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Does anyone have experience with a USB HDD enclosure with an integrated USB
hub? I can find some on Google but none available in NZ (that I can find)
and it would be an added bonus to hear a first-hand account of such a beast.

I'm going to start using a laptop for my 24/7 computing needs to reduce
electricity consumption and only fire up my main machine when I need
something with grunt (rarely).

However, the laptop I've paid for (but not yet received, Trademe,) only has
two USB 2 ports. I'm going to need an external HDD for media files etc. and
my mouse is also USB. (I don't think I'll use integrated pointing devices,
I'll be using it at my desk anyway...) An enclosure with a USB hub would
save me purchasing both seperately.

The other option is a docking station I suppose. Does anyone have, or know
where I can get a docking station for an R51 ThinkPad at a reasonable cost?

Thanks,
--
Shaun.

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offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive, please ignore it.
If you don't know how to ignore a posting, complain to
me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate...

Somewhere on teh intarwebs "~misfit~" typed:

[snip]

Sorry about the multiple posts, I don't think I've ever donw that before. I
just left OE to do it's thing and saw repeated error messages from
Motzarella.

I'll flagellate myself later for commiting such a n00bish faux pas.

Further to the first post, I've found the Cooler Master X Craft 350 RX-3SB
(at least I think it's the RX-3SB) listed on TasTech's site but they say not
currently available:

http://www.tastech.co.nz/product_inf...ucts_id=249928
http://www.coolermaster.com/products...detail&id=5342

I'm not sure how well such a thing would work though. Having both a HDD
enclosure and a USB hub in one would certainly save on deskspace and
wallwarts. $72 inc. GST isn't bad, however sourcing one could be
difficult...

I quite like this (seemingly) cheap'n cheerful enclosure from Welland:

http://www.nzoczone.com/product_info...oducts_id=4712
http://www.welland.com.tw/html/enclosure/757.html#

It doesn't have the USB ports but, at that price I could get a dedicated
powered USB hub. I like the fact that it's fan cooled but without more info
I'm not sure how efficeint the cooling would actually be. Some companies
seem to think just mounting a fan somewhere in the enclosure with little
regard for airflow ill do the job...

Oh well, the back's quiescant enough to allow me to go do some stuff in the
garden for a while, I'll continue searching later.

As before, any and all input appreciated...

Cheers,
--
Shaun.

DISCLAIMER: If you find a posting or message from me
offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive, please ignore it.
If you don't know how to ignore a posting, complain to
me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate...

~misfit~ wrote:
> Somewhere on teh intarwebs "~misfit~" typed:
>
> [snip]
>
> Sorry about the multiple posts, I don't think I've ever donw that before. I
> just left OE to do it's thing and saw repeated error messages from
> Motzarella.

Download Thunderbird.

Somewhere on teh intarwebs "EMB" typed:
> ~misfit~ wrote:
>> Somewhere on teh intarwebs "~misfit~" typed:
>>
>> [snip]
>>
>> Sorry about the multiple posts, I don't think I've ever donw that
>> before. I just left OE to do it's thing and saw repeated error
>> messages from Motzarella.
>
> Download Thunderbird.

Last time I tried it (for a week) I just didn't like it, it didn't seem as
user-friendly. T'was a couple years ago now though...

This was a Motzarella problem I think. I kept getting a message back from
the NNTP server (via OE) saying message not posted.

Oh, another difference between R51 and R52 is R52 uses DDR RAM while R51 is
SDRAM. (Been Googling.)

Cheers,
--
Shaun.

DISCLAIMER: If you find a posting or message from me
offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive, please ignore it.
If you don't know how to ignore a posting, complain to
me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate...

Somewhere on teh intarwebs "~misfit~" typed:
> Oh, another difference between R51 and R52 is R52 uses DDR RAM while
> R51 is SDRAM. (Been Googling.)

I meant: R51 = DDR RAM, R52 = DDR2 RAM.

Cheers,
--
Shaun.

DISCLAIMER: If you find a posting or message from me
offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive, please ignore it.
If you don't know how to ignore a posting, complain to
me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate...

~misfit~ wrote:
> Somewhere on teh intarwebs "~misfit~" typed:
>> Oh, another difference between R51 and R52 is R52 uses DDR RAM while
>> R51 is SDRAM. (Been Googling.)
>
> I meant: R51 = DDR RAM, R52 = DDR2 RAM.

I knew that and forgot to mention it.

~misfit~ wrote:

> Somewhere on teh intarwebs "EMB" typed:
>> ~misfit~ wrote:
>>> Somewhere on teh intarwebs "~misfit~" typed:
>>>
>>> [snip]
>>>
>>> Sorry about the multiple posts, I don't think I've ever donw that
>>> before. I just left OE to do it's thing and saw repeated error
>>> messages from Motzarella.
>>
>> Download Thunderbird.
>
> Last time I tried it (for a week) I just didn't like it, it didn't seem as
> user-friendly. T'was a couple years ago now though...
>
> This was a Motzarella problem I think. I kept getting a message back from
> the NNTP server (via OE) saying message not posted.
>
> Oh, another difference between R51 and R52 is R52 uses DDR RAM while R51
> is SDRAM. (Been Googling.)
>
> Cheers,

http://forum.thinkpads.com/ is a very good forum for ThinkPads.
Also, it's a good idea to download the Hardware Maintenance Manual
for your model - they're all available online from IBM/Lenovo.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si.../homeLenovo.do
It helps to know the IBM 6-character product code (e.g. 1234ABC)
to specify the exact build variant.

Murray.

Somewhere on teh intarwebs "Max Burke" typed:
>> ~misfit~ wrote: Does anyone have experience with a USB HDD enclosure
>> with an integrated USB hub? I can find some on Google but none
>> available in NZ (that I can find) and it would be an added bonus to
>> hear a first-hand account of such a beast.
>
>> I'm going to start using a laptop for my 24/7 computing needs to
>> reduce electricity consumption and only fire up my main machine when
>> I need something with grunt (rarely).
>
>> However, the laptop I've paid for (but not yet received, Trademe,)
>> only has two USB 2 ports. I'm going to need an external HDD for
>> media files etc. and my mouse is also USB. (I don't think I'll use
>> integrated pointing devices, I'll be using it at my desk anyway...)
>> An enclosure with a USB hub would save me purchasing both seperately.
>>
>> The other option is a docking station I suppose. Does anyone have,
>> or know where I can get a docking station for an R51 ThinkPad at a
>> reasonable cost?
>
> I have two NexStar GX's fitted with Seagate 400Gb HDD's. I use for
> for my primary external backup drives.
> The integrated USB hub (externally powered) has 3 ports.
> I'm currently running 3 other external HDD enclosures, and a USB
> graphics tablet off them.
>
> I haven't had any problems with them, but did find installing the
> HDD's a bit of a mission. It's a very tight fit.
>
> More info here.
> http://www.pcstats.com/artvnl.cfm?articleID=1891
> http://www.te.co.nz/Computers-Commun...ad-2123872.htm

Thanks max, that looks interesting. The only downside (for me) is that all
my existing big HDDs are SATA and that is IDE.

(I couldn't get the second link to work.)

Cheers,
--
Shaun.

DISCLAIMER: If you find a posting or message from me
offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive, please ignore it.
If you don't know how to ignore a posting, complain to
me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate...

Somewhere on teh intarwebs "EMB" typed:
> ~misfit~ wrote:
>> Somewhere on teh intarwebs "~misfit~" typed:
>>> Oh, another difference between R51 and R52 is R52 uses DDR RAM while
>>> R51 is SDRAM. (Been Googling.)
>>
>> I meant: R51 = DDR RAM, R52 = DDR2 RAM.
>
> I knew that and forgot to mention it.

Ahh, OK. That shouldn't make much difference to performance. The FSB speed
might though. It'll likely take me a while to get used to moving from a fast
45nm C2D on a 266MHz FSB to a Pentium M on a 100MHz FSB. Still, a couple
days and it'll become 'the norm'.

I'm considering replacing the standard 40GB 4200rpm HDD with a Momentus
5400rpm 160GB unit to speed things up a bit. Seagate claim that the HDD uses
the same power as the older 4200 drives so heat / battery run-down shouldn't
be an issue. What say you? Worth the ~$140 for the HDD?

I can't wait to get the damn thing!

Cheers,
--
Shaun.

DISCLAIMER: If you find a posting or message from me
offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive, please ignore it.
If you don't know how to ignore a posting, complain to
me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate...

Somewhere on teh intarwebs "Murray Symon" typed:
> ~misfit~ wrote:
>
>> Somewhere on teh intarwebs "EMB" typed:
>>> ~misfit~ wrote:
>>>> Somewhere on teh intarwebs "~misfit~" typed:
>>>>
>>>> [snip]
>>>>
>>>> Sorry about the multiple posts, I don't think I've ever donw that
>>>> before. I just left OE to do it's thing and saw repeated error
>>>> messages from Motzarella.
>>>
>>> Download Thunderbird.
>>
>> Last time I tried it (for a week) I just didn't like it, it didn't
>> seem as user-friendly. T'was a couple years ago now though...
>>
>> This was a Motzarella problem I think. I kept getting a message back
>> from the NNTP server (via OE) saying message not posted.
>>
>> Oh, another difference between R51 and R52 is R52 uses DDR RAM while
>> R51 is SDRAM. (Been Googling.)
>
> http://forum.thinkpads.com/ is a very good forum for ThinkPads.

Thanks, bookmarked for now, will join up later.

> Also, it's a good idea to download the Hardware Maintenance Manual
> for your model - they're all available online from IBM/Lenovo.
> http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si.../homeLenovo.do

I've downloaded a "Thinkpad Computer Hardware maintenance Manual" that
covers the R50 - R51 series already....

> It helps to know the IBM 6-character product code (e.g. 1234ABC)
> to specify the exact build variant.

However I don't have the lappy yet and don't know the exact product code.
I'll be downloading everything I can when I finally get it.

Thanks,
--
Shaun.

DISCLAIMER: If you find a posting or message from me
offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive, please ignore it.
If you don't know how to ignore a posting, complain to
me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate...