X61 Desktop Replacement

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jlowdon · #1 Post by **jlowdon** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:45 pm

Greetings:

I am tired of waiting for Lenovo to release a T61 with a 4:3 screen and seriously considering purchasing a X61 as a replacement for my desktop (as well as business travel).

Is anyone using a docked X61 as a full-time desktop replacement. If yes, what is an ideal configuration for business purposes? What are the tradeoffs versus a docked T61? Finally, what is the difference between the X6 and X60 Ultrabase?

Many thanks, John

#2 Post by **tomh009** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 10:12 pm

Well, it's not exactly what you asked for, but I'm using my X31 as a desktop replacement ... the X61 is considerably more capable yet.

For years I used notebook (first Toshiba, then Dell, now ThinkPad) as a supplement to my desktop system. About a year ago, I noticed that I was using my desktop system less and less -- and really only for things that required the large display, such as Microsoft Project.

So I unplugged the display (a 20" 1600x1200 LCD panel) from my desktop, connected it to my Ultrabase and added an Ultranav keyboard. The X31 automatically switches to the external monitor at the correct resolution when I dock, and back to the internal when I undock. After a month or so, I unplugged my desktop for good, and just dropped the hard disk into an external enclosure.

So it absolutely can be done. The X61 will be more portable that the T61, and likely will have longer battery life. On the other hand, you'll need to live with XGA while undocked (I can personally deal with that, and mlost applications are OK at XGA, as long as I maximize them), and the built-in graphics are definitely not high-end. And no optical drive while traveling, unless you haul the UltraBase with you (I don't find this an issue myself).

Oh, and the X6 UltraBase is what is used by the X60, X60s, X61 and X61s. There is no "X60 UltraBase" as such although some people might call the X6 UltraBase that.

smoothoperator · #3 Post by **smoothoperator** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 1:02 am

the T61 does come with a 4:3 screen

Try this link l There are three models including the 8889 all the way on the right. You can even get it with the FX 570 card which is very powerful!.

proaudioguy · #4 Post by **proaudioguy** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 4:34 pm

Unless you are playing the latest video games, or using the latest graphics/ movie editing software, I cannot imagine needing a desktop system. I do not own one.

jlowdon · #5 Post by **jlowdon** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:41 pm

Thanks to all for your replys.

tomh - I understand being limited to XGA when undocked but thought that would also be true when docked and using an external monitor. Are you saying that I will be able to view at the external monitor's native resolution when docked? Also, I continue to be uncertain regarding the X6 and X60 Ultrabase issue. Lenovo's website shows 2 part numbers - 40Y8116 (X6 Ultrabase) and W8TPX60 (X60 Ultrabase and Super MultiBurn UltraBay Slim Drive Bundle). Could the X60 simply be an X6 and Slim Drive bundle?

smoothoperator - how did you navigate to this area on Lenovo's website? The T61 4:3 screen option does not appear on the general website?

Thanks again - John

pianowizard · #6 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:54 pm

jlowdon wrote:Are you saying that I will be able to view at the external monitor's native resolution when docked?

Absolutely. Not only when docked, but also when the external monitor is connected directly to the laptop's VGA port, up to 1920x1200.

#7 Post by **tomh009** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:01 pm

Correct. When I dock (or connect the VGA cable), I can display 1600x1200 on an external monitor. I believe that PW is correct and the X60/X61 can do 1920x1200 on an external monitor.

Yes, there is only one X6 UltraBase, and the other one does look like a bundle ...

gunston · #8 Post by **gunston** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:23 am

i am using my T43 as a desktop replacement.
thinking to order X61 just like you do.

cnyprecast · #9 Post by **cnyprecast** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:49 am

I have had my X61 for almost a month now. Like others here, I had always used my desktop (Dell XPS) as my main machine. I had a Motion LE1600 tablet, but it didn't have the juice needed to function as a desktop replacement.

I have been so happy with the X61, that I have pretty much turned it into a replacement for my desktop. Of course, it doesn't have the HD capacity that my desktop has, so I still am using my desktop for some things. Also, it isn't a bad thing to have two computers (I sync data back and forth, so if one goes down, I can still use the other). I will probably still look at adding a larger HD to the UltraBase or connecting an external to it.

My biggest boost is coming from having all my Outlook 2007 data on the X61. Outlook was painfully slow on the LE1600, but is really fast on the X61. I did the X61 to be as fast as possible for my usage. I have a 7200 RPM HD, 4GB RAM (I know it can't use every bit of that), SXGA+ screen, WWAN, etc. It works great with my Dell UltraSharp 24" monitor as well! I run it at 1920 x 1200 resolution, and it looks stunning!

I have been a rabid Tablet PC enthusiast for two or three years now, and the X61 excels in that functionality as well. It is a great tablet.

Honestly, with today's available technology, I couldn't be happier.

jamess · #10 Post by **jamess** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:33 am

I love my current system with X60s docked when at work and use 22" external display whilst having an ultralight laptop when on travels.

However, as I travel/carry my computer with me ALL the time, I often use it's XGA screen. I therefore ordered the Tablet version.
However, I am probably never changing back to normal desktop computer or a laptop bigger than 12 or 13". It's so light and easy to carry around and you can have everything on it...

It depends of course what you are using it for. But as long as it's not 3D CAD and/or digital video editing, I guess you're ok with X series.

zverg · #11 Post by **zverg** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:44 am

Now that the X-series uses a real, full-size laptop hard drive (and available 7200rpm yipee) it truly can be a full desktop replacement when purchased with a dock and used with an external monitor. Almost all apps can be tolerated for short periods of time at 1024x768 but I don't think I could live my life at that resolution all the time.

Someone should release a laptop bag with integrated lightweight 1600x1200 LCD panel (AC powered of course).. is there no huge market for such a thing? hehe

I'm really considering setting aside my T42 and using a new X-series tablet as my primary machine.

jamess · #12 Post by **jamess** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:53 am

Everyone's stressing how much faster the 7200 disk is. However, I've had it changed in one of my previous Thinkpads, the T43 and going from 5400 to 7200 - I noticed no difference

At least with the majority of work that I do - office and some Photoshop. I used WinXP OS. Maybe things are different on Core 2 Duos, where the disk is the bottleneck?!

bigwormie · #13 Post by **bigwormie** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:48 am

running x61t with x base and it works like a champ. The only frustration I have is going from doc'd to undocked it sometimes does not switch back to the notebook screen, so reboot is required. Also, it does not always re-adjust the display resolution. Plenty fast though.

Regarding hard drive speed. Went from 5400 to 7200 on my t40 and noticed a big performance increase. Probably in the neighborhood of 10-15%. But there is already much said in these forums about the benefits of the faster drive.

zverg · #14 Post by **zverg** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:29 am

jamess wrote:Everyone's stressing how much faster the 7200 disk is. However, I've had it changed in one of my previous Thinkpads, the T43 and going from 5400 to 7200 - I noticed no difference At least with the majority of work that I do - office and some Photoshop. I used WinXP OS. Maybe things are different on Core 2 Duos, where the disk is the bottleneck?!

Well considering the X4x series was usinga 4200rpm hard drive (a tiny little compact-flash looking bugger) even 5400 would be a drastic improvement.

#15 Post by **tomh009** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:59 pm

tomh009 wrote:Correct. When I dock (or connect the VGA cable), I can display 1600x1200 on an external monitor. I believe that PW is correct and the X60/X61 can do 1920x1200 on an external monitor.

Confirmed -- the X61 supports both WUXGA (1920x1200) and QXGA (2048x1536).

pianowizard · #16 Post by **pianowizard** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:41 pm

tomh009 wrote:Confirmed -- the X61 supports both WUXGA (1920x1200) and QXGA (2048x1536).

Did you actually test with an external QXGA monitor? I have never seen one and would like to get one.

ilinds · #17 Post by **ilinds** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:06 pm

Personally I'd agree with the opinion exressed by many others on this thread that you can use an X-series as a very effective desktop replacement. I've been using my X31 (and previously an X21) as my main computer for some years now.

It's extremely convenient to be able to use a full-size keyboard and mouse plus high-resolution display at home then simply undock and have a light and portable machine to take one the road without having to worry about keeping a laptop and desktop synchronised.

However, the word "undock" leads to my one major qualifier to this opinion. I would only really want to do this with a machine for which a fully-functional desktop dock such as the Dock-II or Advanced Dock was available i.e. not simply with an ultrabase. This is something that has really put me off the X61(tablet). It would appear there is no equivalent for the Advanced Dock available for it which is a shame as I'm currently looking to upgrade from my X31 and, in all other respects, the X61 tablet meets all my needs.

Is there any sign that Lenovo are going to produce a true dock for the X61? From their website and discussions on this forum, it would appear not. However, I'd be delighted to be pleasantly surprised if anyone had different information. If not, I may have to make do with an X41 or (reluctantly) look at other manufacturers.

Regards,

Ian.

Aroc · #18 Post by **Aroc** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:26 pm

I'm confused, what does an ultrabase not do for you that a docking station would? (support for PCI card?).

Unless my users have vision problems requiring a larger screen on the road, or need OpenGL support for CAD, we only purchase single spindle systems with 12 inch screens at work. We use them as desktop replacements.

ilinds · #19 Post by **ilinds** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:06 pm

[quote="Aroc"]I'm confused, what does an ultrabase not do for you that a docking station would? (support for PCI card?).

Thinking of the Dock-II: Yes, support for PCI card (kind of important in a desktop replacement), additional PCMCIA/Cardbus slots, built-in power supply, external PS2 mouse and keyboard ports, line in/out audio, DVI feedthrough (if supported)...

It just seems rather strange to me that as the ultraportable part of Lenovo's product range, the X series would probably benefit the most from full docking support but is the only series for which it is (at least in recent models) not offered.