New X301

So I finally got my X301 and decided to reformat it and get win xp on it (it came with vista business 64bit (4gb ram)) and after I did that I kind of lost the nice new wallpaper that came with the preload. It was a darker cooler looking version of the map with lines (time zones -- http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k234/4rmani/ThinkAmericasMap-1.jpg).. does anyone here have it and can send it to me (biggest size please).

Thanks!

 

Not on the topic but how do you like the 301?! I'm thinking of getting one, any initial thoughts/photos??

Thanks

 

I love it. When they say light they really do mean it. If it were any lighter it wouldn't feel right, it's just perfect. I like the rubbery plastic (not sure what the exact name for it is) they built the laptop out of because it gives you a really nice comfortable feel. Not so sure about the battery life since I still haven't used it unplugged. The screen is much brighter and you will see colors you have never seen before. I had a T60 before I got my X301 and when you compare them side by side, you will see a big difference in the brightness and color quality, that's probably because it's LED backlit. It was strange at first but I adjusted to it. Another thing is that the screen has some noise on it. It looks like dust but its some weird effect the screen has... it's not that noticeable but if you really stare at it you will see it all over the place. Maybe my T60 has it too and I could never see it because it wasn't as bright as this one.

I got it with the DVD burner.. works fine, slim, and simple to use... no problems with it.

The built in camera is OK I guess... it gives you the option to take a picture so I took one so you can see the quality of the camara... though it puts all of this noise on the videos/images and makes it look fuzzy and uglyish... Links: http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/2899/picture008ww7.jpg (ignore the back; roommate's side)

It rarely gets hot too... I do a lot of compiling, which typically heats up the machine due to heavy CPU usage, but with the x301 i have not sensed any heat radiating out of the keyboards, hand rests, or the bottom of it. Keyboard is pretty comfortable too..

Build quality is great, though there are some parts which could use some tightening such as the the left hand rest, which is slightly higher than the right side and it makes a little squeaky sound when you put pressure on it... it's hardly noticeable but i tested for things like that all over the laptop because my old T60 had a similar problem... chances are you wont even notice it.. i'm just a perfectionist... =)

No dead pixles on the screen, that's always nice. =)

I took some pictures of it and compared it to my T60... the quality of the pics are pretty ****ty (used my iPhone camara). You can download the ZIP of pics here: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?sjkvwipbzva

Here are my notebook specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400(1.4GHz, 3MB L2, 800MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista Business 64 (Downgraded to Windows XP Pro)
13.3 WXGA+ TFT (1440x900 LED backlight) 3x3 UltraConnect
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
128GB Solid State Drive
Ultrathin DVD Burner
Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN)
ThinkPad X300 Series 6 Cell Li-Ion Battery

$3,756.65 (includes tax and shipping, $3,510.00 without)

anyway, sorry for the extremely poorly written and unorganized mini-review... ran short on time, but if you any any more questions or want more pics of something, just let me know....

 

http://jedicore.com/x200/ there are wallpapers from my x200 (that i posted in the x200 discussion thread).

 

http://jedicore.com/x200/Wallpaper/BlueMap1680X1050.jpg

is the one i was looking for... thanks! =)

btw, i will get my digital camara tomorrow (i have pleny macro lenses) so i will be able to take some amazing photos of the x301 for u

 

Well, the hard drive failed on me today (3 days after I got it)

I got the "HDD0 2100 Initialization Error"

You can read about it here: http://www.somelifeblog.com/2007/12/lenovo-hdd0-2100-error-hard-drive.html


Time to return this **** =)

 

**** that sucks. So much for SSDs being more reliable...
At least you didn't have time to put too much stuff on it?

 

I suspect the 128GB drives are of lower quality than the original 64GB used in the X300. Lenovo hasn't come clean on the specs of the device, but it's most probably a Samsung MLC. Do you mind taking out the drive to check the model? It's easily accessible through the slot on the left side.

 

Off-topic, but have you tried any games on it? I realize it's not a gaming computer, but I'm curious as to what it can handle, Civ4 in particular.

 

I spoke to Lenovo's tech support (some ghetto a$$ b!tch) and they were pretty clueless. They read simple troubleshooting off of a manual and eventually told me the motherboard was defected, which is what I came to conclude later on. I googled around and noticed people had a similar problem due to a motherboard defect. Anyway, I should receive a box tomorrow and ship it back. I think I will receive a brand new built because replacing a notebook's motherboard is a b!tch.

The error message I receive says:

Code:

ERROR
2100: HDD0 (Hard disk drive) initialization error (1)

Press ESC to continue

(here's a picture of it someone posted online: http://www.gottabemobile.com/conten...Impressions_140EF/2183593142_0e1e448132_2.jpg)

There is no way around this... you can't even enter ThinkVantage or do anything period without that error poping up. I hope that this was just some really bad luck and that no one else is experiencing this sh!ty problem. The X301 is great though. =)

I have played Open Arena, which is a free version of Quake Arena and it ran flawlessly. I haven't played any hardcore games that truly test your graphics such as Crysis.

 

Lenovo's repair people are skillless.
I sent a T61p back to them a couple months ago for a speaker issue, when I got the machine back, it was missing 6 screws inside the frame. they treat your carelessly.
For your issue, try to update the firmware of HD via a bootable cd, which the file could be downloaded from lenovo's site.

 

It only gets stranger... I just powered on the notebook and it worked! Yes, no error message. After browsing the web for about 20 minutes it crashed again! It just froze on me and I had to restart it by holding down the power button. However, this time when I powered it back on it did not give me the error message... but the problem still exists where it just crashes and causes problems...

I think i might just return it and get my money back... I'd rather reorder it and get a brand new one then have it carelessly fixed by some idiots.

 

What does your post regarding the HDD0 2100 error have to do the with the X301? Your post mentions a T61.

 

Again what does your post dated December 12, 2007 about the SSD error on a T61 have to do with an X301?

 

Is the 6 cell battery of normal size? or it sticks out?

 

After reading this thread, I think I'm gonna hold off on SSD for now. Sucks that you paid that much money to have something go wrong.

 

price really unjustified compared to the X300 pricing thesedays

i bought my X300 on the day X301 was released (or maybe few days earlier) and got awesome over ebay, fully loaded with verizon card for $1770 and two days later another one got sold for $1600ish when the auction ended

 

asb36,

What did you end up doing with your notebook? Did you get another x301? If so, do you notice the graininess on the second unit's screen as well? Do you know the make (samsung or tmd) of either the old screen or new screen?

Does your new notebook still crash?

Thanks!

Andrei

 

At this point Andrei I'm sure you'll be calling me and offering me your x301 )) the screen is simply not as bright/clear as a Macbook Air or new Macbook

 

jesus christ that x301 is expensive...