x200 SSD Storage Converter

I am considering getting a 2.5" SSD for my x200 Tablet. I would like to get the Lenovo SSD storage converter for this drive instead of using the Hard Drive Adapter w/ Rubber rails. The SSD adapter should be lighter, and the rubber rails are unnessary with an SSD.

Does anyone know the FRU number for the SSD adapter or how I would procure one (ThinkPad Parts, direct from Lenovo, etc.)?

I have attached a picture of the SSD covnerter from the Hardware maintenance manual (pg. 75) as well as the standard rubber HDD adapter.

 

Hey Jon. I can look at mine later in the evening and see if there is any part number labeled on it.

That and ill look up my serial and see if it lists a part. I'll get back to you.

Edit: oh wait...you said 2.5".

 

the converter pictured above is for 1.8" micro-SATA SSDs and won't fit 2.5" SATA models.   for 2.5" SSDs you need to use the rubber rails.

 

Ya, I think you're right.
http://jedicore.com/x200/DSC03042.jpg
This is my 1.8" ssd in the converter.

 

Okay, thanks Erik.

Do you know if it's possible to order a spare set of rubber rails and the basic 2.5" HDD tray?

 

jaredy - exactly correct.   you have the new one as included with the montevina systems.   it's marginally lighter weight than the old one and slightly less complicated to manufacture.

here's a pic of the old version:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2950079108_88aee32b43_o.jpg


jon - the rubber rails are FRU 41V9756 (old number, black), 42W2900 (replacement number, black) and 42X3998 (new number, gray).   the gray ones are slightly thinner so i'd go with 42W2900.   retail through IBM is $14~18 plus tax and shipping so i'd recommend just reusing the ones you have.   knockoffs can be found on ebay but they'll probably smell funny as they'll be made from foreign rubber.


(edited to update FRU numbers and descriptions)

 

Thanks for your help Erik.

I did find one on Ebay for $10 shipped. But if it has "foreign rubber" and is actually inferior, I might avoid it.

My thought was if I have two caddies, I could swap between a 64GB SLC SSD or 320GB hard drive quickly with only a single screw. I would keep both drives with a live OS and choose on my desire for performance or massive data storage as needed.

 

The 1.8" to 2.5" SSD adapter is very lightweight, and the 1.8" Samsung SSD is also very lightweight. Compared to my old HDD, the SSD with its adapter is only about half the weight. I recommend that you use the 1.8" Samsung SSD and the adapter.

 

But the 2.5" SLC is soo cheap at geeks.com .

 

I got my Samsung 64GB SSD SLC with adapter for $160. You just need to know where to look

 

For the 1.8"? That's a very good price.

 

link please

 

I just read your SIG Zephir. You seem to have a very interesting setup there.

It looks like you have a standard x200 w/ P8400 CPU, but have swapped the subpar x200 LCD with the Extremely good AFFS+ LCD from the x200 Tablet. I did the same swap, but I took the easy route and just got an x200 Tablet to replace my x200.

Looks like we have somebody trying to create an updated version of Erik's creation.

 

If you need access to both drives why not just connect the dinosaur via USB using something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182140

It powers the drive off the USB port(s) and works great.

 

I asked him about it a couple days ago. Is it the same as the tablet LCD? When i googled the part me gave me it showed up as a glossy screen.

 

Well the brightness is a little off (x200T is 190, 285, or 230 nits), but the rest - BOE-Hydis Flexview WXGA screen (500:1 contrast, 200nit, viewing angle 90/90/90/90) - is spot on.

I probably will end up using something like that. However, the downside is you can't boot a proper OS via a USB drive.

 

I think you might (just my opinion) be better off to just have the primary SSD drive in permanently for your OS drive, and then you get this kind of caddy for the UltraBay Slim slot:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SATA-2nd-HDD-ha...ives_Storage_Internal?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

..and put your 320GB drive there and use it for storage / backups. That is how I have mine (except I still need to get the SSD drive, but I do have this caddy shown above with a storage drive). Beauty of this setup as well, is I can create backup images from the OS drive to the secondary one easily. I actually have 2 UltraBay Slim caddys like in the link above, one IDE one for backups only and a SATA one for holding all my HD rips off my satellite so I can watch TV shows away from home.

This is also how my big bro has his SSD set up (using SSD as main, and HDD as UltraBay Slim caddy aux for storage). He's pretty happy with it.

 

By the way, with that setup, I just carry my DVD burner in my laptop bag so if I need it, I just pop out the HDD and in with the UltraBay Slim DVD.

 

I certainly would do that. Unfortunately, the x200 Tablet is a single spindle design, and therefore THERE IS NO ULTRABAY.

 

i won't believe it until i see photos.

he's probably referring to the one on the ultrabase.

 

Photos definitely would be nice (especially from multiple angles).

I suppose the Ultrabase would work as well, but it's heavier than just carrying around a USB drive. Plus when I'm at home/work I have network storage, so I wouldn't need it there.


I definitely am going to get the Samsung 64GB SLC drive as there are some real bargains going on right now. I think I'll be able to make 64GB work, I'll just have to trim the fat from Windows a little (my main concern has been that Vista [and presumably 7] are more than happy to fill 50+ GB just by themselves).

I'm leaning towards the 1.8" version due to the reduced weight, but I am having trouble locating the 1.8" to 2.5" converter. Should I call Lenovo and try to order one, or is there a good place to get this part online?

 

you'd need to order FRU 42W8019 through the IBM maintenance parts site or by calling 800-388-7080 (options 2:1:1).   it's $30.80 retail plus tax and $13.50 shipping.   honestly i doubt the 2.5" SSD weighs appreciably more than a 1.8".   after all, it's just a lightweight PCB inside a lightweight stamped stainless steel case.   i'd even venture to guess that the 2.5" is lighter since it doesn't need the adapter.

i'd just get the 2.5" and call it a day.

 

Sounds like reasonable advice.

Further reading has also turned me slightly off the 1.8" drive. Apparently the Micro-SATA interface is only 3.3 volts and even with the adapter it can be difficult to power in other systems. I think any ThinkPad could provide 3.3 volts, but I don't think a self built desktop or HTPC would (it would only do 5 volts).

I plan on using this 64GB drive for the foreseeable future in my x200 Tablet. In time, it will obviously become obsolete as a performance drive, and I would probably upgrade to a new SSD and retire the Samsung to a HTPC front end or similar device where noise is a big factor, but cutting edge size/performance is not. As such, a standard 2.5" 5V SATA connector is probably easier to use.

- EDIT - Geeks.com just sold out of the 2.5" drive . I'll either have to find another inexpensive source of the 2.5" drive, or get the 1.8" drive off Newegg and get the adapter.

 

i've used my 1.8" in my thinkstation with the converter without issue.   it's possible that the converter or the SSD itself handles +5V automatically.

the 1.8" samsung SSD on newegg is a pretty good deal.   too bad the adapter is now more expensive.   i paid $275 for mine about 6 months ago, and that was a steal at the time.

 

I'm ordering the 1.8" off Newegg. The price on the drive is too good to pass up. I'll just suck it up, buy the adapter, and deal with the voltage if it's an issue a year down the line.

I can get the adapter either from IBM or Spare Parts Warehouse. The price is comparable, do you have any thoughts on who would ship faster to Ohio (I'll probably receive the SSD on Monday or Tuesday, and would rather not wait a week for the adapter so I can use the drive)?

 

I got my adapter from Spare Parts Warehouse, and it takes them about 5 to 6 business days to ship the adapter to me. I would recommend buying it from them as, they have it readily available. Lenovo may take a long time to ship.

 

Pictures will probably take a few weeks to get up, as I'm still busy trying to figure out how to rig my X200s with a Flexview screen as well.
Essentially, there are two flavors of Flexview WXGA screen for X200 tablet, which is the CCFL flavor and LED flavor.
The screen in my X200 right now is the CCFL flavor, so I'm trying to get the X200s with the LED flavor screen up and running. My LED-backlit Flexview screen is from a T2010, so the brightness will be 100 nit more than what comes from BOE-Hydis themselves.
Everything is still in the experimental stage, so I don't want to say anything just yet. I did get my X200 with Flexview screen though.
Also jaredy, you'll be hard-pressed to find a BOE-Hydis Flexview LCD that is not glossy. The reason why the screens from Lenovo tablets are matte is because Lenovo put a glass layer on top of the LCD itself. Most of the weight of the X61t comes from this, otherwise it would be as light as the X61s. The X200t is treated no differently.

 

I sent SpareParts Warehouse an E-Mail (and will call them in the morning) to see if they have it in stock. If they do, I will probably try and pick it up (their headquarters is about 5 miles from my house ).

Good luck with your setup. It should be a very good product when you get it working.

You're right about the gloss as well. My x200 Tablet has a very minor amount of reflection. It's kind of a hybrid between matte and glossy due to the frameless cover. I think this really is the perferct combo though, because it's very vibrant and has very little reflection (I can even use it in direct sunlight). This same frameless design is responsible for a lot of the weight as well (the screen assembly is 0.5" thick vs. <0.25" on the x200 ), because the base of the x200T is very similar to the x200s (just a little deeper due to the rotating hinge).

 

are the pinouts the same on the notebook and tablet displays though?   that was the only question i had in the mod since i haven't yet found the whitepapers on both displays (although, i must admit that i haven't even started looking ).   even though the BIOS doesn't need modded to include WXGA support, i'd be surprised if the pinouts are identical.   hopefully i'm wrong.

that's odd since the SXGA+ displays are matte underneath both the polycarbonate writing surface (X60T) and direct-bonded glass surface (X61T).   perhaps this change was made to help reduce apparent "graininess" since that was one of the big complaints on the SXGA+ panels.   thankfully, the grain goes away once the writing surface has been removed, making the mod desirable for yet another reason.

anyway, this is getting off-topic.   good luck and definitely keep us posted on your progress.

 

Apparently the 1.8" to 2.5" SSD converter is on back order (4 weeks) . This applies to both IBM and SpareParts Warehouse.

Do you have any other ideas where I can get this converter (or an equivalent part) in a reasonable amount of time?


EDIT - I just got off the phone with IBM. According to the reps, the converter (42W8019) is in stock (the website says "Within 4 weeks**). I ordered it, and hope that the phone reps know availability better than the website.

 

I have a Samsung X460. Can I use the Lenovo adapter to make the 1.8" drive fit in my 2.5" bay? If not, is there another adapter that will work?

 

Take your existing drive out, and post measurements of the drive IN THE CADDY. I will measure my drive, and if they are the same, the Lenovo adapter should fit.

The biggest remaining concern would be voltage. 1.8" drives are 3.3V and 2.5" drives are 5V. ThinkPads can provide either voltage over the SATA power adapter. I'm not sure if your Samsung can (I would suggest calling and asking).

 

1.8" micro-SATA drives are built on a standard of dimensional specs just like 2.5" drives.   your drive should work with the converter without any problems.

if it was out of stock then the system would flag it on their screen saying it has to be backordered.   if your order went through then you'll get it in a day or two depending on the shipping method you chose.

each of IBM's parts warehouses have 24-hour armed guards with ridiculous levels of security clearance required to access the parts inside.   their inventory control is top-notch.   if the phone rep said it's in stock, it's in stock.

 

I know the 1.8" drive will fit the adapter. My only concern was if his laptop used a slightly different dimension caddy (e.g. without rubber rails) due to a different bay design.

I asked for Next Day Air so hopefully I should get it Friday or Monday (the SSD should arrive Monday or Tuesday). Thanks for putting my mind at ease about their inventory management.

 

I'm sorry to bump this thread. It's a good one, though!

Check out this article.

I purchased two 1.8" drives, which is good for its light weight. However, I had the Intel X25-M MLC right when it came out, and within less than a month, files got corrupted to the point where it didn't even boot anymore. Within 3 weeks! The drive itself was fine insofar that it wasn't dead, but wasn't exactly very good at retaining data.

The Samsung I bought last month (the 128GB MLC 1.8") has been working great! The boot time between the Vista logon screen, and the desktop is fully populated to where the SSD goes idle, used to take literally 2-3 seconds, which included getting connected to my WiFi network.

Now, on the other hand, it stalls for approx. 10 seconds, and then runs through the rest of the logon. Every time.

The above article is one of many I found when I decided to research SSD's gone sour again, with emphasis as to why, of course. They are remarkably consistent in what they say. Flash-based SSD's, as opposed to DRAM SSD's. The article also talks about performance degradation within a short amount of time, and that a Travelstar 7200rpm was supposedly faster!??

This is on a Vista (x64) Lenovo Thinkpad W700. Would I be better off with a 2.5" SSD? I'm going to venture to say that a 2.5" wouldn't afford me any advantage over the 1.8" ones. I've been using Thinkpads since '99, and I have never, not once, had a hard drive go bad. I hope I won't be going 0 for 2 on SSD's here.

What say you kind folks?

Thanks very much for your insight.

 

do you have a solid desktop background set?   if so, use an image of some sort.   vista and 7 have a bug where solid backgrounds cause a delay during logon under certain circumstances.

a 2.5" is no different than a 1.8" in terms of componentry.   at the end of the day they should benchmark identically.

 

I've used Sandisk SLC, Crucial SLC, Samsung SLC (I believe erik has the same one), Samsung MLC 1st gen and 2nd gen (otherwise known as PB22-J), and Intel 1st gen, and none of these SSD has gone bad on me. It's weird that your Intel drive is causing problems.

 

I have the same 1.8" Samsung SLC as erik and have not had any issues with it.

 

i have the same 1.8" Samsung SLC SSD as erik and haven't had a single problem with it either.

 

Ha! That's interesting. Thanks for the heads up on that. I actually didn't have a solid color as my background image right when it started to happen. However, I had no image and solid black for a long while before.

I posted the issue on my last Vista installation I had earlier today, which is the last machine I have just finished converting to Windows 7 rtm. Lo' and behold, the problem has disappeared. I won't use a solid color, so all is well (and crazy fast ) now.

Thanks for confirming that for me. I'd rather get 1.8" ones for maximum compatibility with any system I may get in the future either for friends or myself.

Coolness. I'd still love to get a smaller size SLC such as a 32GB or 64GB, just to get the OS on it, along with the applications.

MLC's are supposedly the only ones affected, if I read that article correctly. Then again, Lenovo wouldn't sell the MLC's left and right if they were that flimsy. You got some sick deal on your SLC right?

At any rate, you and erik have had no problems, and neither have others, so maybe that Intel one from a year ago was a lemon.

Thanks again everyone!

 

Newegg had the 1.8" 64GB SLC for $175 back in March/April ( link). Unfortunately, the item has been deactivated for months (presumably because they were selling the equivalent 2.5" SSD for >$400 at the same time [ link]).

 

Nice find! Wow, you really can't make a mistake for an SLC for $175. I'm going on the hunt. I would have picked that baby up if it had had only 32GB.