Tryingto find part number for X41 port replicator / dock.

[greg.billings]

I went to Lenovo's site and found nothing. I did a text search on the foum and got a bunch of different answers - does anyone know the part number of a dock for the X41 laptop? I don't want the ultrabase - to big and I don't need an optical drive.

Thanks for the help.

[sjthinkpader]

There are two choices available for X40/X41:

1. X4 Dock Type 2506 P/N 41V9186 FRU 41V9185
This is the larger unit with Ultrabay Slim.

2. X4 UltraBase P/N 13N5432 FRU 13N5331
This is the unit that fits to the bottom of X40/X41. Same size but makes them thicker. It also has an Ultrabay Slim.

[keithsketchley]

Dig around Lenovo's site, you'll find it.

Beware that some information says the x4 Ultrabase may not fit the x41 Tablet version. It works fine with basic x41.

The x4 Dock seems much bigger than the Ultrabase, probably not intended for carrying with the computer but if my first info is correct that's the only choice with the Tablet.

I have a Dock coming so I'll see both side by side and use them with my basic x41. Both have the Slim bay that holds optical drive or HDD (with adapter), not necessarily battery that normally fits Slim bay. The Dock has two speakers to get stereo as the x41 only has mono speaker (headset output jack is stereo).

[keithsketchley]

Two x4 Ultrabase I’ve had in my hands had p/ns 41V9148/9147 mfd Nov2005 and 91P9283/9282 mfd earlier.
(“P/N” vs “FRU P/N” respectively, roughly means optional accessory p/n which may include cables and screws and such vs. replacement part ordering p/n (bare part).

I don’t know if the p/n reflects contents of the Ultrabay Slim nor the lock keying (doubt it would, figuring out key code is a problem and they are expensive to purchase)).

IBM/Lenovo specs show x4 Dock is _model_ 250610U, ThinkWiki shows FRU 73P4530.

The one-digit difference between the two p/ns seems typical but I wouldn’t bet on consistency of that practice in recent times – I’m trying to figure out keyboard p/ns which are a mess on eBay.

[keithsketchley]

x4 Dock further comment
I now have my hands on an x4 dock. The total front-back length is roughly 50% more than the x4 Ultrabase, and it is heavy. The computer is at a more tilted angle than with the Ultrabase which is nice (that’s why the depth of the optical drive is at the back and the base is not under the front of the computer).
Port connections essentially the same (minor differences arrangement & location of USB ports, power connector, and lock cable slot), has a power button and ??? blue button and quite different latch.
Ample room for 8-cell battery projection behind x41 forward of the doghouse.
Small speakers are in the doghouse, sound tinny, more bass sound if put hands over them – but hey! this is not intended to be an entertainment laptop.
In addition to a latch, the Dock has a power button an “eject request” button and light not in the Ultrabase. (The x41 has a function key for Eject but it does not work well, at least with external USB device(s) and parallel printer connected, don’t know if the Dock button handles those either.)
Haven’t figured out how to lock optical drive in yet, the Ultrabase has a screw from above that blocks the release latch and is covered by the computer.
A good illustration of the dock is in the User Guide on Lenovo’s website (the “adapter” that adjusts for computer length is just a light filler that snaps over the doghouse if not needed). The April 2005 edition of the guide shows only the x40 (which needs BIOS and EasyEject updates) and x41 – no distinction for x41 Tablet which was introduced a few months later.
As well, the Dock is illustrated in the HMM for the x41 Tablet, but neither usage instruction nor parts are provided there (except for a cryptic listing of “X4 Dock security screw” 13N5332 but no location shown, and what I presume is the filler panel (aka “adjuster”). Dock assembly FRU numbers are given as 26R8536 (the one I have, p/n 26R8343) and 41V9077 (RoHS compliant for Europe).
I have not had my hands on an x41 Tablet so don’t know why it would not work with the Ultrabase, though the HMM suggests there is a “pen latch” on the HDD cover - the Ultrabase covers the front of the HDD cover.

Keep in mind when buying used Docks and Ultrabases the cost of keys. $50. from Compu-Lock if you only know the 4- or 5-digit confirmation code (label on the unit) then about $12. each additional key or if you already know the 3-digit key replacement number stamped on the key or a fob, or ship them the unit at your cost both ways and a charge of $50. if bare unit or $75. if computer locked in it jut to identify the key. About $18 per pair from ITXchange if you know the 4- or 5-digit or 3-digit code, they want registration to buy instead of staying simple, and don’t list the x4 Dock to enter s/n but I assume x4 Ultrabase selection will work. Keep in mind you should have more than one key – one to use, one to put in a safe, etc. – so keys may cost you as much as the used unit (a great locksmith company could not match the key blank – those online vendors don’t seem to have a a quantity discount).

[keithsketchley]

Otherwise, beware of DVD drives for the UltraSlim bay – one labeled CD-RW/DVD will not record DVDs, you want the Multi at least, perhaps Multi Plus. Those titles are in large letters on the top of the drive, on the outside face the CD-RW/DVD shows “CD-RW DVD ROM” (squint to see ROM) and the Multi shows “DVD Multi CD-RW”, but beware the CD-RW/DVD has the word Multi in fine print on the top as part of some industry logo. (I think the Multi-Plus adds dual-layer capability.) IBM/Lenovo’s sales terms were confusing and used sellers are sloppy. DVD recording was an expensive option then, drives without it were being built long after it became available.

(Lesson for marketing weenies: the first drive I name should have been titled CD-RW/DVD-ROM, the second one CD/DVD-RW, the third CD/DVD-RW/DL. “Multi” is bad usage because industry logos for CD-RW and DVD-ROM used the term, not just later DVD logos. (The DVD-RAM capability is an uncommon feature anyway, needing specific investigation as there are variants in that format, so not necessary to include.)

I was careful to understand what they were selling so I did get DVD recording capability, purchased MultiPlus – I should have asked for a discount for my time spent doing what they couldn’t do right to sell their product.

As well, there are external drives, beware that the RH USB port on my x41 does not support the IBM and Sony external floppy drives (gives read error on some diskettes, that the Ultrabase ports handles without problem), so I'd be concerned that it might not support DVD drives. Didn't think to undock and try the LH port (covered by Ultrabase).

[keithsketchley]

I've been lugging my x4 Ultrabase recently as the power jack on my x41 is flakey. The experience reminded me why I bought the x41 - the Ultrabase adds weight, albeit more than the net of a computer with optical drive built in.