Need Help picking X series

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hnq · #1 Post by **hnq** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 4:11 am

I'm looking a getting a x31 or x40 (from what I've read, preferably an x31). It will be mainly used for programming (VS.net, etc). I need help figuring out the most cost effective way of doing this. Here are my requirements:

- cost about $3,000 (US) - I do have a some flexibility here, but would like to keep it as low as possible
- prefer - dothan (1.7 ghz)
- CDRW / DVD RW (this will mainly stay at home)
- 1.5 gig ram
- minimum b/g wireless networking
- prefer - integrated bluetooth (I have a internet ready bluetooth phone)
- prefer to buy from ibm
- need 3 year accidental damage insurance (IBM's) + need additional coverage to include theft and fire (any recommendations?)
- prefer 80 gig drive (7k speed)

I planning to get from IBM:
- x31 with 1.7 ghz
- 512 ram (get the rest of the ram from crucial)
- 20 gig HDD (replaced with 80 gig drive bought elsewhere)
- usb bluetooth adapter (since integrated bluetooth not available for 1.7 ghz)
- get external DVD burner elsewhere

anyone have any thoughts? Is the HDD easy to swap out? Will I need anything other than a standard screwdriver to replace these parts?

Any recommendations of where to get the replacement parts?

I plan to purchase this in the next several days to take advantage of the current promotion of saving $100 on MS Office pro.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Txiasaeia · #2 Post by **Txiasaeia** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 9:46 am

Just to let you know that the 1.7 GHz processor is banias, not dothan - no dothan chips on the x-series yet. Also, skip the b/g card and get the IBM atheros a/b/g - better card all around. If you want a fast HD, don't look twice at the X40. THat's it! I've got a 1.6GHz Banias w/512MB RAM & 40GB HD & I'm as happy as a clam. I might upgrade my HD down the line, but right now it's all I need.

hnq · #3 Post by **hnq** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:49 am

Thanks for the heads up! I'm a newb and your input is much appreciated.

eriqesque · #4 Post by **eriqesque** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 12:04 pm

Just an FYI
The IBM B/G card is also an Atheros Card

epbrown · #5 Post by **epbrown** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 7:35 pm

A Phillps screwdriver should get you through most of your upgrades. As is IBM tradition, the hard drive is easily accessible by removing one screw. If you have no plans to carry the optical drive with you, I'd say go for a media slice on eBay. Not much more than a good DVD/CDRW pc card drive, I found, and in my experience it's usually worth it to use the IBM hardware if prices are comparable.

Emanuel

hnq · #6 Post by **hnq** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:58 pm

As for changing out the HDD, the new HDD will be completely blank - will the recovery disks be good enough to install everything (bios, etc) onto a blank HDD?

richarddd · #7 Post by **richarddd** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 6:15 am

Recovery disk is enough to install everything on a blank HDD. Bios is not stored on the HDD.

leesiulung · #8 Post by **leesiulung** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 4:36 pm

Since you are heavily configuring your machine, you might want to consider an open bay X31 (if they have any left). Open Bay most of the time means it does not come with hd, ram or wifi/modem card.

You also might consider adding bluetooth internally instead, check these links out for more information:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... =bluetooth

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... =bluetooth

both have information on the X31.

Also for the open bay models, look under the education, mastercard, shareholder or visa personal pages for the web site. Shareholder is only for shareholder which excludes a lot of people, but hey I got my laptop there and saved 25%.

Do a search and keep us posted on what you decided on and what happened to the bluetooth module.

hnq · #9 Post by **hnq** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 9:59 pm

I've contacted bill and am hoping that he can hook me up!

hnq · #10 Post by **hnq** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 7:04 pm

after talking with bill, I decided to go with a T series, 2373KTU. I got a great deal through bill and am eagerly awaiting it's arrival.

BinaryTB · #11 Post by **BinaryTB** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 11:31 am

Bill doesn't have any X series thinkpads listed on his website, does he still sell them?

Cobos · #12 Post by **Cobos** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 12:14 pm

He sure sold one to me

And that was only about 2-3 weeks ago, so I beleive yes. Basicly I think he can get any thinkpad listed on IBM's webpages.

And hnq may I ask what price you ended up with ?

Cobos

hnq · #13 Post by **hnq** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 1:39 pm

Yes - when I spoke with him, he could still get X series. He's not able to discount express series laptops, but you may actually be able to get a better deal looking at a non express laptop and getting the discount. I got a significant discount on my T series and it actually ended up being a much better deal than a comparable express T series. Also, if you live outside of florida, he doesn't charge you sales tax - this alone makes it worth it bo buy from bill.

sktn77a · #14 Post by **sktn77a** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 5:38 pm

Just an FYI
The IBM B/G card is also an Atheros Card

Not sure if this is the same card but the only b/g card I've seen is the intel one (?)

http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/store ... logId=-840

What this means is that it won't support 108Mbps turbo modes (which the IBM/atheros a/b/g card does).

[/quote]

G-Man · #15 Post by **G-Man** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 6:16 am

There is an Intel b/g and an IBM b/g (with Atheros chipset). The IBM one supports 108Mbps. Unfortunately the IBM b/g is not offered seperately.

Regards,
G-Man

Need Help picking X series

Need Help picking X series

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