Considering an X61T, couple of questions

[krfkeith]

Hello there!
I'm thinking of purchasing an X61 Tablet in the near future. Basically, I need something with 4:3, as I find Widescreen (and god forbid, 16:9 especially) extremely irritating for getting real work done. I love Thinkpads in general, and I'm current the owner of an x41T (ha...that's an entirely different story) but suffice it to say, I will be returning it to the owner (I bought it, and it has some *BAD* blemishes and cracks, where the owner said it was brand new). Anyhow I had a few questions I was wondering if you guys could clear up for me:

1)I plan on upgrading to the SXGA+ Panel, as I honestly don't know of any other 12" panel, WS or not, with a higher DPI. I've read that it's AFFS/IPS or whatever, so I assume the quality is good? How does this stand up to say, Apple panels (especially the cinema display ones), in terms of quality and color accuracy, etc? Are there any other panels that would be better that are preferably, but not necessarily, SXGA+?

2)Battery Life. I've read anecdotal reports that the X61T has something like 25% less battery life than the non-tablet equivalent, is that due to the active digitizer?

3)Build Quality. How does the X61T's build quality compare to that of my X41? Despite the issues with my X41, it feels very sturdy, but is there really metal? It feels like plastic...

4)Is it true that the X61T is a fair bit large than the X41T? I don't mind if it is a little, but a lot would not be so great....

5)Any word on linux compatibility?

6)How fast does the X61T feel speedwise, I mean can it compare at least somewhat to more modern offerings? I know it's rather old

7)What should I expect to pay? I'd prefer one with the IBM logo on it, just for my own, idiosyncratic reasons, and the nonsensical feeling that ones with the IBM logo would for some reason have better build quality.

8)Screen protectors...any suggestions? I'd prefer one with the greatest clarity that doesn't add gloss. Has anyone tried like, getting a custom fitting of gorilla glass or something? (I imagine that would be expensive and would obviously add gloss unfortunately)

9)I've heard that the X61T gets unbelievably hot, is this an exaggeration, and if not...is that in absolute terms, or relative to the X Series models? I mean, if it's only slightly worse than the X41 that's not so bad

[ajkula66]

I'll try to answer some of your questions...

1) No need to upgrade the panel, just spend a few bucks more on a machine with factory SXGA+ LCD and you're all set.

2) As with any machine, your settings are the key when it comes to battery life. Many tweaking guides are available. I'd highly suggest getting a new battery from Lenovo's Outlet once you purchase the machine, unless it comes with a battery in great shape (holding more than 80% of the design capacity).

3) Built quality is generally good. I've owned several X6x tablets and really had no gripes about them in that respect.

4) No, not really. I used the same tight-fitting genuine ThinkPad bag for X41T and X60T which is the same size as X61T.

5) I'd say excellent, but I'm no more than a recreational Linux user.

6) Compared to what, and in which applications? If you're looking at doing graphic-intensive stuff, X3100 might be your only bottleneck on that machine. Gaming rig it's not...

7) You'll have to do your own price research. All of them were built by Lenovo, none by IBM and it really doesn't matter one bit. Post a WTB ad in the forum's Marketplace and see what gets offered to you...

8 ) Never used any of those, can't help you here.

9) X61T will run hotter than X41T. "Unbelievably hot" is not something I've experienced, but I don't game and am used to T43p which is arguably the hottest-running ThinkPad ever, so I might be off with parameters...

Good luck.