X40 - cd-drive and general questions

Hi

i'm currently planning to buy a X40, but i don't know which cd/dvd drive i should take.

are the USB-Ports powered, then i can use the Freecom FS-50
http://www.freecom.com/ecProduct_detail.asp?ID=1249&nr=22843&prodn=FS%2D50+DVD%2B%2F%2DRW

or can you recommend me another one? (that works with X40)

do you also recommend the 4cell or the 8cell battery?
How long does the battery hold of both? (office applications, internet, outlook)

or do you recommend another subnotebook or advise me to wait a few weeks?


thanks
Peter

 

can no one help me?

 

Hi Peter,

The X40 definitely is a great, well-built subnotebook. It's very unlikely you'll be disappointed IMO, and there's certainly no reason to wait.

Only one of the two USB 2.0 ports is powered, though.
As for the Freecom drive, it will of course work. The only problem is that you have no warranty it will actually boot the laptop, though...
I have the same problem with my X24, which will not boot on an Asus slim combo. This is a well-known problem with IBM's laptop: either you buy a IBM drive and you are 100% sure it will boot the laptop... -but will cost you much, much more than any other brand- or buy a third party drive and pray for it to boot... I'd advise the first solution.

You can expect (roughly) between 6 and 7 hours of battery life with the 8-cell and of course half that figure with the 4-cell (depends of the screen brightness setting, etc.) The 4-cell should be more than adequate for most users but if you plan to use your laptop a lot in the plane for exemple, consider buying a 8-cell.

Hope this helps...

Clément--

 

I've never heard anywhere of such a problem
Can you or anyone else tell me more about the problem (i'd like to hear it from a x40 user)

well, yesterday i bought a external DVD-Burner (Philips) and now i hope it works
X40 already purchased, will arrive in about 2 weeks

 

Yet, it's a well-known problem and not only with IBM laptops though (Sony, etc.) Actually, absolutely NO third-party optical drive could boot an IBM laptop until two years ago. This is simply a choice the brand made... to make more money selling their incredibly expensive drives of course! [ !]
For more recent laptops such as the X31, I've read numerous users comments and it turns out that it all depends on the motherboard revision, but still, there was a major improvement as a lot of third-party drives could boot the laptop. So in theory, if IBM has continued the trend, it's all good for your Philips drive.

I've just read a comment from an X40 user: it boots with his freecom traveler 2 drive. That would confirm IBM's efforts, which is definitely good! [8D]