Which X series has bestt battery life and durability?

[mtbiac]

I will be traveling to Europe this summer and am wanting to purchase an ultrta portable IBM/LEnovo X series instead of lugging around my new T61. I am wondering whichc model would give me the best battery life: X30/1/2 or X40/1 (assuming same battery and similar processor speeds of course).

any other insight you can offer, such as whichis most durable, etc would be MUCH appreciated

Thanks!

[underclocker]

My vote is an X40 with an 8 cell plus a 4 cell extended life battery that attaches to the bottom at the same time the 8 cell is installed in the back. With this configuration, IBM claims in writing 7.5 plus 3.5 hours of battery life --> that's 11 hours without recharging.

I'm not sure if that's true, but even 8-9 hours is hard to beat.

Here is the text and link to article from Lenovo;

"All-day computing is a reality (up to 11 hours) when combining the ThinkPad X40 Series Extended Life Battery with the system battery on select X Series systems."

http://www5.pc.ibm.com/europe/products. ... ts/92P1006

[fschwep]

You could try to get a good used X31; there are quite a few being offered these days and if you're in luck you can get a very good little computer for very little money. Get a media slice and a second (standard) battery plus an optical drive, and you can stuff the media slice/dock in your check luggage and carry the laptop itself in your carry-on bag.
Roughly the same goes for the X4 series, but many find these are hampered by their slow harddisks. I'd say it also depends on the connectivity you need. For instance, if you happen to have a digital SLR camera that uses CF memory cards, the X31 has a CF card reader built in that takes those directly; the X40 has an SD card reader so it will take cards from many compact digicams.
I wouldn't take an extended battery that protrudes from the back of the case, as this increases the risk of damage when carrying it (and many nice sleeves won't fit). The second standard battery in the media slice will also fit in the laptop itself as a spare if you want to use it on your lap a lot.
Install Notebook Hardware Control to downvolt the processor a bit, it will let it run cooler and extends battery life somewhat.
The X31 is sufficiently snappy to run XP plus some good applications, when you get one with decent specs (sufficient RAM, do not go for less than 512 MB; and things like good wifi built in). The advantage of the X31 over an X4.. is that it takes a standard 2.5 inch hard disk, so you can install a nice large one to accumulate lots of files (digital photos etc.) during the trip.

[voneschenbach]

I just got an extended battery for my X31 and it seems to be averaging about 6+ hours with wifi and low screen. I would be curious to hear results of X31 battery life combining the extended battery with the battery that fits into the media slice/docking station connection on the bottom. It would be heavy, but...

[ajkula66]

I got 7.5 hours with wireless on and lowered brightness on a X61s with extended battery.

[gluvox]

Again, I'm reposting this, because I'm very upset and I feel helpless and that I've wasted $400 on a used x40 and a new battery.

Hello,
I recently purchased a replacement 8-cell Li-on battery for my x40. When the battery arrived I let it charge with the power off. It took all day before the light turned green, but never reached 100%. I let it run on battery and it lasted a long time, three hours at least. But when I tried to recharge it, it said it was charging, but the percentage never increased.
I contacted the vendor and they apologized, saying I probably just got a defective battery and they sent me a new one right away. It seems I'm having the same problem though. It says it's charging but the percentage never increases, only decreases. I've tried charging with the power on and off. I've let it cool. Charged on the dock, off the dock. The computer works fine with the charger. Did I waste $95 on this product?

manufacturer: Lezinn
24LezinnIBM-09P0998

Does the IBM just not like non-IBM batteries? If IBM no longer manufactured this battery, what are my options? Throw the computer away?

XP pro
I seem to have the latest BIOS 2.08 (IUETD3WW)
machine type 23866RU

[fixup]

What I've learned in the past is: the higher capacity the battery, the more trouble and less life cycles. This is true with all batteries, for cell phones, for PDAs and for laptops.

The high cap battery usually have paralleled cells; paralleling cells are simply the worst operation condition for batteries.

IBM laptops seem more strict and picky on batteries. If they see anything they do not like, they simply refuse to charge them.

You may try a 3-cell battery.

[gluvox]

Interesting. Thanks. I was taking it as a sign that I should never leave my apartment.

[dbregman]

I just recently purchased a used X40 with the 8 cell battery and then picked-up the IBM lower battery on CraigsList. I couldn't be happier. I get 7-8+ hours of use with WiFi.

Don't blame the computer or IBM/Lenovo because you bought a cheap knock of battery. For any make/model of computer (or cell phone for that matter) there are any number of claimed "OEM" batteries that are worthless.

If you look around you will find a real battery and I suggest that your impression will be revised.