Sold one ThinkPad, bought a newer one.

A friend expressed interest in my R60e recently, so I'm selling that. I hadn't been using it much lately anyways. I looked around on the Lenovo Outlet and eBay for a while, and eventually got the X200s specified in my signature (hasn't arrived yet). The only thing I wasn't confident about was the lack of a touch pad, but the more I think about it the more I realize my order of preference should be mouse > track point > touch pad. The reason being that sweaty hands are terrible on touch pads, but still decent on track points. I plan on putting an Intel SSD in it, and using it as my portable machine, since while I do love my XPS M1730 and M15x, they're complete overkill for half the things I do (I don't need a 10 lb. machine with a 230 Watt PSU to check my email or make this post).

This X200s is ultimately a much needed replacement for the M11xR1 I got rid of a few months ago.

I'll post again when I get it, and I'll compare it to some other machines.

What sort of battery life should I expect with a six cell battery?

 

So much did you get the X200s for? and what resolution is your LCD? WXGA or WXGA+?

 

Congratulations on your swap! In the X201, I get approx. 5+ hours from a new 6-cell battery (energy star scheme with everything on; doing office work and light browsing, screen brightness at 7)

 

You'll get use to the trackpoint and will most likely prefer it over trackpad. I would prefer two trackpoint positions. One should be placed below the keyboard, that way I don’t have to reach for it when browsing in a relaxed state of mind (being lazy).

 

Nice upgrade, how much did you pay it for?
As for trackpoint, while I can choose between both input methods I simply use what feels more natural at that moment. So I use both, however I find myself loving smooth round moves of the trackpoint
Oh and I love it how I dont have to move my hand or change its position, feels more natural and definitely wins ergonomics wise over touchpad

 

Here's the one a ended up getting. It was $750, which seemed decent (considering it comes with two batteries and Windows 7 Ultimate).

I'm not sure which screen resolution, but that wasn't really a huge deal for what this machine will be used for (if I need space I'll use either the WUXGA machine or the 900p machine)

Fem, if your X201 gets five hours, I'd imagine this will get about six (and it came with a second six cell battery, so this will be a great all day machine ).

I also sent a payment yesterday to another forum member for an Intel X25-M 80GB G2, and I'll do a clean install on that with this method to avoid as many of the chipset issues as possible. I read a thread at one pint where ZaZ was having trouble getting the same drive to perform well.

 

I don't think you should worry about getting the Intel SSD to work well with any laptop if set up and maintained properly (which is as easy as can be).

I have used my Intel X25 G2 160GB SSD in both my X200, X61s, X61, R500 and T500. It runs flawlessly in all systems - whether it is XP or 7.

Judging from the eBay listing it seems that Windows 7 is only pre-installed on the laptop. It seems that the installation discs and license code are not included or is it an original Lenovo installtion where you can make recovery discs?

Edit: judging from the pictures it is a generic Win 7 installation.

 

I can always just boot it (with its original 160GB HDD) and write down the license, and then download a Windows 7 Ultimate .iso from Microsoft and enter the license after installation. I'll probably have to figure out how to put it on a flash drive also (since I don't happen to have an external optical drive).

 

Follow this method, and it should be free sailing. I prefer this method, because it's the only one that has worked with every single computer I've put windows 7 on using several different flash drives.

Nice notebook, have fun!

Use a USB Key to Install Windows 7?Even on a Netbook

 

Thanks for the link!

 

Awesome! You'll love the portability of the X200s; it'll be slimmer and sleeker than the M11x, and will look pretty tiny in relation to your Beast.

 

At this point even my M15x is starting to look small (the XPS M1730 is that much bigger ).

I anticipate the X200s to be of similar build quality to the M11x (higher quality control obviously), but without the atrocious hinges. It's also a bit of a sidestep keyboard wise; the M11x had an okay backlit keyboard, and this will have a great non backlit one.

It will be really funny to have the XPS M1730 and X200s side by side. I'll take a picture when it gets here.

 

Absolutely, hehe. I had to get rid of my M1730 a little while ago but used some of the cash to pick up my X200, ironically enough. After my new T500 I'm going to put any future notebook purchases on hold, but if the right Beast comes along I may snag one again.

Now that I think of it, I do recall writing a review of the licensed M1730 backpack in which I joked about that thing being able to eat an ultraportable.

 

It arrived today! It has the WXGA screen, but the pixel density is sufficient at this size anyways. It's an amazingly light machine, the M11x feels heavy in comparison.

Once I feel situated on it I'll make an image of its drive, and put the SSD in (assuming I can keep it aligned correctly, if not I'll just do a clean install).