X40: upgrade or replace?

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lightpeak · #1 Post by **lightpeak** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:38 am

Hi all. I'm new to the forums and new to the X-series - I just picked up a mint X40 + optical drive for 150 euros. It's a lovely machine, but I didn't realise it used that awful 1.8 inch hard drive format... Needs a new battery, too. What I need is your advice:

option 1: 32GB SSD + 8-cell battery (total around 150 euros)

option 2: sell and wait for a cheap X6* to pop up.

This is a secondary machine, so I don't really need the extra power. Noise is a concern, though (I hear the X6* is quieter than my X40), and it would be nice to use a 2.5 SATA hard drive as I have a couple of spares gathering dust.

I'm tempted to pump the money into the X40 right now - it's such a cute and sturdy little beast!

Donald · #2 Post by **Donald** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:56 pm

Option 1 for sure. I did Option 1 and I have absolutely no regrets. I don't know if you've been to the Lenovo site but they have full Windows 7 support for the X40. I've got every device running on my X41T perfectly under windows 7. May I recommend a RAM upgrade as well. I put two gig of PC-5300 into the ram slot (the mainboard will still only see two gig regardless of the onboard half gig) and it's just amazing what the underlying architecture of this machine allows when allowed to run with the proper accouterments. As far as an external display goes don't bother with a wide screen, I haven't seen a way to get one going.

Yes this is a very sturdy and, well, I'm not going to call it "cute". I call it bad. This is one bad machine.

Donald

#3 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:11 pm

I'd go for Option 2), the X60 or even X61 if you want 8GB RAM.
If you go for the tablet X6xT, you can also get SXGA+ (1400x1050).
Sizewise they are the same as the X4x, but use more modern innards.

lightpeak · #4 Post by **lightpeak** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 3:46 pm

Thanks for replying! I already have a T400 for the heavy-duty tasks, so I'm a little hesitant to move up to the X60 and trade size and weight for extra horsepower that I don't really need. This'll be a highly mobile laptop mainly used for browsing and word processing, and I'll probably throw Arch Linux on it once I replace this hard drive (1.8in HD is this laptop's only real flaw, IMO). Couple of questions:

1. Is the X60 more quiet than the X40?
2. Any suggested resellers for an 8-cell battery?
2. I've been reading horror stories about the Kingspec SSDs... what are my alternatives?

Keep in mind I live in Europe! Thanks

#5 Post by **Tasurinchi** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 4:54 pm

lightpeak wrote:2. I've been reading horror stories about the Kingspec SSDs... what are my alternatives?

Either non Kingspecs SSDs or new ZIF Drives (more details for the latter available here)

I bought a Sandisk SSD relatively cheap from this ebay seller. I'm using it in my X41T and it's working fine, no comparison of course with my SATA Intel SSDs, but it's faster than ZIF HDs and completely silent.

#6 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 4:57 pm

Or try these alternative hard drives: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=83139

Donald · #7 Post by **Donald** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 5:17 pm

I'm using the RunCore 64G-C SSD. Windows index 6.4. I ordered it from MemoryC, they're way out in Ireland. I received it within days way out here in a former provincia.

It came with the latest firmware installed and the proper voltage, that is 3.3 volts instead of 5.0 volts. There are complaints about the older versions of the SSD being shipped with 5 volts and the older firmware causing problems. But mine works superbly. The price might shift you to Option 2 though.

You've suffered the bootup time on the 1.8 hdd, check it out with the ssd:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCl5Qxj8yuE

As far as noise goes, the fan runs infrequently except when tasked, and when it does run it's not very loud, of course with the ssd you lose all the hdd noise and increase the X40's durability substantially.

Video playback on my X41T is poor however, it barely manages SD content.

lightpeak · #8 Post by **lightpeak** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:24 pm

Tasurinchi wrote:I bought a Sandisk SSD relatively cheap from this ebay seller. I'm using it in my X41T and it's working fine, no comparison of course with my SATA Intel SSDs, but it's faster than ZIF HDs and completely silent.

This looks good, in both size and price. The connector appears to be different than the one on my X40's current hard drive, though. Adapter necessary?

lightpeak · #9 Post by **lightpeak** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:43 pm

Augh, it really rustles my jimmies to have to pay 100 euros for a slow, miniscule drive. It's nearly what the computer cost me! If performance doesn't improve with Arch or Debian I'll be selling this to get an X6*, which will cost around the same if you factor in the hypothetical new drive for this thing.

#10 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:23 pm

There's another option: get an X31 or X32.
Same size again, but with (up to 2GB) DDR PC2700 RAM, and they use normal 2.5" PATA hard drives (up to 320GB).

lightpeak · #11 Post by **lightpeak** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 4:46 am

Yeah, I considered that option... in fact, when I went to pick up this X40 I thought I was buying an X31. The seller was pretty confused! Sadly, these things are pretty difficult to find here...

Brian10161 · #12 Post by **Brian10161** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 9:39 am

Be careful going to an X60. I'm not certain if it's just mine (It probably is, it looks abused) but the inverter board in the display buzzes really loudly. I ordered a new one for it though.

I always liked my X40. I'd keep it personally. I've mainly moved to using my T60 now though.

lightpeak · #13 Post by **lightpeak** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 12:24 pm

on ebay I've found a 32GB SSD for 70 euros and an 8-cell 4400mAh battery for 50 euros, so I think I'll just go for it. It's hard to resist upgrade lust but calmly thinking about it, I don't really need something more powerful than this. Thanks for the input, everyone.

#14 Post by **Tasurinchi** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 3:40 pm

lightpeak wrote:This looks good, in both size and price. The connector appears to be different than the one on my X40's current hard drive, though. Adapter necessary?

Yes, you need to buy an extra ZIF to IDE adapter, something like this, price tag around 10€

lightpeak · #15 Post by **lightpeak** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 10:37 am

Small update: I fixed the noise problems by undervolting the processor and using TPFanControl to activate the fan only when temp reaches 55ºC (is this too high, by the way?). As it is the fan doesn't turn on unless the vents are covered or it's under heavy load - This thing will be absolutely silent once I get an SSD!

I'll be grabbing a 32GB runcore SSD and a 5200mAh battery as soon as I have the cash. It's remarkable that this laptop can still provide such a great experience 6 years later, when all of its contemporaries are long dead and recycled. Thanks for all your advice!

deckoff · #16 Post by **deckoff** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 3:37 am

I have x40 and the main noise issues disappeared after I replaced the HDD with SDD. The machine got much faster, too

So I would definately consider the SDD option

Someone talked here bout adding 2 GB of RAM, is it possible to be done to a x40 machine

#17 Post by **Tasurinchi** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 6:32 am

deckoff wrote:is it possible to be done to a x40 machine

Nope

You can put 2GB inside an X41, but there is no 2GB Stick for DDR-333, which is the type of RAM that the X40 is using...

lightpeak · #18 Post by **lightpeak** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:55 am

update: I've completed upgrades to my X40. It's now running a 16GB runcore SSD for the OS and a 16GB SD card for storage, 1GB RAM and a 5200mAh battery that lasts for 6 or 7 hours in linux (rather aggressively tweaked).

I'm in heaven with this computer. Thanks for your help!

POB · #19 Post by **POB** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:06 pm

Hi guys - this thread has been pretty interesting for me as an IBM newb.
Can I be cheeky and direct you to a "which X-series" thread I stuck on the Linux board?
I'd really appreciate your input.

It's here: http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... =9&t=94757

Thanks!

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