Lenovo ThinkPad X120e review (via Engadget)

Check out the review here:

Lenovo ThinkPad X120e review -- Engadget

Engadget gave the X120e an 8/10!

 

awesome, thanks.

I hope someone else will review the baseline $400 model and not a decked out one because I'd imagine more consumers know this is more of a netbook than a proper notebook, and with $600 may as well get a proper more powerful notebook like the X200 or X201 for alittle more.

The original x100e had potential, but the heat issue held it back. Since heat doesnt seem to be an issue this time around, I just might have to consider it this time.

I hope in future releases they make a more premium and more importantly a lot smaller version of a thinkpad/netbook. I had the IBM PC 110 before and it was just an awesome little organizer/notebook - the small keysize did not bother me, neither does blackberry keypads that are still popular regardless of the small size.

 

It's looking better this time around, although I was really tempted at the time to get an X100e. Will be interesting to see what the E-350 version will cost over here in the EU. A guess is something like €700, hopefully less.

Love the fact that it has the matte screen.

 

This is a good point. I'm interested in the model with the dual core and 4GB, too...I will have to see what kind of IBM employee discount I get on the X120e because through Costco I can get the HP dm1z for $485 with dual core/4GB. That's with the 90 day return policy and double warranty. Tough to beat for that peace of mind...but the X120e just has that great, professional look and the better keyboard (not to mention the trackpoint which I love).

I may just scrap it all and continue waiting for the Y470. Or get both. It's just a long time until May and I worry that the Y470 will be pushed back further due to these Sandy Bridge issues.

EDIT: although the X2** series has Intel integrated graphics - a serious disability when compared to the X120e (in my mind). I want to be able to at least do some light/medium gaming on this thing.

 

While it's great the X120e seems to have taken big steps in its two biggest flaws, this would give me pause. It's a livability issue. I don't know, perhaps Engadget ran it at full power all the time and it would do if it's in low power mode. If the MSRP is $580, I'd rather spend $100-150 to get a tablet or X200s with a LV or ULV CPU. My tablet offers plenty of performance and the fan almost never comes on.

 

@zaz

They mention that the dm1z had the same issue. I believe HP and Lenovo have tweaked the fan to run high since AMD has had so many heating issues in the past. They don't want to take a chance of overheating like last year, so they are running the fans very fast and loud.

 

That's not really a good solution IMO. Sounds like cheap and dirty way of fixing the problem. I can bump up the fan on my x100e and it runs cool but makes it sound like a hairdryer. I would've rather seen Lenovo improve the inside of notebook. Fixed a problem with a problem.(Granted, a loud fan is better than overheating, but still.)

 

I agree, its a cheap way to fix a problem on a fairly cheap computer. I believe with the new AMD E-350 you can lower the fan speed and still have a decently cool laptop based on other reviews I've read of the dm1z. Its just that HP and lenovo are trying to "protect" its customers based on heating issues of old AMD processors.

 

Thats more of an AMD problem than HP or lLenovos fault, although they can probably have better thermal dissipation designs.

Thats why more reviews are needed. Nobody knows other than what the salesman have been chanting since CES. However they are painting a picture that these new processors are intrinsically cooler than the old generation.

 

I think that is kind of a tough one, and situation similar to what I face. I really like the X120, but the cpu is what stops me. I have the C2D ULV cpu and that starting to feel long in the tooth a bit when browsing and watching certain videos. The cpu on the X120 according to PCMarkVantage is lower than the C2D ulv, but the gpu is miles ahead. And that where the issue lies, do you go with the better cpu(specially if it is the LV model) or do you go with the better gpu. As for tablets that is another story.

 

as long as you can do what you need. its like the m11x r1 can handle very demanding games on a quite crappy low voltage processor and an amazing 1Gb dedicated graphics

 

I am very interested in one of these. I hope the pricing is as reasonable as the X100. I can pick one up for $400, so I hope they have a base model. This would be perfect for school I think.

 

Thanks for posting Marcham89. I really like the review and it makes me look forward to this even more.

 

The X200 I had with Core2Duo CPU was pretty quiet too. But even with the fan on full power (if you used 100% of the CPU), it was fine for the office use. I never had CPU problems in the regular usage - even the overclocked 1.7ghz dual core from m11x was fine. But I hear a lot of other people saying the opposite.

 

Why does the DM1z have longer battery life???

 

Why is the dm1z also $100 cheaper?

 

Because it's an HP consumer laptop, but I would pay $100 for a superior screen, keyboard, and trackpad.

Hopefully the X120e gets more than 5 hours. More like 6 would be awesome.

 

I was being facetious, but thanks for the answer. That's how I feel about it too. I would definitely rather get an x120e.

 

I have a DM1Z and it's pretty spectacular really. The keyboard and mouse pad are great. But the X120e's matte screen is what I'm interested in. I live in AZ and spend a lot of time on the back porch on the computer while my kids play. The DM1Z gets bright enough to overpower reflection, but a matte screen would be ideal. I'm not sure if it is worth $100-$120 though. I got my DM1z for $430 all in. Looks like the X120e with basically the same specs will come to at least $550.

Just noticed they released the official spec sheet sometime in the last 24 hours.
http://shop.lenovo.com/ISS_Static/ww/wci/us/ww/pdf/x120e_datasheet.pdf

 

Longer by only 2% (6 minutes). Do you really care?

 

Oh - didn't see that.

Engadget's battery tests must be a lot more demanding or something - all other DM1z tests had the DM1z getting 6.25-7 hours.

 

well maybe because all those other tests havent tested the x120e either

 

No, I assumed the Engadget review got the same amount of battery life from the DM1z as all the other reviews, which was 6.25-7 Hours.

The x120e got only 5 hours on a not so demanding test, so I assumed perhaps the battery life wasn't as good... 6 minutes isn't that bad.

 

Nice find, thanks for that! I'm going over it now.

 

One thing I and others have found with the DM1z is that 4K transfer rates for SSDs seem to be lacking. ACHI is enable, but my 4K writes seem to be capped at 12MB and 4K reads at 25MB. About half of what I should get. In all honesty, it's not that big of a deal. But a matte screen and better 4K reads and writes is about enough to push me over to Lenovo.

 

notebookreview, give us a wink if you got one too commin up for review

 

My point being who want to sit next to a vacuum cleaner when they're on their notebook? I sure don't. I'd prefer to spend the extra to get something quiet, but that's me.

 

Whenever my t42 dies I will buy one

 

Why You think that 4K reads and writes will be better on X120e?

 

Here is their battery testing methodology: ... our video rundown, which loops the same standard definition clip with brightness at 65 percent and WiFi turned on ...

I would imagine that video playback does require more power than plain web browsing.

dm1z lasted 5:02. x120e lasted 4:56. Difference: 6 minutes. In comparison, x100e lasted only 3:27.

 

Sounds like heat is still a problem and battery life is a lot better.

Lenovo ThinkPad X120e (AMD Fusion) Review - A Review of the Lenovo ThinkPad X120e (AMD Fusion)

 

Maybe its not the cpu but the internal airflow design of the X120e? Was there a heat problem with HP model? I would also say wait for the YB review to see if the issue is a Fusion thing or a Lenovo thing.

 

Nope just Lenovo. HP's number were barely above room temperature.


"Despite its small size, the dm1z is one of the coolest notebooks we've yet tested. Employing HP's CoolSense technology--first seen on the dm3t--the dm1z has HP's Thermal Assistant software, which automatically adjusts the fan speed if it senses the notebook is on a person's lap or on a table. After streaming a Hulu video at full screen for 15 minutes, the touchpad, G and H keys, and underside measured 76, 78, and 77 degrees, respectively. However, fan noise was noticeable in a quiet room, and we could feel it whirring when we had our hands on the palm rests." LaptopMag

 

Hmm.... So maybe those AMD chips are just hot anyway because it seems like HP just ups the fan a little more (assuming they didnt complain about fan sound of the x120e because it wasnt running wild as much)?

The temps are lower than the numbers they had for the x100e though so you know they improved it at least.

 

Hey, me again!

Sony Vaio YB: Sony VAIO YB Series Review - A Review of the Sony VAIO YB Series

Ran cooler than the x120e, but warmer than the DM1z. Also the most expensive and only 5 hours of battery life. Looks like the DM1z is the best of three. IMO of course.

 

Pink? Seriously?

 

^^You can get one in silver if you want.(Green too, I think.)

 

You can get it in all silver, too.

Edit: ninja'd

 

Did you do a clean install or restore an image to bring up the SSD on your system. Many imaging programs won't align partitions properly on SSD drives so that could be the issue. Doing an actual clean install from a Windows disc should solve the issue since the install program detects the alignment properly.

Both laptops have the same CPU/GPU and mobo chipsets, so the culprit is likely your drive or something in the way you set it up, and won't be fixed by going from one to the other.

 

Best of the three maybe price and heat wise, but I'd personally still pay a bit more for the better Lenovo keyboard, trackpoint, and matte screen. I guess it could be maybe the fan or the air flow of the lenovo that causing the more heat vs the other Fusion models.

 

Yeah, if the HP DM1z wasn't so ugly I would go with it.... ugh...

 

So, the x120e is about 100 dollars more than the dm1z, runs hotter than the dm1z, and has video issues streaming 720/1080p. I really wanted the x120e, i'll wait for more reviews, but its not looking good.

An SSD would help with the heat, but the video issue is going to be an issue.

 

The Lenovo is 100 dollars more expensive because it comes with Win 7 PRO and an extra 1 GB of RAM over the DM1z which comes with Win 7 64 Home and 3 GB RAM.

Identical configurations on both result in the DM1Z costing 578 dlls and the X120e 599 dlls, only a 20 dll difference.

 

So...one review (Engadget) says the x120e runs cool and can play 1080p video while the other (Laptopmag) says it runs hot and can't stream standard video. What gives?

 

I have windows ultimate and an SSD, so I don't care about the OS.

You can get the DM1z for 450 with 3GB of RAM, the x120e is priced at $579 with 4GB of ram. Thats a thats a $130 difference. I can upgrade the RAM for $20, HP and lenovo charge too much for RAM, its an easy DIY upgrade on these types of laptops.

By the way, what is an DLL?

 

They have different testing procedures. Does anyone know what Laptopmag bases their tests off of as compared to Engadget?

 

I would definitely wait for some more reviews to get a good idea... Hopefully Notebookreview reviews it. They always have the more in-depth reviews.

 

Don't forget that extra $130 gets you a matte display, to some that is worth the extra.

 

I agree, I'm probably going to end up getting the x120e, I just wish the price was near 450-500. I'm waiting for a Notebookreview and Cnet review. I'm sure the video drivers will be fixed, but I hope there are no heat issues.

 

heat is a deal breaker for me. i want the single core base model reviewed.