Oldest slowest ultraportable x series, BUT w/ built in wifi

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fefrie · #1 Post by **fefrie** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:01 pm

Speed, really isn't the big important thing for me, tiny portability is.

I can't live with external pcmcia cards anymore. I'm grownup and done with that. Just need something with tiny portablilty.

I've got a 14" t23 with enough oomph to do what I need if I need the extra power, and I've got an all in one x41 netvista upgraded with an albiet not cutting edge 400fsb 2.4ghz processor. As long as I can backup my movies, i'm happy.

I guess the only other thing would be a 1024x768 screen, but that's about it.

Can anyone recommend a good thinkpad? I think that any thinkpad with at least a 133 fsb would be sufficient for me. Thinking like an 800 or 933mhz processor would be nice.

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:34 pm

Sounds like an X22 or X23 would fit your needs. Some came with built-in wireless, has XGA screen (12.1") and top out at 866Mhz. Can't really recommend an X24 since they are very hot (IMO). If cost is not that much of an issue, then you might consider an X30 or X31. Grab a copy of the tawbook.pdf from here:

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitu ... awbook.pdf

and you can compare some of the system specs.

qviri · #3 Post by **qviri** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:34 pm

X22 was the first X-series to have internal wifi (on select models), and convienently enough also the first X-series to use a 133 MHz FSB.

iamdmc · #4 Post by **iamdmc** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:25 pm

But X20 to X30 laptops were all with P3 or P3m.
I, personally, have used and would never go back to that CPU. You'd be very well off with an X31 (First X-series with Pentium M/Centrino)

The X31 doesn't run as hot as the Pentium 3 based laptops.

It's a pleasure to use

ajkula66 · #5 Post by **ajkula66** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:10 pm

iamdmc wrote:

The X31 doesn't run as hot as the Pentium 3 based laptops.

You're absolutely right. It runs hotter than they do.

aceyx · #6 Post by **aceyx** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:33 pm

My X32 definitely runs hotter than my old X22.

X22 maxes out at 640MB RAM. Still, plenty fast.

bujie · #7 Post by **bujie** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:35 am

I have a X31, and I have WiFi a/b/g standard. I recommand it! it runs pretty cool, though I am using NHC and lowered the voltage with about 0,2V at every CPU speed.

Maccess · #8 Post by **Maccess** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:59 am

I have an X22 as a weekend carryaround. It's small and light enough to be convenient and has a very clear screen. Wi-Fi is built-in, the first X series with built-in Wi-Fi.

I love it.

Surfing is decent fast, even compared to my T43 main machine, and the battery lasts at least two hours.

schiesz · #9 Post by **schiesz** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:00 pm

I highly recommend the X23 as a solid machine. Mine works perfect and can go just about anywhere.

There is even a nice one for sale right now from a known good seller.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=63475

#10 Post by **underclocker** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:50 pm

The X22 or X23 models with internal WiFi will be perfect. I've had X20/X21/X22/X23/X24's. The X22 is the sweet spot for performance/cost/features/low heat. In fact, heat doesn't come to mind, that machine runs cool. I used an X22 for five years whenever I traveled.

One note of interest, there was a Bluetooth option for the X23 (and the X24). Those models used the exact same antenna setup as the X22/X23/X24's with WiFi, but only connected one antenna to the Bluetooth adapter. A mini-PCI combo Ethernet/Modem was in the min-PCI slot. You could (and I did) remove that combo adapter and insert an IBM b/g WiFi adapter (or Broadcom b/g adapter) and use the remaining antenna lead. That would give you a very nice X23 (or X24) with both internal Bluetooth and WiFi! Super!

Bluetooth X23's and X24's are rare.

mini_g · #11 Post by **mini_g** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:36 am

underclocker wrote:The X22 or X23 models with internal WiFi will be perfect. I've had X20/X21/X22/X23/X24's.

Hello,

I'm currently getting a X24 (or two if things turn out like it's looking), and was wondering how this series fairs in compairison to the X20 in terms of heat produced.

Thanks!

~mini

#12 Post by **underclocker** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:31 am

Welcome to the forum.

I'd say the X20/X21/X22's all run cool, you'd never think about the heat. The X23/X24's run a little warmer, but I wouldn't call them "hot". Certainly not hot like T41p's or other models that actually get hot to the touch on the bottom.

Also, on the X2x's, there doesn't seem to be any thermal grease (or Arctic Silver) between the fan and the CPU, just some sort of thin layer of adhesive or metal? I usually just scrape it off, sand it, then apply Arctic Silver. This reduces temps. and heat.

The X24's are the fastest of the bunch. I haven't done testing, but I have to say an X24 with a 5400 or 7200 rpm drive and 640MB of RAM will feel about as fast as an X40 - no matter which CPU the X40 has. My observation is for general use, like booting up, Word, Excel, Adobe, browsing the web, email, etc. For CPU intensive applications, you'd have to test it yourself.

(Note: I feel that X22, X23, X24 & X40's are all still fine for current basic computing! Of course, all X3x's, too.)

The X22's and X23's are also quite snappy. The X20's and X21's are noticeably slower due to their smaller CPU cache and slower bus (256kb vs. 512kb and 100MHz vs. 133MHz.)

Bottom line, I think you'll enjoy that X24. The X2x series seems very rugged. The only weak point I can think of is the LCD hinges, which can shatter, but they are only about $20 to fix.

virge · #13 Post by **virge** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:04 am

underclocker wrote:Also, on the X2x's, there doesn't seem to be any thermal grease (or Arctic Silver) between the fan and the CPU, just some sort of thin layer of adhesive or metal? I usually just scrape it off, sand it, then apply Arctic Silver. This reduces temps. and heat.

I just did that to my X23 the other day. I noticed there was a small piece of metal that looked like aluminum foil sandwiched between two hard crusty layers of adhesive. I scraped off the hard crusty stuff and polished the heatsink before applying the thermal grease. Wasn't sure if the piece of foil was required so I put it between two layers of thermal grease and installed the heatsink. I didn't take measurements, but the base is definitely a lot cooler to the touch.

mini_g · #14 Post by **mini_g** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:21 pm

underclocker wrote:Welcome to the forum.

Thanks!

underclocker wrote:I'd say the X20/X21/X22's all run cool, you'd never think about the heat. The X23/X24's run a little warmer, but I wouldn't call them "hot". Certainly not hot like T41p's or other models that actually get hot to the touch on the bottom.

kk. Yeah, the X20 does run quite cool until I stress it for 1+ hours with CPU+GPU intensive applications (I still remember how loud the fan got at that point...

)

underclocker wrote:Also, on the X2x's, there doesn't seem to be any thermal grease (or Arctic Silver) between the fan and the CPU, just some sort of thin layer of adhesive or metal? I usually just scrape it off, sand it, then apply Arctic Silver. This reduces temps. and heat.

kk, explains why everyone is saying that they do that. I only opened up mine recently to fix the screen, so I've not gotten that far in being exploratory.

underclocker wrote:The X24's are the fastest of the bunch. I haven't done testing, but I have to say an X24 with a 5400 or 7200 rpm drive and 640MB of RAM will feel about as fast as an X40 - no matter which CPU the X40 has. My observation is for general use, like booting up, Word, Excel, Adobe, browsing the web, email, etc. For CPU intensive applications, you'd have to test it yourself.

(Note: I feel that X22, X23, X24 & X40's are all still fine for current basic computing! Of course, all X3x's, too.)

Well, I got my X20 + XP to look like Vista with negligible effect on the speed.

I personally see no reason why people have issues running anything above the CLi on these...

underclocker wrote:The X22's and X23's are also quite snappy. The X20's and X21's are noticeably slower due to their smaller CPU cache and slower bus (256kb vs. 512kb and 100MHz vs. 133MHz.)

Bottom line, I think you'll enjoy that X24.

Thanks for confirming my pre-buyer inclination.

underclocker wrote:The X2x series seems very rugged. The only weak point I can think of is the LCD hinges, which can shatter, but they are only about $20 to fix.

How does one break the hinges?!? I'm not nearly the best caregiver for a laptop, but mine have had no ill effect on the abuse.

Thanks for the tip virge.

~mini

#15 Post by **underclocker** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:12 am

I think the hinges shatter for one of two reasons, 1) damage from a bump to either rear corner, 2) debris entering the hinge area or wearing out of the initial hinge lubricant, this cause increase friction, which eventually causes failure.

Note: A bump to a rear corner may not initially cause the hinge to shatter, but it may put a dent in the thin hinge casing, which would increase friction and later cuase failure.

I've only come across two machines with shattered hinges, but this is what I've surmised. Again, they are easy to change.

#16 Post by **rkawakami** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:18 pm

underclocker wrote:I think the hinges shatter for one of two reasons, 1) damage from a bump to either rear corner, 2) debris entering the hinge area or wearing out of the initial hinge lubricant, this cause increase friction, which eventually causes failure.

Third possible cause but falls under your first reason: metal fatigue. The hinges appear to be made of aluminium and the repeated stress of opening and closing the lid may weaken the metal to the point where it shatters. I had an X22 that came to me with both hinges busted but it also had damage along the top of the lid.

ref: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=48934

Oldest slowest ultraportable x series, BUT w/ built in wifi

Oldest slowest ultraportable x series, BUT w/ built in wifi

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