Need advice re x200s purchase

I've really appreciated the information I've seen posted here regarding the relative merits of the x200 and x200s as well as other discussions of these items. I'm going to go ahead with the purchase of an x200s unless I get strong advice to the contrary in response to my first question here. I'd appreciate advice regarding my other questions as well.

By way of background, I'm only computer semi-literate, at best, so bear with me if even my questions aren't put properly. As for computer use, the next thinkpad will be my only computer, for use both at home and on the road. I take a total of about a dozen domestic and international business trips a year of anywhere from three to ten days each, evenly divided between the two types, with the latter being to mostly Europe and Asia. My laptop needs are pretty basic--mostly word processing, email and Internet access, though I'm going to have a fairly basic website set up soon and do some blogging, and I'll probably use the laptop to watch movies now and then while on planes (as downloads rather than via an optical drive, which I don't seem to need on the road or even at home much these days). Communications access on the go is of course nice, but I don't need the best or quickest at for my laptop at airports, etc., plus my recently purchased Iphone should come in handy for that. As long as the laptop can access at my hotels and of course at home, I'm fine. I like the 12" form factor because it's good for planes, fits into occasionally small hotel safes, and is very light.

With these pretty basic requirements, I realize that I might not even need something as powerful as an x200s--that an Ideapad or other companies' basic models (though not netbooks) might be sufficient. But given how prices for the x200s have fallen (including a 20 percent off coupon code right now), I figure I might as well pay an extra few hundred bucks. Plus, I tend to beat up my laptop in terms of squeezing it in my bag and in-between plane seats and the cabin wall, my bags falling over with the laptop in it, etc., so the durability of thinkpads is a real selling point.

So here are my questions:

1. I'd been holding back on the new purchase in hopes of the new x210 thinkpad coming out early next year, but am now leaning toward going ahead because the x200s would be fine for my purposes, because it is likely far cheaper than the new model will be, and, most of all, because given my travel schedule, the uncertain date of when the x210 will appear and then the possible hitches in delivery times, it could be mid-year before I get the new model. I don't want to wait that long, particularly since my current laptop (an ancient Gateway) is falling apart. But if anyone thinks it's worth waiting, I'd appreciate your letting me know why.
2. The Lenovo website offers these options for the screen: 12.1" WXGA LED Panel, 3x3 UltraConnect II antenna or 12.1 WXGA+ (1440x900) LED backlight with the Next Generation ThinkPad Roll Cage, 3x3 UltraConnect ll antenna [add $150.00]. I don't think I'd need the 1440x900 WXGA+ option and I'm concerned about the posts speculating that it actually could be hard to read and to adjust the font size properly. Does anyone have an x200s with the WXGA+? If so, any thoughts on these concerns?
3. The WXGA+ option also specifies the roll cage, whereas the regular WXGA option does not. The Lenovo CSR I asked about this indicated that he thought both options actually have the roll cage, but he sounded far from certain about this. Anyone know the answer, and whether it makes an important difference?
4. I like the get-up-and-go aspects of my current Gateway laptop's rough equivalent of the Lenovo Ultrabase. But if I were to try to save the $350+ that the Ultrabase and its optical drive would cost, how easy and how much cheaper would it be to substitute some sort of generic port replicator set-up and optical drive?
5. Even though my current peripherals (monitor, mouse, printer, etc.) need hardwire connections to the laptop, I assume that it makes sense to go bluetooth (assuming I understand bluetooth correctly) if I want wireless connections in the future, right?
6. Anyone had any experience trying to combine a Lenovo coupon code with a university discount?
7. I believe I've noticed on the Lenovo website that for an extra charge a two-day delivery is possible. Given that the units are made in China and that Lenovo's on-time delivery history is spotty (as I understand it) anyway, should I take this promise with a big grain of salt?

Thanks for any advice on these and any other matters you think I should be aware of. And happy holidays!

 

You seem to have investigated many things quite well and my general advise is to just get it already, unless you don't need the laptop just yet. The X200 is a fine machine and will be much more capable than what your described tasks require.

1. Hence based on your requirements, no need to even consider the X210. In addition, expect a premium on the next version/generation X. Also anticipate that it will take quite some time from the date of the launch until you will actually have one at your doorstep. And so far it has not even been launched yet - forget about whatever roadmaps are floating on the web.

2. Personally I found the high res X200s screen a bit straining on the eyes. Not because of the quality (quite the contrary) but simply because of the res. My old trusty T43 with a 14.1" 1400x1050 screen is however perfect for me.

3. AFAIK the roll cage type varies from high res X200s to 1280x800 X200(s). But again my advice there is nothing to worry about. Take it from me, who have had many different X200(s) versions. All feel very solid and extremely well built.

4. Easy. However I have read that there might be quality issues with video signal via USB, but haven't tried it myself. Prices, you will have to investigate yourself. There is quite a market for i.e. USB docks. Here are a few examples: http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/09/targus-debuts-acp51usz-laptop-docking-station-with-video/ / http://us.kensington.com/html/17445.html. If you are worried about costs, just get an USB optical drive and either an USB hub or dock. Bear in mind though that the Ultrabase comes with a nifty little feature like a charging outlet for charging a secondary battery. Nice feature if you are on the go often (as you seem to be) and want to quickly charge both batteries which you might have depleted on the long haul flights or from long meetings. Then of course there is also the trademark ultrabay for swappable optical or hard drive.

5. If you are asking if you should get bluetooth integrated, my answer is definitely yes. Minimal costs and nice not to carry a small dongle around. I use bluetooth mainly to connect to my PDA phone or other cell phones.

6. Can't help you there. Stop being so cheap

7. Can't help you.

 

From a performance perspective one generation to the next is almost never worth it to wait.

The pixels per inch(PPI) is quite high on a 12" WXGA+. It's over 140. That's higher than a 14" SXGA+ (125) or my 15" UXGA (133). Some people do really like the higher pixel densities, but I think if you consider yourself to be a typcial user then they're probably too small. The best suggestion is probably to go look at a X200s if you can, which will probably be difficult if don't know someone with one. There's some pics in the X200s review or you could probably google for some.

 

LOL! Thanks for the good advice re #6 and the many other good points you made and great info you shared, JJ. Z, thanks too for the valuable point about pixels--I suspect I'll be fine with the regular WXGA.

 

On the WXGA+ screen... I personally LOVE it, resolution is great (you can fit a lot on the little screen), I have no problem with standard 96dpi fonts but they easily can be adjusted and the screen is VERY bright.

On the other hand I would have to say that the picture quality is not exactly stellar, viewing angles are not perfect and there's considerable light leakage at the bottom of the screen (although visible only with dark/black background).

None of these bother me personally and the adventages I mentioned outweight the disadvantages but this is my personal opinion/preference.

On a more general note I find X200s to be the best computer I have ever seen, used or heard of. It's portable, performance is very good, one can work on it pretty much anywhere (it's roughly the size of a A4 notepad), it can be docked when at home/office and used as a perfect desktop replacement (I hooked it up to two 24" 1920x1200 screens).

This claim is obviously biased but don't forget that it's PC we're discussing here, a personal computer. What's perfect for me may not be perfect for somebody else.

 

Durability and reliability are critical for business travelers, so you're wise to be looking at a ThinkPad!

Here are my thoughts regarding your questions-

1) Don't wait! I've never seen ThinkPads (or most other business laptops) with such deep discounts!

2) The X200s was only available with the WXGA+ (1440x900) LED display initially. That was one of the main differences between it and then X200. When prices needed to drop, so did content and that's when it became optional.

Other than the difference in resolution (1440x900 vs. 1280x800), there are a few other differences in the displays. The WXGA+ has a maximum brightness rating of 250 nits and a 300:1 contrast ratio. In comparison, the WXGA has a maximum brightness rating of 200 nits and 250:1 contrast ratio. The combination of higher resolution, increased brightness and a slightly higher contrast ratio results in a noticeably higher image quality. (I am saying this based on the WXGA display used in the standard X200 vs. the WXGA+ in the X200s. I haven't seen/used an X200s with the WXGA, but it has identical specs to the one in the X200).

3) I am fairly certain that BOTH displays have the ThinkPad Roll Cage behind the display. Again, that was one of the differentiating factors between the X200 and X200s from day one. Marketing material for the X200s still states that the roll cage is standard and also shows that both WXGA and WXGA+ displays are available.

4) You can get a good external DVD-RW (Samsung, etc.) for around $50 from Newegg.com. It attaches via USB cable when in use.

Other than that, is there any functionality added by the UltraBase that you need/want? I know it adds a DisplayPort connection. a few more USB ports and marginally better speaker setup than standard. But the X200s already has 3-USB ports and headphone jacks, problem solved!

5) Bluetooth capability can be useful for connecting with an external mouse and printer (if the peripherals are Bluetooth-enabled). If you plan to use an external monitor, the X200s has a VGA port. The UltraBase adds DisplayPort, and there are adapters to convert DisplayPort to HDMI and/or DVI, if need. I have VGA and DisplayPort on my Dell Latitude E6400 and I just use VGA on the rare occaion that I use an external display.

6) and 7) I'm not sure on either one....I did send you an IM that you might find useful, though.

Finally, have you decided which processor you're getting yet? It's between the standard 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 (800MHz FSB, 3mb L2 cache, 10W TDP) or, for $75 more, the 1.86GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SL9400 (1066MHz FSB, 6mb L2 cache, 17W TDP). IMO, that's the best $75 upgrade you could buy!

Good luck!

 

Thanks very much to both of you for the additional info and advice. To make a long story short, a Lenovo CSR who seems to know what he's talking about has assured me that as long as I put an order on hold I didn't have to buy it by the Dec. 13th discount deadline for me to get the deadline, and I'm only coming up for air now after dealing with (fortunately well resolved) family medical and business matters.

Anyway...

Thanks for this info. I was under the impression that, for reasons (I don't really understand) connected to hardware or software compatibility, adjusting the WXGA+ font size messes up other matters on the screen. In your experience that's not the case?

The appeal of the ultrabase is connected with the way I work and travel. The x200s will be my only computer, as my ancient Gateway has been. All too typically, I work or am using the computer up until the last minute before I hit the road, so the 60 seconds or less that it saves me in disconnecting from an ultrabase (and then reconnecting upon return home) as opposed to a few different peripherals is appealing. Of course, I realize that with bluetooth there will be fewer hardwire connections...

I'd opted for the standard 1.4GHz, but if I can change it to the 1.86 without screwing up the discount on the rest of my order I'll do so. Thanks for the advice on this.

And happy holidays!

 

I've had my X200s with WXGA+ for a few days now and I'm loving it.

A couple annoyances (the good stuff is too long to list):
* The too high/too low viewing angles on the WXGA+ are not great, and i tend to push them to their limits since it's such a light notebook and ends up on my lap/gut/whatever else is nearby
* I find myself wanting a webcam, and AFAIK it can't be added to the WXGA+ lid

 

If you travel the X200 is great but if you want to use it at home for work or web browsing you may find the screen a bit small and the sound from the speakers a bit on the poor side.

I have a 15" Macbook Pro which is great for use at my work but is a brick to carry on trips and the battery life is pretty bad. At home or at work I would much rather use the 15" Macbook Pro but for overseas trips I would much rather take an X200 with me instead of this heavy brick.

 

Thanks for the additional feedback, f and s. As for the screen size, I'll definitely have the unit hooked up to monitor here at home.

 

Then keep in mind that that it only has a VGA out (although I noticed that "Digital (DisplayPort)" was a default boot display device option in the BIOS)- you may want to consider the dock as part of your purchase price.