Need Advice on next Thinkpad

[sbelew]

I currently have an x31 Thinkpad. I've put a 7200rpm hard drive in it, 1.5gb memory, got the wireless card for it, got a docking station and put a DVD-RW drive in it. Its the 1.6ghz model but i've taken it about as far as it can go.
Its a great little laptop, but looking to get something new(er) to replace it, but along the same lines as the x31. Something faster, maybe dual core, same size screen (or as close to).
Anyone have any advice/suggestions? I dual boot it with Windows XP and Kubuntu Linux.

[dr_st]

Well, it depends on how much $$$ you wish to invest, whether you are considering new models only, or can settle for older/used models, and whether you are set on having a 4:3 screen as in your X31, or willing to go widescreen.

[sbelew]

Older/Used would be fine, and yes I would like to go widescreen. As far as how much im willing to spend, not really sure. Guess it depends on what is suggested.

[hart22]

You can check out the X200, if you want a new model-line machine. It's gotten some good reviews, including the one found here. Widescreen at 12.1", max CPU is a Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz. Can take any available 2.5" inch SATA hard disk of the typical height, including the new 500 GB 7200 RPM Seagate Momentus 7200.4, the 128 GB Samsung SLC SSD and of course the 160 GB Intel X-25M MLC SSD just available for purchase. Very nice battery life especially with the 9-cell, upwards of 7 hours with internet enabled performing typical tasks. Longer if you're using an SSD with the internet off.

The X200s is more expensive although it's got more battery life and a "better" (read: higher res and brighter) screen. I wouldn't recommend the X200 Tablet despite being a tablet owner myself, unless you really needed the tablet features.

The X60/X61 line is also nice. That would have the same size standard aspect ratio screen as your X31. You have a lot of options based on your requirements. Happy hunting!

[ajkula66]

Another option to consider would be a nice used Z61t. Although bigger than what you're used to, it's quite light with a 4-cell battery, prettier (my opinion) than any later WS ThinkPad, and offers a plethora of good stuff...WXGA+ resolution (1440x900) on some models, Core Duo or Core 2 Duo CPUs, some of them have WWAN, camera...and, the most important part is the fact that they're VERY affordable at the moment...

This is from someone who doesn't like widescreens...

And no, I don't have one to offer you...

[dr_st]

If going down the Z61t route, try to get one of the "Napa refresh" models that originally came out with Core 2 Duo CPUs (manufactured October 2006 and later) - these are the only Z61t models that will allow DVI output on the mini-dock. Also from a weight consideration perspective, the black cover is preferred to the silver (IMO, in terms of looks as well, but that's opinion).

However, make no mistake: the Z61t is light for a 14", but still nowhere as light as the X31 or X60/X200 series when configured with the small battery.

[j-dawg]

Assuming (as many have) that you're okay with used or outlet-sourced computers, the X60 and X61 can be had pretty cheap by now. I haven't played with an X200 yet, so I can't really say how it is, but the X6 laptops are (in my opinion) some fine machines: small and light, yet powerful; sleek, yet rugged. An updated, more modern version of the X31.

I'd rather an X200, of course, but if I'm paying, I'll take the older model.

[sbelew]

Thanks for al the input everyone. I am seriously looking at the x60/61 kind of confusing as to the different models. I'm not interested in the tablet version. Does anyone know how much difference there actually is between the x60 dual core and the x61 core 2 duo? And what do you mean by "Napa Refresh"?

[dr_st]

"Napa" was the codename to Intel's platform in which Core Duo CPUs (T2xxx) were first introduced, based on 945/ICH7 chipset.

In late 2006 Intel released a "refresh" to the platform, still using the same chipset, but using Core 2 Duo CPUs (T5xxx/T7xxx). T60/X60/R60/Z61 models released in October 2006 or later have these CPUs. Advantages over the first generation (Core Duo) are slightly more performance per-clock, and more importantly - 64-bit support (so you can install XP64/Vista64).

Then "Santa Rosa" (Intel 965/ICH8) came out, which is what used on T/R/X61. It's confusing, because the CPUs are named the same, but are not compatible, i.e. a first generation Core 2 Duo is compatible with the older Core Duo CPUs, but not with the new second-gen Core 2 Duo CPUs.

"Santa Rosa" models have one key advantage over "Napa" - support for 4GB and more memory (Napa is capped at 3GB, due to limitations in the chipset or in Lenovo's design).

[sbelew]

Well, sounds like the Santa Rosa model is the one I want then. Is there an easy way to determine which CPU an x61 has? I will definately be putting 4 gig of memory in it. I like to dual boot with Windows XP and Linux right now on my x31. Would like to try Windows 7 beta and dual boot with linux if I could find an x61 model that I can afford. I'll be selling my x31 as well, so that will help.

[Marin85]

Well, sounds like the Santa Rosa model is the one I want then. Is there an easy way to determine which CPU an x61 has?

What do you mean by "which CPU"? All X61 units have Santa Rosa chipset. The exact cpu model should be mentioned in the specs, otherwise one can find it out using a small tool called cpu-z (one has to install it on the machine in question to determine the cpu, mobo etc.).

Marin