One final question before I purchase (I hope). X201 and core i7

Well I've finally narrowed it down to two notebooks. Either the X200 tablet, or X201 (non-tablet). Considering my budget I may just forego a tablet this time around and get the faster x201. So, my question is, since it's a cheap upgrade, do you think an i7 that's available in the x201 would be significantly warmer than just an i5? About performance, would I see a significant enough increase?
I'm trying and trying to find information about it, but I can't. I know there have been some threads on this topic, but I can't seem to quite find the information I'm looking for. Unfortunately the x201 review done here only has the i5 and low voltage i7. I'm talking about the standard full voltage i7 here (the i7-620M).
I don't mean to be a pest here in the forums, just trying to find that notebook that fits my needs. Investing in a $1000 computer doesn't come easy for me, I like to make sure I'm getting exactly what I need/want.

 

search for my thread on heat and battery life questions on the i7 x201. Oldghost provided alot of helpful information in that thread.

i'm looking to get one too, but are there any coupons now? can't seem to find any. even a 10% discount one would help alot... maybe should wait till the april ones come out.. in a few days.

 

Significantly warmer? No. Significantly better performance? No. But, it's your call whether you need every last bit of performance, and whether it is worth $150 to you.

 

Hi heard my name...

In regards to the i7-620M Normal wattage processor.
in my humble option GO FOR IT.
I can't stop singing its priase too often.

M X201 does not run hot, in-fact even at full power pushing it on A.C. it does not even run warn. kudos to Lenovo and great design-heat displacement.
A another reason I got the X201 instead of the "s" it has a little extra room
in the fan/vent area. that "Extra Bump" .

I don't miss a few extra minutes or ounces by not getting the "S"
I don't think you will either.

But boy when your on A.C. it SCREAMS.

Will you use all that power?, I don't think so.
Will you be happy with it loading Windows 7 64bit in under 35 seconds ( without an SSD)
Opening Word in a second, or running a FULL anti-virus scan on a 500GB hard drive in under 30 minutes. HECK YES.

I have been trying to play with it all week, trying different Bench Marks.
I saw an article on an Alienware M11x

http://gizmodo.com/5504364/alienware-m11x-review-gamings-new-featherweight-division?skyline=true&s=i

( that Dell claiming is the "most powerful 11-inch gaming laptop" ) where the author ran a GeekBench Test and posted the results. Overall it got approx 2500, on processing power Just for fun I ran that GeekBench test on my X201 and got 4726. Nearly twice as much.

Can you imagine if the X201 had the discrete GPU that AlienWare had?

 

boy.. u make me itch for that baby. now where are the darn codes...

 

Does the 201 feel well built to you? Solid? Its magnesium only as I understand it. is it painted or anodized? No roll cage on the x201 as far as I know. But that 620M is tempting

 

Hi

It feels very solid.
It anodized, I think, very durable coating.
I have stuck it in my backpack a few times forgetting to put it in its sleeve and it has been fine, with no scratches.

As well made as my old x60s.

 

Thanks everyone for your replies, it's very helpful.
@midnightsun, I'll be an official IBM shareholder soon, so the upgrade is decently priced.

 

No roll-cage? I'm pretty sure it has...

 

I've ran a computationally-intensive program (using 100% of 1 cpu) for 14 hours non-stop on my x201 i7 and the cpu was not hot.

 

Wow that's impressive x61x200. Well, I just checked Lenovo's site, and they removed the i7 option for the x201, but the "elite" model on the far right with the i7 says "ships in more than 4 weeks", so obviously a supply problem. :\
Looks like I'll go with an i5 if I get it (which isn't bad at all). I'm still wrestling with whether to get an x201 or x200 tablet. But hey, I've narrowed it down to 2 models now! If only I could afford an x201 tablet.

 

It depends on how you intend to use it. The tablet offers a substantially superior display, increased flexibility (especially for reading articles, taking notes, etc.), and exceptional fit and finish. However, the x201 will certainly provide improved performance (I'd go for the i5 as I don't think the i7 is worth the price premium).

It simply a matter of preference. To me the extra benefits of the tablet especially in regards to display quality and the reduction in my carry load (I almost never take paper or books with me because of the tablet) is very easily worth the mild price premium and performance sacrifice.

 

" i7 says "ships in more than 4 weeks", so obviously a supply problem. :\ "

I guess it's one HOT processor...






Thank you, I'll be here all week.
Try the veal.