Should I upgrade? (X201T -> X220T)

So I'm in the process of reorganising my gear, and shuffling things around as I transition from a business to just me. As part of that, I'm divesting myself of all of the Probooks and X220's I have. I still have the X201T's however, and I'm wondering what to do about these.

I do still use them occasionally although I've more or less given up on the tablet usage - as much as I like it, the machines are just too bulky and heavy to carry around as my primary all-day machine - I always end up going back to a <1.4kg machine.

The main reason I can see for keeping the tablet is for evals of Windows 8 beta and release. And as I understand it, a 1280 * 800 tablet might not be fully supported. Also the screen - I find the AFFS screen pretty dim when trying to eke maximum runtime, and anything significantly brighter might be a good thing.

What would be the compelling reasons (if any) of replacing my X201T's with a fewer number of X220T's?

I'm thinking the more sensible option is to get rid of all but one or two of the X201T's and run them/it into the ground with Windows 7, and wait it out for a more developed and far lighter tablet when Windows 8 has been out for a while. But I'd like comments from anyone who's done the upgrade.

 

Only difference I think of between my X201T and X220T is the IPS screen. Its slightly faster due to the general new processor but not a huge increase. Honestly thats it. IPS screen which now only swivels one direction.

 

For normal usage a X220T and X201T you won't be able to tell the difference. Now the X220 has a completely different battery and has Commander Wolf will tell you with great passion, the 6 cell is crappy and fat. And it's down from the X200/X201's 8 cell's 66 WHr to 52 WHr. The IPS screen makes a huge difference.



Though this isn't the Tablet version, the X220 IPS screen is a clear winner of the X201 screen. Also Sandy Bridge should yield you better battery life over the LV Arrandale CPU's found in the X201 tablet.

 

Really, so overall I guess the only real reason to upgrade would be the screen - including how Windows 8 would cope with 1280 * 800 for tablet duties.

That absolutely figures - the non-T X201 was TN. I'd be interested in a similar comparo of AFFS vs X220T IPS at minimum brightness - or if someone can confirm that the IPS panel in the X220T is the same as in the X220 in all respects (quality / light transmission / etc display wise), then I can save trouble in that respect.

 

Right, it's not fully supported, Microsoft says:

"The resolution that supports all the features of Windows 8, including multitasking with snap is 1366x768. We chose this resolution as it can fit the width of a snapped app, which is 320px (also the width designed for many phone layouts), next to a main app at 1024x768 app (a common size designed for use on the web).
...
1280x800, which supports Metro style apps without snap."

 

Is the 6 cell on the X220 different from that of the X220T? My battery has 63,830 mWh according to Battery Bar.

 

Yes the X220 Tablet 6 cell is a fat battery, unlike the slimmer 8 cells found in previous generations.



I believe the panel is the same for both, ALL X220 Tablets have IPS screens, Outdoor or MT. I can't see why the X220 Tablet would use a different IPS screen, and it is confirmed in the Latitude subforum the normal X220 IPS screens works in other 12.5" laptops (tested in E6220).

 

I thought all Tablet version of the X-series are of IPS screen.

 

I know it is fatter. I was referring to the capacity; you mentioned the 6 cell has 52Whr compared to the 8 cell 66Whr, but my battery has different capacity. Unless I am reading your post wrong.

 

I sold a X220 with IPS after I got a X220T. The IPS screen in the non-tablet version is noticeably brighter, and the tablet version's screen has a bit of graininess to it. Both are probably caused by the touchscreen layer. Nothing scientific, but I feel the tablet is probably 1/3 dimmer - on the X220 brightness 10 is plenty bright sitting at my desk during the day, on the X220T I gotta crank it all the day up to 15.

PS viewing angle is also not as good as I remembered the X220 was. I should have taken some side by side pics while I had them both here.. Also, I have the infinity glass version (touch and pen). I wonder if the gorilla glass (pen only) version might be better.

 

Thanks for that - I always wondered if the dimness and the extreme-angle blurring of the AFFS screen was due to the capacitive/pen layer, and it seems from what you write that it does indeed seem to be the case - and that the IPS screen may potentially be as dim as the AFFS.

OK, I guess it's getting more and more that I'll scratch the upgrade. .

 

Is it that bad? Commander Wolf has both as well...that may make me want to get the Tablet with the Outdoor screen..

 

Don't get me wrong, it's still a very nice screen. Way better than any TN panels. Colors still really pop compared to a regular screen. But if you don't care for the touchscreen I imagine the outdoor version should look nicer. It's like when I applied an anti-glare screen protector on my iphone. That beautiful smooth and grain-free screen became dimmer and grainy.

I should add that the grain is very subtle. I've seen much grainier regular non-touchscreens.