Got my W701 ... how do I carry it around?

[Tableteer]

I bought the official bag (43R9117) with my W700ds. There's room for the computer, power supply, mouse, pens, papers etc.

roj1200,

How convenient is it to store the large 230W power supply and AC cable?

Does the fact that the 701ds is 2.25" thick make a difference in the ease with which it slides in and out of the compartment? (I suspect the 701 is thinner since it doesn't have to accomodate a monitor within a monitor. The 43R9117 is the official bag of the 701 as well.)

[Tableteer]

I've been doing a lot of research in search for the right one for me. I'd like to share what I discovered.

There seems to be an over abundance of 17+" carrying cases. Not exactly sure about exact fit though. So while I can't answer the OP's question directly, this is to show you the possibilities. (My predicament is that I have the 701ds which I assume is thicker than the regular 701 due to the second slide out screen.)

Everyone might want to check out Lenovo's competitors for compatible carrying case. I'm not shill for them but I am just pointing out the alternatives.

Dell has got quite a selection.
http://www.dell.com › Electronics & Accessories › Laptop Accessories › Carrying Cases › Shop By Screen Size 17" - 18"

eg. Slim Nylon Deluxe Carrying Case - Fits Laptops of Screen Sizes Up to 17-inch for Dell XPS Laptops / Precision M6400/ M6500 Mobile WorkStations
Manufacturer Part# : TR817
Dell Part# : 330-3104

HP also has a good selection.

http://www.shopping.hp.com › Accessories › Laptop and Mini Carrying Cases › Display size Over 16.9"

There are many of the "messenger bag" style but a couple oddities caught my attention.

This one is well suited for light travel. I have no doubt this will accommodate the 701 and 701ds. I'm going to buy it.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/store/produc ... il/KD853PA
HP 20" Roller Case for Notebook PCs
HP part: KD853PA

Going on an overnight trip and need to take your laptop? Our wheeled 20" Notebook Roller Case is the perfect bag for a comfortable journey, eliminating the need to lug a separate suitcase and a notebook case. This high-quality, spacious bag is ready to simplify your travel life. It fits notebook PCs with screen sizes up to 20".

This is for taking your whole office desktop on the road. Length and width will not likely be a problem but not sure how thick is the compartment for the laptop (there are partitions). If it's the right thickness for my 701ds (a tad over 2"), then this would work well for my day to day needs. I'm a bit reluctant to take the risk of ordering it.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/store/produc ... il/KN605AA
HP 17" Notebook Roller Case
HP part: KN605AA

If you want a notebook case that's both fuctional and stylish, check out our 17" Notebook Roller Case (18 x 15 x 8", 10.58 lb.). The top-load design makes it easy to get your laptop in and out, and there's plenty of room in this "mobile office" for stashing accessories.

One thing to note about large HP mobile workstations for which they would design their cases, which I fear may affect W701 users, is that they are only up to 1.5" thickness.

You might also check out online vendors. There are many out there...CDW, NewEgg, TigerDirect
eg. http://www.tigerdirect.com › Accessories › Laptop Bags (Bags & Cases) › Notebook Cases › 16" - 17"

eg. http://www.newegg.com › PCs & LAPTOPS › Laptop Accessories › Laptop Cases › Fit Most Screen Size 17" to 18.4"

Here's a couple that may be of intereste to readers here, both from the 18.4" category. These would more than likely fit the W701 with ease.

TOSHIBA Black with silver accents 18.4" Carrying Case Model PA1447U-1CS8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834996474

New lightweight case to fit Toshiba portable computers with up to 18.4" screen
Dimensions 20" x 14.6" x 3.75"
Capacity not specified

Case Logic Black 18.4" Laptop Case Model TNC-218Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834990198

Compatible with laptops with 17-18.4" screens
Capacity 17.75" x 12.25" x 2"
Dimensions 20.25" x 14" x 3.75"


Finally, here's a few "top loading" cases for taking your whole office with you (what I am most interested in) and a few oddities that I found at one dealer. The vendor is in Canada but just to give you an idea what's out there, here are some links.

http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... 1010042332
http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... 1010042022
http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... 1011917501
http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... 1011917512
http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... d=10450921
http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... 1015911378
http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... 1012675146
http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... 1010966537
http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... d=10502767
http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... d=10502310
http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... 1017134085
http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... 1014201756
http://www.frontierpc.com/ProductDetail ... 1012158897

[roj1200]

roj1200,

How convenient is it to store the large 230W power supply and AC cable?

Does the fact that the 701ds is 2.25" thick make a difference in the ease with which it slides in and out of the compartment? (I suspect the 701 is thinner since it doesn't have to accomodate a monitor within a monitor. The 43R9117 is the official bag of the 701 as well.)

My power supply is 170W and it fits snugly in a pocket with a velcro closure. The pocket only accomodates the brick -- the attached cable fits into an adjacent, smaller, pocket with no closure. There are several other pockets for storing the AC cable.

The computer itself fits snugly into the appropriate compartment -- I have no difficulty in sliding it in and out. It's almost as if the case were designed for the computer!!

[Tableteer]

roj1200,

The power supply that came with my W701ds is part number 45N0060 (FRU P/N 45N0061), 230W, 20V. The "brick" part measures 7.75 x 4 x 1". The cord from the brick to the computer is of course not detachable while the AC outlet cord is detachable.

If the 170W brick fits "snuggly", then no way the 230W will fit. You noted the 170W brick fits into one pocket, the attached cord into an adjacent one, while the AC cable must be placed detached into yet another compartment.

So unless, I'm willing to buy a Lenovo 170W power supply and willing to put up with assembly/disassembly of the brick and AC cable, looks like the Lenovo bag is not going to be convenient for use with my ds, at least according to my unplug, dump and go mentality. IMO, that itself eliminates it from my short list by outweighing, as morose it is to give up, all other factors which are satisfactory.

Thanks for your help.

[Tableteer]

Okay, I found the GUARANTEED method of getting the case that will fit! That's without having to find a retail store. Only, you have buy a Targus model.

At http://www.targus.com, click on Products. In the Laptop Fit Calculator, enter the dimensions of your notebook. I used 16 x 12 x 2.25 for my W701ds. It returned 5 results. Here is the link to those results:
http://www.targus.com/us/productsearch_ ... eight=2.25

As you can see, there is a reasonably wide selection of styles. The dimensions for the computer compartment are excellent. Be sure to check out the photo gallery for each product.

[AMATX]

Over the July 4th weekend, I was in a Fry's store on Concord, CA(Walnut Creek/Oakland north area) and saw a Samsonite Messenger style bag for 17" laptops. Didn't have my W700 w/me, but made note to check it out later. Basic bag, don't recall price, but I think it was $50-ish or so; less than $75, I believe.

So, I guess there's some selection out there after all; trick is to find it, which all of these posts are helping with.

[jketzetera]

I have a question to all you W700 and W701 owners.

I am in the market for a new Thinkpad and I am considering a W510, a W701 and even a W700 (now that Throttlegate can be used to overclock the QX9300).

In regards to the W700 and W701, are these beasts possible to use in ones lap or are they simply to big and cumbersome to use anywhere else than on an office desk?

[AMATX]

Depends upon the environment in which you wanna use a W700. Commuting on train, plane, etc., not so good; bit big, probably hit seat in front.

Sitting around somewhere, with more room around yourself, it's workable, altho they're big.

16" wide, 12" deep on the footprint. Cut out a piece of paper, use that as a template to judge. Don't know the weight, but I'd guess 7-9 lbs. or so.

Very nice screen on the W700/W701, so it ain't all bad. I like bigger screens, so if I were in a portable position(which I'm not), I'd give it a try.

[jketzetera]

Thanks for the info.

Would care to elaborate a bit further? I was mainly thinking of non-desk use in my home. I often "enjoy" sitting in the TV-sofa with a T61p in my lap while the wife watches her favorite reality-shows (uurrrghhhhh).

Also, before sleepy-time (and in bed) I can easily use the T61p placed on my tummy (don't laugh) and having a few pillows behind my neck/head.

Would the above be possible with a W700 or is it simply to heavy/big/cumbersome for that?

[AMATX]

^ probably a bit big for what you mentioned. However, I don't want to turn you completely off to the W700, because I think they're great laptops.

Short of trying one, dunno how to test.

[proaudioguy]

Thanks for the info.

Would care to elaborate a bit further? I was mainly thinking of non-desk use in my home. I often "enjoy" sitting in the TV-sofa with a T61p in my lap while the wife watches her favorite reality-shows (uurrrghhhhh).

Also, before sleepy-time (and in bed) I can easily use the T61p placed on my tummy (don't laugh) and having a few pillows behind my neck/head.

Would the above be possible with a W700 or is it simply to heavy/big/cumbersome for that?

I use it in both scenarios. It's not that bad on the lap but to say it is manageable in bed would be a lie. I much prefer to play with the iPod touch in bed winding down. Sometimes if I'm typing a long email I'll grab the computer off the night stand and it's not that bad. It's actually not as hot as the X60 or X32. For the lap, I almost always have my legs crossed lik the guy on the left http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l172/ ... 72byub.jpg
(took me several tries to find a picture of someone crossing their legs like that). Additionally, I slouch a bit on the couch so the back of the W700 is sitting about the halfway point of my leg while the front edge is against my spare tire. I'm perfectly comfy as I type this, but the X32 was FAR more comfy. If I could have had this horsepower in a THICK machine with a 12" screen, I would have went for it. I don't know why folks that need lots of power, are forced to have huge screens.

[jketzetera]

Thanks for the details!

Well, I am a bit torn. There is a lot that I like with the W700/W701 like the dual hard drive bays, the 16:10 display and the Quad CPU. Now that that the ThrottleGate software has been used to overclock QX9300 CPUs to over 3GHz, I believe that the W700 units have gotten a new lease on life. If only they were a bit smaller ...

[AMATX]

Thanks for the details!

Well, I am a bit torn. There is a lot that I like with the W700/W701 like the dual hard drive bays, the 16:10 display and the Quad CPU. Now that that the ThrottleGate software has been used to overclock QX9300 CPUs to over 3GHz, I believe that the W700 units have gotten a new lease on life. If only they were a bit smaller ...

Could you post a link(s) pointing to how to overclock a W700 cpu? Didn't know there was anything out there for these laptops.

[Tableteer]

Could the topic retun to carrying cases for the W701/700? Finite digressions are sometimes fine for illuminating the main topic. If comparing sizes of notebooks of other models adds insight into carrying cases for the 7xx, then fine. But start a new topic about 'which model to get' before this one morphs completely into it.

[proaudioguy]

Thanks for the details!

Well, I am a bit torn. There is a lot that I like with the W700/W701 like the dual hard drive bays, the 16:10 display and the Quad CPU. Now that that the ThrottleGate software has been used to overclock QX9300 CPUs to over 3GHz, I believe that the W700 units have gotten a new lease on life. If only they were a bit smaller ...

I can't find anything on this software you speak of???

[jketzetera]

Heh .. in order to contribute to the topic at hand, I strongly recommend this site (even if you are not in Australia).

http://rushfaster.com.au/Laptop_Bags/LAPTOP_BAG.html

Rushfaster enables you to select a wide range of laptops (including the W700/W701) and have its dimensions matched against the bag database that Rushfaster has. A very useful service.