More X31 vs. X40 questions

[aamsel]

This has been somewhat gone over, but...
I have additional questions regarding the current X31 vs X40 choices:
I am fully aware of the larger size of the X31, and that it has firewire and the X40 does not, and that the X40 uses the smaller, slower hard drives, etc.
What I am wondering is:
1.) Would the faster memory bandwidth of the X40 make up for its slow hard drive, or would the X31 still be a faster overall machine with a fast hard drive and its discrete video memory??
2.) Do ALL X31's have the slower memory bandwidth, or were their later models of the X31 that have faster?? I ask this because the X31 memory modules are listed as PC2700 even though they supposedly run at PC2100???
3.) Does it make any sense to purchase X31's which have a smaller footprint than a T42 BUT ARE THICKER than a T42??? In what cases would this make sense...I guess it would only be when you wanted lighter weight but didn't care about added thickness????
4.) Pricing on some models just seems to make no sense. (Yes, I know that the ThinkExpress are less money). Why are some models with less stuff more money than models with more stuff?? Don't get this at all.

Some of you seem to feel that the X31 is still overall the better machine, although most of you seem to have "moved on" to the X40's.



Andrew
Austin, TX

[selvan777]

From reviews I've read, the X40 is just not worth the upgrade from an X31, perhaps if & when an X41 is released.

[aamsel]

I am not talking about upgrading, I am talking about choosing one vs the other. (X40 vs X31)

Andrew
Austin, TX

From reviews I've read, the X40 is just not worth the upgrade from an X31, perhaps if & when an X41 is released.

[selvan777]

"Oh"

[stgreek]

aamsel,

1)It always depends on the applications you use but if you put a 7k60 in the X31 it flies, no question about that. Also. the shared memory is a real pain for any application that needs to redraw the screen quickly (games being the obvious candidate).

2) I believe they take both 2700 and 2100 modules, but run them at 2100 speed.

3) You anwsered it yourself. Also, some people dont need an optical drive and prefer the "solidness" of the X31 to that of a T42 for example. Thickness is the last dimension one cares about when you are looking for something small, so the X31 is an obvious choice.

4) Welcome to IBM's world

The X31 IS a better machine, noone has questioned that. However, for everyone that uses their X as a "notepad" machine (ie a second machine purely for the road) every gram counts, so the X40 is a better choice.

Hope this helps

Stavros

[verktyg]

This has been somewhat gone over, but...
I have additional questions regarding the current X31 vs X40 choices:
I am fully aware of the larger size of the X31, and that it has firewire and the X40 does not, and that the X40 uses the smaller, slower hard drives, etc.

What I am wondering is:
1.) Would the faster memory bandwidth of the X40 make up for its slow hard drive, or would the X31 still be a faster overall machine with a fast hard drive and its discrete video memory??

2.) Do ALL X31's have the slower memory bandwidth, or were their later models of the X31 that have faster?? I ask this because the X31 memory modules are listed as PC2700 even though they supposedly run at PC2100???

I pondered these same questions and opted for an X31 2885RGU with the X3 base and a combo CD-RW DVD drive.

I didn't need the combo drive because I have one that I can use in a Portable Drive Bay 2000 but the 2885RGU was less expensive than a number of minimally equipped models???

My X31 came with a 1.6Ghz Pentium M, 512 MB of PC2700 memory running at 400Mhz and a 5400 RPM 40g HDD. I added an additional 512 MB of RAM.

The 12.1" screen is extremely bright and clear; size wise, it's just about as useful as the screen on my T20.

I opted for this model X31 over the X40 because it had a faster HDD that's 2.5" vs. 1.8", a Compact Flash Slot that I can use with my digital camera and the ATI video system.

I'd never seen either models so I bought the X31 sight unseen. About a week later I found an X40 on display. There were a few minor additional issues that I like about the X31 but don't remember what they were. I'm glad that I got the X31 over the X40.

I'd been using both a T20 and a 240x on the road. I've gotten real fond of the 240x because of it's size. The X31 is only slightly larger than my 240x but it seems a lot bigger. The X31's display is large enough to displace my T20 for doing short 1 on 1 presentations.

For me, laptop speed is a function of how fast it boots up, how fast programs load and how fast it comes out of suspension.

I don't do any real number crunching on a laptop just Office programs, Power Point presentations, Internet and E-mail. Heck, I was using an old TP755cx P75 until 2000!

Hope this helps...

[selvan777]

From reviews I've read, the X40 is just not worth the (added cost) or upgrade from an X31, perhaps if & when an X41 is released.

[daba]

The New X40's have a 1.4GHz Pentium M 738 Dothan processor with 2MB L2 Cache. For me, there is no contest as to which one to purchase.

[stgreek]

The New X40's have a 1.4GHz Pentium M 738 Dothan processor with 2MB L2 Cache. For me, there is no contest as to which one to purchase.

The processor will do absolutely nothing since the bottleneck of a laptop is the hard drive, and the X40 is at the bottom of the list at that....

[eriqesque]

It boils down to what your are going to use it for.
Mine works perfect for me and is plenty fast for everything i need it to do.
Plays my favorite games and all my apps just fine and speedy enough.
And I if i were to wear some of those gang-banger pants it would [censored] near fit in the pocket

[aamsel]

[censored], I didn't know that there were certain pants that a gang-banger wore. <grin> Guess I am glad I don't wear them.
Andrew
Austin, TX

...And I if i were to wear some of those gang-banger pants it would [censored] near fit in the pocket

[aamsel]

Thanks, I agree with this logic, in my case that is what is important to me. I wish I could see how thick an X31 appears without ordering one, but that appears to be the only way.

Also, still confused about the memory, it "appears" that the X31 is spec'ed for PC2100 memory, and the X40 is spec'ed for PC2700. However it looks like you can use PC2700 in the X31, but it runs at PC2100. Also PC2700 runs at PC2700 in the X40. Is all of that correct?? Sorry to sound confusing but I am confused.

Andrew
Austin, TX

...For me, laptop speed is a function of how fast it boots up, how fast programs load and how fast it comes out of suspension...

[aamsel]

FINALLY (last questions):

Most of the X31's come with Wireless B only. I don't want to use the added thickness of a base with an X31, I would rather an external optical drive.

1.) Can you add Wireless B/G or Wireless A/B/G to any X31?? I called IBM tech support and they were not much help on this. I know that you can't add bluetooth without a huge hassle, if I am not mistaken??

2.) If I go with a portable external DVD writer, like one of the LaCie's, would it be best to get the firewire or the USB-2 version for use with the X31 ???

Thanks to everyone!

Andrew
Austin, TX

[aamsel]

I am not upgrading, I am buying one or the other (the X31 or the X40).
I am not quite sure why you say that the X40 is "just not worth the added cost"??? I have looked at quite a few models, spec's, pricing, etc. and I can't see the X40 being more money. The lower priced X40's are in fact less money than ANY of the X31's that are available.
Yes, I do realize that there is no real "apples to apples" comparison that you can do, since the specs are all totally different as to CPU, video, hard drive, etc.
Andrew
Austin, TX

From reviews I've read, the X40 is just not worth the (added cost) or upgrade from an X31, perhaps if & when an X41 is released.

[kingcrimson]

Andrew,

I have an X31 with "IBM" a/b/g and Bluetooth and I had no trouble configuring/ordering it whatsoever.

I would get a USB 2 external multiburner because of IBM-wide firewire compatibility (or, rather, absence thereof). E.g., my IBM dock doesn't have firewire, and neither do, for example, the latest T-series and X40.

I had a chance to compare X31 and X40 side-by-side recently (my colleague bought the latter) --- IMHO, build quality / "solid" feel is about the same (although X40 has only one screen latch which I liked better... but X31 keyboard is a tad more comfortable), and the performance was a toss-up with X40 1.4 Dothan and X31 1.6 Banias (both with 1G RAM). More CPU-intensive stuff (simulations, etc.) seemed notably more efficient on X40; hard drive-intensive stuff (development, etc.) --- X31.

A postdoc in my lab needs a laptop now and he travels less than I do, so I decided to pass my X31 on to him and "upgrade" to X40 with Dothan. For someone who does mostly simulations and general productivity (and occasional development), X40 with Dothan might actually end up being faster.

Just my opinion, though.

[aamsel]

Looks like you have to get the dock and the 8 cell battery if you get the X40 with Dothan, neither of which I want.
Is this correct?
Or are there X40 models that I have missed???

Andrew
Austin, TX

[aamsel]

Anyone know why X31's such as 26735KU are NOT in TABOOK???

Andrew
Austin, TX

[selvan777]

I am not quite sure why you say that the X40 is "just not worth the added cost"??? I have looked at quite a few models, spec's, pricing, etc. and I can't see the X40 being more money. The lower priced X40's are in fact less money than ANY of the X31's that are available.

I must be honest, I presumed it would cost more simply because it's a higher model number, sorry.

[HarryWild]

Anyone know why X31's such as 26735KU are NOT in TABOOK???

It could be a custom order X31. I ran across a lot of custom order X31s. There are numerous Estee Lauder ones floating around. They all have some sort of customizing inside to make them different; but it only more not less then the normal units!

[aamsel]

No, it is not a custom.
It (26735KU) is a model right on IBM's website.
Andrew
Austin, TX

Anyone know why X31's such as 26735KU are NOT in TABOOK???

It could be a custom order X31. I ran across a lot of custom order X31s. There are numerous Estee Lauder ones floating around. They all have some sort of customizing inside to make them different; but it only more not less then the normal units!

[aamsel]

Well, I am down to:
1.) X40 2386E9U, 1.40 Dothan, Wireless B/G
or:
2.) X31 26735KU, 1,70 Banias, Wireless B (upgraded to Wireless G).

The X31 costs about $400+ more than the X40 unit, so I am inclined to go with the X40. The only thing holding me back is the slow 4200rpm hard drive. If I go for an X31, I would upgrade the hard drive to a 7200rpm Hitachi.
It would just seem a little crazy to pay that much more for an X31, wouldn't it???
Please advise.

Andrew
Austin, TX

[HarryWild]

aamsel,

Either one is good! But I don't like the 1.8" hard drive that no one else uses in their notebook. If the notebook does not sell well; then you are stuck with no upgrade path. But alot of new technology is coming up shortly and if you can wait; you will be better off.

I would pick the X31 but that is me! I like the look and the 2.5" hard drive.

[selvan777]

Get a Macintosh and solve all your problems...

[aamsel]

And create a whole new set of brand new problems, like:

- None of my software will work anymore, unless I run one of those "virtual pc" programs which cripple the mac.

- I was surprised how bad text looks on the Powerbooks. Apparently they are optimized for graphics use, not text

- its a bloody mac.

Of course, you were just kidding anyhow, right?

Andrew
Austin, TX

Get a Macintosh and solve all your problems...

[selvan777]

Yes, I'm just kidding.

If only software for Macs weren't as rare as hen's teeth, I prefer it's OS.

[sdaniels]

Well, I am down to:
1.) X40 2386E9U, 1.40 Dothan, Wireless B/G
or:
2.) X31 26735KU, 1,70 Banias, Wireless B (upgraded to Wireless G).

The X31 costs about $400+ more than the X40 unit, so I am inclined to go with the X40. The only thing holding me back is the slow 4200rpm hard drive. If I go for an X31, I would upgrade the hard drive to a 7200rpm Hitachi.
It would just seem a little crazy to pay that much more for an X31, wouldn't it???
Please advise.

Andrew
Austin, TX

I am very interested in hearing the outcome I am having the very same dilema myself!

[aamsel]

I think that the outcome is that I am going to go with a T42. I am doing far too much "fussing" with the X series trying to save a couple of pounds, then worrying about what kind of external optical burner I want to tote around. Ultimately, it just doesn't make enough sense for me to keep fooling with trying to make an X series work for me. I guess that is why the T series is much more popular.
Andrew
Austin, TX

Well, I am down to:
1.) X40 2386E9U, 1.40 Dothan, Wireless B/G
or:
2.) X31 26735KU, 1,70 Banias, Wireless B (upgraded to Wireless G).

The X31 costs about $400+ more than the X40 unit, so I am inclined to go with the X40. The only thing holding me back is the slow 4200rpm hard drive. If I go for an X31, I would upgrade the hard drive to a 7200rpm Hitachi.
It would just seem a little crazy to pay that much more for an X31, wouldn't it???
Please advise.

Andrew
Austin, TX

I am very interested in hearing the outcome I am having the very same dilema myself!

[JHEM]

Andrew,

I don't think you'll be disappointed with your choice.

Regards,

James

[aamsel]

Thanks James!

Andrew
Austin, TX

[plucky duck]

I've have my share of time with the X31 and decided to return it and go with the T42p. Six months later, I'm still thinking about the X31. Go figure.

Not that there's anything wrong with the T42, but it's overkill as I mainly use it for internet surfing 99% of the time. The 1GB ram and DVD burner is nice, but not necessary at all. The X31 is just that much more practical for what I use it for.

I see another X31 in the near future for myself.