Thinking About a ThinkPad A31P?

[BillG]

I'm thinking about getting a ThinkPad A31P as a multimedia machine. With it's 15" screen and 2GHz processor, it's got what I need to play videos and do some editing.

I like that the machine has an S-Video input, because I can use that to directly transfer my videos to digital.

Only thing I don't like about is it has USB 1.1, not 2.0. I've also read here that I may have to replace the heatsink/sponges for the Graphics Processor Unit (GPU).

Anyone comment on doing an S-Video capture with an A31P?

Also, can anyone tell me what's the fastest processor it will take, and what socket type to look for?

Any other comments, praises, or gotchas about the A31P?

[sjthinkpader]

There are two solutions to the USB1.1 problem:

1. Get a 2 or 4 port PCMCIA USB2.0 card. The drawback is the current limitation on these cards. Some USB HDD don't work.
2. Get a full dock plus a PCI USB2.0 card. This is likely best and the full dock is very cheap today.

[ajkula66]

You'll see from my signature that I'm not really a good person to talk to about these but...

The fastest CPU A31p will take is a 2.6 P4M. Tends to run hot, in my experience, some people claim differently. I went back to standard 2.0 and maxed the laptop out in other ways-RAM and HDD. Definitely replace the sponges if you're going to be using a 2.6 CPU.

Speaking of weak spots, the GPU is the only real one, although not as bad as on T4x series, since A31p is generally a better built machine IMHO. Make sure that when initially testing the machine you boot it at least 10 times, and look for any signs of "garbled screen", mainly around the cursor, since that's the first place it is likely to appear. This can sometimes be treated by reflowing the solder, but if the card itself has gone bad, motherboard replacement will be required.

The only other thing to be considered is the age-all of them will be at least five years old this year, and you may experience issues with LCD backlight. This is entirely treatable, either by yourself, or by forum member jamiphar who has done it on my "main" A31p.

Praises...the biggest one I can give is that I went through well over a hundred of those, and always have at least one running 20 hours a day or more. And, I intend to be buried with one (along with a pack of Winstons, and a Gibson EB3)...being perfectly serious here.

At today's prices, as a media server/desktop replacement combo, the ultimate three-spindler is still difficult to beat...FYI, my first one cost very close to $4,000 in 2002...and today you can have a nice and upgraded one for 10% of that price...not to mention the fact that still no LCD beats a well-preserved FlexView...

Good luck, and feel free to ask any additional questions.

[pianowizard]

Speaking of weak spots, the GPU is the only real one, although not as bad as on T4x series, since A31p is generally a better built machine IMHO.

Also, just the fact that the A31p is heavier than the T4* automatically causes people to handle the A31p more carefully.