ThinkPad X220 - Configurations - How Will/Would You Order Yours?

Of the published features, which for you are must-haves, which will be price-dependent and which can you do without, in order of importance?

Select from one of the pre-fabricated models in the tabook pdf starting on page 149:

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

Or configure your own using the data sheet starting on page 3:

http://shop.lenovo.com/ISS_Static/ww/wci/us/ww/pdf/x220_datasheet.pdf

Also, if you wish post questions and answers about feature comparisons (with any specific component links): why a particular WiFi adapter vs. another? Why the i7 vs. a particular i5? And questions about periphery compatibility welcome.

Lastly, add a brief parenthetical wish list at bottom of your post if you like; the focus is on what is offered.

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Other relevant Notebook Review Forum threads:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/545698-thinkpad-x220-picture.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/559762-thinkpad-x220-specs-revealed.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/560781-x220-reviews.html

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Search tags: Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Specs Specifications Features Feature Comparison IPS Screen Display 12 to 13 inch Thin and Light USB 3.0 WiFi a/b/g/n WiMAX ExpressCard DisplayPort Bluetooth 3.0 No Optical Drive Great Good Keyboard WWAN SD SDXC Bluetooth 3.0 SSD Solid State Drive mSATA mini SATA HDD 7200rpm HD High Definition Camera 8 GB DDR3 i5 i7

 

It pretty much depends all on what reviews will say.
If I can get a 10hr battery life out of a 6-cell battery, than I'm fine with that, if it's more like 5 hours of productivity, I would prefer the bulkier 9-cell battery.

4GB of Ram if it is one DIMM, 6GB if 4GB would be 2x2GB.

If the faster i5 is not much more expensive and doesn't take away my battery life I would take it, tough I don't really need it.

I would go with a SSD or that Rapid-Drive System for sure.

As screen, of course, the 1600x900 IPS panel If they wont offer it, I think I might go with a SB Vaio Z or Dell 12"/13" Notebook.

 

For me:

Model 4290-34U, page 150 of the tabook, if the pre-fabricated unit presents a substantial (say, > $100) savings over the same unit configured to order (CTO).

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MY CHOICES AMONG X220 OPTIONS:

Must-haves: i5-2520M (or better), IPS (premium screen option)

Price-dependent: USB 3.0 (highly desirable), Intel WiFi/WiMAX 6250, SSD 80 GB (or better)

Can do without: HD camera (in fact, a camera altogether)

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MY CHOICES WHICH ARE STANDARD ON ALL X220 UNITS:

Must-haves: superior keyboard, light weight, 12 to 13” screen

Must NOT have: optical drive

Highly desirable: SD drive (with SDXC compatibility), Bluetooth 3.0 [at least I believe these versions are standard on all units—comments?]

Could have done without: ExpressCard

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NOTES:

My previous notebook, a Dell Latitude X1, had a decent keyboard, light weight, a 12.1” screen and no optical drive, which I am looking to replicate, and a poor matte screen which I want to step up.

Dell Latitude X1 Ultraportable Laptop Released (pics, specs)

Whereas certain port or other features (which may be more readily/cheaply available with other laptop brands) would be used just occasionally, the keyboard is used and experienced nearly every launch (over even a superior processing speed) and so for me one with good contours, travel/action, is a key ingredient. (After using the Latitude X1 for so many years I was recently surprised at what I felt was an inferior typing experience on laptop brands such as Asus and Toshiba—several store display units would have broken keys popping off.)

My Dell Latitude X1 weighed just 2.54 lbs (with the 3-cell battery, sans the electric chord/adapter), I’d take it in hand on the go sometimes without case, use it on my leg(s) or even read it held up like a newspaper, occasionally, with keyboard hanging straight down. Weight and size and the lack of an optical drive were among my first qualifiers in looking for a replacement.

If I had not already owned a notebook without an optical drive, I might not be placing such a premium on purchasing the same: the weight and space savings came to be a considerable benefit. For the occasional need I would either make an image (.iso) of a needed DVD or CD and access/play it through a mounted drive or simply carry the portable Dell DVD writer—nearly always though, it stayed behind. Further, the optical drive once failed in the third year near the end of the business warranty, and I’d only to send it (and not the entire notebook) back to Dell for a fully covered replacement. Also, I’m now free to look outside the Lenovo brand for a portable drive, and I will be getting one.

Alright, long-winded, but some explanation as to what's important to me beyond what may be important to everyone.

Your requirements?

---------------------------------------------------------

(Wish list: Thunderbolt port (Lenovo should have anticipated that this is around the corner and offered it—it would have included and could have gone in place of the Mini DisplayPort); WirelessDisplay, which is not a trivial customer upgrade, if even possible (and thus HDMI); USB 3.0 standard on all X220 units; absence of the ExpressCard which I suspect I’ll not be using—for something else, of course; and last and least, discrete GPU, higher screen resolution).

WiFi/WiMAX adapter:
-----------------------

Anyone know the feature differences between the adapter options which are listed on the data sheet: Intel® Centrino® Ultimate-N 6300 (Puma Peak) 3x3 AGN (performance) and Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6205 (Taylor Peak) 2x2 AGN (performance)?

X220 Data Sheet:
http://shop.lenovo.com/ISS_Static/ww/wci/us/ww/pdf/x220_datasheet.pdf

Is one more powerful than the other or have a longer reach? If so, specifics please if you know any. How do these units compare with their peers? I did some cursory searches but came up dry.

Also, does anyone now use WiMAX or is anyone interested in this feature?

It’s listed on the aforementioned data sheet though not as a component of one of the pre-fabricated units in the tabook pdf [linked in the first post] and so I’m guessing it will be available only configured-to-order.

I’m under the impression WiMAX will become more widespread and I want this feature onboard though pricing may be determinative.

Any thoughts?

Optical Drive:
--------------

Is it correct that I should be able to purchase any brand of USB 2.0 (or 3.0, if applicable) portable optical drive (CD/DVD writer or Blu-ray, as desired) and have it work with the X220, assuming likely installable driver?

The portable OD for my Dell Latitude X1 had a proprietary plug, it won’t even work with newer Dell models—USB on bottom and power on top, in one plug. What a waste! (I understand I may be able to cut open the cable and jerry-rig it to work but will probably pass on that.)

 

Yep. See Newegg.com - ASUS 8X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 4X DVD+R DL 8X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 5X DVD-RAM 8X DVD-ROM 24X CD-R 16X CD-RW 24X CD-ROM 2MB Cache USB 2.0 External BD Combo Model SBC-06D1S-U/DBLU for example.

 

halobox- Gracias.

fuchstronaut- If I'm not misreading the tabook, it looks they're all single sticks. Have a look under the Memory columns starting on page 149.

I should have added in my first post the a 6-cell should meet the weight-longevity balance for me.

 

IPS: no brainer

Cpu: i5 something, depends on price, VT extensions a must but I think are standard on SB. Definitely not the top i7 option.

Ram: I see lots of 1x4gb configurations in the prebuilt models which is ideal, I would rather add more myself

Wifi: prefer 6250 for wifi+wimax in one slot

Wwan: 80gb msata intel ssd

HD: Empty 2.5" bay if possible, CTO upgrade prices are high, otherwise 320+

OS: None/free if possible...I can dream. So sick of double or triple paying for windows (oem fee + personal msdn + if its for work site license) and wish I had the free time and free army of lawyers to get it back

Really hope the pci-e part of the express card port is 2.0

Other ports: usb3 = don't care

Battery: not sure, depends on price/weight/extra length, but just a 6 or 9, no slice.

Dock: most likely not, making my own for gpu

 

I would configure it with IPS, HD+(if available), webcam and 9 cell battery. The rest I couldnt care less about.
Ive never used bluetooth on any of my computers, every blue tooth enabled device that could potentially be connected to my computer has bluetooth disabled and enabling it takes more time than picking up correct USB cable and simple pluggin it in with no hassle
Fingerprint reader is nice feature if its there, dont have to type in password here and there. However face verification might become next big thing, so I could pick FV over FP in future. Then again, neither are mandatory for me.
Smart Card reader - its nice if you actively use Digital Signature or carry around corporate SC to power up your laptop or are simply paranoid about security. On my T410 its just there in form of small gap between HDD and palmrest, not sure how it adds or subtracts from laptops rigidity (sp?) because I dont like how plastic bents and flexes above it.

So yeah, besides IPS and 9 cell battery and webcam and HD+(if possible) its all basic setup for me

 

There's three factors I'm looking for clarity on with the X220.

1. Will we see a 1600x900 IPS screen?
2. Can I pair the 9 cell with the slice battery? (Seems to be a no, but I haven't found a direct confirmation of that.)
3. Can I get it TrackPoint only, sans touchpad?

If I get a yes to these three, I might consider ditching my brand new X201 for an X220. However, even considering all that, I'll probably still wait for Quad Core I series processors to come to ultra-portables to upgrade again. Probably being the key word - if I see a 1600x900 IPS screen, I may have to give in and vote with my dollars. I'll have to do my part to see that the option sticks around.

Combined with those three, known options I'd surely go for would include:

I7 2620m (or future I7 quad core)
8gb memory
160 gig SSD from factory - I want to see if Lenovo EE2.0 is really going to make a difference.

 

To begin with, I concentrate on what cannot be upgraded later.

I want the fastest i5 CPU - looking to the future. The i7, while faster, only comes with the 9-cell battery in the preconfigured models in tabook. I don't want a protruding battery so I will get the i5. Probably if I waited and ordered a CTO model directly from Lenovo I would have more options. EDITED and corrected misinformation

USB 3 would be nice, but not a deal breaker if I can't get it with the i5 CPU.

IPS definitely a plus and a no-brainer for me.

I can accept any of the WLAN options. Don't have FIOS where I live.

I prefer to get an aftermarket add-on WWAN card as this technology is evolving fairly rapidly. My choice is an ExpressCard WWAN card, but a USB one would be OK.

A 6-cell battery is my sweet spot. Longer lasting than the 4-cell and doesn't bulge out the back like the 9-cell (increasing notebook size).

Not too picky about the HDD at this time. The default 320 GB, 7200 rpm drive seems pretty good. Might look into getting a mSATA drive to add in the future.

I have my doubts that I will use the camera. Not important to me.

Bluetooth preferable, but not a requirement.

A single stick of 4 GB RAM is fine.

I want Windows 7 Professional (or Ultimate). No 'Home' OS for me.

I want to get the Ultrabase series 3 with: DVD/RW drive, 2nd hard drive adapter, and a 2nd hard drive in the near future.

Based on the above criteria, I have already ordered the X220 4290-33U from Cost Central. Still no firm shipping date.

 

1. I doubt it, but who knows? You could wait months or a year or more for a definitive answer.
2. From what I read, the slice battery works with any of the 3 other batteries.
3. Probably not, but who knows?

 

1.- It's anyone's guess. There's just as much evidence suggesting against it as for it.

2.- Yes, you can, that's how you get the quoted max battery life. If you look at the slice battery ( in this picture, for example), it only attaches along the bottom. The 9-cell is identical to the 6-cell on the underside, only it also extends a bit short of an inch out the rear of the laptop. So, it will likely work with the slice.

3.- Doesn't seem like it, which makes sense: adding another part (touchpad-less palmrest) complicates matters in terms of orders, most users will want the familiarity of a touchpad, and the tabook does not seem to indicate anything related to touchpad-less X220 models.

 

When I order from University of Pittsburgh's Lenovo site:

• 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-2520M
• 12.5" 1366x768 IPS screen
• 2GB Ram (have 8GB of 1333MHz waiting)
• 160GB HDD (have Intel G2 waiting)
• Intel 6205 Wifi
• Windows 7 Home Basic (Have Ultimate waiting)
• No Bluetooth
• HD Webcam, maybe
• 6-Cell
• Fingerprint reader not needed, but maybe
• Cheapest warranty available

Will last me at minimum 5 years.

 

My order on processing:

Intel Core i7-2620M Processor (2.7GHz, 4MB L3, 1333MHz FSB) USB 3.0
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile
Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna
8 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Fingerprint Reader
720p HD Camera
Intel 160 GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA
Media base bay devices DVD Recordable
Gemplus 54mm ExpressCard Smart Card Reader
ThinkPad Battery 29+ (6 cell)
Country Pack North America with Line cord & 65W AC adapter
Bluetooth 3.0
Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable

Hopefully they can ship it out soon

 

I am looking at the chart below and all these CPUs appear to be 35W:
Mobile Processors - Benchmarklist - Notebookcheck.net Tech

How much does i7 drain power compared to i5? Has anyone had any experience to advise in favor or against i7 for longer battery life?

 

I am going to have to eat my words. When I looked at this several weeks ago, I was sure I saw a difference. Now I don't. Both appear to be 35 watts maximum.

EDIT: After looking into this again, I was considering changing my order. Problem is, all the preconfigured i7's in tabook come with the protruding 9-cell battery which I don't want. I guess I'll leave my order as it stands.

EDIT2: Here you can compare processors on Intel's site.
http://www.intel.com/consumer/products/processors/compare-processors.htm

 

Silly not to get the configuration you want because of the battery. That's the easiest component to change. I'm sure someone would be willing to trade + $ for a small discount over what Lenovo charges to upgrade.

 

If you buy the battery you want separately, someone at TPF would probably take this one off your hands. Or are you headed back out to sea and not want the bother?

 

I usually buy CTO, but this time I will likely have to take something pre-configured due to time constraints. Indeed, I may not be able to get the X220 at all if they don't release it soon! I'm leaving soon on a two month trip and need my laptop!

 

I'd also like to know the specs of the IPS screen (gamut, contrast, brightness, etc).
Totally agree on the 3, I'd very much rather prefer it sans touchpad, even though it can be easily disabled.

Personally, I'd choose the following:

1) IPS
2) i7+USB 3.0
3) Cheapest RAM and HDD (can always upgrade)

 

It's an idea. Problem is that I am near the upper limit of what I am comfortable spending already. If I bought the 4290-35U with the faster processor and USB 3 as well as a 6-cell battery, that would set me back another $287.47 plus S&H (from Cost Central).

The 6-cell battery lists for $126.65 at Cost Central, but they don't have any in stock atm and I'm not sure when they would. Lenovo lists the 6-cell battery for $149.99, available to ship in 12 business days. Then I have to find someone to trade with and make the trade in the time window I am home. I'm not sure it's worth it.

EDIT: FWIW, the 9-cell battery sells for $179.99 at Lenovo, and $151.98 at Cost Central.

 

Core i5-2410M
TN screen
No Bluetooth, basic Wireless N, no other internet cards or mobile broadband.
Webcam
Basic Memory and Hard drive (will up memory to 4GB, and add SSD, sell the POS hard drive)
Windows 7 Home
No MS Office, will use either a beta if they have one out or get student discount.
No fingerprint reader.
6 cell battery, might go for 9 cell...
Expresscard, no SD reader.
If the microphones are an option, no, I have a 600 dollar pair of omnis for actual recording usage.
Probably will grab a cheap 1920x1080 second monitor, anything below 1000 pixels vertically is complete junk imo.
No warranty, accessories, planning to mess around anyways lol.

Basically trying to save money where I can for the SSD and ViDock. Processor can always get an overclock, 3MB cache is more than enough I've been living on 2 and it's fine. Core i3 is a bit of a concern since multithreading is getting more prevalent, so I expect the hyperthread in i5 to do some good. I don't really care for IPS monitors, TN looks great to me. Viewing angle doesn't matter, I don't know why anyone would be trying to stare at a tiny screen at a 70 degree angle. As for power, 6 cell sounds good enough if it can go 8 hours with dim screen and not much going on. Undervolt and underclock is always an option to squeeze more battery life out.

I'll do a DIY ViDock when the HD7870 or GTX 660 comes out, and when PE4H is updated to PCI-e 2.0 spec Or maybe I'll just use my GT240 with it now.

 

Core i7 w/ USB 3.0 ( Might as well for the upcoming devices )

IPS screen

Bluetooth

6300 Wireless N 3x3, No mobile broadband. Verizon 4G MiFi later on if needed

Memory 4GB / 6 GB if I can swing it

320 GB 7200 hard drive ( 160 GB by way of CTO as I have learned )

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit

Fingerprint reader

6 cell battery only. Really do not like the 9 cell sticking out

Expresscard and SD reader

No software add on's

No 720P camera.

3 or 4 yr warranty with accidental damage. Toss up for how long. Peace of mind

Hope for a fairly good Coupon. Not holding my breath on that one at launch

 

Core i3 has hyper-threading, what it doesn't have is Turbo Boost.

 

Just keep in mind that 7mm hard drives may still be relatively hard to come by.

 

That's a nice laptop you got there. Mind sharing how much it costs?

I'm planning to order the same one.

 

I do not see any location at this moment that the X220 is up for sale. Even Lenovo official website only states "Soon" So I do not understand the poster whgyu stating "Hopefully they can ship it out soon" Who is " They" please

Lenovo - Laptops - ThinkPad - X Series- X220

 

There are a number of sites that have the X220 for sale (Google is your friend). They all say either: 'not in stock', 2-4 weeks for delivery, or call. AFAIK, none have shipped yet. Apparently at least one educational facility has them available for order.

I bought my X220 March 9th, but it still hasn't shipped (credit card has not been charged yet either). Will call them later in the week for a status update.

EDIT: Contacted Cost Central via live chat. Their current ETA to receive my X220 from Lenovo is April 11th. That's 2 weeks from now.

EDIT2: Intel's recall of the series 6 chipset for the Sandy Bridge CPU's likely is causing some delay in the release of the X220.
http://techreport.com/discussions.x/20326
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-76673.html

 

On the CostCentral website, it shows a X220 for sale for whopping $1,734.38, but it does not say which screen one gets. Just that it a WXGA (Not IPS version). Does include a 3 yr warranty, but does not say if one gets the accidental spills, and drop warranty as I can see.

Wish the site would give more information to this X220 offering

Lenovo ThinkPad X220 4290 (429033U) - Laptops / Notebooks

 

Yeah, it's confusing that they don't use the term IPS. Instead they call it "WideView" in the Extended specifications. Lenovo's tabook states the 4290-33U does have the IPS WideView display.

EDIT: You can view Lenovo's tabook by downloading the following pdf: http://www.lenovo.com/psref/pdf/tabook.pdf

 

It's a pity there are no X220 configurations without the 3yr warranty. That really jacks the price up on what would otherwise be great deals.

 

There is the X220i, 4286-2AU, with the Intel i3-2310M CPU and a 1 year limited depot warranty ($888.71 from Cost Central). Looks like you will have to wait for CTO options from Lenovo direct for any other configurations at this time.

 

I'd be all over that one if it had IPS.

 

It's ~ $2300. There was an educational discount (~20% from listed price) applied though.

 

I ordered through U of Minnesota. It has to be a departmental order. I will update here once I received the shipment.

Someone also mentioned one could order through U of Pittsburgh. I think X220 is now only open to institutions and maybe large companies.

 

I've mentioned Pitt, but I don't see it on the website yet.

 

The online website that shows a X220 to have a WXGA screen, but tabook does not indicate any WXGA screen, but the below instead, which tells me that the one offered by the etailer is not an IPS screen. Or am I mistaken ?

First offering on the tabook link......

Widescreen display
12.5" (317.5mm) HD (1366x768) TFT color, anti-glare, LED backlight,
200 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 300:1 contrast ratio

But the second offering it shows.....

: 12.5" (317.5mm) HD (1366x768) TFT color, anti-glare, LED backlight,
200 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 300:1 contrast ratio

Or......

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)

Since the one directly above indicates the IPS screen, the etailer is not offering IPS screens at the moment. Making that price very high for a 12.5 inch notebook. Any comments ? Wish Lenovo would give us some pricing. Only two weeks away I believe for release

 

Both the regular and IPS screens are WXGA (1366x768). Look for "WideView" in the description for the IPS screens.

Graphic display resolutions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Hi, I am interested in the model/specs that review sites got (including notebookreview) Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Review
The specs are

I'd only likely to upgrade to 9 cell battery...however my concern is the price. All the review sites say that this review model is ~1,400 USD which is the peak of my budget and I'd be willing to buy it, but do you guys honestly think this is the price Lenovo is going to charge for this model?
Especially since it has an IPS screen?
Thanks

 

I will only upgrade and order mine if I can get a similar or better screen resolution and HD cam. So far the new screen resolution is worse than my X201s so I will wait until something better is offered to me.

 

Will the x220 have a thinklight?

 

Yes it does.

 

Good way to save money is do the RAM upgrade yourself; it only involves taking a screw off, and inserting a module, which is impossible to get wrong. You can get 2GB DDR3 1333mhz sticks for 20 bucks on Newegg, as opposed to the 80 dollars or whatever they charge to have it put in for you. Usually they rip you off for the hard drive too, you can go swap it yourself. I hear they're using more common 2.5" drives now so that'll be easier.

Since the slice battery is 179 and the 9 cell lasts very long already due to the good power management, you might as well lose the slice battery and just do the 50 dollar upgrade to 9 cell.

 

Thanks for your answer mate!
How is it, working with Thinklight? Any complaints? Is there a reason they stick with it instead of opting for backlight keyboards?
Now the last drawback for me is the lowres screen...

 

There's been a bit of discussion about the HDD bay size which makes me a bit worried about what SSDs I can pickup myself and install. I wonder if folks have had experience doing this with the x201

 

I don't think the 1400 USD price quote includes the slice batter anyway

Also, is there any confirmation that the review model spec wise will be ~1400?

 

I believe the spec sheet indicates drives with a 7mm height; 9mm is standard. Just a warning to anyone looking to replace the drive manually: you probably need a 7mm height drive, of which not so many exist.

 

According to the spec sheet that Intel released yesterday, 320 series G3 will have a 7mm version.

I'm not an expert on SSD (just reading up on this now) but Samsung and Intel drives look like most reliable so far. That's probably why Lenovo offers SSD from these 2 vendors. Not sure about Crucial. OCZ appears to have moved towards speed by sacrificing reliability. As a result, they recently had major issues like these:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sol...lash-storage/563648-drive-health-warning.html

I am really hoping that SSD vendors will move in the direction of disk reliability a lot more than speed. At least for business applications current SSD's speed is good enough. It's reliability and longevity of disks that are questionable.

 

If it's an SSD, easy, take the cover off to fit it in the 7mm slot. Not a big deal, I don't think?

Crucial is probably pretty good I'm guessing, they're made by Micron and probably are similar to the Intel drives although I can't be sure.

 

Yes, Intel's drives are 7mm form factor with a bracket for fitting in 9.5mm bays as I understand it. Problem is, there aren't many drives beyond that to choose from!

 

Is anybody getting the 4gb ssd and SATA drive combination? Kind of sounds like the best of both worlds, but Lenovo says that it requires a special order and I know nothing about it.