I'm thinking of picking one up of craigslist, as an ultraportable used mainly for coding and web surfing.

1.6 GHz Pentium M processor
2GB RAM
70GB 7200RPM HDD (I'd probably replace this with a small SSD)

I'll be running Visual Studio, Chrome, and Dropbox. I want to keep it lean and fast.

Anything I should know about? How's the performance going to be with a setup like that? I imagine there are a number of battery options, what's the best run-time to "stick out the back" ratio? Any worthwhile mods I should consider? Are my palms going to burn up?

It'll probably be $150-200. Would it be better to spend a bit more for a x60 or something else?

Thanks!

Personally I'd go with an X60. If the X31 you are looking at didn't already come with 2GB of memory, I'd say that X60 memory upgrade options are cheaper on a per byte basis, as well as being expandable past the X31 maximums. The X31 uses DDR PC2700 memory and the X60 uses DDR2 PC2-5300. Hard drive interfaces are different; PATA for the X3 and SATA for the X6. Small SSDs are about the same price no matter if they are PATA or SATA, but if you stick with rotational platter tech, then SATA rules over PATA. For the times when you may want to run an optical drive, Ultrabases cost about the same; typically around $30 on eBay. Batteries are another thing to compare. Currently at the Lenovo Outlet Store, there's a 6-cell X31 battery for $112.75. I was able to buy a 4-cell X60 battery from there two months ago for $30. Not sure what the run time differences would be between those two but the X60 gets around 3 hours (my X31 currently has a dead battery).

edit: Oh, and prices for X60 systems seems to be dropping in the last few months. The first one I got bought was $275 (in January). They sold out pretty fast. The same eBay seller then offered some more for $275 but there weren't too many bites. He lowered it to $245 recently and the rest sold out in a little over two weeks (32 systems sold). The last one I bought was $235 and it came with an Ultrabase and Multiburner.

ref: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0634305668 ($245 1GB/100GB/Some with Ultrabase/DVDRW)
ref: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=85346 (Thread about this eBay deal)
ref: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0135441853 ($235 2GB/100GB/Ultrabase/DVDRW)

I have had 3 x31's and never had more than $100.00 involved, including 2 batteries each. I dont know the specs for the programs you are wanting to run, but for general usage I can get 6 to 8 hours worth of use.

My best buys right now are the x30's on uBuntu. Well, well under $100.00. I have $39.00 invested in 1, and it will run 4 hours on a "bad" battery!

Ron

FWIW - I have a X31 being used by a second grandson [4 years old] after it was used by another grandson [now nine] for two years. It is still going strong. Did it get tender loving care? Probably not.

I would think a x30 series laptop would still be fine.... I have a x60 now, but actually I'm thinking about getting a x31 for family travel.....

Good luck,
Ron

I have an X60 (C2D) 2GHz and an X31 1.7GHz. Both are nice although must say I much prefer the look and feel of the X31 (a little more rugged and sleek, IMO). The X60 is great if you NEED the extra CPU power and graphic capabilities (X31 is limited by its 16MB video). The X60 is runs hotter on the lap and on the palm [WIFI]) than the X31 and has shorter battery life (by as much as 33%)! The X60 handles Win7 better ... but I mainly use (and prefer) XP. The X60 cooling fan is quieter.

So me thinks it's best to really consider what your needs are and buy accordingly. Personally, I won't giving up the X31 until it breaks!

a x31/x32 would be perfect for
- sold around a hundred bucks
- being saavy with OSes, software etc etc (fits your description)
- no need for HD video / recent games

I like the old design and keyboard better, i bought a x60 but sold it.
With a bare naked Xp or Unix for geeky tasks it just flies (plus it has that feeling of old thus trustfull)

that said the x60 is
- thinner
- cooler ( except for the wifi card )
- dual core option can help sometimes

I second the fact that x60 recent platform gives better choice for cheaper parts, which is important too.