Should I get the X200s

After finding out the X100e just does not cut it for now my sights are set again on the X200s. I am looking at one that has a SL9600 CPU at 2.13 Ghz instead of the usual 1.86 Ghz. Would this cause more heat ? Also the X200s here in Europe comes with the 1280 x 800 screen (no LED). Would the screen brightness be an issue ? How would it compare to that of a T61 (I have one of those and really it could be brighter). This is what I would get:

X200s with 1280 x 800 + webcam + 3G WAN
2.16 Ghz SL9600
3 GB RAM
All the ports
320GB or 500GB HDD (5400)
6 cell battery (don't know what it would weigh)

It would cost me a whopping 1,300 Euros ...

Thanks

 

why kill yourself over getting the 2.16GHz SL9600?   save the money and get the 1.86GHz SL9400.   you'll never know the difference.   besides, an SL9600 with a 5400 RPM HDD will likely seem slower than an SL9400 with a 7200 RPM HDD.   the storage device is the largest bottleneck in a system, not the processor.

 

QFT.

You could also consider the X200 if you are hung up on CPU power (even if just for psychological reasons). You could probably get a P8400 2.26GHz or P8600 2.4GHz for about the same or less the price of the SL9400.

Having owned several X200/X200s I find that the non s version has surprisingly good battery life. The difference in battery life between the X200 P8600 and the X200s SL9400 is quite small for normal office tasks and internet use.

Heat is not an issue with any X200. They run very cool - even under stress.

Check out the NBR reviews of both X200 and X200s where they measure external temps.

 

Thanks for the above. Jabbajabba how are the tiny speakers on the systems? Both x200 and x x200s the same ? I only need enough volume for a Skype conversation, anything else I can use headphones for. Just because I use Skype and webcam for business. Apart from that if the weight difference is not much the X200 indeed has far more power and I am guessing that when SSD comes down in price that would be perfect. Then again will I buy one and then Lenovo comes with a new machine ?

 

The speaker is more than adequate for your needs. There will always be new machines coming up (and initially at a premium over the predecessor) - so buy one when you need it and don't think further about it. The X200(s) is far faster than 99% of people's needs anyway - unless you are a gamer.

If you can afford the SSD, the performance increase will be much greater than the faster CPU.

 

According to Matt Kohut ( source) the x200s is slightly louder. However, both only have a single weak (albeit adequate for VoIP) speaker on the underside (contrast to the tablet with decent stereo speakers).

 

Yup, I can easily get over 8 hours from mine doing light tasks such as browsing. For larger machines like the T400, it makes more sense to go for the T400s if battery life and weight are important. For the X200... well I think the X200s is redundant.

 

The speakers on the X200s are going to sound quiet to anyone not used to an ultraportable's speakers. I find them very quiet anyway.

 

To be honest, even though the X200 has a mono-speaker, the sound is louder than that in my T61, whose speakers I always found weak and underpowered.
So I'm satisfied with the sound coming from my X200.

One caveat, if you want to use your laptop for Skype, make sure it comes with the webcam as I am not sure if the X200s has a webcam option (it doesn't have it on the Lenovo Canada site), while the X200 does.

 

Well if the sound is louder than a T61 then all is well since my T61 is loud enough (well just) to watch movies ... so if the mono speaker is OK for Skype then all good. Yes there is an X200s with the screen of an X200 here ... but then again the weight cannot be that different from an X200 anymore. have to dig up how much an X200 with a 6 cell battery weighs ...