No Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 option on ThinkPad X220 ???

So I was about to pull the trigger on purchasing the X220 taking advantage of the current sale. I was considering the following configuration:

ThinkPad X220 - 1 Yr Depot Topseller Warranty

Code:

Intel Core i7-2640M Processor (2.80GHz, 4M Cache with Turbo Boost up to 3.50GHz) 
Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit) 
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, IPS, 3x3 Antenna 
Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor graphics with dynamic frequency 
4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM) 
Keyboard - US English
UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader 
320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm 
9 Cell Li-Ion Battery 
65W AC Adapter - North America, Latin America (2pin) 
Broadcom Bluetooth 3.0 with antenna 
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN
Mobile Broadband ready (no mobile broadband module)

Now suddenly, the Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 wireless option disappeared from the selection (see attachment). It still available for other ThinkPad series though. :-| Does anybody know, what could be the reason? This is frustrating. I would very much prefer to have 3x3 Antenna and better wireless card instead a web camera.

 

My guess would be a simple supply issue. You could call in and see if you can configure it over the phone with the 6300 (and while you're at it, maybe try to push for an additional discount as well!).

 

dawn,

I think you'll find it's the way that the options are configured on Lenovo web site. For example, when I purchased my X220, I went down the 160GB SSD path. The Intel Centrino 6300 never showed up as an option. I tried everything but it would only show if I went through the basic configurator (which was coming out to higher price when I added SSD).

What I had to do was configure the machine how I wanted it (except for the Intel Centrino 6300), create a quote and then call sales support who then sent me a new quote with the 6300.

 

Oh, thanks. I'll try it probably that way. It's strange because Intel Centrino 6300 was an option like two weeks ago and suddenly has disappeared. Arranging a call to the Sales department in the US is somewhat complicated for me, as I live in Europe. I just wanted to order online and have the laptop sent to a friend of mine in the US. I already did that once three years ago with a T400.

 

So is there a huge advantage over the 6205? I just ordered my X220 and I opted for the webcam for those few times I use it...I hope I won't be disappointed by the wifi performance.

 

Not a huge advantage at all. 6300 with 3x3 goes up to 450Mbps (compared to 300Mbps). Supposedly, the 6300 has greater range too (but haven't seen real stats on that).

The primary reason that I chose the 6300 was as a result of all the weak WiFi problems that I had had with the Samsung Series 9. I wanted to make sure I was buying the best available WiFi adapter for the X220.

 

6205 = 2x2 while 6300 = 3x3. TBH my X220T's 6205 vs my M17x R2 6300 has almost no difference at all. I believe the newer generation WLAN are more power efficient, but it's not like I am using my R2 for battery saving purposes.

Oh and if you get the 720p camera, it will only allow you to get 2x2 so they offer 6205 or TP WIFI.

 

Well, you made me give it a second thought. If I opted for the camera, is it actually any good on X220? I am a bit wary based on my experience with ThinkPad T400, where the camera was a piece of crap. It was so unusable that I ended up buying an external USB camera for the few times I needed to make a video-call. Thanks for your feedback.

 

the camera on the X220 is pretty ordinary, it is not going to produce any stunning pictures if that is what you are wondering.

 

It's way better than my webcam in my Vostro 1500, but again it is a 20 dollar webcam. If you are serious about chatting or doing a presentation, spend 100-150 on a good webcam.

 

It's a decent webcam, good enough for Skyping at least that you'll never think about breaking out a usb cam even in low light. And goes without saying that it's a lot more convenient.

I don't think the 3x3 provides any range benefit over the 6205, just 450Bb/s instead of 300 if you have a 3x3 router.

 

So I have tried to contact Lenovo Sales through their WebChat but it unfortunately went nowhere. I have configured the machine and saved the cart in my account, asking them to change the Wireless adapter to Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN. But they could not see the cart nor do anything with it.

I know it is perhaps daring to ask, but would any of you, guys, living in the US, be so kind and give a call for me to Lenovo Sales to enquire about the availability of Intel 6300 on X220? Or ask them to make a quote for the config detailed in the first post? I could PM you my Lenovo ID, if someone was willing to help.

By the way, I do have a new 3x3 router at home. That's why I'm tempted by the option.

 

dawn,

It's no good just putting your config into your cart. You need to go through all the way as if you're going to purchase and then you'll see a something like "produce a quote" at the bottom of the page. That's what they can look at (and send you a revised quote).

 

I am at a loss here. I thought that quote was something a Lenovo representative could create, not me. I did save my cart and could see it now under Personal Saved Carts in My Account. I see no option to initiate "make a quote" myself, at least when checking-out with PayPal. It would lead me straight to payment.

 

quotes must be done through reps now.   provide them with the cart ID (either the active cart or a saved cart) and they can create a quote.   live chat is the easiest method for this.

to get your active cart ID, click the "update" button while viewing the cart summary page.   you need not save the cart to create a quote.

 

Looks like you're right. I just went through the selection process and was not given the opportunity to create a quote at the end any more...

 

So this is Lenovo's variant of Catch-22. I got though on Live Chat to a sales rep, who said after a bit of persuasion that he could configure ThinkPad X220 with Intel Ultimate-N 6300 for me. Everything went fine up to the point, where I told him that I needed to pay with PayPal (as I don't have a credit card issued in the US). Response was swift: sorry no way on the line, you have to order in online shop. But I can't get Centrino 6300 in online shop and the rep insisted he couldn't (maybe "didn't want to") create me the quote in online account, so that I could finish the order online!

 

dawn, Maybe I should sell you mine...

 

Nice idea! Anyway, I'll probably pass on it after all and stick with my T400 for the moment. I'll keep an eye on attractive offers or wait for the next generation. The biggest enticements for me were the smaller form factor and most definitely IPS display. Hopefully these features won't change with X230.

 

Why are you so dead set on getting the 6300? The 6205 should be more than you need. I wouldn't let that be your deciding factor of getting the laptop or not.

 

As I noted above... because I do not in the "strictest sense" need a new laptop. I have a so far fully functioning ThinkPad T400. While X220 would be nice to have given the smaller form-factor and IPS display, there is no point for me at the moment to push myself into purchase, unless I get the configuration I want or a real bargain. As for the Centrino 6300, I have recently upgraded to a 3x3 WiFi router and would look forward to enjoying the enhanced bandwidth (450 Mbs), especially when accessing data on NAS. Anyway, thanks a lot to everyone for their input.

 

Why not install official centrino. Card which is certified by lenovo?
I mean why not do it yourself?

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

 

You're right, that is a viable option as well. I've checked with local service provider and while not exactly cheap, ordering the part from Lenovo is not prohibitively expensive either. I'll keep this in mind.

 

Get it from ebay. You can get the correct Lenovo part very cheaply from ebay. Here's the cheapest at $30. FRU 60Y3233 .

Intel IBM 6300 6300agn Wifi Wireless Card FRU: 60Y3233 T410 T420 X201 X220 | eBay