Buy x200 now or wait for x201 or wait for windows 7

So any ideas? Shall I buy the x200 now? or just wait for x201 or wait for win7?

 

If you buy your machine with a legal vista liecense at this point, I think Microsoft will allow you to upgrade to win 7 for free when it is released. Read it somewhere. Sorry that I cant remember.

 

The x201 would just be a hardware refresh probably in late Q3 or Q4. If you need a laptop then just get it now. The OS is not really something that should tie down your decision. You can use win7 now if you want to play with it and you can always upgrade to it down the line.

 

The X200s might BE the X201......???

 

I read starting in July Microsoft will likely be offering a free upgrade to Windows 7.

For the OP it's simple if you need a new machine right now get it if not wait until the x201 and Windows 7 comes out.

 

x201s seems to have lower processor, i need performance and lightweight

 

don't need it actually but it is just the urge to buy something new ... i have just upgraded my x61's hdd to 500GB ...

 

Intel is going to release Montevina Plus + new CPU P8800 and reduce prices of P8400/P8600/P8700 before June. If you don't absolutely need a new laptop it's probably better to wait.

 

Most of us don't really need the performance of the x200 vs the x200s unless you have specific uses that need a lot of CPU power. It is a laptop after all. If you want to wait until price drops and announcements of refreshes...along with Win7 upgrades, go ahead. But if you need a laptop I think you will be happy with the x200 in general at this point. Just be aware of how the screens are...

 

The X200s has a rather large gap between the two processors it offers:

SU9300- 1.2GHz, 800MHz FSB, 3mb L2 cache
SL9400- 1.86GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 6mb L2 cache

An X200s with the SL9400 (especially with one of the SSD options) would feel as quick as an X200 with a 2.26GHz P8400 and mechanical hard drive. And have a higher-res, brighter LED display, too.

Of course, that's why the X200s costs $500+ compared to the X200!

FYI- there are a few NEW X200s systems for $1028 in the Lenovo Outlet, but they have the 1.2GHz SU9300 and 80GB 5400rpm hard drives....but it has the 1440x900 250-nit LED-backlit display!

 

My best answer for you is that technology will always improve. There will always be a newer model on a horizon, and it will undoubtedly better than the current model. If you can wait, then wait. It seems that you don't like Windows Vista, then in my opinion, it may be worthwhile to wait for Windows 7 to come out, then purchase a laptop with Windows 7 on it. However, if you need the laptop now, then buy it. You can use the beta version of Windows 7, and it is as stable as a released version.

 

I am learning how to use AutoCAD, I think this program will need a lot of resources right? Especially when I added another program components to the autoCAD itself ..

i don't really need good screens do I? It is only good to watch movies or something similar isn't it?

 

SSD is actually not an option, I hate moving my files to a storage, my outlook is screaming at 10GB totally and my work files are almost at 30 GB .. and the SSD I want (500GB) it's not for sale yet and probably the price would be the same as one x200 ..

 

X201? What rumour is that?

 

If you plan to use this laptop as your main workstation for CAD then you should consider a laptop with graphics cards orientated to do such work such as the w500. But between the x200 and x200s, yes you'd want the faster processor.

 

According to wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrino

I think we use already Montevina, I guess you meant Calpella? Or am I missing something?

 

The P8700, P9600, T9550, T9800 are simply the newest Penryn processors which can be part of the "Montevina" platform, but only if they're accompanied by the Intel 5100/5300/5350 wireless adapter.

Back in May 2007, they launched the Santa Rosa platform. Then in January 2008, when the first Penryn processors were released, they did the "Santa Rosa Refresh". It seems that a Montevina "Refresh" is in pipeline, if this news from October is still accurate- LINK. According to that report, the 2.66GHz P8800 and 3.06GHz T9900 will launch with the refresh. There are also rumors of a 2.8GHz P9700...

 

I guess when I upgrade from my current x61 (2,2Ghz) to x200 (2,4Ghz) it won't have any that significant performance effect right?

 

All else equal, that's a mere ten percent boost in cpu speeds. And that will only mean anything when you're doing tasks running the cpu at 100%. Which, hopefully aren't that often. Again, that's with all else being equal. Which they aren't.

 

There is quite a BIG difference between the 2.2GHz T7500 in the X61 and 2.4GH P8600 in the X200. In benchmark tests measuring maximum CPU capability, the P8600 outperforms the T7500 by more than 20%!

BUT...how often are you using the CPU at 100%? (rhetorical question)

The X200 has much better integrated graphics (Intel GMA 4500MHD) compared to the X61 (Intel GMA X3100). It also has superior wireless choices, uses DDR3 vs. DDR2 memory and has a brighter 200-nit 16:10 aspect ratio display (compared to the 150-nit 4:3 on the X61).

Overall, those will add up to a noticeable performance boost. Battery life will also see a boost and the X200 will run a bit cooler (or at least the fan will run less).