ThinkPad X220 Info/Ordering/Shipping Thread

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had an idea of when the 32 bit windows will be available and/or why it is not available right now. I have propriatary programs that work best in the 32 bit environment and I do not want to use the XP mode. I could dual boot, but I rather not have to.

Or, has anyone figured out of I could use the OEM Windows 64 key and load on 32 bit when I receive the machine? Or I can try 64 and then maybe use OEM key to install and downgrade to 32? I'd rather buy 32 bit then eventually upgrade to the 64 bit.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

I'm pretty sure you can load 32bit with the 64 key, but don't quote me on that.

The USXEDGEX0428 coupon works on the student site, and lowered my 819 config to 777! Time to save the price quote...glad I waited.

 

you can't upgrade from 32bit to 64bit in XP. same goes for 7 do believe (version depending). most of my old programs that are 32bit just get installed in the /programsfiles(x86) folders which are your 32bit ones. I have yet to come accross any that do not run under win7. some you might need choose to run the program in XP mode or win2000 but none the less the work fine.


if this doesn't work for you just go buy a copy of win7 32bit. just because your laptop came with win 64bit installed doesn't mean you have to keep the os. Use what works for you.

ym

 

No. DONT buy a copy of w7 32bit. The license key is valid for both 64bit and 32bit. Just go download a copy of W7 (theres a thread somewhere in this forum about how you can legitimately download a copy of W7) and grab the 32bit one and install with that.

 

also don't forget that you'll need to legally purchase a win7 license, so the macbook might end up costing more.

 

unless you really HAVE to use win7 32 bit, i would stick with 64 bit. remember that you're limited to ~3gb of ram under win7 32 bit.

with 4gb of memory becoming the standard, there's really no reason to use win 32. is there a reason why you dont want to use xp mode?

 

If you're using Win XP 32 bit for legacy applications, might I suggest installing something like VMWare workstation and then creating a WinXP virtual machine around to do the job (assuming that your app isn't particularly intensive). This way you get the best of both worlds.. (sort of) at only the cost of the hard drive space you need to install XP and the apps.

 

Is it possible to have a 2GB stick of ram and a 4GB stick. I was always under the impression that you had to have either just 1 stick, or two of the same size.

If this is possible, I would love to do this. I don't ever use the full 8GB in my asus G73 but only 2 in the x220 seems tiny and 8 seems like overkill. 6GB in the x220 seems like it is just right for me.

 

What specs?

 

I didn't want to use Windows XP mode as we used it before and it seemed to not work very well. We were also using a verizon air card which was connected in the Windows 7 environment, and I'm not sure how well the internet was sharing with the XP mode. I hear the program I need to use is ok in windows 7 32-bit.

Does VMWare vizualization work better than the Windows XP Mode if I am looking for a 32 bit environment along with my 64 bit. But then would I also have to get a new operating system? I'd rather do a dual booting system I than a Vizualization, but I dont know how comfortable I am with creating a dual boot system. I maybe could dual boot 32 bit and 64 bit, but there is just so much extra cost involved.

 

Yes, it's perfectly valid to do that, but your memory will perform faster if you have two identical sticks in the slots.

 

i5 2410m, webcam, 9 cell, win7 home (downgrade)
Adding 2gb myself, maybe an x25-m 160.

 

All those for $777 including tax? That's got to be one of the best deals I've seen even without tax.

 

Are you folks getting deliveries on time?

I was quoted shipping in 1 - 2 weeks (to the UK). The order was confirmed exactly 2 weeks ago today but it hasn't been despatched yet.

 

to lenovoshok it would be expenses to go vmware desktop since you would have to buy their software and then buy a win 7 copy of 32 bit. you can not dual boot from the same windows key and you can not have vmware desktop using the same active win 7 key.

your only cheap option is if you have a copy of win7 32 bit your key (may) let you downgrade to 32bit. however I have yet to see a OEM key that allows this. you would have to wipe your system and do a clean install loosing your 64bit version. so like I said before. just buy a 32bit version of windows 7 IF you want to keep your win7 64bit in
place. have you even tried you're software in win 64bit yet or are you just asking all of this before hand. casuse if this is the case none if us are going to know what crazy software your running and more than likely it will be fine unless its database related.

ym

 

Ordered on the 17th and shipped on 27/4. Probably would have got it on Friday had it not been for the wedding. Delivery is due on Tuesday due to the bank holiday.

System is stock 2410, 2GB and 8-cell. Upgrades were IPS, 6205, webcam, fingerprint

Do they also celebrate May Day in China?

 

Are you sure that's true? A lot of people upgrade to 6GB's (1x2 and 1x4).

 

the core i3 and i5 series (i believe the mobile i7 series as well) all use dual channel memory controllers, so yes, when you use 2 identical sticks of memory it will be more efficient and timings will be faster. I believe only the desktop version of the quadcore i7 uses triple channel memory. Look up laptop dual channel memory kits on newegg or amazon to find out what you can buy at what price.

 

You know that USXEDGEX0428 coupon added a free upgrade to 4GB of RAM right? Plus 10% off

 

Thanks. I've already doubled up by ordering another 2GB from Play.com in the UK*. Was just curious.

* http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/-/3319/2...M-Laptop-Memory/Product.html?searchtype=genre

 

Thanks David. Mine is an i7 version, perhaps that is the reason.
If I have heard nothing by Tuesday I will call Lenovo.

Yes they do observe MayDay so that will add a delay.

 

oo I didn't notice that, time to modify my order.

 

Nah it's without tax, 854 after tax. However, I missed the part on the ad that said free 4gb upgrade (Thanks Epsilon784), so... Best time to buy an X220 is right now.

 

Does anyone know the expiration date for USXEDGEX0428?

 

You can always save the price for 1 month by checking out, going to "Lenovo Checkout" as opposed to Paypal or Amazon, and then choose Credit Card as method of payment. At the bottom of the screen there will be something you can click labeled "Save as Price Quote" (or something).

 

The lenovo page says May 4th. So- Wednesday

 

Also if you buy through visa you can get a great deal and then use the EDGE coupon code shown in the above post also. The code is advertised on te visa site as well. Try to Google visa lenvo.

 

Pleasure Sally. Better for me that it didn't arrive on Friday, as would have spent the whole four-day holiday with the damn thing, rather than enjoying the sunshine -)

 

Great, tracking info went from saying it will arrive by 10:30AM to just arriving today. Which means I'll get it around 4PM instead of 10:30

edit: called in and the operator said that it's guaranteed to arrive no later than 10:30AM. He couldn't explain why it changed. So if you were worried too, you should be fine (assuming you got 2-3 day express shipping; pretty sure 10:30AM only applies to that)

 

You're right, it looks like they offer the same Silver Member discount that students can get (or corporations). It marked down my cart to the same price I was quoted for my student order. This is a good option for people that can't get the student price.

 

Mine arrived (New Orleans) at about 10 a.m. this morning. Setting it up right now.

One thing I noticed, at least on my unit, was that the display refresh rate out of the box was set at 50 Hz. Bumping it up to the usual 60 Hz got rid of the tiny amount of flicker I was noticing (I have the IPS display, BTW).

Best...A.

 

just arrived. amazed at how much better the build quality is than the x120e. of course, it costs 2-3x more money.

 

Many of the profiles default to 50 hz while on battery--you can change this behaviour on the thinkvantage power manager tab.

 

Glad to hear it because I am going from a x120e to this!
..and I love the x120e. Sounds great!

 

That's unfortunate because if it's like my T410s you will find it constantly reset to 50Hz when you take it off AC.

In the T410s this is one of two bugs in the Intel drivers that I notified Lenovo of through multiple channels but never received a reply to. The other bug was that the adaptive backlight was always in effect which would change the backlighting in response to what was being presented on the screen. This in turn wreaked havoc with my color calibration since that's only accurate at one brightness level.

In the end, I disabled the Intel graphics and left the Nvidia card on at all times. I take a power hit but at least the video is clean.

Can you run some tests by changing power source to see if the refresh rate reverts? You have to check it in the Intel advanced screen properties applet.

Many thanks!

-darren

 

So this is kinda strange, but I ordered with Amazon payment and while my laptop was shipped and I received it today, I haven't been charged for it at all o.o.

I mean I guess I'll wait a couple of weeks to see if it charges me, but if it doesn't, I guess I'll have an extra, unopened x220 with i5-2540 and a 6-cell battery on sale if anyone wants it o.o.

EDIT: I called Amazon and Lenovo and they said they did charge me, but it's not showing up at all for me. Kinda weird, I guess...

 

ordered on the 19th and it's still in the "in process" status. anybody else order as early as me and not ship yet? getting antsy here

 

Yes, my ship date is 6/3.

 

anyone order from CostCentral have any updated information on their shipping?

I called and the lady said "estimated shipping of May 4th" but I'm not sure if she meant from the vendor to their warehouse or if my own order is being shipped then. My order tracking information is not available yet...guess I'll check back on May 4th!

 

They haven't charged me yet either.

Oh, nevermind, just posted now (just got the laptop a couple hours ago). Someone here said that they charge after you sign for the package. So check your statement (not available balance. My balance is empty but now there's a transaction showing posted today)

 

Ah, so I'm not the only one! It's just strange that both parties said that I have been charged, and I have the unopened extra laptop and I don't know what to do with it, haha.

EDIT: Ah ok, I'll look for the statement change.

 

I just canceled my order today and submitted a new order with the intel 6250 wireless card and got the free upgrade to the 4gb ram. est ship date is 5/26, which is a week more than the last one (5/19). I guess I can wait an extra 7 days.
Anyone planning to dual boot this with linux?

 

Yeah! UPS updated the shipping page saying it will be delivered by the end of the day tomorrow!

 

Yup. Actually I'll be in Linux pretty much exclusively.

 

Thanks for that tip. I posted this in another thread, but this thread might be more appropriate.

Without discounts, the below was coming out to $1364.00 CDN:

ThinkPad X220 - 1 Yr Depot Topseller Warranty Edit
Processor: Intel Core i5-2520M Processor (2.50GHz, 3MB L3, 1333MHz FSB) with Intel Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.2GHz Edit
Operating system: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) Edit
Operating system language: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 - English Edit
Display type: 12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna Edit
Total memory: 4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM) Edit
Keyboard: Keyboard - US English Edit
Fingerprint reader: UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader Edit
Camera: 720p HD Camera Edit
Hard drive: 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm Edit
Battery: 6 Cell Battery Edit
Power cord: 65W AC Adapter - North America, Latin America (2pin) Edit
Bluetooth: Broadcom Bluetooth 3.0 with antenna Edit
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN Edit
Integrated mobile broadband: Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable Edit
Language pack: Publication - US English Edit

Last night I tried the "visa perks" website/coupon, and configured the above. After putting in the coupon code it got the price down to $1166.22. But I couldn't figure out how to get through to the checkout, and it wouldn't let me get logged into my Lenovo account, so I gave up. Anyway, that represented a 14.5% discount, which is pretty good. I'd like to get down to below $1100 if at all possible.

I spoke with a Dell dude today, and surprise surprise, he also gave me the same discount. He wouldn't go any lower by the sounds of it. So $1166.22.

I'm going to chew on it a bit. But overall considering how good it seems the X220 is, I should probably be happy with that price.

One niggle that stopped me was wondering if I should look into the X220T tablet. It would come out to $1379 after the discount which is $213 more than the X220. But, that would be a whole new area of investigation for me to determine if I "need" a tablet instead of a good 'ol laptop that much.

Anyway, if anyone thinks that I can get an even better deal somehow, please let me know. Or if you think the X220 for $1166CDN is a good deal, let me know that too!

Thanks,
Wayne

 

Well, I'm happy to report that the 60 hz refresh setting sticks when going from Ac to battery power. Oddly, on my initial charge-up, I could get to "only" 99 percent -- system kept telling me it was 2 minutes to full charge, but I never got there. Hope this doesn't strain the charging circuitry or stress the battery (6-cell). It way well settle down after a complete discharge/charge cycle or two.


A.

 

the 99 percent full battery is due to a setting in the Lenovo Power Manager that prevents the battery from going higher than a certain percentage (default is 99 I think), so that the battery lasts more years. You can disable it if it bothers you, just mess around with the power manager tool

 

That's great news - thanks for running the test!

-darren

 

laptop coming tomorrow. 1 day early than initially scheduled. just shipped out from KY

 

I just got my X220 this morning, and I'd like to post some impressions.

The click pad is workable, but it still sucks. The latest UltraNav drivers do a decent job of handling two fingers properly but the cursor still gets less smooth when you have a finger on the pad. I'm not a heavy TrackPoint user but it seems to work as well as ever. Using the UltraNav buttons with the touchpad is possible if you turn "PalmCheck" off, but it requires two hands. Also Envy Touchpad has some bug that causes two-finger usage to break half the time (I have the source code so maybe I'll put out a fixed version). Overall I knew that this would be a sore spot and it ended up being about what I expected it to be: annoying but workable.

The keyboard feels a bit different from the T400 but is still fantastic. There is no appreciable flex, it's full-sized (it's actually the same part as the T420s), and the layout is better than any other laptop keyboard. Considering that a lot of ultra-portable machines have crap layouts, this is a big deal.

The screen is absolutely fantastic. This is reason enough to buy an X220. Coming from my T400 it's an amazing change. Contrast, color quality, and viewing angles are all so much better. I would say that the X220's screen is actually better than my desktop display (Dell U2311H, which is also IPS). Add the fact that it's matte, and it's basically perfect for a screen this size (I find that 1366x768 works well in this size). The color temperature is a little lower than I'm used to, but that's more preference than a defect.

Build quality seems to be excellent. There are no creaks, gaps, or anything else to complain about. The battery does not wiggle and the display holds shut nicely despite not having hinges. The design is understated and classic, like every ThinkPad, but the fact that Lenovo has stripped out all of the traditional antenna protrusions and other wierdness means that the X220 is particularly minimalistic and wonderful. If you don't like square black matte laptops then you're not going to like the X220, but personally I think that ThinkPads look fine and the X220 is my favorite so far.


Performance is excellent as you would expect. I have the i5-2520M, 8GB of memory (which I transferred from my T400), and an X25-m G2 160GB SSD (also from the T400). The X25-M slipped in just fine once I removed the spacer and filed down the SSD's screws to make them shorter. Given that I have a fast CPU, 8GB of memory, and an SSD, the X220 does a very good job of getting out of its own way. At no point do I feel that I'm limited because I chose an ultra-portable, because the X220 has every bit as much power as a full-sized laptop.

GPU performance is excellent for an integrated solution. The GPU has no qualms about turbo-boosting to 1.2GHz or more and sitting there, which means that games like StarCraft II and WoW run just fine (better than the Radeon graphics on my T400 in fact).

Heat is OK, not great. The X220 gets hotter than my T400 did, but it's cooler than the X201s and a lot of other laptops. If you push it hard enough (CPU + GPU + block air vents) it will throttle. If you push it it will get hot.

Noise is a mixed bag. It's decently quiet under full load but the noise is high-pitched and more annoying than my T400. Worse, it barely gets quieter at idle. There is a Power Manager setting to 'dynamically reduce system noise', but it just causes the fan speed to oscillate which is even more annoying. I installed TPFanControl which works and is doing a good job.

Battery life I can't really comment on since I haven't had the laptop long enough. 5-6 hours seems plausible. The machine idles at around 6.5W.

Overall for $900 I am very happy. The X220 is not perfect but the issues that do exist (like the stupid fan behavior) can be fixed with the right software. This is a well-built laptop with a lot of power in a very small package, and it makes very few mistakes.