Lenovo X301 $1249

For those who wanted the X301 - Logic Buys Deal of the Day...

$642 off + $1100 Coupon Lenovo ThinkPad X301 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo Ultra-light Laptop w/ 128GB SSD - LogicBUY

 

I saw that. Too bad I'm broke.

 

Yeah they're getting cheaper. I was seriously thinking of getting one of these when I stumbled upon one for £800 in a store.
Then I realised that I could get the X200 cheaper, and with a much better processor.
That, and the display unit in the store was the last one in stock - probably been groped by dozens of sweaty manhands already...

 

this price is pretty much the cheapest you will get for a new X301 from a retail channel.

X301 is a classic and X200 is not.... if there is no shine and such then it is alright. You may also talk down the price.

 

I have an X301 in my saved cart at the discounted price. Despite what folks say about the processor, this machine is really attractive to me. And someone on here said the build quality for the X301 is much better than any of the new units like the X201 or T410. I may take the plunge, but I haven't decided yet.

 

i just got a x200s with the same processor on the x301.... and i just ordered another x200t... lenovo decided that my birthday should all come at once....

i spent 4 grand this two weeks.... oh well you got to spend the money one day... either i buy Thinkpads or i would splash the cash on some other less useful stuffs... like an IPad (which i bought and give to my gf, since i got a X200t next 2 weeks).

 

How's the performance on your x200s?

 

this machine has the same CPU and GPU as the X301, so performance wise it is the same.

 

Right, but I don't own either so I have no guage.

 

Pretty much same as this.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/notebook-news-reviews/300914-lenovo-thinkpad-x301-review.html

 

Seems pretty nice.

 

Holy good God, I think most of the Thinkpads ever built you have in your basement somewhere lol
A little off topic, but out of all the Thinkpads you own, which do you prefer the best, and why ? I figured, you out of anyone here should be able to give the best feedback, since you've owned/used every Thinkpad under the sun lol
I know I've asked you before but since then I think you've gotten at least like 5 new Thinkpads

 

Damn ... I just came across a deal for a new X301 at £700. This more or less brings it to the same price as the X200 I was eyeing.

Let's see now, the X301 has the better and bigger screen, a touchpad and a 64GB SSD.

The X200, on the other hand, has a faster processor and much better battery life.

I guess it all comes down to priorities.

So anyone who has used both: is there a noticeable difference in the way these two computers function considering their different processors? Does the X301 really have better build quality?

 

I have used a lot of Thinkpads over the last 5 years, i am a Thinkpad addict (probably need to check myself in with 'The Manor Clinic').

X301, T60, R400 and T500/R500 (inclusion of the Displayport), X60, Z61t are probably the current favorites of mine. X301 is definitely the current favorite of mine, for weight, size, thinness and feature.

X301 definitely has one of the best build quality of the recent Lenovo Thinkpad line up, ask Erik and JaneL (she have both X300 and X301).

Performance wise, the X200 with P8xxx CPU doesn't function notably quicker than the X301 when you do most of your office works and stuff. Given that both uses the 4500 MHD GPU, they are not suited to either gaming or heavy CAD work.

Most of mine friends are snapping up X301, since it is such a good machine to use and is quite reasonably priced as compared to the RRP when it was originally released.

 

Well I'm inclined to take your advice, lead_org, considering the number of Thinkpads in your sig (If it is true then, wow, you should open up a museum or something!)

Well here are the deals:

X200: 2.53 GHz, 4GB RAM, 320 7200rpm HDD, 6-cell battery - £670

X301: 1.4Ghz, 2GB RAM, 64GB SSD, 6-cell battery (not sure about this, but assume so because the ad says '6-hour battery') - £700

Also note that the X301 comes with Vista, so I'll have to pay an extra £100 for windows 7 (unless there are *ahem* other ways) and maybe an extra £150 for the ultrabay battery...

As you can see, the X200 deal offers more value, but if the X301 is as good as everyone says it is...

 

Be careful when comparing processors. You can't just compare them by clock speed.

 

@Zenislev. As i have said if you run normal office stuff, the P8xxx CPU is not much faster than the SU9600/SU9400 CPU, but if you constantly run encryption software or anything CPU intensive all day, then the will be a difference in speed.

PassMark CPU Benchmarks - High Mid Range CPU's

Check U9600 (pretty much same as the SU9400) and P8600 in synthetic benchmark performance.
------------------------------

Regarding the ownership of Thinkpad and stuffs... here is a pic on part of the Thinkpad collection that i have.

01042010066 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Nice collection! I think there's something oddly attractive about the utilitarian-ness (is that even a word?) of the thinkpad design. I'm sure it's an acquired taste.

Anyway I notice that you haven't got an x20x machine. Any experience with that line? I might ask ZaZ or another x20x user for their opinions. I'm not really concerned with specs, but more with the extra outlay associated with the X301 (Windows 7 + battery.) If the X200 is just as good, I don't see why I shouldn't go for it instead.

BTW, cheers from a fellow 'stralian!

 

i use to have a X200 which i sold and a X301 that is in Shanghai right now, which was given to me by work.

i just delivered a x200s this week and X200t is coming in 2 weeks. I haven't updated my signature for a while now.

Sure, ask Zaz about his personal experience. But having used X200 and X301, i can tell you the X301 is of higher quality. Fit and finish is definitely better on the X301.
-------------------------------

You do have to remember that X200 don't have displayport on the machine itself and there is no optical drive either.

Currently, Lenovo Australia is retailing a X200 for 999 dollars brand new on their website, so if you have someone in Australia, get them to purchase it for you, then mail it to you in UK.

Coincidentally i am using my Macbook Pro first gen right now.

 

Cheers, I checked out the deal from Lenovo AUS. When I configured it similarly to the one from Lenovo UK, it came out as more expensive. Guess the UK's slightly less extortionate.

I'm gonna go look at an X301 at the shop today, see how it feels. I'm definitely leaning towards it now.

And yeah, despite being on opposite ends of the user spectrum, I'd say macs and thinkpads aren't too different. They're both premium products with strong brand identities. Can't wait till I have one of each!

 

I just missed this x301 deal, darn! ^^

lead_org, you happen to know any good retailers for thinkpads (x301 in particular) in Shanghai? New, refurb or used are all of interest. The retailers in 徐家汇 (Xujiahui) are all a bit dodgy.

(This might have been more suitable as PM, but I haven't got enough posts to do that)

Imagine the combination of x301 with a DIY ViDock and a Geforce GTX480 ^^

 

yes if X301 had a Expresscard slot then it would rule... but this is an imperfect world that we live in.

I am not sure about thinkpad retailers in Shanghai. Since you can read Chinese try Ö÷Õ¾ - רÃÅÍø - רҵµÄ±Ê¼Ç±¾µçÄÔ¼¼Êõ½»Á÷ÍøÕ¾ they should have more information on reliable retailers for X301. Personally, most of the stores that i went to in Shanghai either price the product too high or sell dodgy products.

My friend got a X61 with a X60 motherboard in of the store in a 徐家汇 store, he was pretty pissed when i told him that he had a X60 motherboard in it.

So are you a Shanghainese?

 

@Zenislev

The Macbook Pro definitely runs too hotter as compared to a Thinkpad. The thermal design of the macbook Pro is really poor, the heat vent and cold air intake is parallel to each other and all blocked by the hinge.

 

I take it you've got the first first-gen (non-unibody) MBP? Not much experience with that model but my white macbook is a few years old now and runs pretty well. It does get a bit hot, but I hear the metal macbooks act as heatsinks, making everything worse.
I jumped ships a few years back after a dismal experience with a compaq. This'll be my first foray back into windowsland in a while, and my first thinkpad too.
Overall I think macs are great, just not competitive in the ultraportable class. I tend to recommend them to non-techie friends because OSX has far less potential to be screwed up by an inexperienced user than windows, imo.

 

Compaq... man i got stung by this brand a few times.... yes i got the Macbook Pro 15.4 inch first gen non-unibody and i got a 17 inch non-unibody MBP that my mom use as an entertainment device (use to carry it to uni lecutres all the time). The only Unibody machine that i have got is the 13 inch MBP which i bought for my girlfriend.

OSX is definitely good, but there are few quirks that i can't deal with. No hibernation like in windows, and you can't make the machine stay on when you close the LCD (unless you connect external LCD and keyboard/mouse)...

 

I'd like to see those stacked like pancakes to know how tall a tower of ThinkPads you have there. And then see if they all join together to form some kind of giant robot a la Transformers.

The X301 is awesome, I no longer have it as that was a review unit I had but was able to "borrow" it for a number of months from Lenovo before sending it back. So sad I'm no longer a reviewer for NBR, getting a Lenovo machine before release and having a generous period for review sure was nice.

 

yeah, taobao.com has really cheap ones as well. but it's rather a rule than exception that they're fake or stolen T_T

Well, actually I'm a Swede studying Chinese and Engineering here in Shanghai. Currently I'm using a T400, but since the ThinkPads are manufactured here in Shanghai (as well as the DIY ViDock) and I'm thinking my ThinkPad is a tad too heavy, I'm keeping my eyes open for good deals and bargains on more portable models.

Let me know if you come across a good store or seller around here, I'd be more than happy to know some

 

Stack them up I say, that's quite a collection of ThinkPads I must say lead_org! Best I could manage is 4 in a tower!

 

Okay, you would have to wait to the end of the year for me to get the X301 and R400 from China... i did this once for fun and it was pretty heavy with around 20 laptops stacked on top of each other, i nearly cracked the LCD on my R61, which was on the bottom of the stack (it have couple of light spots on the LCD now).

The X series is made in Shanghai if i remember correctly, the T series should be done in Shenzhen. Okay you are an international student in Shanghai very nice, i was born in Shanghai. I will ask around about a place where you can get Thinkpads for a decent price in Shanghai.

You will probably have better luck in Beijing, since they sell more grey imports there.

 

Ah, interesting indeed. You sure are a ThinkPad addict mate ^^ thanks!

 

Yes i am a fan and an addict.... i wish i could have done part of my university years in Shanghai (which is available now just when i finished my final year of my bachelor degree).... out of curiosity do you like Surströmming? because my Swedish aunt like them a lot..

 

Haha! With risk of going completely off topic: Yes I do, it's really popular in Northern Sweden. The smell is horrendous but the taste is to die for~ Actually you should open the high pressure can it under a running tap to prevent the odour from spreading all over the house. o(∩_∩ o~

Well, I should stay on topic: I didn't know the x301 lacks an ExpressCard-slot. I suppose a T400s will have to do then. The x201 is just to small for every day work.

I wonder if they are going to have a clearance on the remaining x301s later on though, seeing it's about to disappear from the product line.

 

Don't expect Lenovo to do a major clearance, as this machine was made in limited batches and they don't really keep that many spare parts for it. Most of the X301 in China are grey imports from USA....

T400s with DIY vidock, yes... it is a good combo... X301 has disappeared, what you are getting from Lenovo is from stock or parts that is left over.

Lenovo ThinkPad X300 series to be phased out, replaced by T400 this year -- Engadget

 

Have you tried InsomniaX for closing the lid? InsomniaX


Also I'm sure there'd be some utilities that would enable hibernation on a mac.

 

Okay so I just went to the store to check out the X301. Turned out to be an interesting experience.

The deal is here LENOVO THINKPAD X301 CORE 2 DUO SU9400 1.4GHZ - n-Genius Web Showroom

Anyway turns out they're selling it to walk-in customer for £1000 vs. £700 online! What a rip-off! I confirmed with the store guy that it's exactly the same model and he said he could give me web price instore

Afterwards I popped into the shop next door just by chance. Turns out they were a Lenovo reseller. They had the X301 for £1349 (!) but with 128GB SSD and windows 7. Still a really bad deal comparatively. But the guy in this store criticised the first store for being dodgy and selling greymarket computers.

I'm ready to dismiss this as a selling technique and not worth my attention. What should I care if the computer's greymarket, right?

Edit: sorry for double post

 

if it is a greymarket product, make sure the machine has not expired when you get it, as they are not the original reseller, it would be hard to reset the warranty with Lenovo.

You can check whether it is grey market or not by checking the model and serial number, it would tell you which country the machine was originally sold in.

Lenovo Support & downloads - Warranty and License Agreement

 

What does grey market mean?

 

imported from another country (parallel import).

 

can the cpu be changed in the x301?

 

it is physically soldered to the motherboard, so the answer to your question is no.

 

Cheers mate, I'll go to the store and ask them to open the box so that I can check the serial number, then I can look it up right in the store.

 

the serial number is posted on the side of the box, so you don't need to get them opened up to do the check.

 

unless the box is fake o(>﹏<)o

 

well yes, there are chances of that. My friend got a laptop that had a different spec than what the box listed.

This is one reason why sometimes a computer box can fetch 20 to 30 dollars on some online auction site.

But lot of companies won't open the box (if they are sealed by the manufacturer) for the fact that opening of the box could wipe 100 dollars or more from the resale value on run out model.

 

Checking boxes for serial numbers is generally not a good way to see if the product is as described. The only assured way is to check the serial tag underneath the system and compare it (if you can) with the system BIOS.

I read on another ThinkPad forum about scams of sellers attaching serial tags that don’t match up to what it says in the BIOS. Some acquire broken machines and salvage them with parts and sell them back as “brand new”, I think one guy managed to find out that they had swapped the motherboard out when he found out it doesn’t register a serial number on the system…

 

Actually, this is have happened a couple of times and my friend have bought a T40 passed as a T43.

 

So I think god doesn't want me to buy this computer

I went to the store, checked the serial - computer was from UK, warranty said till 2012, a bit old but good enough. The box and everything seemed pretty legit. As they were taking payment from my card, the guy was opening the box to show me what was inside. His mate interrupts him to say my card was declined ...

I guessed it was because the card was new and not yet activated. Went out onto Tottenham Court rd and tried an ATM ... no good. I tried a bunch of other ATMS ... also nothing. I notice that there are a lot of other people stamping away from ATMs in frustration.

Turns out the ENTIRE BARCLAYS NETWORK IS DOWN! No money, no transactions for any Barclays customers in the UK. Man, I love living in Londonistan.

The best thing is, they haven't put a thing on their website. Nothing. Nada. If you weren't on twitter reading the stream of angry tweets from Barclays customers you honestly wouldn't know that it was a problem with the entire network and not just your account. Bloody hell...

Also there were just two X301s left at the store. Yesterday there were 4... luckily I got the guys to put it aside for me.

Sorry if this is a bit off-topic. But I just wanted to share my tale of (slight) woe

 

Unlucky, I don’t think this is the first time that this has happened to Barclays as it happened before. May I ask what store you went which had the X301 in stock?

 

n-Genius Web Showroom

They're on Tottenham Ct rd

 

Nice find, I rarely see any Lenovo's on the shop floor in the UK. Might be something worth checking out as i'm heading to London at the end of the month.

+1 Rep for the find.