A tought choice, 60/61(s)

[Chronic]

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker here and finally have a question I really can't find an answer to: I'm looking for a laptop to replace my ageing Packard Hell R1801 (1,5GHz single core, 1 GB Ram) , an x series to be exact. So far so good. But that's where things start to go wrong. There are four models to choose from, and within those models there is some variation as well.

Usually what helps is telling what it will be used for. The small form factor gives a hint that it's going to be on the road a lot. I have a very descent desktop I want to SSH in to, remote desktopping, the usual. Besides that there will be some programming (C++, Java), html/css/webdevelopment, blogging and maybe some very basic photo editing. (Resizing and cropping mostly) And then there are those things that every laptop can do: browser, office, listening to music (via headphones).

Because I'll be typing a lot, and want something very portable, with good battery time (8-cell) and minimalist looks the choice for a thinkpad X series was easy. But after that I'm clueless


What questions do I need to find answers to in order to decide? Thanks all!

[EOMtp]

Without getting into what questions you should ask, if you are looking for an X-series, then below are the "best" configurations of the two models shown (with batteries that do not stick out of the back!):

First choice:
X200s with SL9600 (2.13GHz) + 1440x900 screen, 6-cell battery (= 4-5 hours). Runs 64-bit. Fast, cool, silent.

Second choice:
X60s with L2500 (1.83GHz), 1024x768 UltraLight screen (much brighter than the "regular" screen) + 4-cell enhanced battery (= 2-2.5 hours). 3MB max RAM. Runs 32-bit only.
X61s removes 3GB limit, runs 64-bit ... but runs hotter and, consequently, is noisier.

[j-dawg]

It would also be good to know your budget. If you're looking for something at ~$3-400, you're going to get a very different answer than if you're looking for something at ~$1000.

I would definitely agree with the post above. You want an "s" model, which have low-voltage processors for cooler running and longer battery life. I would also be inclined to agree that if you don't need 64-bit OSes or more than 3GB of RAM (seems to me that you probably don't), the X60s would be a better choice than the X61s. That said, the X60 models on the market will all be older than their X61 equivalents; more time in the field may mean wear and tear you're not willing to take on, a smaller selection of warranty choices, etc.

In short, any X60+ model will probably comfortably fit your requirements; for a more specific answer, you need to know a more specific budget and allocate that towards what you see as important - warranty, features, age, etc.

[Chronic]

A 64 bit OS wouldn't be to useful, the only benefit I can see in that is able to use all 4 GB of RAM and X's don't accept more than 4 GB anyway.

An x200s is out of budget but would indeed be the best choice. I'm looking at no more than roughly 300 euro's, I might be able to stretch that to 400 but I'd rather not. What I find most important is that it's still got years (2-3 years) of service left in it. Warranty or not isn't a problem. That X60s EOMtp mentions seems like the best choice indeed, although I keep wondering, what are the runtime differences between a 60s and a 61s on the eight-cell? I don't mind the extra weight and bulk.

[dr_st]

About X60/s vs X61s...

There have been various discussions on the matter, and so far I have not seen anything that will conclusively point out that the heat problem with X61/s is worse than X60/s. The CPU probably does run a bit hotter, but the main problem with the series is the palmrest heat, which is mostly due to the wireless adapter, not CPU. Furthermore, X61 machines (and some X60 too) appear to have a somewhat improved palmrest with better shielding, so it might actually feel less hot.

I have never compared these machines and their battery life, but from the numbers in Lenovo's LTWBOOK, the runtime did not decrease in the transition between X60s and X61s - it even increased a bit.

All in all, given how similar the machines are, I would prefer an X61/s with full-fledged 64bit support, including 4GB of RAM, a bit faster CPUs and a bit better hardware all across the board.

X200 series is a different beast altogether, and a different price range too.

[schmaud]

it will be tough to find a x60/x61(s) with years of wranty still left on it.

Your best bet is finding a company which sells systems coming back from leasing to big companies. I do not know such aplace in the Netherlands, but I had good experiences with itsco ( via ebay) in Germany.
In Germany you have buy law a 2 weeks no questiosn asked return policy on internet purchaes and a one year waranty like regulation on used products. Should likely cover purchases done from the Netherlands as well (EU after all).

cheers

Ralf

[IvanAndreevich]

X60s easily have a better battery life than X61s. No contest. I've had compared a few machines, and that's my findings. If you can find an X60s with an UltraLight screen - go for it. That would be my choice.

The only reason why I ultimately went to an X61T is because of the screen resolution. 1024x768 just doesn't cut it for me anymore after my 2560x1600 desktop monitor.

[Chronic]

Ended up with an ex-corporate x61s through ebay (7666-3FG) and although it's not a lemmon, it has been hanging around the fruit basket:

-Lower casing has two small cracks: on in the cooling vent (expected that, it seems the most flimsy part) and a second in the SD card reader.

-Significant scuffing of the lid, it's even thinned a bit! Don't know what the previous owner did there..

-Cound't get wlan to work (intel card...) but before I got the chance to tinker with that I had to charge the system so I plugged in. After a few seconds of charging the screen went dim again and I was greeted with the smell of a fried adapter. So now it's weekend and I'm stuck with an empty battery and no adapter so I can't test this X to see if everything is working.

Well, whan can you expect for just over $400....

I'm not giving up on this one just yet although theseller offered I could return it. I need an adaper first. All I can tell now is that underneath a damaged exterior I really like the small form factor and it seems like this could be one great laptop.

[IvanAndreevich]

$400 for what you describe sounds like a rip off. You should be able to get a 9.5/10 X61s for that much with great specs.

[dr_st]

$400 for what you describe sounds like a rip off. You should be able to get a 9.5/10 X61s for that much with great specs.

Not in Europe...

[IvanAndreevich]

Not in Europe...

Ok, I didn't take that into account.

[Chronic]

Contacted the seller and at first he wasn't wiling to ship a new adapter. "We don't know if you want to keep the laptop". But it's though to decide that if all you have is a small black brick that won't turn on anymore. They're shipping a "new" one, but it's aftermarket. So I started my search for a nice 65w original Lenovo adapter. There are a few on ebay thankfully. Let's see which one gets here first.

After the adapter (and if all the hardware is okay) I'll probably end up buying a US keyboard (UK keyboard right now), a new lid and perhaps even a bottom tray as well. Will add another $100 to the price though. It all hardly seems worth it.

I'm wondering, are the keyboards and other parts (lids..) you can get off ebay genuine lenovo/IBM parts or inferior immitations? They all seem to be shipping from Hong Kong.

[j-dawg]

I'd return it. Doesn't sound worth the trouble.