IMO: Thinkpad X31 better than X40

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cy7878

Senior member
Jul 2, 2003
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2 months ago I was debating between the X40 or the X31. The X40 was amazingly small for what it can do, but I couldn't find a place that had it on display. I did see the X31, and like it a lot. SO I bought a X31 1.7 and loaded it to the max that my wallet can afford.

Yesterday, I saw the X40 for the first time. The wedge shape is a little funky. The 8 cell battery that sticks out makes the unit MUCH bigger (still smaller than X31). The speed is no comparison between the 1.2 ULV and my 1.7ghz.

Overall, I am very happy with the X31. It has met all my expectations for an ultraportable laptop. It was expensive by present day means ( total about $2500), but I think it will last me years.
 
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DaFinn

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2002
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Just ordered 4 X31s for my office... they should arrive in 2 weeks time to replace the x24 we currently have. X24 was great lappy, and X31 is hopefully better. Never been dissappointed w IBM.
 
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cy7878

Senior member
Jul 2, 2003
394
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it's been fantastic. I had a Tp240. The x31 is about the same size, but having a computer with a battery that actually last 5 hours is just amazing. The speed is incredible as well. I think my X31 is faster than my P4 2.5 desktop.
 
RichieZ

RichieZ

Diamond Member
Jun 1, 2000
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Originally posted by: cy7878
it's been fantastic. I had a Tp240. The x31 is about the same size, but having a computer with a battery that actually last 5 hours is just amazing. The speed is incredible as well. I think my X31 is faster than my P4 2.5 desktop.
Click to expand...

your desktop must be very slow then. I too have an X31 and while it is a wonderful laptop its certainly not faster than my desktop which is a vanilla Dell 400SC P4 2.8C.

The main thing is the hd is only 4200 rpm pr 5400 depending on the model, everything feels snappier on the desktop which I'd attribute to the 7200rpm hd. I played aroung with the 7K60 and the laptop was still slower than my desktop, and it reduced my battery life.

I'm sure you are happy with your laptop, but lets be realistic here. Have you really gotten 5hrs out of the battery? What where you doing? Screen turned to minimum, not using wifi?

Contracty to what the anandtech review says it can be a desktop replacement, in fact I use it when i'm at school, its my only computer. But its certainly not faster than the avg desktop.

However I agree the X31 is better than the X40, the ridiculously short life w/o the extended battery and the non-standard size hd, and the even weaker video card make it not worth it
 
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PeeluckyDuckee

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
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I had an X31 for about 30 days before I returned it for the T42p. I absolutely missed having the x31 around. It was so portable, practical, and the battery lasts so long on a standard 4-cell. I get over 4hrs on lowest backlight (no compromise, can see it comfortably) and throttled down 600mhz cpu speed.

The only gripe is the slow 4200rpm drive.

IBM dropping the X31 in favour of the X40 was a step backward, imo.
 
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jdiddy

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2004
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The X31 is a great laptop I love mine just wish the CPU wasn't soldered in or I'd slap a Dothan in that badboy.
 
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cy7878

Senior member
Jul 2, 2003
394
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Originally posted by: PeeluckyDuckee
I had an X31 for about 30 days before I returned it for the T42p. I absolutely missed having the x31 around. It was so portable, practical, and the battery lasts so long on a standard 4-cell. I get over 4hrs on lowest backlight (no compromise, can see it comfortably) and throttled down 600mhz cpu speed.

The only gripe is the slow 4200rpm drive.

IBM dropping the X31 in favour of the X40 was a step backward, imo.
Click to expand...


IBM didn't drop the X31. They are selling both side by side.

I do get up to 5 hours on max power saver setting. I have a 5400 rpm drive. I think my desktop feels slower because I have so much crap installed compared to my X31, which makes booting / running seem slower.
 
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WackyDan

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2004
4,794
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As for the complaints of non-standard drive size on the x-40.... Wake up... That is where notebook drive sizes (1.8") are heading.. just give them time to make them faster.... They already have announced the 60gig models, 5400rpm woul dbe nice but 4200 is probably about right for the x40.

It's not for everyone... and if you are buying an extreme portable for performance, then you are buying the wrong product anyway.
 
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