More X200 vs X200s vs X100e

Unless there is a very quick up-date to the X100e I may not be able to wait any longer. I know we've just had an X200 vs X200s thread, but need a quick few things pointed out:

Good news is that one can now get an X200 and X200s both with the same 1280 x 800 LED screen with webcam, so no difference there. But also what about the palm rest ... is it big enough to type comfortably or is it too short. I guess if I can work Ok on a Netbook then OK on the X200 series ?

I want the machine as light as possible so I am guessing X200s. How do I make the X200s as fast as the X200 or is it only possible with an SSD that I cannot afford? And how much slower is the low voltage chip in real time use. I like a machine to be nice and zippy. I have a T400 with a 2.26 Ghz Chip and 3GB RAM, 250 GB 5400 rpm and to be frankly honest it's a bit slow in Windows 7 when it comes to opening programs, starting up, shutting down, etc, in fact it "seems" slower than the T61 in the office ... I mean my Samsung NC10 netbook starts up in 35 seconds flat and that's a netbook!

I hear the T410 and T400s T410s are optimized for Windows 7 so they boot up /shutdown faster so should I wait for an updated X200? Or should I wait for an up-dated X100e with a Duo Core chip ?

And has anyone tried Windows 7 Pro on their X200s or better stick with trusted and probably faster XP. Or should I up-grade to the SL9600 at 2.16 Ghz.

All too difficult ...

 

1. I imagine that X200/s should have bigger palm rest than netbooks.
2. There is no way to make X200s as fast as X200, because the CPU in X200s is inherently slower. SSD helps, but X200s with SSD will still be slower than X200 with SSD.
3. If T400 feels too slow, then both X200 and X200s will be too slow for you as well. If you want fast boot up and program start up, you need SSD (or install XP, see below).
4. I am guessing that your NC10 comes with Windows XP installed. Both X200s and T400 are much faster than the NC10; NC10 feels faster only because of XP.
5. Current X200/s also supports Windows 7 Enhanced Experience (which I think is what you are talking about).
6. If all you care about is feeling that your laptop runs fast, and you do not need any features from Vista or 7, then the obvious answer is to install XP.
7. Even with a dual-core CPU, X100e will be heavier, slower, and has a shorter battery life than X200s. Since you complain that T400 seems slow, I don't know why you would even consider X100e.

 

the limitation here is your 5400 RPM HDD, NOT your processor.   save up and buy an SSD if you want a system to run faster.   an X300 with an SSD will kick the pants off of any X200 using a standard hard drive for what you're doing.

if you need to render a 3000-part model in CAD software then you'll need a workstation.   but, from what i gather in your posts, you aren't doing anything to stress a processor whatsoever.

buy an X200s.

buy an SSD.

be happy.

 

Thanks for the quick answers ... just wondering where to get a cheap and good SSD ... preferably 256GB. But then again that can wait for the future. And though Windows 7 looks "pretty" I don't really need it. Windows XP Pro is just fine, and maybe Ubuntu. Sometimes I travel for months at the time so I do load up some entire DVD series onto the HD and a number of movies. I usually have a seperate partition for everything that is work. The netbook did fairly well, I was surprised it survived the heat and humidity of the Amazon! Yes agree the X100 e looks nice but too slow (and too hot). I do think I can get the X200s here with a 320GB HDD 7200 rpm. I do like some speed because at times I have several internet pages open, 2 mail programs, Skype conversations, copying files to external HDD back ups, copying movies... so it does need a bit of power.

 

you'd be surprised how little the above actions stress your processor.   a netbook with a good SSD would handle all of those just fine.

copying movies from a DVD to a file might need some processing power but that's certainly nothing an X200s couldn't handle.   an SSD would reduce your compilation time significantly.

my advice would be to spend less on the processor and put the savings into an SSD.   you'll be much better off in the end.

 

ok will do that ... I guess the difference between 1.86 and 2.16 Ghz is also negligable ? Any idea where to get a good SSD for a softer price? Well yes the above is all I really need the machine for and I do like good battery life, hence an X200s with 6 cell or 9 cell may be the way to go. Just need to find a good deal in Europe. best deal so far is around 1,200 Euros ...some US 1,500 +.

 

I recently purchased a x100e, and would like to warn you that if speed and performance is what you want, then you should avoid this netbook at all costs.

I understood before I made the purchase that getting a netbook would entail certain compromises, but even still, I was surprised: it is a sluggish performer when it comes to start-up times, video playback, and gets really warm. I doubt the dual core option will improve these issues drastically. I haven't quantified anything, but subjectively speaking, the X100e "feels" just as slow, if not slower, as my old Acer One Aspire with the Intel Atom (this may be due to the x100e running W7, and the Acer running XP).

Nonetheless, it is a solidly made laptop, with a fantastic keyboard, so if your purpose is light use you might well consider getting one. I plan on buying a SSD, which will hopefully address some of my concerns, but ugh, getting one will basically push the price of my x100e to near x200 levels.

All in all however, I regret not springing the extra 300 for an X200--I saw it on sale for 770 earlier this week. It depends all on whether or not you feel such a premium is worth it for the zippier speeds

 

I would suggest the Intel X-25M G2 80GB SSD, which can be found on eBay for quite reasonable prices, if you are patient. You will not be able to find an "affordable" 256GB SSD, though. I would suggest that you use an external hard drive for data you do not need to keep around with you all the time, and stick with a smaller SSD that will be ample for your programs and OS (on my T500, I have 45GB left on my 80GB SSD, with all my programs installed and most of my data).

 

Thinking of getting a 7200 rpm drive ... since I usually load the laptop with movies and even Youtubes since work often takes me where there is no Internet, so I tend to download a bunch of stuff (financial etc) so I can remain somewhat up-dates on those days. Now 80 GB is not much for that, last time I filled my 160 GB practically. Speed will have to suffer a little I suppose. 3.2 pounds versus 2.8 pounds ....

 

a hard drive weighs about 100~110g and an SSD weighs about 50~60g.   that's about 1.75oz difference, or 0.1lbs.   there's no way you'll add 0.4lbs to a notebook just by going with a hard drive over an SSD.

 

I'd recommend ordering an x200s with a base 5400 RPM drive.

Buy an SSD aftermarket (80GB Intel, 64 GB Samsung, or 60GB OCZ Vertex). Use this for your OS (Win 7 works great on my tablet), programs and documents. The SSD will make your system fly (far more than a few hundred more MHz).

Buy an enclosure for the 5400RPM drive and put your movies on that. When you go on long trips and need all your media, you are covered. When you want to go light you can leave the drive at home. This makes by far the most sense to me.

 

Erik ... I mean the difference between an X200 and an X200s ... the 0.5 pounds or so ... as in will I get the faster X200 or will I get the X200s ... they have the same screen etc here. though I have been told the X200s may run a little hotter funny enough. In the end I do need a machine and waiting for an X210 or so well it will be way too expensive here. After what is shared here above on the X100e .. no way I will get it. Heat and slow ... you wonder why Lenovo did not mind those factors themselves ...

 

as much as i empathize with your desire for a "fast" processor, choosing an X200 over an X200s because you want a faster system is silly.   the speed you want comes from getting an SSD, not a faster processor.

jon's suggestion above is the way to go.   it's exactly what i did with my X61s.   it has a 64GB SLC SSD internal and i store all my client files on a 320GB thinkpad USB secure HDD (the one with a keypad on it).   the SSD has enough room for windows server 2008 R2 and all my apps with about 28GB left for files that need to be accessed quickly.

save the weight... get an X200s.   when you can afford it, get an SSD.   an SSD is the single-most cost-effective way to add speed to any system, period... not the processor.

 

Another vote for this solution. Here's a very cheap hard drive adaptor - I have three of them.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=sata_enclosure_2.5-_-17-824-001-_-Product

 

+1. This is exactly what I did.

 

Ok it looks like a done deal ... maybe a stupid question but since I will install the SSD afterwards ... it means I will need an extra copy of Windows 7 Pro at 235 Euros a license here ? There is a special here for a 500GB 5400 rpm when ordering the Lenovo, so a Lenovo drive. I would be looking at:

X200s
1.86Ghz
3GB RAM
Either the 500GB 5400rpm or the 320 GB 7200rpm (similar price)
WXGA LED screen
Windows 7 Pro
Express card slot
webcam
media card reader

I see the express card SSD are up to 32 & 64 GB, the 32 GB option could be some extra space for when I put an SSD as main drive. Does Lenovo sell enclosure for drives? I do admit that a light weight drive with movies etc. would do the trick, and I am thinking that the LED WXGA may be a little better than the old CCFL screen for watching a few movies. On the main drive I need programs (usual suspects nothing CAD etc.). Maybe 12 GB of Itunes, some 3GB pictures and workfiles is really all Word & Excel & Powerpoint. E-mail Program is The Bat Pro. So yes with 80GB that would be plenty and I guess SSD don't slow down like SATA drives when they get almost full. I can get a good deal for X200s with ultrabase. Then again I have an external light DVD already which unfortunately is something I do need to take on work travel. I know a X301 would make sense in my case but pricing is prohibitive and that would be a fair bit slower than the X200s.

By the way I had a look around here, I can get the following SSD for 275 U$. Is it any good:

Kingston Technology 2.5 inch 128GB SSDNow V-Series SATA2 Drive with Desktop Bundle

 

Not true. You can make recovery DVDs (you'll need an external CD or DVD burner) with your license from the HDD. You can then restore this on your new SSD and be all set.

Get the 500GB 5400rpm drive. The 7200rpm will offer no noticeable performance advantage when in a USB enclosure.[/quote]

This SSD is NOT ideal. It uses a JMicron controller and may be prone to stuttering. Look for a SSD with an Intel, Samsung, or Indillix controller.

 

Having looked around at SSD pricing in Europe I may have shelve my plans and just stick to the X200s as it comes ... would in that situation an 7200rpm HDD be recommendable ?

 

I believe you can do a fresh install of Win7 Pro on your new SSD using the key on the sticker on the bottom of your laptop. The most you would have to do is call to activate it. There's even a video on someone on youtube installing a fresh copy of Win7 Home Premium 64bit onto a SSD using the CD Key originally meant for Win7 Home Premium 32bit (although it's known that 32bit/64bit does not affect the CD key).

 

I would totally ignore x100e if you are thinking of the x200 and x200s.

I love the design but its not in the same league. Plastic ABS rather than mag alloy and using a hot Althon CPU rather than a Intel CULV. Bad bad choices.