On the fence... and stuck: T420 or X220?

Some will say: "not another one"...

Yeah, please bear with me.

I've done some background reading on both systems, deciding which one to purchase and find it difficult to come to a decision. I'll point out some issues with each that I've found over the course of the last few weeks as well as my usage requirements.

Very grateful for the patience to those that reply and offer suggestions and their own views regarding the systems...

Right... First off, usage requirements.
I previously owned an x200 for personal/business use. The form-factor was great, speed of the little machine was fantastic for my needs, didn't miss not having optical drive (use an external unit as required), but biggest niggle is I found myself cursing for picking a computer with lack of screen real estate especially when working with various software provided by clients - not having the extra space really bothered the hell out of me at times.

X200 Screen was bright and MUCH better than the previous X61 I owned (the screen on the X61 was AWFUL - comparable to the new T420???)...

Alas, my nephew took it upon himself to investigate the innards of the x200 machine, leaving the thing inoperable. Perhaps I'll take the time to look into it and fix it up buying components, but I need a working machine soon. Kids will be kids - perhaps he will grow up to be a heck of an engineer some day.

I have a home machine where I can run simulations, software verification, a VM environment, etc, but I need to take that with me on the road once in a while. Plus it's a great gaming rig. I don't play games on the laptop.. (ok, Civ 3 or some card games to pass time).

Now as a replacement I'm stuck between the T420 HD+ and the x220 IPS (albeit even smaller vertical screen resolution).

If I choose the T420:
+++++ increased screen resolution (1600x900)
+ optical drive (not really used)
+ more USB ports + eSATA port (use that often connecting external HDD)
+ roomy
+ well-built - sturdy keyboard (found the x200 kbd had a bit too much flex for my liking)

--- screen quality (really, HOW BAD/OK is this screen???) I couldn't live looking at a screen which I constantly would have to adjust to get the right angle for reading, performing tasks, etc. Is this thing comparable to the old X61 (150nits, terrible contrast ratio)?? Dealing with that X61 screen just about drove me MAD! If I got stuck with a AUO screen on the T420 I'd rip my hair out!
- optical drive - in the way & seems to open whenever it feels like (12.7mm on top of that with no dedicated HDD caddy!!! Lenovo!??)
- 34mm expresscard slot (already invested in 54mm cards)
- weight (is the computer heavy with 9cell battery?)
- fan gets stuck at max speed on these units?


X220
+++ size, portability
++ screen quality (IPS)
+ battery life

--- screen resolution (and a stupid 16:9 to boot )
-- screen quality (light bleed, bad/stuck pixels)
- assembly quality (do these things still ship with screen bezel bulge??)


Heck, what it boils down to is:
screen resolution vs. screen quality vs. size vs. portability

I'd appreciate comments on the some of these issues described above - also, could anyone with the T420 with HD+ screen make a screenshot of a working desktop? Same with x220 owners...


Thanks and cheers!

 

I had a similar dilemma when I was deciding between getting a T410 or a X201. Ultimately, for me, I chose the T410 because of the larger screen size/resolution. I valued that over everything else even if the screen quality wasn't that great. I was coming from a 10.1" netbook. If I were to recommend one, I would go with the T420. It seems like you were frustrated with the resolution on your older X-series and a 1600x900 resolution would be nice. Get the X220 if you value portability/battery life (IPS is a plus) over anything else. Also, if you travel a lot, the X220 is nicer due to its smaller size and weight.

Regarding the caddy for the T420, I'm sure there are non-Lenovo ones on eBay or something. I would look into that if you're looking to expand your storage capacity.

Another alternative is to look at the T420s. It's thinner and lighter than the T420. If you don't plan on using your optical drive, you can get a 3-cell ultrabay battery in addition to the regular 6-cell. The downside is that it is more expensive.

 

Calibrating the screen can help with the image quality on the T420 screen, but it's never going to match the quality of the X220. I would pick the X220. I prefer quality to quantity and find it easy to zip around the screen with the stick, though you can certainly make an argument the other way. Bumping up to 900p you about three or so extra lines on the screen. I personally don't find that enough to merit giving up the better screen. You do get more space on the side and if you do a lot of side by side document viewing, then perhaps it's worth it. I think you've pretty much laid the arguments out well. It's time to make a choice and make the best of it. I don't know how much one can help.

I also think the people here and other forums tend to be a bit anal retentive about their notebooks. You see this sea of negativity, when the reality is most TN notebook screens I've seen come from a narrow quality bandwidth, meaning one screen is usually not markedly better or worse than the next. At least until you change screen technology like the X220. Good Luck.

 

Thanks for the comments guys. It's a tough call between these two models. Side-by-side document viewing would be great, but on the other hand screen quality matters as well.

Can anyone comment on the screen quality of the T420, perhaps post a screenshot of a working desktop to view?

Regarding the T420s, I'd be all over it if it weren't for the fan issue and (supposedly) extremely poor screen quality.

Hard to make a choice when there's no way to even see the darn things first hand.

 

Tough one this, on the balance the T420 is a solid machine in terms of performance and its actually not that heavy with the 9 cell, it's much lighter than my T61 with a 6 cell in comparison.

The focal point would be the screen and the T420 HD+ screen is OK for most tasks but if you’re expecting visual eye candy then prepare to be disappointed. The AUO panels are very grainy due to the anti-glare coating which robs color vibrancy and the viewing angles are limited too. For a LED panel its possibly one of the weakest panels I have ever used in a notebook and I have used a fair number to come to this decision. I tried my best to take a snapshot of my T420 screen, the close up section shows the significance of the anti-glare coating which you can see with some "cross-hatching" pattern.

Caution! 1080p Resolution Image

Spoiler

 

Are the AUO panels still used in current T420 builds or did Lenovo drop the supplier? Also are the AUO panels more prevalent in T420 builds?

I suppose I could live with it, as I don't use the laptop to watch movies, play games, or do intricate Photoshop work (although I do tend to use the laptop for Photoshop on occasion). Thanks Hearst for the pic. Do you have a pic of just the working desktop in full resolution 1600x900?

 

The AUO panel is unfortunately the most prevalent, the LG-Philips panels are becoming rarer on the T420 lately...

You mean a general screencap of the 1600x900 desktop? I can do that for you if that is what you meant.

Spoiler

 

You will notice a difference in screen space between the two. Honestly I would go with the X220 (I have a monitor which I use when at home). Having owned the X220 tablet I will say it will have a better screen quality than the T420. The T420 should have a ok screen with better resolution.

If I was choosing I would stick with the X220 and get a nice monitor for at home. For your needs I would choose the T420 just based on your frustration for the x200 screen real estate. Heck I may even ditch my W520 and go back to the X220t just for its portability. Thats how nice of a machine it is.

 

I have experience with both X220 and T420 and there is not that much difference between the IPS display of X220 and the display of T420. If you need screen estate the T420 display with 1600x900 resolution might be better for you.

The view angle of the IPS is great but when it comes to color reproduction both displays are pretty equal, T420 colors are a tad better I think. Some people here report bad display quality of T420 but the one I have is quite good.

 

Having used both, I dont think you can make a wrong decision here ;-)

The x220 wins for size/portability/weight with the IPS being a small plus (for my uses, especially if you consider ghosting/bright spots on the lcd). After calibrating my t420, I have no complaints about the screen at all. Really. And I have the AUO panel. The extra resolution often comes in handy. The matte screen looks fantastic to me after using an MBP. Battery life with the 9 cell is the same for both. Having the msata slot right beside the ram slots on the t420 is useful (even though you're probably only installing it once). Dedicated graphics is only an option on the t420.

Having debated between the two and then gotten and used both, I think they are both excellent choices. Just decide between portability vs real state.

 

Thanks again Hearst for your input... all others as well!!

Still difficult to make up my mind. Started looking into the T420s, but then get put off by two "issues", namely crazy fan and really bad display (HD+). The T420s would really fit the bill, as it's lighter than the T420, packs a punch... but I don't think I could live with a nutty fan speed issue (which Lenovo doesn't seem to want to fix) or bad display (which Lenovo doesn't acknowledge as being an "issue").

What would really fit the bill would be something akin to the X1 but slightly higher resolution.... The glossy screen puts me off though (I understand Lenovo used gorilla glass in order to strengthen the screen assembly, but reflectivity in the screen really bugs me - ok in darker environments, but not when you're stuck with an office light reflecting right into your eyes).

Good grief.

 

The new version of the Samsung Series 9 might tick the right boxes. 13.3" 1600 x 900 screen (but probably glossy). However, it's unlikely to be on the shelves for a couple of months. There's also the 14" Samsung Series 7 Chronos which has a 1600 x 900 matte screen. It may be worth a look. However, it uses the AMD/ATI switchable graphics which is causing problems to some users.

John

 

Thanks for the suggestion John. I'll need a working system by month's end to prepare for a new contract come February, so waiting too long will be no good.

Contemplating the T420s or T420 - haven't quite decided yet, but leaning towards the 's' figuring it will offer greater portability than T420 with benefits of its sibling's larger screen and higher resolution. Either way the HD3000 will be plenty enough for my needs.

 

And while the T420s main battery has relatively low capacity, you have the option of using a bay battery to add a few more hours without adding to the size.

John

 

ideaPad Yoga has IPS + 1600 x 900 and it is only 13.1 inch? Not sure when it is released though.

Currently, Lenovo ThinkPad is plagued by low resolution LCD models.

 

Looks like a toy.
I dunno, maybe I'm just not ready for this Star Trek type of stuff coming out...

But not only is Lenovo plagued by crummy screen laptops, they've expanded into crazy territory with the number of different models they offer (ideapad, thinkpad, z series, q series, s series, this'n'that series -- all with sub-categories) - at the expense of assuring quality in any one particular model... at least it seems like that to me.

 

assuring quality isn't really something related to the no. of model of machines they have. Since they are all produced by the ODM with lots of production capacities.

I am not sold on the fancy colours that the ideapad yoga has, but i love the screen and the foldable LCD design.