Yet another sleeve discussion - X61t 8-cell

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bhtooefr · #1 Post by **bhtooefr** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 1:50 pm

I'm looking for a padded sleeve to transport my X61t with the 8-cell inside of a pannier on my bike.

It must be well padded.

Waterproofing is not necessary, as the pannier has a good rain cover built in.

I'll just leave the UltraBase at home - if I need an UltraBase at work, I'll just borrow one from a coworker (most of us will have X61ts.)

The power adapter can just go loose in the pannier, it's easy enough to carry all of that in.

I don't need the ability to use the tablet while it's in the sleeve - this is for transportation, not protection while in use.

So, simple padded sleeve that just holds the tablet with the 8-cell. Which do you recommend?

smvp6459 · #2 Post by **smvp6459** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:23 pm

I recommend the Waterfield sleeves:
http://www.sfbags.com/products/sleeveca ... ecases.htm

I have one for my X60s; I use it in my messenger bag that occasionally has 50 pounds of books, in addition to the laptop. It's a high quality product that keeps the laptop protected.

rek · #3 Post by **rek** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:41 pm

I recently bought a ZeroShock III sleeve from eBay for this same purpose. As well as the sleeve, I'm also going to cut up a couple of foam rectangles to slip into the pannier on either side of the notebook sleeve, to give it some extra protection, as well as put the sleeve in an upside-down plastic bag to make it more resistant to the weather.

(The 12.0-12.1" size ZeroShock sleeve fits an X60s with 8-cell snugly; given that an X60 Tablet is bigger, you may need the next size up.)

hularious · #4 Post by **hularious** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:24 am

I have the sumdex impulse, fits my x61t w/8cell perfectly...
http://www3.shopping.com/xPC-Sumdex_Imp ... leeve_12_1

some also think the sumdex impact guard is good b/c of memory foam, but it's thinner than the foam in the impulse
http://www.luggagepoint.com/lpProductDe ... ctId=12294

fongj · #5 Post by **fongj** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 5:25 am

Not to be rude... but if you already know there are numerous threads on this topic, why is another one needed? It sounds like you want the exact information that has already been discussed (i.e. what you are looking for in a sleeve isn't anything exceptional from what everyone else has already talked about).

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=45726
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=45528
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=46109
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=43830

snots · #6 Post by **snots** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 4:03 pm

one problem and HUGE source of confusion in all the old threads, is the mixup between "Case" and "Sleeve" for the Shinza Zeroshock III.

Apparently there are 11"/12" versions for both the "case" and "sleeve" of the Zeroshock III.

Alot of people say that the 12" fits the X61T with 8-cell "very snugly", but later they point out that it is for the bag version.

I still also read a person (in one of the threads you linked) who bought the 12" Zeroshock III *sleeve* and it didn't fit his X61T with 8-cell.

But alot of others out there claim that it fits the 12" sleeve (with 8-cell).

It is really quite quite confusing.

I have also contacted Shinza to cancel my order since I cannot ascertain what will actually fit my X61t with 8-cell o_O"""

minc3d · #7 Post by **minc3d** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:11 pm

Yea, can anyone clear up whether the X60 tablet with 8 cell can fit into the sleeve ZeroShock III? Im itching to get one off ebay but dont want to jump the gun if it wont work.

snots · #8 Post by **snots** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:35 pm

minc3d wrote:Yea, can anyone clear up whether the X60 tablet with 8 cell can fit into the sleeve ZeroShock III? Im itching to get one off ebay but dont want to jump the gun if it wont work.

No, it has been 100% confirmed that the 12" Zeroshock III *sleeve* does NOT fit with the x61T with 8-cell.

Have a look at the picture on the 3rd page of this thread that another poster has kindly posted:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 9&start=60

noetus · #9 Post by **noetus** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:28 pm

I rather like the Thinkpad sleeves of this type because they will fit:

(1) the bare X61 tablet with regular battery, or
(2) the X61t with 8-cell battery, or
(3) the X61t with BOTH the regular battery and extended battery at the same time, or
(4) the X61t with BOTH 8-cell and extended battery at the same time

due to the way the flap closes and the inherent flexibility of the material. This is an invaluable feature for me. Plus they have the Thinkpad livery. However, beware - it seems like only the OLD-STYLE cases of this type, which are slightly larger and have a thicker foam protection, will fit the X61t. These are very hard to find now. All the ones currently being sold on eBay are of the new type - and when I ordered one, it didn't fit. (I also have one of the older style ones, which does fit, but which is now slightly damaged and I would like to replace it.)

If anyone knows where these sleeves can be found (other than eBay), I would be very appreciative (I believe they may originally have been sold only in Japan).

snots · #10 Post by **snots** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:38 pm

noetus wrote:I rather like the Thinkpad sleeves of this type because they will fit:

(1) the bare X61 tablet with regular battery, or
(2) the X61t with 8-cell battery, or
(3) the X61t with BOTH the regular battery and extended battery at the same time, or
(4) the X61t with BOTH 8-cell and extended battery at the same time

due to the way the flap closes and the inherent flexibility of the material. This is an invaluable feature for me. Plus they have the Thinkpad livery. However, beware - it seems like only the OLD-STYLE cases of this type, which are slightly larger and have a thicker foam protection, will fit the X61t. These are very hard to find now. All the ones currently being sold on eBay are of the new type - and when I ordered one, it didn't fit. (I also have one of the older style ones, which does fit, but which is now slightly damaged and I would like to replace it.)

If anyone knows where these sleeves can be found (other than eBay), I would be very appreciative (I believe they may originally have been sold only in Japan).

Thanks for that info. I was about to jump on board and order one until you said the new ones don't fit.

Why is it so difficult to find a fitting sleeve that is not too big? I guess I could go for a zeroshock 14" sleeve, but that seems like it would be too loose.

dgriss1 · #11 Post by **dgriss1** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:40 pm

my timbuk2 padded sleeve is nice. You need a medium to fit the 8 cell battery.
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/lap ... top-sleeve

general laptop page:
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/laptop/

noetus · #12 Post by **noetus** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:03 pm

snots wrote: Thanks for that info. I was about to jump on board and order one until you said the new ones don't fit.

Why is it so difficult to find a fitting sleeve that is not too big? I guess I could go for a zeroshock 14" sleeve, but that seems like it would be too loose.

I should caveat what I said before. - I shouldn't have said that ALL the 'new' types being sold on eBay are of the wrong size. I haven't researched this very carefully. All I know is that the ones currently being sold on eBay have a slightly differently shaped flap which extends further down the case, and when I ordered ONE, it didn't fit (and is made of a glossier material and is thinner and more flimsy than the one I originally got). I would check the measurements. It is possible that a different one will fit, if the measurements are right. If it does, you are in luck, because the sleeve fitting TIGHT with ALL possible combinations of batteries attached is a real plus, in my view. I don't think there is any other sleeve that can manage that.

Unfortunately I am away from home for the next few weeks and can't measure the one that came and didn't fit. However, I have the one that does fit with me, and can post the measurements of that if you like. You could compare that to what's being sold on eBay and if you get one that is the same, you'll be all right.

snots · #13 Post by **snots** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:40 pm

Cool, thanks for that info

Also, there is a nicely summarized thread on Cases and sleeves; the OP makes a point that the 4th type: "Ideastyle" are the "real and original" Lenovo-authorized sleeves.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 61t+sleeve

Perhaps these will be able to fit the x61t with 8cell.

The link to the Idealstyle bag, taken from the thread above:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-12-IBM-ThinkPad ... dZViewItem

Specs:

* Dimensions (W x H x D): 12.25" x 10.25" x 0.8" (31.2cm x 26cm x 2.1cm)

Do those measurements match the one that you have that fits?

Also of interest:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... eve+targus

It mentions the Targus Leather Portfolio type sleeve.

BTW: I looked at the Timbuktu. The dimensions are similar to a Zeroshock 14".. but the Timbuktu certainly looks thinner (tho it is not lighter). Thanks for the info.

noetus · #14 Post by **noetus** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:15 pm

Aha!

So it seems the first one I got was a genuine Ideastyle one - with the Thinkvantage logo on the inside - and then the subsequent one was a 'fake'. That would explain it.

One way to spot the fakes in the pictures I believe - the band into which you tuck the flap is placed too high up. On mine, and in the picture of the one you sent me, the band is about half-way down (or even very slightly lower). In other pictures, including the one I gave a link to above, the band is higher up. Also, the flap itself in the 'fakes' appears to be too square; in the genuine article, it is quite rounded.

Trouble is, it seems the genuine Ideastyle cases are hard to come by now. I just did a google search and couldn't find a single seller. Are you having any better luck?

noetus · #15 Post by **noetus** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:29 pm

I appear to have found a seller of the Ideastyle case, in the UK.

Doesn't appear that they ship to the USA, however. The do ship to other countries, including Canada and Australia.

snots · #16 Post by **snots** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:59 pm

Hmm those are some useful distinctions to note between teh fakes and the reals.

I didn't do a search for Ideastyle outside of ebay, but given what you said I guess its next to impossible to get them anymore.. and too bad for us, we can't get that one in the UK shipped to the USA.

Zeroshock 12" sleeve:
Exterior dimensions (W x D x H): 12.4 x 1.0 x 10.6 inches (315 x 25 x 270 mm)

Ideastyle:
Dimensions (W x H x D): 12.25" x 10.25" x 0.8" (31.2cm x 26cm x 2.1cm)

Given that we know the 12" Zeroshock sleeve doesn't fit the X61T with tablet, how would the Idealstyle fit? If you compare dimensions...

noetus · #17 Post by **noetus** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:33 am

You mean how will it fit with tablet plus 8-cell battery (typo?)

Basically the way it works with mine is that when I have the 8-cell battery installed, the flap of the sleeve accommodates it by not going as far under the band. It wraps further around the battery and then doesn't go as far under the band. See what I mean? The capacity of the case to accommodate the extra width this way isn't reflected in the stated dimensions.

What I discovered is that even with the extended battery clipped on *as well* (the flat battery that clips on underneath the thinkpad, which I use quite often and which can be used in conjunction with either the regular or 8-cell battery), there is still enough 'give' that the case stretches to accommodate it, and the flap goes around and still tucks under the band.

I've been using this case now for about 6 months, in various configurations with my three batteries (regular, 8-cell and extended) without it stretching or distorting the case permanently (though note what I say below about tears).

Two points to note, however. When the 8-cell battery is installed, the ends of the 8-cell battery will be exposed, because the sides of the case don't extend that far back. The flap still wraps around, but the extra depth that the battery adds on isn't accommodated along the sides. I could post some photos if that isn't clear. It doesn't bother me (it is only the battery, in about an inch wide and maybe half an inch high 'gap' that is exposed, and not the computer itself) but it might bother you. If it does, I'd recommend getting a zippered case like the Zeroshock that is known to fit the 8-cell, which will then just be a bit loose when you have the regular battery installed (and probably won't accommodate the extended battery).

The other thing is that I ripped the internal material of my case, which is why I need to get a new one. There are no external tears; it is the internal padding that has torn, which leaves no visible damage except some crinkles. But you can feel the gaps where the material has torn when you handle the case, and obviously this does affect the protection the case offers. The material has torn in several places actually, and just from me pulling on the body of the case and the flap when inserting and removing the thinkpad, which is a tighter fit with the extended battery underneath, and is a fairly tight fit even with the regular or 8-cell battery. So this is something you have to be careful about. Now that I know about it, I reckon that with care I won't tear the new case I get, though I'll always have to be conscious of this vulnerability whenever inserting or removing the thinkpad. I'm willing to live with this problem given the flexibility the case offers (use with any battery combination), but others might not be.

If you know someone in the UK or Canada who might be willing to send the case on to you, you could get it shipped that way (you'll have to change the registered credit card address to your friend's house temporarily, in order to get them to ship there, but that's pretty straightforward). I'm in Canada for a couple of weeks, so will get the case shipped to me here.

RoadHazard · #18 Post by **RoadHazard** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:38 am

When reviewing dimensions of a sleeve/case, it's worth to note that you should always look at interior dimension if available. The thickness aside, the other two dimensions should be at least 10.5" on one of them in order to fit a X61T with 8 cell.

For the Ideastyle, it will be a very tight fit if it does fit at all. Assuming the given dimensions above are interior dimensions, the flap lid should give a flexibility to fit a notebook slightly taller than it's height. But the thickness looks like a problem here.

The X61T has the dimension of 10.8" x 10.5" x 1.3"

snots · #19 Post by **snots** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 5:27 pm

hularious wrote:I have the sumdex impulse, fits my x61t w/8cell perfectly...
http://www3.shopping.com/xPC-Sumdex_Imp ... leeve_12_1

some also think the sumdex impact guard is good b/c of memory foam, but it's thinner than the foam in the impulse
http://www.luggagepoint.com/lpProductDe ... ctId=12294

Ok, I'm gonna go with the ones this poster suggested. They seem ok. Gonna stop wasting time on a sleeve.. lol

noetus · #20 Post by **noetus** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:03 pm

RoadHazard wrote: For the Ideastyle, it will be a very tight fit if it does fit at all.

The X61T has the dimension of 10.8" x 10.5" x 1.3"

I HAVE the Ideastyle. As I noted above, it DOES fit, and not only that, it fits with the EXTENDED battery, which adds a good deal of thickness to the laptop when it is clipped on underneath.

snots · #21 Post by **snots** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:03 am

noetus wrote:
RoadHazard wrote: For the Ideastyle, it will be a very tight fit if it does fit at all.

The X61T has the dimension of 10.8" x 10.5" x 1.3"
I HAVE the Ideastyle. As I noted above, it DOES fit, and not only that, it fits with the EXTENDED battery, which adds a good deal of thickness to the laptop when it is clipped on underneath.

hmm that's good

the trouble is the one you have isn't being made anymore.. anyways, I bought the Targus executive portfolio off Amazon. Will see how well it works..

loyukfai · #22 Post by **loyukfai** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:58 am

Bought a Ideastyle replica via Taobao.com (Chinese auction site)... It does fit the X61T with 8-cell battery snugly... The quality is so-so and it's kind of smelly... But then couldn't ask too much given the sleeve costs about USD3-4...

snots · #23 Post by **snots** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:26 am

loyukfai wrote:Bought a Ideastyle replica via Taobao.com (Chinese auction site)... It does fit the X61T with 8-cell battery snugly... The quality is so-so and it's kind of smelly... But then couldn't ask too much given the sleeve costs about USD3-4...

Does it ship to North America? Do you have a link with a picture so that maybe I can match it to one off ebay?

loyukfai · #24 Post by **loyukfai** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:01 pm

Try this.

Not sure if oversea shipping is available or not. But I'm not aware that Taobao.com has an English interface. And making payment is also a problem if you do not reside in China.

rek · #25 Post by **rek** » Fri May 02, 2008 2:05 am

Has anyone tried using a 14" Zeroshock III case with an 8-cell X60 Tablet? The internal dimensions of this case are:

13.3 x 1.6 x 10.6 inches (340 x 40 x 270 mm)

So it sounds as though there is a bit of looseness side to side.. wondering if anyone's already tried this and found that looseness to be an issue, or whether it's still kept relatively snug from the rest of the case stretching to fit.

loyukfai · #26 Post by **loyukfai** » Fri May 02, 2008 11:38 am

For me, the looseness is not a major issue, it's still relatively snug.

But the size of the 14" sleeve is - Too large.

rek · #27 Post by **rek** » Wed May 07, 2008 5:00 am

Another option for X Tablet users.. the 12" Crumpler Skivvy. It takes laptops up to 28x27x4cm (11x10.6x1.6") in size, which is pretty much dead on for an 8-cell X60/61 Tablet.

I was going to get a Waterfield sleeve, but I like the little zippered accessory pocket on the Skivvy. Being local it should arrive quickly too (I need a case semi urgently, as I'm going interstate in a couple of weeks.) Once it arrives, I'll let you all know how well it fits etc.

http://www.crumpler.com.au/Cart/index.php?catId=5

review here http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a=po ... ews&id=665

picture: http://www.crumpler.com.au/Cart/Resourc ... ai1753.jpg

(edit: made the picture a link before the mods get to me

)

Trekk69 · #28 Post by **Trekk69** » Wed May 07, 2008 2:12 pm

I went with the Waterfield when I got mine, but the Crumpler Skivvy seems like it would also be a great fit for my X61T; never heard of it until now, thanks for the post.

Next bag I'll be looking into, will actually be a nice leather messenger bag that will fit my sleeve in it, just so it can look a little more professional, yet, inside I know its still protected.

rek · #29 Post by **rek** » Mon May 12, 2008 8:18 pm

I got the Skivvy yesterday evening. It's a snug and secure fit for an 8-cell X61 tablet. I get the impression that the case was optimised for something a little less tall, like a 4-cell tablet/8-cell standard X sized computer. Nothing at all to suggest it isn't a good fit for an 8-cell tablet, though.

It comes with a strap (which is removable), but there is no shoulder-pad. Generally speaking, it is kind of an in-between case: it's bigger than a sleeve, but smaller than your average laptop case. It's more for holding something equipped with an 8-cell battery, with some accessories. but no power adapter. The nicest thing, though, is that the laptop is extremely well padded on all sides.

The accessory pocket is well hidden under the flap, and with the laptop in there has space for a PCMCIA card and a notebook mouse with room to spare for other small accessories. The zip is tough and looks like it'll be impossible to break. The pocket possibly just thick enough to hold a 65W adapter and power cord, but I don't think it's really designed for that. Think of it as an excuse for one of those nifty slim travel adapters

rek · #30 Post by **rek** » Tue May 13, 2008 5:22 am

To answer the OP's question, an 8-cell X Tablet in the Skivvy fits pretty much perfectly into a standard sized rear pannier, when you put it in side-first. (This was a Mainstream-MSX ML55 pannier, which is about the same size as the standard Ortlieb panniers that are popular.) A snug and secure fit, but not so firm as to be any trouble to get in and out, or cause undue wear to anything.

Yet another sleeve discussion - X61t 8-cell

Yet another sleeve discussion - X61t 8-cell

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