Should I replace a broken X220 with a T440p or Repair it?

I have a 2 year old x220 that needs a motherboard replacement, and I'm not sure if I should drop $200 on a 2 year old computer. On top of that I was having durability issues with it, little things like cracks in the palmrest, bezel, broken vents, the whole thing kinda creaks now. I'm also getting annoyed at the resolution, but the IPS screen is a main reason I'm considering keeping it. If I do get a new motherboard, I'll have the option to sell it down the line as well as sell the broken mobo on ebay for parts I guess. I would also have the option to wait for the t450(?) or get a discounted t440p once the next refresh is released.

The T440p is the only laptop I'm considering because of mainly its screen, FHD IPS, 14' size, and build quality. I plan on configuring it with either a i7 4700mq or an i5 4330m, and dedicated graphics. All of this brings it a total of around $1300. The only thing I'm concerned about is the graphics card, which is only 1gb, and while of course not a gaming card, it apparently has worse performance than intel integrated iris graphics on some macbooks?? I don't play the newest, most demanding games but if I want to keep the laptop for 3+ years I'd like it to have a dedicated card better than integrated graphics.


I know its a specific question but I'm trying to decide whats a better value now and in the future.

 

Welcome to the forum!

Personally, I'd fix the X220, use it for the time being and wait to see how T440p - or other laptops for that fact - prove to be in a slightly longer run.

From the sheer budgeting side, there's a huge gap between repairing a machine for $200 and getting a new one for $1300...by the time you get to the point of actually buying a T440p (just presuming here, no insider info) you might be able to get it for $1100 and guess what - you've got two ThinkPads for a price of one...

My $0.02 only...

 

Good point, I'm not too familiar on what discounts there are for the t440p or how much the price will go down but probably significantly cheaper than it is now, thanks.

 

I don't know know what your timeline is, but the T440p will eventually show up in the outlet too where you might find some even better deals on the T440p.

 

Depends on how much you value the keyboard.

 

Even if you ordered a T440p today you probably wouldn't have it for at least a month, so I'd wait and fix the X220 in the mean time then revisit the T440p early next year when Lenovo's sorted out it's manufacturing problems and the price is potentially lower.

I doubt the price will go significantly lower any time soon and you can still get good deals now (if Lenovo misses my shipment date and gives me an additional 5% off then I'll have managed a 27% total discount on my T440p), but the discount coupons will probably be more frequent and more generous in the spring

 

You sure a x220 mobo will only cost 200? I looked on ebay and didnt really see any under 400... For 200 i would definitely fix the x220. Tearing the x220 down shouldnt take more than 45 min, full replacement 1.5-2hrs.

 

Here's one for $150.

 

Oh, maybe i was looking at i7 mobos. In that case, to me at least, it is a no brainer. The x220 is a great laptop and after purchasing mine in April 2011 and using it daily, I plan to keep mine for at least another 2 or 3 years. I just put about $100 into repairs, like the lcd top lid, lcd bezel (both deteriorated because i grabbed it by the lid too much), rubber feet, and the "upgraded" copper heat sink which may keep it a degree or two cooler.

 

I would say the i7 is not worth $250 more.

 

Didn't want to derail the thread with a debate on motherboard prices but this is the internet so why not. This ebay search query shows about an average of $450 for x220 i7 mobos. I would probably just get an i5 @ 200ish if my i7 crapped out.

 

The reason why the i7 motherboards are more expensive is because the X220 and the tablet variant didn't get native USB 3.0 support, only the i7 motherboards (which are dual cores) got the USB 3.0. That and the CPU is soldered on, there is no upgrading the CPU, so if you want the best/fastest CPU option, you need to pay an arm and a leg for it.

 

Having owned both the tablet and standard X220 with i7 I'd say that the upgrade is really not worth it in my book...a bit too warm for my liking, but to each his/hers own...

 

Oh of course it's not worth it, but for some people who want native USB 3.0 support over a EC adapter, that's the only way. And I've used an X220 with the 2620M and I had an X220t with a 2520M, there was no difference in real world performance. Maybe during encoding or synthetic benchmarks is where you will see a difference.