Engadget ThinkPad X230 Review

Lenovo ThinkPad X230 review -- Engadget

 

Here we go. That's what we've been saying for weeks: the problem is not how good this chiclets keyboard is, the problem is with the chiclets design itself.

 

I think typing on the X230 is fine. The keyboard is firm and the key pitch is excellent. The real problem for long time ThinKPad users is they moved all the keys around. That doesn't really bother me much as I'm about 40WPM if the planets are in alignment, but if you've been doing it the same way for 20 years, relearning everything is going to be a pain.

 

how much is a mini display port to hdmi connector to connect to a tv, and will it carry audio?

 

I was looking at the X230 photos (from both the Engadget review and the NBR review), and I do not see a CapsLock LED. Did I miss it? Or was the LED removed as part of the move to the 6-row keyboard?

 

It carries audio, and can be daisy chained. mDP is also the same physical port as Thunderbolt.

 

I bought an Apple one and it ran me $30. But I know you can find them for less. And as someone else mentioned, they do carry audio.

 

Might be entirely gone, as it is on the X120e. Or the light is in/under the caps lock key itself.

 

Notebookcheck does the best reviews of any other site hands down. Sorry NBR...

Lenovo ThinkPad X230 2306-2AU Laptop Review - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

 

I was wondering if they were talking about the actual touchpad or the trackpoint just to be sure. Is the reviewer making fun of traditionalists? I thought everyone loathes the touchpad.

 

Eh. People find what they're looking for. There was a heck of a lot of variation in previous ThinkPad keyboards too -- it's just that people didn't view those differences with an eye towards proving (or disproving) that "island keyboards are fundamentally bad".

I doubt the "stiffness" has anything to do with the shape of the keycaps; the new keyboards are scissor switches, same as the old. The spacing... yeah, that's different. Personally I don't think it's that far from the T6x spacing, but I guess if you regularly strike keys *way* off-center it could be an issue...

 

"the LCD matrix is very prominent, and is difficult to un-see once you notice it."

What exactly does that mean? Doesn't sound good...

 

$7 on Amazon, you can find them even cheaper on eBay.

Amazon.com: Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter Cable, 6 feet: Electronics

 

That the 1366x768 screen isn't high enough resolution and that you should get the one with the 1600x900 screen.

 

Am I missing something here - I thought that this was confirmed in another thread to be just a rumour, and nothing else.

 

It is a rumor and was confirmed otherwise.

 

So (forgive me for being dense), that means it isn't an option? At first I thought that you meant it was an option, but if that were so you would've used 'but' instead of 'and,' right?

Just stumbled across your review. Great comparison between the keyboards, nice to see that the connectors used are the same. Maybe someone will come out with a modded BIOS.

 

Haha, yes, so far there's absolutely nothing to substantiate the existence of a 1600x900 panel for the X230, unfortunately.

 

True, I used to swear by them, but I am quite disappointed with this particular Review of the X230. It's not as detailed as the X220 one and generally as older ones. They didn't even mention Dolby and described the speakers as terrible. Anyone who has the Dolby Drivers on the X220 knows what a big improvement they are.

 

Naw, who needs it ... I'm sure they noticed that people didnt need it on the Edge so why keep it on the real ThinkPad? Your trackpoint is next.

Before anyone jumps me, post is sarcastic, I hate the "dumbing" down personally, I like lights that tell me what's up with my system at a glance... Also liked my now-forever-gone keys... Ohhh well.

 

It is still a great screen, despite the "low" resolution. I am wondering if Apple will come out with the "retina" displays this year on their MBPs. I bet lots of people will bite for those even if they are TN. Apple so far had pretty nice TN screens.

 

According to Notebookcheck.com, Apple will use 16:10 Screens with a resolution of 2800x1880, at least in their 15" and 17" Models.

 

I really don't see the use of retina class displays on laptops. High resolution fits more things onto the panel, but past a point it just makes stuff sharper. If it didn't have any drawbacks, I would be fine, but it does. We know what power consumption goes up with large retina displays, at least until Sharp starts pumping out those IGZO panels. So either bigger batteries thus heavier and less portable, or less battery life thus less mobile. 1600x900, or maybe 1920x1080 is all I want in 12.5 inch system until higher resolutions don't come with higher power consumption.

At least if the trackpoint goes I have other brands to jump ship to. Lenovo was the last ones left doing 7 row keyboards in ultraportables.

 

For the most part, marketing.

Which sounds cooler? "WQUXGA" or "retina"?

 

Apple has no trackpoint and I recently came to conclusion that I can't use trackpad (albeit the best one in the world) as efficiently as trackpoint....Old school guy here ....

 

WQUXGA refers to a resolution. Retina refers to a very high pixel density.

With a sufficiently large screen WQUXGA is not retina at all. With a very small screen, even 800x600 will qualify as retina.

 

Sigh. My point was that "retina" sounds cool but isn't a meaningful spec.

 

partially right 1 of 2 15" got it, and the 17" got scrapped altogether

im new to the trackpoint and im faster with it, whats your point

FYI Aikimox, the new retina display seems to calibrate about 67% RGB from my first couple sources, its not a great IPS panel as some of us hoped