Lenovo vs IBM... add on features

[tim S]

As anyone on this forum can probably tell, I've recently updated from the x40 and X41 to two X60S models. One for the wife who loves the speed (vs the X40 she used to have) and one for me ( vs an X41 and I also enjoy the speed but not the build quality so much). We both like the size and weight of the X series, they are certainly the perfect travel laptops.

I've run into difficulties assuming that upgrading to bluetooth, wwan and other items would be as straight forward as it used to be with my older IBM machines......Wrong!!
My first surprise was that the bluetooth module fits behind the LCD bezel, behind the X60S/Lenovo plate. I was really surprised that its connector is on the LCD ribbon cable but ......the connector isn't on the cable, if there was no bluetooth at manufacture!
A completely different cable has to be purchased and installed, all the way from the motherboard to the thinklight, what a pain!

WWAN also seems like an easy upgrade, purchase the antenna, run the wire down the side of the LCD and snap in a newly purchased module....... but wait....there is no connector on the motherboard for the module!

I guess the moral of this story is to make sure you purchase a Lenovo laptop with exactly the add-ons you need because it's either very difficult or impossible to add them later.

Tim S

[bill bolton]

would be as straight forward as it used to be with my older IBM machines......Wrong!!

There are also "upgrades" in IBM made ThinkPads which were a lot less straightforward than they are on current Lenovo made ThinkPads.

The world continues to change

Cheers,

Bill B.

[EOMtp]

I guess the moral of this story is to make sure you purchase a Lenovo laptop with exactly the add-ons you need because it's either very difficult or impossible to add them later.

What you state is true for the X60/s series, less so for the X61/s series (all of which have 2 miniPCIe slots, but not necessarily LCD cable w/BT connector), and not at all the case for the X200/s series (all of which have everything one needs to install whatever option(s) one desires).

[ThinkRob]

WWAN is an easy upgrade IMO, provided you can find one of the elusive auxiliary antenna parts (the L-shaped ones that go alongside the area where the mini-PCIe slots are). It's not exactly a quick upgrade since you have to basically tear down the entire lid to add the primary WWAN antenna, but it's not *that* difficult.

[archer6]

There are also "upgrades" in IBM made ThinkPads which were a lot less straightforward than they are on current Lenovo made ThinkPads.

The world continues to change

Cheers,

Bill B.

Well said! I agree completely.
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In addition, I also make every effort to think about any future use I might have before ordering, so as to "future proof" my purchase as much as possible.
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Cheers
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[k330]

i like x60 but hot