ThinkPad X220 (i/T) Owners Thread

I'm trying to figure how to use the combo mic/speaker jack on the X220. Getting sound to come out works okay but I can't find a setting to use the jack for input. Any ideas where the setting/switch resides?

 

I think it's in the jack itself. Like on a cell phone, it's a combo mic/speaker, so you need something with a plug that's compatible (the number of rings on the jack and what each ring does).

 

Now if there was just a site where you could order it without RAM

 

So you can't use any off the shelf headset with microphone boom on this laptop?

 

You're not saving much by getting it without memory.

 

There's a link earlier (much earlier) in this thread on how to reinstall from scratch properly. I used it the other night and it works like a charm. Try to Google it since the search on the forum doesn't work right.

Regarding your serial number, it's under the battery.

 

Just to say thanks to all for all the info and tips in this thread. x220 has just been ordered!

I didn't have to actually ask much as the thread was well developed once I'd switched from my original idea of getting the new Sony Z, but reading through there was so much info there and it was really useful.

Cheers,

S


p.s. there was a query about prices available from Lenovo by phone a little while ago......give it a try if you haven't bought yet.......you might be surprised........

 

One thing that is perplexing me is how I had this thing idling down to 5.85w (with mSata consistently), then I installed some programs and now it won't go lower than 6.8-7. No starting services were added or anything. I had it idling getting 9.5 hrs lol (drops with usage of course).

This will sound crazy, but I idle lower with Fingerprint, Wireless, Ethernet, HDD, USB all on. I have disabled Wireless and biometrics in windows, but keeping both enabled in Bios results in a lower watt usage than disabled.

Now if I disable everything but ethernet, HDD and USB I idle at about a watt higher than with all those enabled. You'd think it would be opposite??

I have the Factory disks now and I'm going to do a factory install to see the differences. Right now I'm on a clean install. I can have this thing idling at a consistent 5.85 right up until I install programs (even if they don't run in the background).

 

Really wish I could disable that damn flash at startup. Woke up the person sitting next to me on the plane the other day, ha. Guess I could just throw some tape over it, but you should be able to just disable it (at startup).

 

Perhaps they are running processes/services in the background, even if the apps themselves aren't running. (This might be what you're referring to already though.)

S

 

Anyone got WiDi working - mine starts working but then drops the connection as soon as I open "My Computer".

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

I stuck 8gb of ram and an Intel 320 160gb ssd into the x220 and messed with the display settings. The X220 is almost flawless now, I'm really enjoying it. I do hear a high pitched sound from the fan. Just going to try to get used to it, it's not that bad.

I got 255.6 mb/s and 167.8 mb/s for sequential read and write, respectively, on crystaldiskmark. Are these reasonable for the 320 in the x220?

 

^sounds like a familiar approach.

What did you have to do to the display? (Is it the IPS display?)

S

 

Yeah it's the IPS display. I turned down the contrast a bit and upped the saturation. It got rid of the yellowish tint. Not sure if it's accurate, but I feel more comfortable looking at it now

 

He probably thought he was about to be interrogated -)


Actually, I find the strength of the light quite useful, not necessarily to see the keyboard but to provide additional illumination in low light. Especially in bed with just a lamp to the side, it's better for the eyes the have the thinklight on too.

It would be nice to have the thinklight AND backlit keyboard

 

How long do you think it would take to deliver a Core i5 model with Premium IPS display? It seems they are out of hard drives atm, saying that it will be delivered 7/27?

Any good sales coming up on an i5 X220? I don't want the throttling problems with the i7.

 

So many people complain about the light and would rather have a backlit keyboard. Not me. I actually prefer the light over having a backlit keyboard. I rather like it.

 

Just wondering, how many people ordered their X220s with the finger print scanner? Money isn't the problem with it, but I don't know if I really need one because it's not like I have any super confidential files I need to protect from anyone. For those with the scanner, do you find it a lot more convenient using it to wake up the computer instead of pushing a couple more buttons?

 

I got one.. But definitively NOT to protect any "super confidential files", a simple password is often safer then any fingerprint scanner.

 

I've had ThinkPads with it and without. It's a convenience more than a security feature. I wouldn't turn it down, but I wouldn't pay for it either.

 

I did not order one, but wish I did. For most laptops I just use a password, and don't have "password on resume" enabled so it wakes up without any problem.

But my X220 I plan on traveling with and the ability to swipe your finger instead of typing a password is really handy if you have that password on resume from sleep and you sleep your laptop when closing the screen.

That's really the only way I'd recommend the fingerprint reader is if you use the password on resume from sleep feature, I open and close my laptop all the time so it would be handy.

 

I didn't think this model has WIDI capability - just curious, do ALL SB Core i5 computers have WIDI capability?

 

Yes, yes, yes, and OMG yes

I have an X220T and even more so.... I don't have to bring up the virtual keyboard when in tablet mode. Just swipe.

I plan on using Bitlocker (in a domain environment). I recently read something that caused me pause (something about UEFI and the TPM that is going to be fixed in a BIOS update) so I'm going to wait a little longer.

But to my understanding, combining Power On password plus Bitlocker+TPM (no PIN) is a pretty secure solution. Fingerprint will just make it easier. One swipe powers on the laptop, enters the Power on Password (thus unlocks the TPM/Bitlocker) and logs into the computer.

I will say the Fingerprint software in UEFI mode is a little buggy. Sometimes the Fingerprint logon screen doesn't come up right away (Windows 7 64bit). If you hit ESC or CTRL+ALT+DEL it usually solves the problem.

 

Does anyone know where to buy a 4 cell battery for the X220T?

 

Yes all Sandy Bridge laptops have WiDi capability.

 

Yah, that is what I thought. I looked through all the services and disabled them earlier, but still idle was up. Weird.

Yah seriously, he probably did. I just played it off like the flash didn't come from my computer hah.

I do like the idea of the light and have used it a few times, just wish I could turn off the flash. Seems weird there is no option.

I feel the same way. Half the time now I just have it disabled, but it is kinda nice sometimes.



Hey floz23, if you happen to skim past this post. I remember back earlier in the thread (or another) I said I was using 0 brightness during the day. I realize now why you thought I was crazy. I had the latest intel graphic drivers from intel's site (2361) instead of lenovo's (2342). Turns out the brightness on level 0 on intel's drivers is much higher than on lenovo's. I did a factory install yesterday and wondered why I couldn't see anything on level 0. I guess that is the answer. I wonder if there is a way to increase the brightness on level 15 with lenovo's drivers, the level 15 on intels drivers is crazy bright.... lenovo is substantially dimmer.

I really dig level 0 on lenovo's driver since it is so dim for at night, but wish I could increase the higher levels more.

So for anyone that thinks their screen is too dim, you may want to try intel's graphic drivers to see if it makes a difference. Just for the energy conscious, it seemed to drain 0.5 more watts on the same level. Seems like lenovo's level 3 or 4 is intel's 0 (guessing).

 

Hmm, that's interesting. When I tried to install 2361 direct from Intel, I got this message:

"Product Detected Intel® Processor Graphics 3000 Current Driver Installed 8.15.10.2342 A customized computer manufacturer driver is installed on your computer. The Intel Driver Update Utility is not able to update the driver. Installing a generic Intel driver instead of the customized computer manufacturer driver may cause technical issues. Contact your computer manufacturer for the latest driver for your computer."

Also tried installing it directly (ie not via the update utility) but got a similar message.

How were you able to install it?

 

Hi Guys.

First time post, so first up thanks to everyone for all the info in here. Very helpful in deciding which laptop to buy. (Would have bought a series 9 if not for the info here about terrible wifi)

Instead just ordered a x220 from US ( I live in Oz, prices over here start at $1500 ).

Ordered the i5, IPS, 250gb HD and 2gb ram.

Plan to upgrade HD and RAM, was going to buy normal 2.5" ssd, but given the size restrictions etc am now thinking about a msata drive in conjunction with normal 5400 HD.

Few questions:

1) Does anybody know what the 250GB 5400 HD model is, or how much idle power it draws? Am worried that by using both i will suffer from reduced battery life, and am wondering just how much extra power i will be using.

2)Using the base model i5, will I run into throttling problems, or does that only happen on i7 and faster i5's?

3) As i have a legitimate copy of windows 7 I ordered the DOS version. Which levono software is essential to download?

Apologies if these have been covered over and over, have had trouble using search on these forums.

p.s.also i am not sure if the model i purchased will have the msata problems that should be fixable via bios update. If i do, is it possible to flash the bios prior to installing windows? I would obvioulsy rather not have to install on the 5400 HD, then update bios, then install msata SSD and reinstall windows

 

Guys help! I'm in trouble!

I was running CrystalDiskMark on my Renice X3 msata drive (that I installed a few weeks ago, with seemingly no problems) and my X220 restarted and froze at the Lenovo POST screen.

I turned it off by holding the power button down, then turned it back on, and it seemed to take a long time to get to the POST screen, then after a while it tried to boot from the LAN card. I restarted and went into the BIOS (which loaded after a real long time) and my X3 disappeared from the BIOS.

Has this happened to anyone? Is my computer dead? Any ideas?

 

I did. I find it pretty handy actually. For high security or logon purposes I dont care so much, but for the internet it's great. It's a good convenient 'in between' setup... so instead of remembering and entering all those website logins (not smart to use the same password for everything mind you), or using one of those password managers that just log you in automaticly (which is no good if anyone else happens to use or gets hold of your machine), you can set all that up to log in with a simple swipe.

Only down side is the Lenovo software is a pain to use in this fashion, but there are several good 3rd party programs that make this very easy.

 

Curious as well. First thing I did was wipe the drive and install my own normal copy of 7 ultimate. Went for the newest drivers for everything, which usually are straight from the manufacturer and not lenovo's version. I got that roadblock as well, even without the Lenovo version previously installed. I didnt put any effort into looking for a workaround though, just put the lenovo one on instead. Now I want to try the Intel one as I am one of them that finds the screen on the dim side.

 

Yeah all of them have it..Just got it working...Thx

 

Yes the X220 does WiDi, and it works.

You need more than a Sandy Bridge core for WiDi. Here are the requirements:

Intel® Wireless Display — System requirements for the Intel® Wireless Display

 

Okay, so it is designed to work with combo mic/speakers and I can't just plug in an mp3 player using a standard mini plug and expect it to play over the PC speakers?

 

I had the same issue trying to install it if I had a previous Lenovo graphic driver installed. However not a clean install. I think the issue is that the Intel one isn't digitally signed for lenovo?? Well, whatever the problem is, you have to force the install of the drivers. Just note you will be getting around 0.4-0.7w penalty. That may or may not matter to you. Man I wish I knew more about drivers so I could modify the lenovo one to have brighter high levels.

I only had to do this once and now I've kinda forgotten how to get there. For some reason I can't find the original post on how to do this. So this is me giving it my best guess.

1. Download the zip file instead of exe on intel's site.
2. Go into device manager and double click on Intel HD Graphics
3. Update Driver
4. Browse my computer
5. Let me pick
6. Have Disk
7. Browse to Graphics folder
8. Select igdlh64.inf (or 32)
9. It should say Intel HD Graphics
10. Next

To the best of my knowledge that is what I did. If anyone has done it differently and knows my version is wrong, please correct it.

Give that a shot and let me know if it works.

1. Get the intel 310 80gb. My HD 7200 idles at around .5w. Active I believe it is around 2-2.5w. The intel is active at I believe .175w. You'll save power by using the msata as your os/program drive. I got that drive all customized up and cloned it to my HD. Now I just have all the data save on the HD. Then if the SSD ever did crash, you have a backup... literally no downtime. Trust me, you'll get much better battery life with the msata/hd combo. Just make sure to spin down the HD in power manager. Honestly I probably gained 1.5 hrs going from just the HD.

2. No clue, but I have the 2520 and have not experienced it.

3. Honestly, I am now a convert. I hate to admit it, but I believe in the factory image. After doing a couple clean installs on this thing I've found the factory install idles a good bit lower. I just factory installed on the msata and deleted everything off I didn't want. You can really get it almost as clean as a clean install. If you can't get the factory image then I would just install the bare bones minimum. I don't have the time to spell out everything, but the only Lenovo pieces I'd recommend are fingerprint and power manager.

 

I don't think it's a line in jack, I think it's mic/headphone only.

 

Thanks for the informative link. What is most surprising from the info in that site is that, apparently, you can implement WIDi with any Core i cpu (1st or 2nd gen; I recall now that WIDI came out before SB) w/Intel wifi and certain Intel Sftwe* and the Push 2TV device. But it also seems that you need more than just a supported cpu and wifi card:

* The software, "Intel® My WiFi Technology (Intel® MWT)² and Intel Wireless Display must be pre-installed and enabled," per the Intel site, but, same source: "Requires an Intel® Wireless Display-enabled PC."

So, despite the fact that only a first gen Core i cpu and virtually any Intel wifi card are required, it seems that the computer must be "Intel Wireless Display-enabled" and requires that the specialized software be "pre-installed and enabled." (Yes, I do realize I've just paraphrased the words from the previous paragraph! Just to make it easier to present my question.) Leaves me with this question: how do you know if your PC is Intel WIDI-enabled? Can one just download, install and "enable" the required software, get the TV receiver and, voila, any of these computers can run WIDI? (I get that it's limited to 720p with non-SB cpus.)

I realize this is not strictly an x220 question, but we got here from that question regarding the X220 and it does beg the question, how do you know that the x220 is WIDI enabled? For that matter, how about any Thinkpad with the requisite cpu and wifi card?

 

It's definitely not pushed front and center in the marketing materials.

The download for the driver lists the supported ThinkPads:

Intel Wireless Display for Windows 7 (32-bit, 64-bit) - ThinkPad Edge 14, Edge 15, Edge E40, Edge E50

 

Yes, now it all makes sense. Using this laptop on 0 bright is awesome.... in total darkness!

Also, a quick update for all regarding battery life. Wow, ok. I'm now 100% certain that google chrome was the biggest offender of battery usage. Now I'm using the Chrome beta channel (version 13), and with 2 app tabs (gmail and reader), and another tab open for general browsing, my lenovo battery meter easily reads 7 hours now! As I sit here and type out this message, 6 brightness, wifi on, batterybar is reading about 7.5watts of drain! This easily translates to about 7 hours of battery.

Granted, as soon as I start browsing, that 7.5watt figure is going to jump up, but as soon as it goes back to idle, im easily seeing around 7watts or less, idle.

This is really pretty awesome. Also, I'm finding that setting the cpu speed to Balanced, seems to have NO effect on battery life.

 

I don't mean to intrude or anything, but I wanted to ask something. I am quite sure I will be buying a X220 soon and it seems like the perfect laptop for me. I was just wondering if there is any way to get a better graphics card in it? If only they offered a customizable graphics card!

 

Thanks for that!

So, folks are updating to 2361 for the extra brightness or keeping with 2342 for level 0 at night?

 

I assume that worked for you then?

I wish I could have both. The low of the Lenovo and the high of the Intel. There has to be a way to edit the tables somewhere. Unfortunately I'm just not that knowledgeable.

My graphics did increase from 4.7 to 4.8 with the intel drivers (if that even matters).

 

I'm going to buy x220 in germany, its 1059euro (around 1400usd) for student price, with spec : i7, 4gb ram, 320GB 7200rpm, IPS HD, intel n 6025, and 3yrs warranty..and i will meet with the seller next week..so what do i have check to make sure that basic issue is not happen to my new laptop (screen, WEI, speaker, adaptor for throttling issue) ?

 

Nope, right now there's only the HD3000. You could do an external DIY card... vdock? vidock? something like that. There's plenty of info on it in a thread around here somewhere.

To be fair though, the stock video is actually pretty decent for gaming. It's not spectacular, but it'll play most anything (within reason!) on low-mid settings.

 

I am experiencing some muffled sound through my x220 when I watch videos or listen to music through my headphone(not through speaker).

I think there's something wrong with my audio port or watever it is called.
For example, I tried watching a youtube vid that I experienced muffled sound through x220 on my iphone, and didnt experience it. It's interesting bcause i experience it like every other second, and not throughout the entire video or song.

Am I the only one experiencing this problem??

 

No, haven't updated it yet. I find the screen bright enough on 2342.

That said, I wonder if 2361 will improve using an external monitor in Extend mode? I found that movement was very slightly unnatural compared to Projector mode, even with 4 GB ram.

 

Thank you! I will be buying the X220 soon

 

I was considering the X220 and while I probably do not need the I7 I was interested in it for the USB3 port.

My question is how much hotter will it run and how much will the battery life be affected over the I5?

Thanks!

 

Someone posted a link in here (I know, hundreds of pages to go through... :-/ ) to a USB3 card you can plug into the expansion slot. It's cheaper than the upgrade to the i7 if that's all you want the i7 for. Just thought I'd throw that out there as an option.

 

That I couldn't tell ya, I don't ever use extend on my setup.