one xp maybe.

ixwood · #7 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:51 pm

Thanks Harry. I don't think I'm ready for anythng fancy anyway, It'll be a battle putting memory in for me!

Seems odd that there's only one 1memory card. Is it a smaller model?

Anyway, I'll stop asking stupid questions and go read up..

#8 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:52 pm

Not sure what 'flog' means, but if it means where to sell one, try our own 'Marketplace' forum.

#9 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:53 pm

tawbook says some systems have 128MB on-board memory for a maximum of 384MB

.

@ixwood: As far as what people do with their second or third (or a couple of dozen...) extra laptops, some collect them as a hobby, others have them for other family members, some repair/refurbish them for eventual re-sale, and others are just completely bonkers

.

edit: I think I qualify for all of those descriptions....

#10 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:54 pm

rkawakami wrote:tawbook says some systems have 128MB on-board memory for a maximum of 384MB .

LOL...see what I mean

#11 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:57 pm

Harryc wrote:LOL...see what I mean

Sorry, couldn't resist

.

And "flog", if I understand ixwood's meaning, is to treat it as a beater system. Run it into the ground, do all sorts of crazy upgrades on it, etc.

edit: re: "flog"; my bad... dictionary.com says "slang. to sell, esp. aggressively or vigorously." Also, m-w.com says: "chiefly British: to sell (as stolen goods) illegally"

ixwood · #12 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:28 pm

lol, that's funny.

I just mean sell. As in, sell one on, if I don't need 2 laptops. I think I like the xp and linus idea. Plus a friend is starting a business, so might come in handy.

I didn't realise flog had those conatations. It's a everyday word for sell as far as I was concerned. BBC have a cheesey program called "flog it" where people buy antiques to sell on.

#13 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:32 pm

My first definition of "flog" is to "whip" or "beat'. I had thought you were intending to use the system as some sort of test vehicle for different hardware and/or software upgrades. I didn't know it was British slang for "sell" until I checked a couple of online dictionaries.

ixwood · #14 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:35 pm

rkawakami wrote:tawbook says some systems have 128MB on-board memory for a maximum of 384MB .

@ixwood: As far as what people do with their second or third (or a couple of dozen...) extra laptops, some collect them as a hobby, others have them for other family members, some repair/refurbish them for eventual re-sale, and others are just completely bonkers .

edit: I think I qualify for all of those descriptions....

It's got 128!! I didn't notice.

lol at the uses. I did notice. And I can understand already. I think 2's my limit. Or is that what everyone says? lol.

ixwood · #15 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:40 pm

I'll try and stick to a international dictionary.

It's funny. Thing is I don't even know what slang and what's not or even notice. English is a funny language. Full of phrases and expressions for things. And mutliple uses of the same word. it must be difficult as a 2nd language. One word can mean 5+ different things.

ixwood · #16 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:42 pm

So, the x21 with 384mb is a better machine than the 600x with almost 600mb?

ixwood · #17 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:45 pm

I'm amazed there's such a thinkpad following, It's great!

Is it just the thinkpad, and why? Are they that good? I have to admit, I like my 600x. Nice feel. Sitting next to my modern dell work laptop, it#'s hard to see much difference. Amazing for a 7 or 8 year old machine.

#18 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:51 pm

ixwood wrote:Are they that good?

Yes

#19 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:08 pm

ixwood wrote:So, the x21 with 384mb is a better machine than the 600x with almost 600mb?

If by "better" you mean the computer will run faster, then that depends upon several different things. Since your system has 128MB of onboard memory, it should also have a 700Mhz CPU. This is at least 200Mhz more than your 600X (although there are a few 'rare' 650Mhz 600X systems out there).

Contrasting that against the maximum amount of memory that both systems can hold, the X21 at 384MB and the 600X at 576MB. Windows will always do better with as much memory as you can throw at it.

And finally, the type of hard drive that's in both systems can have somewhat of an impact to your overall "speed" if you run programs that access the hard drive a lot or have too many programs running in memory and have to rely on "virtual memory" (swapping to disk).

ixwood · #20 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:18 pm

Thanks. Again!

So they could both potentailly be good useable machines then? That's good. I'm dieing to gte them setup and have a play with them both now and see.

So far, I've got the 600 booting to a low memory version of debian linux. I'm waiting for a wireless card and some memory cards now (fingers crossed I've got the right ones).

Does the x21 also take low density memory?

The x21 is apparently running another linux install. Which would run Xp the best/quickest do you think? The x21?

The new one had a dvd and floppy apparently, so guess i've got an ultrabay then! I'm not sure what to expect with that.

The 600 is 500mhz btw.

Regarding the hard drives, what would they come with as standard? The same types? I think they're both pretty clean original machines.

Sorry for all the stupid questions. I've obivously pretty clueless. I've worked as a programmer for years but never even done so much as open a pc or laptop before, so pretty much everything is new.

Moderator edit: Combined four consecutive posts into one.

#21 Post by **rkawakami** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:12 pm

ixwood wrote:So they could both potentailly be good useable machines then?

Yes, both should be great for general purpose use (office productivity software, internet surfing, etc.).

ixwood wrote:Does the x21 also take low density memory?

Yes. Should take the same PC100 memory that the 600X does.

ixwood wrote:Which would run Xp the best/quickest do you think? The x21?

I would prefer using the 600X for WinXP just because of the added memory capability.

ixwood wrote:Regarding the hard drives, what would they come with as standard?

Both systems will use the same 2.5" Parallel ATA (IDE) hard drives. Installing a 7200RPM (or even a 5400RPM) can have a significant impact in the "speed" of the system, over a 4200RPM drive. Check the specs of the drives; not sure what each system shipped with.

ixwood · #22 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:20 pm

Thanks. I need to find a copy of xp now! Where do people get there (legal) copies from? Old machines? I've only ever had xp on my work machines.

I'm not paying. lol.

Yeah, I'm generally a pretty light user. Genral browsing and text based editing most of the time with an odd office app. And poker.

I'll have a look for drives. Get a feel for prices.

One thing that had puzzled me.. I'm sure I remember the 600 playing DVD perfectly years ago when it was newish, so why can't it now? Unfortunately I didn't try one with the old win NT before putting linux on.

Maybe it still could/can, but generally more memory or that card thing are recommened. Or have dvds suffered size inflation over the years like everything else?

#23 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:31 pm

Stick with Linux if you do not want to pay for XP. I think the Mods here might not like a discussion of where to get illegal versions of XP.

ixwood · #24 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:36 pm

I was asking about a legal copy. Do you have to buy it then, not use a old copy that came with a different machine? I've never upgraded a operating system before, so it's all new to me. With Vista out, hopefully xp prices will crash.

I''ll have a look on ebay. Is that legal? a 2nd hand copy off ebay?

#25 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:41 pm

Look on the bottom of your machines. Is there a COA license sticker? If yes, you can legally install a copy of the OS that is identified on the sticker. If it is not XP, then yes you have to buy a Retail or OEM version of XP home or Professional. Check-out newegg.com for cheap OEM versions. I am not sure on their international shipping policy. I am sure there are UK shops that sell OEM XP though.

qviri · #26 Post by **qviri** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:45 pm

ixwood wrote:Does the x21 also take low density memory?

To clarify - the X21 only takes low density memory.

Low density 256 MB sticks aren't terribly easy to run across.

Harryc wrote:Check-out newegg.com for cheap OEM versions. I am not sure on their international shipping policy.

Non-existent.

ixwood · #27 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:53 pm

rkawakami wrote: edit: X2x systems do not have any Ultrabay built-in. That's available with the optional dock or "media slice" (aka Ultrabase).

Only just spotted that. Its got a ultrabase. Whatever that is. lol.

#28 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:53 pm

qviri wrote:
ixwood wrote: Non-existent.

Yeah, it amazes me that after all of this time they still don't ship to Canada.

ixwood · #29 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:53 pm

Thanks qviri.

I'm sad. I just booted up the 600, even though i have no way of getting online and nothing to do on it. Quick Power cycle (battery coming) and it boots up like a dream. I'm pleased because the main battery has held its charge for a few days. It hadn't been turned on for at least 6 or 7 years.

One happy and converted thinkpad owner.

ixwood · #30 Post by **ixwood** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 3:59 pm

Picked up the x21 today. Finally. It's nice. Very compact/light, without the base.

I was pleasantly surprised to find somewhere to plug my network cable in, as the 600 doesn't have anywhere.

Debian linux installed and browsing nicely.

Now for play time. I think I'm just going to buy 3 memory upgrades from crucial. Every time 16 chip memory comes up on ebay, it goes for over £20. Sigh.

The hard drive improvement sounds good. I'll have to look out for a cheapy drive or 2.

My new thinkpad.. X21.

My new thinkpad.. X21.

Who is online