What are Advantages of an IBM X201 Vs. X41 Tablet Laptop Computer

Greetings:
I am New to this Forum. Question What are the Advantages of the IBM X201
Vs a model X41 Tablet Laptop computer and Disadvantages ? I have an IBM
T 43 Laptop Now. Wanted a Refurb. Cost Effective to Upgrade from a T43.
Thought of a T60 Laptop Computer since it is Duo Core. Does it make that
much difference if I purchased a used T60 over a T 43, Or would I be better
off buying a X41 or an X201 Tablet Notebook computer. Thank you for your
time and consideration.

~ Mike in N.H. [ Friday Oct 15, 2010 ]

 

X201 tablet laptop?

Well the X20x tablet laptop has full size keyboard like the one you would find in the larger Thinkpads. The X41t keyboard is not full size.

X201t can also be optioned with touchpad.

The CPU/GPU is also more powerful than the X41. The X20xt screen resolution is also higher than of the X41.

X20xt can be optioned ultrabase that supports Displayport, which can output to external LCD at resolution up to WQXGA (2560 x 1600).

3 usb (X20x) versus 2 USB ports on X41.
-------------------------------------------

T60 is a big step over T43 in terms of speeds, as the T60 can be optioned with Core 2 Duo T7xxx CPU, while the T43 has only Pentium M CPU. Mechanical strength wise, the T60 is another big step over, with the internal magnesium rollcage.

<--T60

<-- T43 (note the lack of major metallic structural reinforcement within the body)
-----------------

However, all this means very little if you don't tell us what you need the laptop for, what apps you are going to run on it, and how long you are intending to keep it for.

 

The T60 is a better notebook than the T43 in most ways except the T43 is thinner and the keyboard on the T43 is probably better. The T60 is just a solid notebook. Along with the R60 and X60, the T60 are the last of the IBM ThinkPads and they are highly regarded by ThinkPad enthusiasts. Probably the biggest issue you'll run into with a T60 is the backlights on the LCDs are four years old now and can be dim. I'd definitely vote for a T60 over a T43. I'd say if the T43 is meeting your needs, there's no reason to upgrade.

I would opt against a X41. The offer slow noisy hard drives, which are absolute performance killers with limited upgrade options. They do make SSDs for the X41, but they're expensive and offer limited capacity.

Before you decide on which laptop you prefer, perhaps you should ask yourself what you want to do with your notebook. If you don't have a desire to touch the screen, I don't know that a tablet is a good fit. If you do decide to get a tablet, I'd say the either the X60t/X61t or the X200t would be less expensive and offer better value. Good luck and welcome to NBR.

 

also add to what Zaz have mentioned. The X4x laptop uses a non-standard 1.8 inch PATA hdd, which are expensive, limited in speed, limited in choice and somewhat unreliable. As compared to the industry standard 2.5 inch sata drive.

X60/X61 tablet can be optioned with SXGA+ LCD, which is extremely good.

Parts for X6x tablet and X20x tablet are more ubiquitous over the net.

The CPU used in the X41t is slower than that of the T43, so you should ask yourself does the spec meets your needs?

 

The x41T is a great laptop but it's more than a little dated. The CPU/GPU may or may not be a problem (it's roughly on par with a netbook). The hard drive is the bigger concern as it's always been a performance killer. The most popular upgrade is a CF card as a DIY SSD, this works but is small and relatively expensive.

The other concern I would have is display brightness. The x41T was never that bright to begin with and after five years of use CCFL displays tend to lose a bit of brightness.

If you want an inexpensive tablet as a supplemental computer the x41T is a great choice. However, I would tend to recommend something newer (x61T, x200T, x201T) if this is to be a primary machine.