Lenovo X201 or X201 T

I have eliminated other notebooks that I have been considering and have decided to purchase either a Lenovo X201 or the Tablet version which is a X201T. This is where I need help.

Looking a the processors the x201 is using an I5-560m or an I7-620M where as the X201T is using a I5-520UM or an I7-620LM or 640LM processor. Looking at the spec the I5-560M and I7-620M should be faster than the LM version of the processors. Would a you notice any speed difference in everyday use? It probably depends on the program Maybe I'm just getting caught up with the specs.

Having never had or used a tablet notebook I'm wondering if it would just be a novelty or become very useful tool.

On a tablet notebook are you able to hand right notes and logs easily or does it become a pain to use. How is a tablet notebook as an E Book reader or is it better to get a dedicated book reader. Does the Wacom stylus work with Photoshop?

I will be using what every I purchase mainly for work which includes quite a bit of travel so the lighter weight of the x201 is attractive. The tablet version is very attractive and I can see many situations where it would be handy to have but not a necessity. The extra weight is probably not a factor. I will also be using it to process photos when traveling as well as some light publishing for work.

It's hard for me to decide on which notebook they both have advantages and disadvantages. I don't change laptops very often and want to make the best choice available. I was using an Asus but the HD barely runs and the screen hinges are very bad.

Any comments and suggestions are welcomed I need to do something fairly soon.

Thank you
Morrie

 

I would say most people can type faster than they write.

 

Seems like you have a lot of questions related to the tablet pc functionality so you might want to check out the sister site of NBR tabletpcreview.com, here's a very exhaustive FAQ posted there:

The Exhaustive Tablet PC FAQ. All you ever wanted to know about Tablet PC's - Tablet PC Forums, Discussion and Support

I'm also going to move this thread to the Lenovo section as you've narrowed down choices and that's where the Lenovo aficionados frequent more.

My gut instinct is that the X201 is probably better for you, Tablet PC functionality is a nice extra but it doesn't sound like the extra expense and form factor would quite fit your needs.

 

The tablet uses LV or ULV processors to keep weight/thickness down, reduce heat, and improve battery life. You are unlikely to notice any difference in standard office usage (same applies to the i5 vs. i7 on the x201).

Some applications make handwriting notes very easy (e.g. OneNote). Other applications require you to use the Tablet Input Panel ( details). This is effective, but not as fast as fast as typing (for me at least).

While the tablet weighs slightly more than a non-tablet I find that this difference is easily offset by the amount of paper I am able to reduce from my travel load.

One important thing to consider is that the tablet has a MUCH higher quality display than the standard x201. This is true of most tablets as narrow side viewing angles are critical when you use the machine as a slate.

I find a tablet PC to be extremely effective for reading articles, PDFs, or eBooks. The fact that it's tall and flat is particular useful for this.

It's hard to go wrong with either, you just need to decide if you would appreciate the extra features that a tablet offers. I love mine

 

I just got my X201 tablet, and I have sold every brand of laptop, this thing is SWEET !

Super bright screen, super light, fantastic battery, keyboard is awesome of course, but you can tell the outer shell is not the same quality plastic they used on the original older IBM thinkpads. $1400 or so new on eBay. Worth every penny.

Peace

 

Great info and I appreciate the help. I am going to get the X201T.

Thank Everyone
Morrie

 

I'm in a similar situation as the OP. I've always kind of wanted a tablet, but haven't gone with them because the cost premium was too much. With a current special it looks like I can get the difference between similarly equipped models down to ~$250. A lot better, but still a bit of money.

My use case: I go to a lot of meetings with other companies introducing products and the like. Most of my notes are text, but many times a diagram, graph, or equation gets the point across more effectively and is quicker to draw than to try to spell everything out by typing. So right now I use handwritten notes most of the time...problem is that 90% of the time I don't end up doing anything with those notes they just sit around on my desk or in drawers until I get sick of looking at them and then toss them...pretty useless.

I'd like a better system and am thinking of something like using OneNote on a tablet, but typing out most of the notes, but quickly switching to the stylus if I need an inline chart or something. Is this possible and easy?

After I write them out then I'd want to save on the Network for easy access later. To open would you need to have OneNote, or could someone not using OneNote convert and open in a different program? Maybe I'd have to PDF my notes? What about indexing them so that I could easily search the server for keywords later? Will programs like Google Desktop index OneNote?

I'd be looking at getting the version without multitouch support. I take it that means it will only work with a stylus? Does it have to be a special type of stylus? Does the X201T have a slot for the stylus? I have a feeling that I would never have it on me if it didn't, or I'd get really annoyed with it it was attached by some kind of leash like that new HP tablet...

 

OP, I'm not a power user, as you are. I bot the x201t about 6 - 9 months ago when it was brand new, with all the bells and whistles it was about $3k. My thought was that it would be the machine to end all machines (better be, at that price). I returned it, way too small for me, and the tablet functions were better served by an iPad....so I bot a new top of the line T510 and an iPad for the same cost. Not sure if this helps - but I'm now of the opinion that it's better to have a machine that is excellent for each function you need/have, rather than a so-so machine that sorta does a few functions.

 

Why in the world would you buy it on eBay for $1400, when it's $1300 on Lenovo.com and $1000 on Microsoft store? Besides, you can probably grab X200t for way less.

If the tablet doesn't cost too much more, I'd take it simply because it has a better screen. Plus its better for reading.

Btw, I paid both of my laptops (in my sig) combined less than $3k. Doing a little of googling can save you a lot of money.

 

not the same type of plastic, because it is magnesium alloy.

 

Note that the OP was written back in October, so prices might have been a bit higher then.

 

why........ people ressurect old threads?