Thinkpad X31 reviewed on C|Net

The Thinkpad X31 ultraportable revied on C|Net

http://reviews.cnet.com/IBM_ThinkPad_X31/4505-3121_7-30590589.html?tag=pdtl-img

Quote from review:
"With loads of features, speedy performance, and awesome battery life, the ThinkPad X31 series is the ultimate ultraportable for executives on the go."

Enjoy,
V.

 

I considered this model when making the decision on my ultra portable. The main issue I had though was poor video performance. With only a 16MB video card, you can't expect much. This one seems to be the popular choice though. Tech TV also gave the X31 the nod in the category.

Brian

Editor in Chief bargainPDA.com
http://www.bargainPDA.com

 

Actually Brian, I'd be interested to hear which ultraportable you ended up getting.

Video performance is certainly the biggest failings with these tiny mahines. Most u/ps have integrated graphics (otherwise known as Intel Graphics Decelerators). But at least some of them have a built-in optical drive:

IBM Thinkpad X31 // Pentium M 1.4-1.6 // 16 MB Rage Mobility // No Optical Drive // 3.7 lbs
Sony TR2A // Pentium M 1.0 // 855 GM Integrated grafx // DVD/CD-RW Drive // 3.09 lbs
Panasonic Toughbook W2 // Pentium M 1.0 // 855 GM Integrated grafx // DVD/CD-RW Drive // 2.9 lbs
Fujitsu Lifebook P5020 // Pentium M 1.0 // 855 GM Integrated grafx // DVD/CD-RW // 3.7 lbs
Toshiba Portege R100 // Pentium M 1.0 // 32 MB Trident XP4M // No Optical Drive // 2.4 lbs

It's a tough call between these candidates. They all involve different sacrifices.

The ultraportable is diametrically opposite to the Desktop Replacement. Instead of adding on every option that you probably don't need, with the ultraportables, you have to pare down your requirements to the bare minimum...

None of the ultraportables suit my workload, but if I were going to pick, I'd probably get the Panasonic Toughbook W2.

We're going to see 1.0 GHz Transmeta Efficeons in the marketplace over the next few months, but I doubt they will even come close to the raw performance of the 900 or 1000 MHz Pentium Ms. Although they would *have* to use an external video card that would almost have to be better than the 855GM (but not by much, if any).

Unless you *really* need need an ultraportable, I think that a thin-and-light would probably be the best choice for portability. And here I think the Thinkpad T41 wins hands-down. And they can be configured with up to 128 MB FireGL Mobility T2 graphics cards...(*cough* sticker shock *cough*)

 

answering on Brian's behalf (since I know him) he's getting the Fujitsu P5020. The X31 does seem like a very sweet machine, those battery benchmarks are amazing. Have to say though, it's probably the most boring looking of any of the ultraportables out there...but of course the Thinkpad blackbox look is sort of its insignia. The Fujitsu 5030 is quite stunning to look at.

I agree with your take on the T41, a co-worker of mine has a brand new T41 that's pretty much so tweaked out to the max, and all I can say is "Jealous"

 

Vold -

I really want an ultraport and eagerly await the delivery of my 5020D at some point this week. To me the critical decision points were battery, expansion slots, size, screen resolution and screen quality. I plan on using a Socket bluetooth card to give me the last bit of wireless I desire. I will report back with a full review once I receive the unit.

Editor in Chief bargainPDA.com
http://www.bargainPDA.com

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by bbeeler

 

LOL - I agree. Although, we pay the same penalties to import nice cell phones like those from Sony Ericsson.

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