ThinkPad X220 (i/T) Owners Thread

X220 X220T



Helpful Links:

• Drivers for X220/X220T
• Steps for a Clean Install
• Compatible Hard Drives/SSD List
• X220 Info/Ordering/Shipping Thread
• Official Lenovo X220 Forum
• Official Lenovo X220T Forum
• X220 Unofficial FAQ - Links - Knowledgebase

 

what is the i version?

 

The i version are the one with the i3 and lowest end i5. Basically it's x220 but with lower version of the Intel Core processor, everything else are the same.

 

Yup i is usually base and can't be upgraded for stuff like CPU. But it's also cheaper.

 

i version is a cheaper entry version with lower end intel cpu.

 

Hi,

I am planning to purchase the x220 or x220T (if it's availabe sooner than summer 2011 as noted at Lenovo's website).

I had a question about the hard drive. I was planning to purchase a SSD to replace the HD after purchase. However, I have been reading somewhere here about the SSD being a "7mm" in size. I'm not familiar with the "7mm" SSD. I presume that I can't just purchase any 2.5" SSD from say, Newegg.

Can someone educate me as to which SSDs will fit the X220?

Thanks!

 

I know for sure that the g2 and the 320 from Intel fit in the 7mm slot, if you remove the spacer on the drives.

 

I really want the X220 Tablet, the addition of the IPS screen, Wacom digitizer, and Sandy Bridge makes it perfect for my needs. I just hope it releases soon as my brother will be going to the states for a few days at the end of the month, otherwise I'm gonna miss on it.

Lenovo's presss release says it's coming out in April while the product's page on their website says Summer 2011, which is it?

 

The hardware service manual is up and the model numbers that should have IPS are not at all matching up with tabook. Page 123 lists the model numbers that have IPS. I went through every model listed in the manual's IPS list (using last letter 'u') and the ones below are listed as having IPS in the manual but not in tabook (the rest aren't for sale yet, at least with 'u'). On the other hand, the IPS listed models in tabook are not supposed to have IPS according to the manual. None of the resellers say what screen a model has for any of them so how to go about finding out whether the manual or tabook is right? Models below are supposed to have IPS according to the manual, but don't according to tabook. Mind you the model list for IPS in the manual is very short compared to the standard screen.

Service manual, 122-123: http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/0a60739.pdf

Tabook: http://www.lenovo.com/psref/pdf/tabook.pdf


4287-2VU i5-2410M 4GBx1 12.5" HD 720p 320G 7200 Intel 1000 WWAN upg Finger Blue 6 None Pro 64- $989

4287-2WU i5-2520M 4GBx1 12.5" HD 720p 320G 7200 DVD±RW UltraBase Intel 1000 WWAN upg Finger Blue 6 None Pro 64- $1299

4290-2ZU i5-2520M 2GBx1 12.5" HD 320G 7200 Intel 6205 WWAN upg 6 vPro Pro 64- $1452

4290-32U i5-2540M 4GBx1 12.5" HD 720p 320G 7200 Intel 6205 WWAN upg Fing Blue 9 vPro Pro 64- $1666

 

You don't mean the X220 Tablet rather than the X200 Tablet? :S

But now I have just heard the X220 doesn't come with SATA III interface, does anyone have a source for this?

 

Well that was resolved quickly. Just saw the post below in the other thread. The models listed in tabook as having IPS do indeed have 'Wideview' listed at costcentral, and the ones listed as having the standard screen don't have that in the extended features. So is the hardware manual that far wrong? Could it be that tabook is incorrect and that's what resellers use as reference (unlikely)? Back to hoping CTO isn't scarily priced like most of what's in tabook.

 

I don't think the tabook is incorrect. If you look on the left side of the section for the display and camera, widescreen is listed for all models. The breakdown is to the right of where it says WideView (for IPS).

Code:

Widescreen    Some: 12.5" (317.5mm) HD (1366x768) TFT color, anti-glare, LED backlight,
display             200 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 300:1 contrast ratio
              Some: (Premium) 12.5" (317.5mm) HD (1366x768) TFT color, anti-glare, LED backlight,
                    300 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 500:1 contrast ratio, IPS, WideView (170° viewing)

 

I agree. The question is why the hardware manual specs different models to have IPS than tabook.

 

lenovo huron river systems are SATA 6Gbps, including the X220.

 

Really? So I can buy an Intel 510 ssd and it will work at Sata 3 speeds?

 

Thanks Erik for clarifying on this. I was sure it had SATA III, would be weird for the newer T series to have it while the X series don't.

 

No, because there is still the 7mm limit.

 

Which hardware manual is that? I don't see the HMM listed for the X220 yet. Do you have a link?

 

Just need to take off the spacer on top and it fits.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/7353779-post9.html

 

I don't think the 510 series has a spacer

source: Intel SSD 510 Review (250GB) | StorageReview.com

 

How can you tell how tall a SSD is? Specs don't seem to list them. For example:
Newegg.com - Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CW120G3K5 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) just says 2.5"

 

Jayayess1190, you're probably better off buying the Crucial C300 if you want a 7mm SATA III SSD drive. I heard some good things about this drive as my friend has this and loves it, the benchmarks are pretty impressive too.

 

Crucial C300 is a power hungry ssd.

 

Well I already have an Intel G2, so I guess I could stay with it for a while longer (and I trust Intel more than other brands for some reason).

 

Somebody goofed big time.
Not the first time this has happened in the HMM.

forum.thinkpads.com • View topic - Is the service manual right with T42 system board FRUs?

 

I can't blame you for sticking with Intel as they have been rock solid. Bit surprised they made the switch from 7mm to 9.5mm for their SATA III drives, the only mainstream SSD I know that combines both SATA III and 7mm is Crucial. Would be nice to see Intel return to the 7mm form factor for their top line in future.

 

Crucial C300 also has known issues with stuttering/freezing. Kinda sucks that you won't be able to get an Intel SATA 3 SSD with your new Sandy Bridge notebook.

 

It had me excited for a few minutes but alas.

 

Oops, yeah.

 

suppose if i want to connect the laptop to the external monitor coming with like 1920x1080 resolution.

My question is, will i get that resolution on the external monitor, or it has to depend on the laptop?
(i guess it has to depend on the Intel HD 3000 Graphics? and if that so what is the maximum resolution that it will support?)

 

I guess the max resolution depends on your video card, but as the 1920x1080 you'll be just fine. I can get full hd resolution on my x200 and VGA cable...

 

From the Tabook
Maximum external resolution: 2560x1600 (DisplayPort)@60Hz;
2048x1536 (VGA)@75Hz; 1920x1200@60Hz (single-link DVI-D via cable 45J7915)

 

so from what you guys said, it should be fine with almost every lcd monitor out there.

thank you for the information

 

Cant wait.
I called to see if they knew when it would be available and the sales said the 19th and he would give me a call to place my order on the 19th.

 

I just installed a C300 in my W520 and it certainly didn't appear to be 7 mm nor did it appear to have an easily removable frame to make it 7 mm.

I do think we have 7 mm drives out there but I am not certain it is the C300.

I am at a place where I don't have a micrometer but I certainly can pull it and measure it by tape if anyone would like.

Edit 1: Just checked the data sheet and the Crucial C300 is 9.5 mm.

Perry

 

Hi, I have a question about the X220 Tablet screen options that I hope someone can clarify. Reading the tablet production information on page 2, under Display, it shows the following two options:

12.5" HD, 300 NIT WV (IPS), 2 finger gesture, Infinity Glass
12.5" HD, 300 NIT WV (IPS), Corning Gorilla direct bond, pen​

I am assuming these are two display options. However, I have no idea which of the two is a better option. My uneducated guess is to go with the Gorilla glass option but I'm unclear if going with that option will mean that I will lose the 2 finger/5 finger gesture option. (Though, not sure what I would use the gestures - perhaps when Windows 8 Tablet UI is released .)

Thanks

 

I believe with the multitouch screen you can use both multitouch and the pen while the other you can only use the pen.

 

there was a review of x220t (in x220 reviews topic afair) and the guy used both pen and finger gestures, so both

 

Good to know. All else being equal, I guess I will opt for the Gorilla glass - when it becomes available.

 

Multi-touch is nice if your work needs it, but it comes with its own drawbacks: more glare and grain.

 

I'm a bit confused about the tabook. I tried to match up the models listed in the book with a price comparison site here in Sweden. None of the models matched up, only partial at best. Does the tabook apply to Europe?

Also information from the resellers in Sweden is lacking, it's impossible as far as I can see which X220 model that have the IPS screen.

 

I was all set on getting an SSD (Intel 310 80GB) on newegg to put it in a X220, but I have been thinking: do I really need an SSD?

Most of my heavy computing is gonna be on my desktop (which is in dire need of an upgrade also) so perhaps a plain 7200RPM standard HDD will do for the X220?I could use the savings towards a nice Humanscale/HM Aeron chair

What do you guys think? Is an SSD really worth it? Or spend my money elsewhere?

 

310 is quite a bit slower compared to traditional SSDs. At least when it comes to write speeds. Will it be noticeable in real life? Dunno, but something to consider

 

So it is confirmed that it'll only take 7mm SSDs? Bummer, I was hoping to use my current Agility II :\

And still not up for order, even though it's already mid April

Oh, also does anyone know if the 9 cell battery sticks out the back and how much weight it adds? I'm thinking about just sticking w/ the 6 cell since that'll last 7.5~ hrs anyways.

 

The X220 is going to be a great machine. With the IPS screen, it seems that Lenovo has taken up the IBM charge about making the best notebook possible. Hopefully, this will spread to other ThinkPads. My ship date is 6/3, which kind of has me bummed, but whaddya going to do? I'm trying to look at the glass half full and thinking the estimate is way too conservative, and it'll be here in a few weeks or so. For the fist time in about eight years, I have no notebook right now. What's everyone else getting for ship dates?

 

Well, I guess I'm the first kid on the block with one of these.
I love this little beast!


I got a preconfigured X220 4290-33U with the Premium IPS display. Paid a premium by buying early from Cost Central. Ordered 03/09/2011. Manufactured 03/28/2011. FedEx delivered 04/12/2011.

Installed Microsoft Office during the initial setup (I had a spare Microsoft Office Student and Home key). Installed some other must have software.

Updated Windows 7 and Microsoft Office. Windows 7 SP1 was not installed, so I installed that. Probably 60 or so updates total.

Updated the UltraNav driver to the latest version. Also disabled the TouchPad from the UltraNav tab from the get go (I never liked TouchPads). Palmrest is acceptable for touch typing.

Created the Product Recovery Media. I started out with DVD's and used 4 total (one boot media disk and three data media disks). I have a Lite-On external DVD writer which I used for this. I just checked the boot media disk in 'My Computer' and it reports 242 MB used (I could have used a CD/R instead). Disk 1 of the data media is 3.79 GB. Disk 2 of the data media is 4.11 GB. Disk 3 of the data media is 233 MB. As before, you can only create one set of Product Recovery Disks - I checked.

I looked at the Lenovo recovery partition in 'My Computer' and it reports 1.54 GB free of 9.76 GB.

IPS display is clear and bright. Do wish it was taller though...

Here are links to a couple of posts of mine with some pics:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/len...elease-date-thinkpad-x220-15.html#post7368393
http://forum.notebookreview.com/len...elease-date-thinkpad-x220-18.html#post7372319

I note that this X220 runs quite a bit cooler and quieter than my T42 (Caveat: I am not a gamer).

Here is my Windows 7 Experience Index rating
Base Score 4.7 Determined by lowest subscore

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2540M CPU @ 2.60GHz 7.1
Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB 5.9
Graphics Intel(R) HD Graphics Family 4.7
Gaming graphics 1696 MB Total available graphics memory 6.1
Primary hard disk 252GB Free (287GB Total) 5.9

System
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manufacturer LENOVO
Model 429033U
Total amount of system memory 4.00 GB RAM
System type 64-bit operating system
Number of processor cores 2

Storage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total size of hard disk(s) 297 GB
Disk partition (C 252 GB Free (287 GB Total)
Disk partition (Q 2 GB Free (10 GB Total)

Graphics
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Display adapter type Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
Total available graphics memory 1696 MB
Dedicated graphics memory 64 MB
Dedicated system memory 0 MB
Shared system memory 1632 MB
Display adapter driver version 8.15.10.2321
Primary monitor resolution 1366x768
DirectX version DirectX 10

Network
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Network Adapter Intel(R) 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection
Network Adapter Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6205

 

Looks like a sweet machine. What's the your favorite attribute? I bet the CTO IPS upgraded rate at $50, is probably 99%. I can't wait to get mine, but it looks like it's going to be a while. If I could just get the 800 vertical resolution like on my X200 or X200t, something like 1400x800, which seems totally reasonable, I'd be a happy camper. I went the cheap route with i3. I only upgraded to the 320GB and IPS. I made no other upgrades. I just don't use any of that other stuff. I can always add it later if need be. I think this one's going to last a while, but of course I always say that and end up jonesing from something else. Congrats, you got the best notebook on the block for the time being.

 

GomJabbar...

What is your boot up time, and how snappy or lack there of for opening programs, browser, etc ?

Thank you

 

Only the 40gb 310, just like the 40gb X25-V is slow. The 80gb 310 is as fast or faster than the X25-M 80gb which has been an immensely successful drive. It's actually slightly faster on writes and this site found it to be 5.6s faster on boot and 40s faster installing Photoshop. Etc. Think of it as an improved X25-M because it does use the same controller.

This is my favorite ssd reivew site. Huge amounts of comparative data and many drives to compare, in a way that makes them easy to look at side by side. Typically German and typically great.

Intel 310 Series 80GB mSATA / 2CV102M1, Intel X25-M G2 Postville 80GB 2.5 Inch / 2CV102HD - SSD Comparison - SSD Reviews, Data Sheets and Comparison - ssdreview.com

Intel 310 Series 80GB mSATA / 2CV102M1, Intel X25-M G2 Postville 80GB 2.5 Inch / 2CV102HD - SSD Comparison - SSD Reviews, Data Sheets and Comparison - ssdreview.com

Intel 310 Series 80GB mSATA / 2CV102M1, Intel X25-M G2 Postville 80GB 2.5 Inch / 2CV102HD - SSD Comparison - SSD Reviews, Data Sheets and Comparison - ssdreview.com