General Usage Performance

General Usage Performance
Business Winstone 2002 (Score in Winstones - Higher is Better)
IBM T40p (1.6GHz)

Dell D800 (1.6GHz)

Desktop Pentium 4 (2.4GHz)

FIC Centrino (1.5GHz)

IBM T40 (1.5GHz)

IBM X31 (1.4GHz)

27

26.4

24.9

24.8

24.5

22

|
0
|
5
|
11
|
16
|
22
|
27
|
32

It should not be too surprising to see the IBM ThinkPad X31 fall to the bottom of the Centrino performance charts based on the fact that that system uses the lowest clocked Pentium M chip we have been able to test. The performance of the system is impressive nonetheless, much faster than the previous Pentium III-M chip that the X30 system was available with. We were not disappointed with the speed of the X31. Like we said before, some sacrifices have to be made when producing an ultraportable system. The X31 proved to be 23% slower than the 1.6GHz IBM T40p.

As we mentioned earlier, the faster speed Pentium M chips will likely not find their way into the X31 for some time. As a result the X31 will likely never be the fastest IBM laptop available but will probably stay the smallest.

General Usage Performance
Office Productivity SYSMark 2002 (Score in SYSMarks - Higher is Better)
IBM T40p (1.6GHz)

Desktop Pentium 4 (2.4GHz)

Dell D800 (1.6GHz)

IBM T40 (1.5GHz)

FIC Centrino (1.5GHz)

IBM X31 (1.4GHz)

146

141

137

136

134

118

|
0
|
29
|
58
|
88
|
117
|
146
|
175

Again the X31 falls below the 1.5GHz and 1.6GHz based laptops we compared it with. In the Office Productivity portion of SYSMark 2002 the X31 was 24% slower than the T40p.

The Test Content Creation Performance
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  • DL2 - Saturday, March 20, 2004 - link

    I currently have a Dell x300. I have had a problem with a spot appearing on the LCD. I have already had the screen replaced once soon to be again. I have heard that the X31 is more durable than the Dell. Can anyone out there that has the X31 speak to this? Specifically, I am interested in the durablity of the screen as it pertains to being able to carry it on trips without the slightest bit of pressure causing problems with the screen. Thanks.
  • DL2 - Saturday, March 20, 2004 - link

  • eshepard - Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - link

    Is the Mini PCI slot in the machine user-accessible? I'd be interested in installing WiFi there, if possible. Thanks.
  • Anonymous User - Thursday, October 2, 2003 - link

    I own an X31. You can boot from any USB device. The option is presented in BIOS.

    A note about the USB 2.0. Each Thinkpad model line (X31, T40, etc) has many options available. Some are standard on specific model numbers, others are not. Read the specs in full and ask questions before you make a $1200+ investment and you should be fine.
  • Anonymous User - Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - link

    I purchased an X31 and the models they are currently seelling through their express program DO NOT come with USB 2.0! You have to be aware of what model series you are getting. I am very annoyed by this. Especially as I was going to purchase an external USB2 optical drive. Anandtech should investigate this!
  • jeffdique - Monday, August 11, 2003 - link

    I'm thinking about getting an X31 myself, and I have a similar concern, especially as regards getting Linux on the machine. The results of a google search on 'usb boot x31' seem to indicate it can boot from *any* USB storage device, including memory keys!
  • Anonymous User - Saturday, August 9, 2003 - link

    i'm considering purchasing the x31. however I've always had a laptop that has an internal optical drive. the x31 does not. how does one restore windows? is any USB 2.0 external optical drive bootable? thanks.
  • northernhats - Tuesday, September 21, 2010 - link

    I just purchased a used X31, It has all of the speed and durdability and the screen does have a great pretection line. I have not suffered from any mouse dents in the screen or on the edges, if thats what you need to know.

    Me, personally would rather have a mouse pad instead of the mouse button but I guess thats what makes the X31 model more durable during trips, the little mouse button does not make contact with the screen.

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