X61s w/ 8-cell: Fit in the Tom Bihn Brain Cell 5 Horizontal?

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Fin · #1 Post by **Fin** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:56 pm

I know a lot of sleeve/case questions get posted here, but I have yet to find an answer to my question. I'm interested in the Tom Bihn Brain Cell cases, and their website does a good job of listing the sizes and what machines they'll fit.

They list the size 3S horizontal as the one that will fit an x61s with 8-cell battery. They also list the interior dimensions of this case as 13.15 x 10.75 x 1.75, which will certainly fit the thinkpad (sizing in at 10.5 x 9.4 x 1.5). However, the size 5 horizontal lists internal dimensions of 11.8 x 9.5 x 1.5, which also sounds like it would fit the x61s with 8-cell.

Thus their site has me a bit confused. I'd like the smaller case if it'd fit, but with conflicting information from the site I'm not sure whether it would fit or not. So I thought I'd see if anyone had any first hand experience. Can anyone verify whether an x61s with 8-cell battery will fit in a Tom Bihn horizontal size 5 Brain Cell or not?

Thanks in advance,
-Fin

Cobos · #2 Post by **Cobos** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:14 am

I've got the horizontal Brain Cell size 5 which I've been using for my X40 with 8 cell battery for about 3 years. I've ordered a X61s with the 8 cell battery but currently it's listed as ESD 21/09 and that's to my friend in the US. So I wont be able to check it in another week or two after that. But compare the size of the X40 with the X61s and you should know. I can always measure how much give I've got inside the size 5 with my current X40 if you like ?

Cobos

Fin · #3 Post by **Fin** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:14 pm

From what I can find, it looks like the X40 with 8-cell comes to 10.5 x 9.3 x 1.06, making the x40 just barely shallower (front to back) and a little bit thinner. If you have any wiggle room at all with your X40 and size 5, I bet the X61 would fit. Thanks for the intel

-Fin

Cobos · #4 Post by **Cobos** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:22 pm

I beleive a friend of mine did manage to get his X40 with the X4 ultrabase attached into the size 5 braincell... That was a pretty tight squeeze so I wouldn't suggest doing that permanently. But an extra half an inch in thickness shouldn't be a problem, there is a bit of wiggleroom in there. I will know for sure though in a few weeks.

Cobos

noetus · #5 Post by **noetus** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:34 am

I ordered that Tom Bihn case, I have an X61T with both the 4cell and the 8cell batteries. Had to send it back because it didn't fit with the 8-cell (did with the 4cell though).

I recommend two cases.

The IBM one, which is red inside, and which you can find on eBay (e.g. here)
I have this and it works great with both the 4cell and the 8cell batteries. My only quibble is that the flap is slightly awkward to use, it would have been better with velcro if they could have figured out how to make it work. (The advantage of the flap, on the other hand, is that the case automatically 'adjusts' to which battery you have, i.e. the flap goes in further when you have the smaller battery. The case is stretch enough for me to put the laptop inside without having to remove the PCMCIA/Cardbus, as well, which is good.)

I haven't tried it, but the one made by Built and which you can order from Newegg here (it's also available in black, and there is anoither 12" which a slightly different dimension but I think the first one matches the X61T better) looks good.

Cobos · #6 Post by **Cobos** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:33 am

Now I finally did get my X61s. It fits nicely into the size 5 Braincell with the 8-cell battery just like the X40 did. I did get the ultrabase this time and as long as you look the X61s into the ultrabase you can fit them together into the Braincell but then it's so tight you need to squeeze it to lock the velcro. So I wouldn't suggest the size 5 Braincell for everyday commute with the Ultrabase but for once a month kind of thing it should be fine.

Cobos

wolfman · #7 Post by **wolfman** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:38 pm

Thanks for the tip on the IBM sleeve bag on eBay. I'm trying to get one of them now for the X61 that I got today (woo-hoo).

Very impressed with this machine. I expected it to be small, but wow, next to my existing R40 it's down right tiny. But, as I hoped, it's got a great keyboard and was able to get adjusted to it in a few minutes. The wrist rest is a little short, but that's part of the price for a small unit like this.

bergje · #8 Post by **bergje** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 7:43 am

Yeah thanks for the recommendation! I just ordered the IBM-sleeve for my new x61s

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X61s w/ 8-cell: Fit in the Tom Bihn Brain Cell 5 Horizontal?

X61s w/ 8-cell: Fit in the Tom Bihn Brain Cell 5 Horizontal?

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