The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Should I choose T420s or X1?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by sniper_sung, May 16, 2011.

  1. sniper_sung

    sniper_sung Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    66
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Currently I'm struggling between these two.

    Weight and resolution are both important to me. Durability is handy. Battery life is of no concern. Optical-drive is completely useless to me (and if I choose T420s I'd surely remove it or replace it with a battery). It'll primarily be for travelling purposes and I won't need docking.

    Oh and by the way, it would be good if I can get rid of the "electrical noise" widely known among ThinkPad models.

    Here are some good comments made by the others:


     
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Since they both offer the same resolution and are around the same weight, I'd go for the X220 since it looks like it's going to be a lot less expensive.
     
  3. SR45

    SR45 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    72
    Messages:
    296
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Do yourself a big favor and wait until some user reviews come out on the X1 and not rush into this new platform. ;)
     
  4. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    363
    Messages:
    2,330
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I voted for the T420s even though I find the X1 intriguing. My reasons for voting for the T420s are:

    (1) Screen resolution is better
    (2) The T420s is a "known devil"
    (3) The ability to use dock
    (4) Battery life (or maybe not - maybe I am confusing this with something else)
    (5) User-replaceability of parts is better/ easier
    (6) I prefer non-chicklet keyboards, but somtimes I wonder if I am being unncessarily biased about this because I have never used chicklet keyboards for extended periods of time.

    Overall, personally I would prefer a 13" ThinkPad which the X1 is - but not exactly what I had in mind. I found that the next best is the X201 series, which is what I have currently. I don't know what I would do the next time I buy a ThinkPad since I am not enamoured by the "new" res on the X220.
     
  5. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,197
    Messages:
    28,842
    Likes Received:
    2,172
    Trophy Points:
    581
    The X1 will undoubtedly be lighter than the T420s. (My T420s weighed in at 1.7kg without the optical drive, 1.83kg with optical drive and 1.94kg with both main and bay batteries). However, the T420s offers an extra 37% pixels on the display.

    I doubt if the X1 will make it easy to supplement / swap batteries should you need extra run time and, while it may have the same CPU as on my T420s, I doubt if it will give the same maximum performance unless Lenovo have packed a really efficient fan into the X1 (in which case they should have also put one in the T420s since its fan is only just up to the task :rolleyes: ). According to this Lenovo comparison matrix, the X1 does seem to tick most of the right boxes.

    For an indication of what the X1 may be like, read what you can find about the Samsung ZX310 / 900X3A (which has a lower power CPU) and the Toshiba R830.

    John
     
  6. ooxxoo

    ooxxoo Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    155
    Messages:
    363
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I chose T420s for pretty much the same reasons as these. #6 is a huge thing IMO. Chiclet keyboards suck.
     
  7. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

    Reputations:
    4,365
    Messages:
    9,029
    Likes Received:
    55
    Trophy Points:
    216
    I think for most the T420s will be the more practical option and better pricing. LineS of Flight pretty much nails it on the reasons there, I don't like the direction Apple is going with making it nearly impossible to upgrade parts yourself and if other manufacturers start to do that it's not a good thing from a user perspective. That said, if the X1 is everything you'll ever need out of the box and you're not worried about the "upgradability" factor then it may be worth considering. And hey, the argument to wait until something is tested and reviewed is of course prudent, but being the early adopter that gets attention and has a device first is always cool too :cool:
     
  8. becme

    becme Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    For me, quality of the screen is more important than quantity of pixels. I very seriously considered the T420s, but I knew the 'griddy' quality many complain of would bother me too much. (In the thread there's a link to a review with closeup comparison shots of the screen.)

    Whether the X1 is the right machine won't be known until it comes out, and I'd wait for some reviews. My particular concern with it is the noise level, since it'll be hard to cool a full power chip in a chassis that thin - the fan is already a concern in the X220.
     
  9. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,006
    Messages:
    1,343
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    The what now?

    You mean the CPU whine that happens on transitions into deeper C-states (present on every single Intel CPU from Yonah onwards?)

    For the most part I agree with everyone else: wait until the X1 is actually released and reviewed before making a decision. That said, if you care about durability and flexibility, I'd go with the T series... The T420s isn't as solid as the T420, but it's not exactly weak either.
     
  10. Amika

    Amika Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    10
    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
  11. pkincy

    pkincy Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    130
    Messages:
    578
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I went with the X220 over either. I do own a W520 however, so the T420S was not on my radar screen.

    I went with the X220 since the X1 won't fit on my Dock 3.

    Perry
     
  12. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,197
    Messages:
    28,842
    Likes Received:
    2,172
    Trophy Points:
    581
    See also the NBR X1 review. The footprint is almost as big as the T420s and the weight is the same as with the T420s without optical drive. The X1 offers a brighter, but very glossy display with less real estate and seems to more efficient when running on battery. And, as I expected, the X1's cooling system gets noisy under load.

    John
     
  13. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

    Reputations:
    1,571
    Messages:
    8,107
    Likes Received:
    126
    Trophy Points:
    231
    X1 is more for people whom can't decide between a Thinkpad or a Macbook Air.... the X220 or T420s will still be your main work horse.
     
  14. Zuwxiv

    Zuwxiv Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    14
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I'm in the same boat as the thread creator, but I think I'm going for the T420s.

    Reasons:
    More upgradable and servicable.
    Bay battery and the UltraBay accessroies in general are awesome. I'll probably pick up a SATA adapter for mine too.
    Discrete graphics for better performance.
    ExpressCard option - good to know you have it.


    Things I'm reluctant about:
    I would really love a matte IPS display. But I'd rather have a poor but usable matte than a vibrant but glossy display.
    Brightness of the screen - I'd like to use it outside, but again, glossy.
    Impressed that the X1 has 3 USB ports - powered, eSATA combo, and 3.0. I'd like to have eSATA, but I can do with USB 3.0 for my HDD's.
    Battery life - similar with slice / bay battery, but I've heard the T420s isn't that great here.


    I think if you want better performance, get the T420s; if you really want cutting edge looks, thinness, and mobility, get the X1.

    Having used a macbook for 4 years, I'm kind of a fan of the chiclet style keyboards - but I know everyone loves Lenovo classic.
     
  15. Teff

    Teff Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    110
    Messages:
    167
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    And if you want matte IPS, get the x220. 3 USB ports (1 USB 3 on the i7 model), displayport and VGA out (No HDMI but there are adapters), no dedicated video, better battery life, smaller and lighter.
     
  16. maticomp

    maticomp Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    134
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I voted for T420s. My reasoning behind the note:

    1) well known, durable and tested in the heavy duty usage chassis
    2) docking possibility
    3) normal non-chiclet keyboard
    4) non-glossy screen
    5) user servicable battery

    Treating a ThinkPad as a workhorse, and not a preety sleeky Macbook Air competitor, I find X220/T420s to be the line to look for.

    You may find my reasoning unrelated to your use of the computer though.

    M.
     
  17. MikesDell

    MikesDell Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    244
    Messages:
    690
    Likes Received:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I cooudn't have said that better myself !

    I'd go for the T420s personally.