Some tablet upgrade questions

[smade]

Hello!

Please allow me to get straight to the point...

Lenovo X200T-related:

1. Can I fill all memory banks (for 8 GB RAM) in a Lenovo X200T w/ DDR3-1066 MHz modules (2 x 4)?
2. IIRC, the X200T has a SATA-II connector. Can I use a SATA-III SSD in it,
or does it have to be SATA-II one?
3. So I can use a second SSD in the X200-series Ultrabase, via ThinkPad Serial ATA Hard Drive Bay Adapter III. Same question as above; mainly because I'd like to buy either two Intel 320-series or two Samsung 830-series drives.
4. In light of a recent thread here... is a CCFL (non-multitouch) a safe buy with regards to pressure-sensitivity issues and display quality, or are either a 2730p or an X200T w/ LED (i.e. SuperBright?) more advisable?

HP EliteBook 2730p-related:

1. As the 2730p is DDR2-800 only AFAIK, how does the performance compare to a machine w/ DDR3-1066 memory blocks? Is it noticeable?
2. How does the passive/resistive inking experience compare to the active/digitizer-system in the X200T?
3. Can HP's 2730p docking option (SlimBay or whatever the thing's called) be upgraded w/ an SSD?

I'd help me and a friend greatly if somebody could answer this! Can be brief. Thanks!

[Steve B]

Ok, let's see-
X200t-
1) yes for 8 gb ddr3. It's what I've got on mine.
2) yes for Sata 3, afaik. It just downgrades it to sata2 for usage in the x200t.
3) don't know
4) I would say you need to make sure you're buying an led x200t. The CCFL versions are uncommon, so just double check and ask if you need to. My led x200t is wonderful.

Re: 2730p.
1)I've noticed no real world difference between ddr2 and ddr3 for normal usage, even art. As long as it's core2duo (which both of these are) that's the most important thing. Next is ssd. Next is ghz IMO. I wouldn't worry too much on this point.
2) the 2730 is also an active wacom digitizer, just like the x200t. It has no touch input abilities.
3) dont know. I thought the hdd was only in the main unit, but I've not owned one and so don't know.

[Agent 9]

What Steve B said, and to add onto it:

X200t-
1) It should, except there were a few X200t's that had different chopsets or something that kept them from being '8GB capable' no real details on this ever came to light, but most X200t's could take 8GB
2) The X200t has a SATA II 2.5" drive bay; a SATA III drive will indeed run in SATA II mode, but you likely wouldn't notice a difference
3) I would throw a cautious guess to it not working right even if you get the dock and the right bay adapter; they have listed only two HDD's as compatible and I wouldn't put it past them to have it 'whitelist' drives just like they whitelist Wi-Fi cards (you have to use a Lenovo branded Wi-Fi card of a certain model if you want it to work!)
4) If you are getting a X200t then try your best to get a good condition [no scratches, dead pixels, breaks] LED screen; or if you have the chance to get a X200t or X201t with the Super Bright Outdoor viewable screen and have the money for it then get it; otherwise get a 2730p that has a Hydis screen as it is plenty bright, has decent colors, good viewing angles, good oudoor usability, and a nice matte finish (ask the seller to check the Device Manager ID for the screen)

Also, when searching ebay for the Lenovo's you need to search *t and * tablet -so you would search 'X200t' and 'X200 tablet' otherwise you are hardly seeing all the listings


2730p-
1)There shouldn't be any real difference, aside from price that is! its about $37-40 for 8GB of DDR3 from Newegg Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Memory, Laptop Memory, 8GB (2 x 4GB), 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM ; while 8GB of DDR2 costs $165 from Newegg Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Memory, Laptop Memory, 8GB (2 x 4GB), 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM
2) The 2730p only has the Wacom pen, there is no optional touch screen; just the pen and the chemically strengthened glass front -most if not all the X200t's and X201t's used a hard plastic polycarbonate or some such, not that there is much difference in use though
3) Basically not a chance you'd ever get the DVD drive out and a HDD in [its 1/4" thick total], and with my use of it -at least on my dock- the connectors and clips have worn slightly over time and use and now the dock seems to momentarily 'disconnect' from the 2730p if you move it at all while docked (at that, I would say the X200t & dock won't be portable, or even usable in anything but laptop mode or secondary landscape tablet mode as it angles and is rather thick at the back

[smade]

It should, except there were a few X200t's that had different chopsets or something that kept them from being '8GB capable' no real details on this ever came to light

How thrilling!


Thanks for the detailed replies guys; I shot a couple of sellers some inquiries as suggested. One more question, though: the serial numbers for ThinkPads manufactured for the West European market seem to be different than for the Americanas, and supposedly the rest of the world. I didn't found one machine's serial in the big old US tab book. Now I won't buy that particular device anyway, but (might) need the serials to know what screen was built in and if the machine is upgradeable to 8 GB. So where can I find 'em? Lenovo's repository still hasn't uploaded anything. Well, the machine I'm looking at now is a 20 month old type 7453 w/ the Mobile Intel GS45 Express chipset so I should be safe, right?

[ZaZ]

The tabook is mainly for the US and not all machine types, which is what I think you mean, not the serial number, are in there either.

[smade]

The tabook is mainly for the US and not all machine types, which is what I think you mean, not the serial number, are in there either.

Yeah... machine type numbers, not serial nos; Lenovo has yet to upload non-US tab books listing all their older models. Useless anyway by now as my friend jumped in the cold water and helped himself to a non-refurb x200t ex-leasing model, and I got myself a very sweet deal on a refurb 2730p. Would've bought the x200t only if the dock could've been outfitted w/ an SSD of my choice.

Only thing I have to do now is swapping the HD for a big enough SSD. Guess I'll go w/ an Intel 320-series drive... as the choices in the 1.8'' market are comparably slim.

Btw, what do you guys think of those HP dual-hinge notebook stands? Are they worth the money?