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"Had the rest - here's the best" on by endodoc
Pros: Everything I need for a portable
Cons: HD could be a bit faster
Summary: I gave this machine a ten because it deserves much better reviews than it has gotten. Anyone who does not like this machine has no understanding of its component to size ratio or what its purpose is. Yes, this machine does not have an optical drive, or a fire wire port, but it is not meant to. IBM has optimized the features that are most important for an ultraportable. How often does anyone use a firewire or optical drive on their ultraportable? Do not buy this as your main comp, but DEFINITELY buy it as a second commuter-computer. I had a FULLY loaded Dell x300 before this (I've owned 16 laptops) and this U.Portable blows it away in every respect!! The Dell was a cheap plastic piece of crap with screen probs, touchpad probs, and worst of all, service probs like you would not believe. This IBM is built like a tank and performs like an absolute dream. And remember, if you are porting a mini-laptop around everyday, you will drop it eventually! With this laptop you are covered. It has a magnesium and titanium chasis, not plastic garbage, and a hard drive protection system. It also has multiple other hidden features not found with any other laptop. And what a keyboard! Also, IBM = customer service. Oh, and regarding the trackpoint -- I have always been a touchpad guy, but this one works a lot different than trackpoints of the past. It is amazing and now I prefer it to the touchpads. The central button has all sorts of functions and the trackpoint button is large and in charge. Anyway, mine is fully loaded with a 1.4 G Pentium M, 1.5 G Ram, 40 G HD, 4 cell, 8 cell, and wedge batteries, multi burner in X4 base, etc. I absolutely love it!! BTW, I would really give it only a 9.5, but it is definitely the best ultraportable on the market. If I could change anything I would give it the Hitachi 7200 RPM 60 GB HD, but this is larger than the mini inside the chasis, and I would give it 128 Meg of its own video memory. That is a dream though, and no company can do that in such a small notebook yet, especially with everything else. However, you can swap a better HD in the base. This laptop really is the best ultraportable on the market, hands down. You probably think I work for IBM or something, but I do not. I am just a fan of good quality products. Buy this machine and thank me later.
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"Get this for work, not play" on by decodent
Pros: Keyboard, size, battery life, security, durability
Cons: Slow, extras cost
Summary: If you're looking for the best ultralight for work, this is it. The keyboard is simply unbelievable, and all the security/damage protection features are great.
But if you're looking for a foo-foo machine for play and all kinds of bells and whistles, then drift towards Sonys, Compaqs, Dells and Fujitsus.
I looked at several machines before getting this, and I have no regrets. To me, first and foremost, I ask, "Can I live with this machine?" Day in and day out I'm going to be pounding on the keyboard fast and hard. I type 120+ wpm, and I type hard. To type on this thing is poetry; it's simply unbelievable how "perfect" it is. But IBM has always had the best keyboards, going all the back to their IBM Selectrics (on what's called a "typewriter" for those of you born in the last 30 years). I've already gone through keyboards on my Sony and Toshiba; and have no doubt Compaqs and Dells would fare even worse.
The IBM hard drive is protected by what they say is like an airbag. I've gone through 2 hard drives on both my Sony and Toshiba, so know how critical this component is. Even cooler, they run a Linux system on it, so if your OS goes out (what, Windows crash?!!), you still have a good chance of retrieving your data. Trust me, this is very cool.
Finally, it's so small and light, you hardly know you have it. What a great feeling it is to just grab the thing, toss it into a briefcase or shoulder bag and hardly even know it's there. Thanks to a great magnesium case, you get the feeling you don't have to be overly ginger with it.
Are there downsides to this machine? You bet.
The hard drive is slower than sin. It takes awhile to load up, write to-and-from the disk, etc. I plan on upgrading the hard drive the moment a larger, faster one comes out. (Come on IBM, get on it!).
For what you pay, the peripherals are sparse. You'll have to spring extra for longer life batteries, CD/DVD reader or player, etc.
The screen is adequate at best. I noticed there is a brighter setting available when it's plugged in than when not. It'd be nice to be able to do a "boost" to it, even when on battery, especially when hanging out near a window in a coffeeshop on a bright day. Still, it's useable.
And you have to deal with IBM for everything. While there service is rated high, you can't just roll into Fry's or Costco and try it out. They say they give you a 30-day "no questions asked" guarantee. I love the machine, so I won't be doing that unless it busts on me, and I don't think that's going to happen.
Bottomline: If you're looking for a lightweight machine you NEED to work, and can take the rigors of the real world, there is no other choice. But if you're looking for a pretty, fragile, whiz-bangy machine you have to treat with TLC, then get yourself a Sony, Toshiba, Dell or (God forbid) an HP/Compaq. To quote that CA governor - those are "girrrlie mahn" machines.
The only other machine I'd even consider would be the Fujitsu 6130, but it simply doesn't have the keyboard or case strength of the IBM. -
"No touchpad, its a thinkpad." on by Miata_Driver
Pros: Very light, good performance,
Cons: No touchpad, expensive, ugly, no Brite screen
Summary: I'm a computer tech working in a school and we bought many R51 and X40 thinkpad.
The X40 is very small and light, if your data is on the HD and all you need is a wireless connection, the X40 is probably a good option.
Most people use USB Key storage nowadays.
IBM also has a DVD portable in option which you must buy if you intend to install softwares and games.
I tested the X40 using several games (because games are the best tools to test any pc).
Half-Life2 was running smoothly, with few glitches on the graphics, probably due to driver. Doom 3 was also running smoothly at 640x480 also with few visual glitches.
Updating the driver may solve the problem, but since i tested the X40 at work which mean to work, i couldnt test the gaming performance deeper.
The X40 doesn't come with a touchpad. So if you are in your car, train, airplane or something...you will be stuck using their stick. As you know, most Thinkpad have that little red stick that some of us call the G point.
On a desk you should use a usb mouse, there are 2 of them, one on each side i beleive.
The X40 also support flash memory stick if you wish to dump some photo from your digital cam or photo.
The screen is clear and sharp, i was able to see clearly from most angles. However the X40 does not have the Xbrite technology that modern Compaq laptops have. You know what i mean by Xbrite.. like glasses LCD. The X40 does not have that. It is still on the old LCD technology.
Because there are no Hot point available when i did the test i could not test the wireless but i was able to connect to the internet without any problem using the RJ45 port.
The X40 is so light you can lift it with just 2 fingers and hold it for as long as you want.
This model does not have fingerprint scan either. but who need fingerprint scan?? definitaly not techs... they are a pain to admin especially when there are many technicians maintening these computers.
Do i recommend this X40 ? wait until they add touchpad and drop the price a little.
The external DVD drive (optional) is also too expensive for the X40. You can always buy an external DVD drive from some random company but Ibm made and sell a slim that in my opinion fit better with the X40. But my guess is that any external DVD should work.
Good luck.
Computer IT tech for a school.. -
"Fantastic; really happy after 2 months" on by deerob
Pros: size, weight, durability
Cons: long shipping time
Summary: I am really happy with this PC. I searched long and hard for the best ultralight I could find. I chose the IBM over others on the market because of its durability and weight.
Of course, it does not have an optical drive. For me this is great, because I almost NEVER need to use that if I am away from home, and who wants the extra weight? Anyone who complains about that fact is an idiot, because they would have to have known this before buying the machine. It would be like complaining that your Ferrari sucks at towing your boat. Well, duh, you should know this.
I would prefer a touchpad mouse, though, but again, I knew what I was getting so I won't complain. The "nipple" mouse in the middle of the keys comes with 3 different covers which is nice (different frictions and size).
I got the "ultrabase" docking station. I have this hooked up to my old peripherals from my desktop PC: monitor, mouse, speakers, hardline internet, keyboard... The ultrabase has a dock for a removable drive, extra battery, etc. I have a DVD/CD in there. What's great about the dock is that it will travel with the PC and only add a pound or so to the weight and half an inch to the height (so I can use the optical drive to watch movies on an airplane, for instance). Even then the whole thing is a lot smaller and lighter than other notebooks. The one thing that is dumb is that the dock replicates every port (even gives you 3 USB instead of 2) but does not replicate the audio out. So every time I dock and undock I have to replug the speakers.
Popping the PC in and out of the dock "hot" (with programs running) works really well. It automatically reconfigures to the increased desktop monitor resolution and back to the notebook screen in seconds.
One complaint: it took FOREVER to ship. Like a month.
I got 2 batteries: the 4 cell and 8 cell. 4 cell is flush with the back of the system but will only go for 2-2.5hrs. The 8 cell adds some weight and an extra half inch to the back, but lasts for 4-5 hours! In “standby” mode it seems to last forever…
I am really impressed by the durability. The lid closes with a nice, crisp click, and the lid has a "lip" around the perimeter that covers any gap between the screen and keyboard. Because of this solidly constructed clasping, the keys never rub on the screen (which I have seen happen to a lot of other notebooks which will make unsightly and eventually damaging marks). I think I read somewhere that the shell is titanium - not sure if that's true. But it feels that light and solid.
I've had it for a couple months now and am thrilled with the decision. -
"After 1 year of use, it still runs well" on
Pros: I have the 2371-VJ, which is a Japanese X40 model with P4M 1.2Ghz with 40GB HD and upgraded to 1GB RAM. I've used this for about a year now, and it has been a very reliable and sturdy machine. I use it as my main computer, using MS Office, web/email, wat
Cons: Battery life on the standard battery is horrible. I'm not sure how they rated it 3.5 hours, as when the battery was new I only got about 1.5 to 2 hours with energy conservation all the way down. After a year, it runs about one hour. (the larger batte
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