ThinkPad X220 Info/Ordering/Shipping Thread

Is there any information about swapping Fn and Ctrl keys? Will there be such option in BIOS?

 

I ordered on the 24th.

 

That is still super fast, when I ordered my x120e it took almost 3 weeks to get a shipping notification.

Now I am even more psyched!

 

i see. hard drive is safe.

the only other thing for me to upgrade is the Ram (from 2 to 4GB). Would doing that void the warranty?

 

No. I think Lenovo even shows people how to open up their laptops on their website.

 

That does not void your warranty. If you are worried, just keep the original stuff somewhere safe, and put those back on when you need a warranty repair. It's sometimes a good thing to keep the original HDD because later on when you send it back for warranty, you can ask them to re-image it to factory fresh state. It might come with Windows 7 SP2 factory image someday.

When I sent my x61t to the depot, sometimes I even left off the RAM and the cover. (I was scared that they might damage it)

 

You're absolutely right: Service Videos

 

thanks everyone...

I actually would want to sell the original HDD, but we'll see...

At least I know I can be comfortable buying a 2 or 3 year warranty.

 

Ok, how about a IPS screen replacement? Will that void warranty?

 

lol, did you really just ask that?

If that doesn't, what do you think WOULD void the warranty?

But maybe. Someone here said the laptops don't have warranty-break stickers on them. Maybe you could replace it and if the laptop has problems, put the old screen back in and send it in?

 

When are the prices expected to go back down/when is a good coupon expected to come out?

 

They might give some trouble. i.e. they might claim that you somehow damage the machine when you are replacing the screen. I don't think it is worth the headache to replacing the screen yourself, it won't be any cheaper either. Unless of course you live in a country where Lenovo does not offer the IPS option.

 

Hey guys, i am having some trouble here. I am wanting to order from Provantage ( or Costcentral, depending on which is better? pro is 50 more. who would u choose??) but i cant seem to get full specs on their site.

The model i want is the Lenovo 42962WU one. Now i understand that the X220t Lenovo 42962WU model has 320GB HDD, i5 processor, 4G ram and webcam. But i dont know if this topseller model has BT, the 6205 wireless, finger print reader...

Does anyone know? I am unable to call these people and didnt know if people had already sussed it out. Would you say that if one site is saying that the Lenovo 42962WU has the above specs, that all other Lenovo 42962WU models will?

Sorry for my ignorance!!!

 

^ Check there (Ctrl + F : "4296") :

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

 

Just bought mine...

Intel Core i5-2410M Processor (2.3GHz, 3MB L3, 1333MHz FSB) Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, 3x3 Antenna
2 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM) No Fingerprint Reader
No Camera
250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
ThinkPad Battery 29+ (6 cell)
Bluetooth 3.0
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2 AGN)

Total: 801.09 pre-tax

Thank you for all of the helpful advice!

 

I may be wrong but I think there is no point ordering the display with 3x3 Antenna unless you order the matching 3X3 Centrino card. Conversely, if you order the 2X2 card (ie the 6205), then you should order the Premium HD with 2X2 antenna.

 

Since the prices are identical, the only reason you should get the 2x2 display is if you want the webcam (which I did).

With the 2x2 card you won't get any benefit out of the third antenna (it won't be connected) but if you choose to upgrade to 3x3 later the antenna will be there.

 

Point taken. I forgot you could upgrade the card yourself.

 

Thanks, it seems that it does include fingerprint, BT, 720p and 320G 7200rpm.

I shall order from Provantage

 

Guys please help me decide.

I'm thinking about buying X220 (128 GB SSD, Core i3 2310M 2.1 GHz) or Mac Book Air 13'' (128 GB SSD, 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo + NVIDIA GeForce 320M).

The prices are approximately the same. Which one should I get?

What I like about X220:
- Better battery life (and the battery is replaceable)
- Matte IPS screen
- TrackPoint
- Better processor (?)

What I like about MacBook Air 13''
- Thinner
- Bigger TouchPad
- Discrete graphics
- Bigger palmrest

I need Windows for work, so I don't care about Mac OS X. It's good to have it develop cross-platform apps though.

So my main question is what's better: Core i3 Sandy Bridge or Intel Core 2 Duo + Nvidia graphics?

Thanks

 

core i3 sandy bridge.

 

i3 Sandy Bridge without hesitation

 

i3 most definitely.
If you could squeeze the cash for an i5 the difference would be even greater.
You also forgot that the keyboard on the x220 is better than the Macbook Air.
The x220 is also more durable than the Macbook Air.
Of course this is a Lenovo forum and we are all likely to be biased.

 

I'm pretty sure there's a decent boost in performance between SB i3 and core 2 duo. Also, the graphics performance is going to be very similar between Intel HD 3000 and Geforce 320M. If you are not attracted to OSX (many people's main reason for buying a mac), then the X220 seems the better buy.

In the UK at least, the X220 comes with 3 years warranty. With a mac notebook, it's around £200 ish extra, depending on model.

 

Wow thanks for all the recommendations

I looked it up, and indeed Core i3 1st gen is better than C2D. Core i3 2nd gen is obviously even better.

I wish I could get an i5 processor (I'm ready to pay extra ~$50), but I found this model on eBay: it offers Core i3 only.

You got me persuaded to buy X220, but there's only one thing I'm worrying about: the small palmrest.

 

I disagree about the i5 being much different from the i3. The main differences between the i5 and the i3 are Turbo Boost, AES instructions, Trusted Execution technology, and VT-d Virtualization. If you aren't running a single threaded cpu intensive application turbo boost is pretty useless, and I really can't think of any app that's CPU intensive that is not already multi threaded. The AES and the VT-d technology are nice to have, but only if your work requires it. So largely it depends on your needs I suppose, although for the average user the i3 gives the best value. I'm discounting the 200mhz clock difference betcause clock speed is not a good way to judge processors; it helps but it's a minor difference.

 

Thanks, both of you. I originally had the 6300 in there, hence the 3x3 on the monitor, but ultimately decided against it. I had never considered future upgradeability, but it's nice to know I have the option.

 

The 2520 has AES-NI (new instructions). If you are using encryption (Bitlocker, PGP, etc) the CPU is far more efficient (5% use with vs. 50-60% without). Since I use Win 7 Ultimate on most of my machines, Bitlocked, I would not buy a processor without AES-NI.

Toms hardware did a bench report a while back that illustrates the differences. My experience was similar.

 

someone correct me if i'm wrong, but IIRC the graphics in the i3 are also have some processing units disabled? or is it a lower clock speed?

anyway, i think the graphics in the i3 are inferior to the i5, might be a point to consider.

 

Mine has shipped!! finally!!!

 

btw i would not worry about small palmrest and touchpad. both the palmrest and touchpad are smaller than my dell precision, but it was a seamless transition. lenovo must have spent quite a bit of time researching the ergonomics. the small touchpad was of particular concern to me, but it feels so natural..

just the pinch to zoom stuff etc is pretty crap compared to the macs.

(this is on the X201, which is similar size to the X220)

 

lol, you aren't. That's just Lenovo marketing. Would you say the same if they showed the original price being $50,000 and now a sale for $800? Lenovo always has this "sale" going on, all year long. If it was $1500 for these specs they'd have 2 customers.

Can't believe people actually fall for this kind of marketing. For $1500 you would find pretty much the best and most powerful PC laptop in existence. i7, SLI nVidia graphics, probably 8GB RAM, etc. These laptops are worth what they are sold for, Lenovo isn't stupid to give that kind of "sale".

 

nobody buys business grade laptops at list price anyway. there is always room for negotiation. if you're buying 1 unit 25-50% is a good starting point

 

You might not buy a processor without AES but most people aren't going to make use of it, nor VT-d and trusted execution for that matter. So opting for the 'stripped down' 2410 as opposed to the 2520 isn't going to make a noticeable difference for the majority of people, apart from the slightly lower clocks and turbo.

 

Fair enough, and poor wording on my part.

It is true that Lenovo typically raises their prices after launch, correct? If that's the case, the 20% discount on the near-launch price seemed quite sweet to my untrained eyes. I have never purchased a laptop before, and I hate the experience. With desktops I build myself, I have the freedom to price and mix'n'match components to my heart's content. Not so with notebooks.

However, my hyperbole aside, if you feel we may see this pricing again before August, please say so. My purchase decision was weighted largely on the idea prices would rise for these notebooks.

 

this rarely ever happens, especially since competition heats up.list prices are always not a good measurement for business notebooks.. you'd be surprised how much you can shave off by calling them up. sometimes you do have really good deals at launch, but its not a one off thing

 

I don't believe that prices will rise significantly unless there's a big supply shortage.

What I would worry about is the IPS option going away. There is a history of this happening with premium LCD panels (like the Radiance Infinity on the HP Envy 14). Lenovo may have been able to secure a consistent supply of the X220 IPS panels (especially if it's the same panel as in the X220t), but there's still probably only one manufacturer (I believe it's LG) which means that if LG discontinues the panel or raises the price, the option could be dropped.

Also, while prices might not rise significantly, they probably aren't going to drop significantly either. This is the cheapest I've ever seen an X-series ThinkPad at launch, and it's even cheaper than the previous-generation X201 was when it was discontinued. Unless you're willing to wait a long time for a big sale (Lenovo generally has good discounts on Black Friday), now is a good time to buy.

 

Almost every product you've purchased in your lifetime is due to marketing in one way or another. Don't act high and mighty because others don't know all the tricks. Everyone falls for marketing, we just use different methods for you.

 

I am at the very last stage of ordering, and trying to sort out SSD options - factory vs aftermarket, etc.

Does anyone know what make and model of SSDs are installed? (especially the 128, which I think is newer generation than the 160). Are there significantly better (speed and reliability) options available?

Information and advice much appreciated.

 

They still use 128GB Toshiba HG3 which imo, comparable to Samsung 470.

 

He is right though, and if you quoted all of his post to get the full context, you'd see what I mean.

 

unless you're using the laptop strictly for sensitive information, bit locker is not necessary. Windows has a built in encryption system called EFS, which allows you to selectively encrypt folders or files. If you go for the EFS, you don't need the AES-NI as much. However, if you are paranoid then BitLocker is worth it. (I have win 7 ultimate for my desktop but I don't use the bitlocker because i store all my documents and media files on 1 dedicated harddrive. I see no point in encrypting music and video files; it's just unnecessary waste of cpu cycles. The sensitive documents i either encrypt with EFS or store it in a truecrypt volume.

 

Yes, he is right about that marketing tactic. I never said he was wrong and that wasn't the point of my post. However when people call others dumb for falling for a certain type of marketing, when they themselves fall for another type... is ridiculous.

 

In the UK at least, they have gone down. The lower model to the tune of around £100 less than the previous reduced price. If that 10% discount code was still available, it would be a killer price- without it, it comes to about ten pounds less than before- approx.

Lenovo - Laptop computers - ThinkPad X Series - Buy Direct - United Kingdom (GB)

(but 6% cashback is still available via Quidco)

 

I currently owning a HP Elitebook 2530p and love the build quality. But, I am due to upgrade and I am interested about the X220.

Do the build quality of the X220 is comparable to my HP?
Does it has 5gt/s expresscard?
Does it has thinklight?
Do the hinges are tight?

Thanks!

 

Please quote me where I called him dumb or insulted him in one way or another. Or are you referring to "can't believe PEOPLE fall for THIS type of marketing" that was so obviously directed at him instead of the general population?

 

There you go.

 

I know I asked this in the shipping thread (little OT there) - but this seems to be more the place.

Since I'm new to this sort of thing, for upgrading the RAM (from 2GB->6GB) - I believe this should work fine?
Newegg.com - 4GB DDR3 1333 10600 laptop

 

Yup, no problem.
that is the same one I will be using.

 

Don't forget, if you run Windows 7 on a Mac, the battery life drops drastically.