Upgrading fanless Dell X1 with SSD? (need SS Laptop)

pure · **Joined:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:21 am **Posts:** 7

Has anybody done this? I am thinking of buying a used Dell Lattitude X1 because it is fanless. But i want the whole laptop to be solid state.
I know that there is a 1.8" hard drive in it.

Are there any other laptops that could be converted to solid state laptops? The Asus EEE PC seems nice but i read somewhere that it has a fan.. but maybe the next revision will be fanless.

lung · **Posted:** Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:17 am

I almost got a X1, but I read they got so hot it melted the little feet on them. The eeepc does have a fan, though from reports it's almost inaudible (you would need to verify.) Be warned both of these have shrunken keyboards.

If you could find a laptop that will boot from usb could always use a usb flash drive. From my reading of the very limited specs put out about usb flash is they are still on paper going to last longer than a mechanical drive even at max load. If that is true or not don't think anyone has the data to know.

Maybe someone else can answer if you can boot up from compact flash on laptops that let you plugin cf cards. The card it self would need to support fixed mode.

pure · **Joined:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:21 am **Posts:** 7

I got it today the latitude x1 and also a samsung ssd 16gb... it works so good with this laptop.. absolutly no noise becouse there are no moving parts at all .. i am typing this of the laptop right now. The temperature on the top and bottom is ~37 degrees celcius under normal browsing load.

And i run linux on it as well (ubuntu 7.10) and everything works out of the box. This is my personal dream machine :-)

nicko · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2007 10:24 am

pure wrote:

I got it today the latitude x1 and also a samsung ssd 16gb... it works so good with this laptop.. absolutly no noise becouse there are no moving parts at all .. i am typing this of the laptop right now. The temperature on the top and bottom is ~37 degrees celcius under normal browsing load.

And i run linux on it as well (ubuntu 7.10) and everything works out of the box. This is my personal dream machine :-)

Can you please run Quick Benchmark in HD Tach??

pure · **Joined:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:21 am **Posts:** 7

nicko wrote:

pure wrote:

I got it today the latitude x1 and also a samsung ssd 16gb... it works so good with this laptop.. absolutly no noise becouse there are no moving parts at all .. i am typing this of the laptop right now. The temperature on the top and bottom is ~37 degrees celcius under normal browsing load.

And i run linux on it as well (ubuntu 7.10) and everything works out of the box. This is my personal dream machine :-)

Can you please run Quick Benchmark in HD Tach??

I only run Linux(Ubuntu 7.10) on it and i think that HDTach does not work on linux.. but if there are any other benchmark tool that works on linux i can run it .. the only one i know is bonnie++ but that does not work on windows if you wanted to compare.

I think the performance is equal to the 32GB ATA/66 SSD in this test
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/flash-har ... -2388.html

nicko · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:28 pm

I'm not very familiar with Linux, but I found these:

http://ltp.sourceforge.net/tooltable.php

Look under I/O & Storage

Thx man

I'm considering to get a 1.8" SSD for my Thinkpad X41

hmsrolst · **Posted:** Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:12 pm

pure wrote:

I got it today the latitude x1 and also a samsung ssd 16gb... it works so good with this laptop.. absolutly no noise becouse there are no moving parts at all .. i am typing this of the laptop right now. The temperature on the top and bottom is ~37 degrees celcius under normal browsing load.

And i run linux on it as well (ubuntu 7.10) and everything works out of the box. This is my personal dream machine :-)

I've been thinking about getting an SSD drive for my D420 Latitude. At the Dell Community Forum there are several complaints about it really slowing down their laptop, with several examples of just how slow write times are. Are you experiencing any of these issues, e.g., very slow shutdown?

nicko · **Posted:** Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:37 am

hmsrolst wrote:

I've been thinking about getting an SSD drive for my D420 Latitude. At the Dell Community Forum there are several complaints about it really slowing down their laptop, with several examples of just how slow write times are. Are you experiencing any of these issues, e.g., very slow shutdown?

I was worried about that also

Beacause of that I'd love to know transfer rates.

1.8" hdd in my Thinkpad X41 is very sloooow (avg read ~17mb/s), so if the SSD is a little bit faster, I'm getting it.

pure · **Joined:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:21 am **Posts:** 7

hmsrolst wrote:

pure wrote:

I got it today the latitude x1 and also a samsung ssd 16gb... it works so good with this laptop.. absolutly no noise becouse there are no moving parts at all .. i am typing this of the laptop right now. The temperature on the top and bottom is ~37 degrees celcius under normal browsing load.

And i run linux on it as well (ubuntu 7.10) and everything works out of the box. This is my personal dream machine :-)

I've been thinking about getting an SSD drive for my D420 Latitude. At the Dell Community Forum there are several complaints about it really slowing down their laptop, with several examples of just how slow write times are. Are you experiencing any of these issues, e.g., very slow shutdown?

I think it works really well.. a complete reboot of ubuntu is really quick.. i can not tell you how it works in XP or Vista since i only run linux.. i have not done so much file transfering yet but starting and stopping apps are snappy even the first time..

pure · **Joined:** Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:21 am **Posts:** 7

nicko wrote:

hmsrolst wrote:

I've been thinking about getting an SSD drive for my D420 Latitude. At the Dell Community Forum there are several complaints about it really slowing down their laptop, with several examples of just how slow write times are. Are you experiencing any of these issues, e.g., very slow shutdown?

I was worried about that also

Beacause of that I'd love to know transfer rates.

1.8" hdd in my Thinkpad X41 is very sloooow (avg read ~17mb/s), so if the SSD is a little bit faster, I'm getting it.

Here is some csv data from a run with iozone which is also available
for windows www.iozone.org . The file system and os performance
also plays a role in the results of course.

Code:

iozone -i 0 -i 2 -Rab data.wks

Code:

"/opt/iozone/bin/iozone -i 0 -i 2 -Rab data.wks ",,,,,,,,,,,,,
" ",,,,,,,,,,,,,
"The top row is records sizes, the left column is file sizes",,,,,,,,,,,,,
"Writer Report",,,,,,,,,,,,,
,4,8,16,32,64,128,256,512,1024,2048,4096,8192,16384
64,251931,189886,349554,359326,347758,,,,,,,,
128,203847,340522,359613,361666,393975,378746,,,,,,,
256,301879,348295,357029,379230,394523,308031,410297,,,,,,
512,300478,202443,384376,401264,313328,238135,239130,239134,,,,,
1024,294162,205784,223091,386986,222509,240889,226644,404583,234537,,,,
2048,157188,62376,383083,232567,412662,216238,414998,239336,396357,84175,,,
4096,95142,136957,378035,45936,111174,112697,113174,427739,225600,106736,152790,,
8192,163958,149451,216228,147736,150710,192671,154726,206436,161884,152480,139900,158287,
16384,162655,301514,344905,252376,264236,402802,244698,251350,390504,145431,282268,325964,332676
32768,0,0,0,0,350209,339385,387535,403680,397785,347590,323848,319308,333676
65536,0,0,0,0,374330,325587,318233,339385,333883,283895,299338,307773,314232
131072,0,0,0,0,34778,23606,19245,19978,20571,30997,35009,34469,36903
262144,0,0,0,0,0,,,,,,,,
"Re-writer Report",,,,,,,,,,,,,
,4,8,16,32,64,128,256,512,1024,2048,4096,8192,16384
64,561709,180737,780667,831942,841017,,,,,,,,
128,441556,361478,799852,516066,848049,915015,,,,,,,
256,475040,595190,675580,885673,673777,515095,580640,,,,,,
512,584509,430219,636104,672005,580488,478938,470152,714068,,,,,
1024,395384,729404,771707,782233,460417,538671,530841,512497,497077,,,,
2048,413980,552456,527961,534303,515622,798413,561707,561248,638604,478617,,,
4096,453443,814164,582567,596135,605118,613545,624298,621550,587586,511174,474507,,
8192,458091,545627,590410,573102,1008607,623538,994284,618174,943771,528377,621545,476665,
16384,516276,867843,611914,630277,621172,629163,631852,625797,603683,504325,475324,458679,503548
32768,0,0,0,0,792243,663091,794742,628402,602608,519780,468080,552850,497835
65536,0,0,0,0,627835,629748,596877,570915,574811,619613,519499,548808,520821
131072,0,0,0,0,38227,28019,32961,32324,35272,35987,35683,35122,35210
262144,0,0,0,0,0,,,,,,,,
"Random Read Report",,,,,,,,,,,,,
,4,8,16,32,64,128,256,512,1024,2048,4096,8192,16384
64,438356,941175,927535,598130,864864,,,,,,,,
128,785276,948148,1094016,934306,1196262,941176,,,,,,,
256,797507,1007874,1003921,757396,1066666,859060,937728,,,,,,
512,513026,964218,1051334,893542,1019920,761904,837970,944649,,,,,
1024,508440,661926,616867,1110629,755719,833197,756277,820512,656410,,,,
2048,84894,658944,688866,734313,734576,726756,789514,727789,648922,40798,,,
4096,561557,704264,732605,757676,782725,803609,793030,754744,659581,710617,530226,,
8192,902500,743308,738883,834640,797352,810607,783173,774437,662944,570672,506053,578122,
16384,584454,724122,740620,752180,993270,938588,788564,743510,682183,552244,485092,495883,489118
32768,0,0,0,0,796480,769093,770395,789095,685838,688794,506617,488994,482017
65536,0,0,0,0,944377,829370,796364,749771,800205,664833,549904,528162,526859
131072,0,0,0,0,1028984,988029,1046190,917588,795098,673563,568706,522661,525214
262144,0,0,0,0,0,,,,,,,,
"Random Write Report",,,,,,,,,,,,,
,4,8,16,32,64,128,256,512,1024,2048,4096,8192,16384
64,172506,329896,293578,300469,369942,,,,,,,,
128,368876,479400,496124,441379,537815,531120,,,,,,,
256,495164,598130,612440,401883,680851,701369,651399,,,,,,
512,357541,632098,746355,632098,664935,511488,457551,765321,,,,,
1024,376886,455313,526748,854045,534725,579513,577552,580828,494208,,,,
2048,335297,469617,522448,566215,573991,580828,621547,603417,591053,674794,,,
4096,392750,510532,572226,597694,613173,644430,638503,698261,628028,710987,499695,,
8192,705234,508851,609932,1010734,656936,665529,685867,700051,763395,489425,621076,614507,
16384,430127,607782,662863,760525,1001589,1018968,803925,1075559,670705,636964,576191,585101,624295
32768,0,0,0,0,1055568,1025506,750836,1077930,1025859,765446,647154,620841,645090
65536,0,0,0,0,1004290,1024480,981371,1026598,970630,731649,582946,632257,573217
131072,0,0,0,0,73877,59659,62331,64720,71175,100166,108730,111112,641061

nicko · **Posted:** Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:19 pm

2 pure:
Thx man, I appreciate that

hmsrolst · **Posted:** Sat Nov 24, 2007 6:07 pm

Well, you got me very interested in this combination, and I just picked up an X1 on ebay. My next stop is Newegg. Does the Samsung 1.8" PATA just fit right into the X1 or does it require an adapter? Thanks.

hmsrolst · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 6:15 pm

I have now installed the Samsung 32GB SSD in the X1. I'm using Windows XP, and it's snappier than my Core Duo D420 for the basic office applications I use--boots quicker too. And, of course, it's absolutely silent. If you like ultralights, this is a great combination. Even with the pricey drive, it still came in at just less than $1,000, including a barely used X1 in absolutely mint condition with another 1/2 year of Dell warranty.

Highly recommended!

Thanks so much, pure, and bye-bye D420.

nicko · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:55 am

hmsrolst wrote:

I have now installed the Samsung 32GB SSD in the X1. I'm using Windows XP, and it's snappier than my Core Duo D420 for the basic office applications I use--boots quicker too. And, of course, it's absolutely silent. If you like ultralights, this is a great combination. Even with the pricey drive, it still came in at just less than $1,000, including a barely used X1 in absolutely mint condition with another 1/2 year of Dell warranty.

Highly recommended!

Thanks so much, pure, and bye-bye D420.

Can you please run HD Tach Quick Benchmark?

hmsrolst · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:51 am

Burst=29
Average=26.2
Random Access=0.4ms
CPU=2%

nicko · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:48 am

Thx man

aruetz · **Joined:** Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:12 pm **Posts:** 1

Trying to get my IT guys to buy one for me but need to know what model SSD you got to work in the X1

hmsrolst · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:11 pm

aruetz wrote:

Trying to get my IT guys to buy one for me but need to know what model SSD you got to work in the X1

This one for me: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147021

ist.martin · **Posted:** Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:15 am

hmsrolst wrote:

I have now installed the Samsung 32GB SSD in the X1. I'm using Windows XP, and it's snappier than my Core Duo D420 for the basic office applications I use--boots quicker too. And, of course, it's absolutely silent. If you like ultralights, this is a great combination. Even with the pricey drive, it still came in at just less than $1,000, including a barely used X1 in absolutely mint condition with another 1/2 year of Dell warranty.

Highly recommended!

Thanks so much, pure, and bye-bye D420.

What CPU is in your X1? And may I ask where you got a barelu used X1 fro $500? Thanks a lot - this idea intrigues me a lot! How do they get away with making the X1 totally fanless?

hmsrolst · **Posted:** Thu Dec 06, 2007 10:25 am

ist.martin wrote:

What CPU is in your X1? And may I ask where you got a barelu used X1 fro $500? Thanks a lot - this idea intrigues me a lot! How do they get away with making the X1 totally fanless?

CPU is ULV733 (1.1GHz). I think that's what all X1's have.

I bought my X1 on ebay. I think I got an unusually good deal, but I saw at least one other with slightly better specs go for around $625.

At full speed the CPU is at less than 1v, and I've undervolted it to .7v when running at 6x. It does get pretty warm, and I wouldn't want to use it in my lap.

hmsrolst · **Posted:** Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:14 pm

Providing an update, in case others are interested in this combo. According to the original specs the maximum RAM for this is 1.28GB, but I've just installed a 2GB stick and that's what's recognized in the BIOS and in Windows. I suspect that the specs were based on the fact that there weren't 2GB sodimms when the X1 was released.

mofi · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:03 pm

confirming that a 2 gb ddr2 stick in a latitude x1 is completely recognized.

ssd arrives later this week

JESTERcl · **Posted:** Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:13 pm

Hi, i found this forum on the net and see itÂ´s the only one who have threads about Latitude X1, iÂ´m from chile and i have one X1 and i ask itÂ´s possible change the GPU? or itÂ´s possible upgrade the speakers to other models of speakers on the X1?, i leave the question for you and i found this on the web site of dell

the service manual for Latitude X1
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/latx1/en/sm/index.htm

I think itÂ´s possible makes some upgrades for this laptop (Hardmodding), i like some much this model!!!! and the upgrades that you maked itÂ´s greats, well my english itÂ´s not soo good, but i try, see you later!!!!!

hmsrolst · **Posted:** Sat Mar 22, 2008 3:12 pm

JESTERcl wrote:

i ask itÂ´s possible change the GPU?

The video is on-board, so I think there's no way to upgrade it.

losdrivare · **Posted:** Thu May 22, 2008 5:24 am

Very interesting thread about the X1.

I have one myself and I'm presently considering to replace it with something newer, like the LG C1 or Toshiba R500. However, coming across this thread, I might consider keeping it.

Questions:
1) Have you found any battery life increase with the SSD drive compared to the standard 1.8" HDD?
2) Have you experienced any performance increase with 2.28 GB RAM compared to 1.28 GB?
3) How did you manage to under-volt the X1?

A 16 GB 1.8" SSD hard drive combined with a 32 GB 133x CF-card for storage could be a very cost-efficient solid state solution, since the X1 has a CF-reader.

hmsrolst · **Posted:** Thu May 22, 2008 3:53 pm

RE your questions:

1) I don't run a lot on battery, but I doubt that the SSD makes much of a difference. I replaced the original HDD within a week of purchasing the X1, so I have no real experience.
2) My experience here is pretty subjective. Maybe it's a bit snappier, but I haven't tried any benchmarks. RAM is so cheap, and I was considering moving from XP to VISTA, so I thought I'd give it a try.
3) I undervolt using Notebook Hardware Control. Google it (or NHC) and you'll find it.

All that being said, my continuing pleasure using the X1 is its silence, lack of vibration and light weight (including the A/C adapter). I plan to use if for a long time.

paha_paawo · **Joined:** Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:50 am **Posts:** 31

How is the battery life in linux?

NoiseFreeGuy · **Posted:** Wed May 28, 2008 10:00 pm

lung wrote:

...Maybe someone else can answer if you can boot up from compact flash on laptops that let you plugin cf cards. The card it self would need to support fixed mode.

HP's had a notebook for over 15 years that could do that!

The Omnibook series 300, 425, 430, 530, 600 etc. could all boot from a flash drive, didn't have a fan, and were 'instant on' computers! No need to shut down and re-boot!

They all have slots where you can plug in CF cards (PCMCIA slots that will take CF cards with an adapter).

I have some extra 530's if anyone is interested.

bean1975 · **Posted:** Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:51 pm

While the laptop, indeed, has a CF reader, it is driven by the Cardbus bridge and I am not sure whether it's bootable -- I no longer has this beauty and I think it's not. However, http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10886 is a five bucks CF-IDE adapter which fits in place of a 1.8" Tosh disk. There is an X1 owner who reported success.

Edit: another, slightly more expensive similar adapter is http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=11861 sold in the USA http://www.ameri-rack.com/APA-CF18T_m.html here. Pricier but the jumper is flat.

Where these adapters were 1.5 years ago? I would swear to god they did not exist.

Edit: search ebay for SSD CF TO 50 PIN IDE Adapter Card W/ 1.8 box.

needsnumbers · **Posted:** Thu May 21, 2009 11:01 am

I just installed a Samsung 16gb ssd into my X1 but am having a few issues with it. Nothing serious, but did anybody else notice the long time for the bios to start? The bios progress bar gets to about 3/4 and then crawls slowly to 100%. This bios slow down is the only thing causing my boot-ups to take just as long as with the HDD.
I have a CF adapter and a 300x 4GB card that I haven't tried yet. I will give it a shot sometime and post the results compared to the SSD. So far the SSD fly's once into the XP Sp3 OS.
The CF slot on the side is painfully slow when outputting sound through the headphone jack. I was using HDtach to benchmark. At my PC repair shot I have a cheap USB to Sata/IDE adapter and with the CF card in the IDE adapter if fly's to the rated speeds. Seems like the built in CF reader is trash or I don't have the best drivers installed...

Upgrading fanless Dell X1 with SSD? (need SS Laptop)

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