ThinkPad X220 Info/Ordering/Shipping Thread

Yeah, it is quite a difference going from $10 to $30 (no discounts applied). It's possible supply constraints had something to do with the 200% increase.

 

That would make sense. Oh well, I'm still happy with the deal I got, I think the X220 will serve me very well

 

So I ordered the 4296-2WU Topseller i5 x220 tablet from Provantage and am having a hard time getting information from them about shipping. All my rep was able to tell me was that shipments have been delayed until June, but she couldn't tell me when approximately. It went from May 6 to sometime in June. She could only give me Lenovo's 800 number when I pressed for more info, and they of course had no info on shipment dates for resellers.

Anyhow, I read earlier in the thread that someone seems to have gotten a firm ship date from Bottom Line (May 13). Do you guys think I should cancel my Provantage order and order from Bottom Line instead? I need my computer by the end of May.

Or should I give up on the tablet and just order a regular laptop version direct from Lenovo at this point?

Suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

eBay would be another option.

 

Well, the bigger the vendor is the bigger their initial shipment will probably be from Lenovo, but they'll also have the most pre-orders to full-fill.

The X220 Tablet seems like a hot product with Lenovo's site showing a 4 week wait plus a week or two due to the screen. I would guess that any order you place anywhere at this point will not make a May delivery.

I would stick with your current order, but it sounds like they won't make May either. I wouldn't trust what they say as I'm sure most of the people that answer the phone there probably don't know Lenovo's shipment status any more then Lenovo does

If you need an X220 first and the Tablet piece is just an extra bonus, I'd order the X220 directly from Lenovo. Sounds like the only way you can get one in May, but even with that you can't delay because they can have a run on any one part that can throw a 4 week delay on it.

You could buy a minimally spec'd X220 while your tablet order waits to get fulfilled and then sell the X220 when your Tablet order comes in.

And like ZAZ said, Ebay for the Tablet is a serious option...

 

if you negotiate with them, would the reps lower the cost of the SSD or Ram? both seem to be customer replaceable, so im thinking i just tell the rep i am gonna do it that way, and see if they wanna offer it for cheaper with factory install. and if they do, what discount would be worth it?

how much are you guys paying for your 160 GB SSD's? and also, 4 more GB of ram seems to be about 40 bucks on newegg, so around that would be worth it if they offered to upgrade it...

 

also, if im installing my own ssd, i would need to do a clean install with the OS disk. how do i do that without a drive? is there any way to do it through USB?

 

you can use the win 7 bootable usb/dvd creator to make a bootable usb with a windows image on it. it's pretty simple, the tool you can get from the microsoft store for free.

 

Considering they have a free upgrade to 4GB right now you can save yourself the trouble?

 

I'm not seeing a free 4GB upgrade. All there is is the ECOUPONS10 (10%) or ULTRA50911($100) codes (BESTSELLER code is dead).
I found a well-spec'd one (i5, 4GB, 320GB, camera/bluetooth/fingerprint) here for $990 with shipping and taxes, but of course it doesn't have that IPS screen (or at least I don't think it does). I put together an alternative configuration (i5, 2GB [I'll do the $40 upgrade myself], 250GB, camera/bluetooth/fingerprint, +9cell battery, +IPS screen) for $1,071. Anybody else have any recommendations? At these prices, the Portege R830 gives the X220 a run for its' money, at least on specs.

 

I checked out eBay, and one seller has an OK deal, for around the same price as my configuration.
LENOVO THINKPAD X220, i5-2410M, 2.3Ghz, 8GB, 320GB 7.2K | eBay
8GB of RAM and slightly larger HDD is nice, but this doesn't have an IPS panel. 8GB is essentially an $80 upgrade from newegg, vs 9-cell battery costs $130, and the screen obviously can't be changed easily. Oy, in fact, it's not that great a deal, since it's $80 more than Provantage, which can basically be accounted by the 8GB RAM.
Does anybody have anything to say about the regular screen? How does it compare to other TN panels in its' class, and to the 'Premium HD' IPS screen?

 

IPS all the way. I wouldn't even give it a second thought. Screen/Keyboard = the two most important aspects of the laptop, everything else comes after. IPS display with Thinkpad keyboard = ultimate awesomeness.

 

Hmm. Yeah, I should have guessed about IPS. My main Dell 23" has an IPS display and I love it.
Other concerns...can anyone comment on typing and wrist support? That's kind of crucial, methinks.

 

Does anyone know if I have to buy a digitizer pen for X220T tablet from the accessories tab in CTO, or is 1 pen included already by default with every X220T?

 

Included. My X201T came with one and so did my W701ds.

 

What are alternatives to Newegg that are similarly priced? It neither accepts international credit cards nor offers Amazon Checkout to subvert that.

 

I seriously considered the R835 (same as the R830, less the business features, less a few hundred $$) but after playing with it in the store, that thing feels incredibly cheap. There's a whole lot of rattle going on, and the screen feels like it might snap.

If you go on to the Barnes and Noble Lenovo site, and apply the same discount you have, you can get a decent deal. Last week I got the i7, 4GB, IPS, BT, 9-cell combo for $950. If you log on there today its about $1000, which is still an awesome deal.

 

What are you looking for? You can always try Amazon itself

 

I will be ordering a M4 128GB SSD and a WD 1TB Passport External. The Newegg prices for these are great, so I'm hoping someone provides competitive pricing but accepts international credit cards or Amazon Checkout.

 

I thought the Crucial M400 was a no go for the ThinkPad X220 as it only takes 7mm high hard drives? Meaning you'll have to go for the identical Micron C400 and remove the spacer making it 7mm or find someone whom sell it without the spacer to begin with.

The Crucial M400 is from what I've heard in a 9mm case so there is no way to fit it inside the X220 without voiding the warranty and rip the whole case apart.

 

M4 comes with a spacer and the warranty stickers aren't affected by removing it.

 

Even though the sticker might not be affected, the warranty itself will be, see this topic: http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/572243-list-drives-compatible-x220-20.html

Official Crucial reply:

"If any moderations or changes are made to our drives then the warranty becomes invalid"

 

How could they possibly know that you tampered with it if you stick it back together and the warranty sticker is unaffected?

 

scars from a screwdriver would be my first guess.

 

...and it looks like lenovo has jacked up prices $50 since last night.

 

My x220 has been stuck in Louisville since Sunday. anyone else who had ground shipping know how long it tends to take before the package leaves Kentucky?

 

My x120e spent a few days in Kentucky.

 

I went with 2-3 Day versus ground. I'm glad I did. I thought mine was going to go from Alaska to Kentucky last night but it ended up going straight to Ontario (Southern California). It got there at 10pm and left at 11pm to my local city and is now (at 7am) on the truck for delivery.

 

Mine did also, some type of paperwork/customs problem that took them several days to sort out.

 

9 cell Battery question: Is the X220 Tablet i7 (outdoor screen) going to be available with the 9 cell battery? I only see the 6 cell as an option at Lenovo? If so, does anyone know when it will be available for the X220T?

Sorry if this question has already been answered, I’ve got Google eyes from hunting down questions on the X220 Tablet. Finally down to this last question. Whew…..I was ready to order April 19th but getting info from Lenovo has been like playing “Where’s Waldo”.

 

I placed my order in for the 4296WU on Cost Central.

They've been horrible, charging my card and demanding all sorts of nonsense. Long story short, I hate them more than any company I've ever dealt with minus maybe Verizon. Do I have any options for canceling the order and going elsewhere for the same price? I would order through Lenovo but I can't get even close to that price (especially not with tax). I can't really afford to pay 1500 for the laptop, either, but my heart is set on the tablet.

Anyone know of a workaround? CostCentral finally gave me an estimated shipping date of June 13th (over 6 weeks from my original order by the time it arrives) and I've had it with them.

 

It seems like Bottom Line Telecommunications is a good alternative. I myself haven't placed the order yet, but I think some of us did, and they provide ETA right on the website.

 

I'm talking about going from 4 to 8 for the x220 tablet. is there some new deal I don't know about?

what are your guys' thoughts on warranty? im gonna get the multitouch, so I won't have gorilla glass protecting it.

 

I would get the extended warranty if getting the tablet, as the form factor is just subject to more movement and thus more potential damage.

 

BLT as mentioned and also Provantage. Question about BLT is how firm is their expected delivery date? Are they just slow to reflect changes from Lenovo's supply information chain and overpromising? Provantage's delivery date is also uncertain. They provide even less info that CostCentral (my rep does anyway... ) but at least I have not been charged.

Did CostCentral actually charge you? Or just place a hold on the funds on your account? The latter is probably not uncommon, I think...?

 

I asked the same thing at pcsuperstore (which is basically the same store as costcentral, only with a slightly different website), they informed me that they would charge my CC when the order is ready to ship.

 

Until today, estimated shipping date has been showing as 5/18/2011. With the buzz on this forum about X220 orders being moved out more quickly, I was hoping the same good fortune would occur with the X220T tablet. However, starting this morning, I discovered that the estimated shipping date has been pushed back to 6/1/2011. Anyone knows what is happening with the X220T?

 

Mine arrived in Louisville, KY this morning at 9:40 AM but no outbound yet.

 

The claim from the sales rep(s) is that it's a supply problem with the screen. My order was changed from 5/17 to 5/23 this morning, even after the rep told me *yesterday*it would be shipped early. As of this morning, it may be "sooner or later" and they "can't guarantee anything." On the bright side, that means your new shipping date contains no new information, and you therefore don't need to be upset about it.

 

I just called my rep (I dare not speak his name) who told me that the hold up is the Intel 160GB solid state drive.

 

I don't know whether to actually believe it or not, but the X220 I ordered on the 6th May with an estimated ship date 30th is already shipping today (11th).

Intel Core i7-2620M Processor (2.70GHz, 4MB L3,1333MHz FSB) with Intel Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.4GHz
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna
2 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
250GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
6 Cell Battery
Broadcom Bluetooth 3.0 with antenna
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
Integrated Mobile Broadband (Ericsson F5521gw) with 21Mbps D/L

 

Yep, they actually charged me. It showed up as a balance on my credit card. I had to demand a refund and notify my cc company just to get them to refund my money until it ships. They're scummy.

 

So I meant to post the following in this thread instead of the owner's thread:
So I managed to configure it like this:
($1,174.00)
Intel Core i5-2520M Processor (2.5GHz, 3MB L3, 1333MHz FSB) [virtualization]
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna
Intel® HD Graphics 3000
2 GB DDR3 - 1333MHz (1 DIMM)8
Fingerprint Reader
250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
ThinkPad Battery 29++ (9 cell)
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2 AGN)
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
4286 : 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller
3Yr Basic Warranty Extension ($119.00)

$1,174.00 + $119 = $1,293.00
--$117.40 (ECOUPONS10) = $1,175.60

So essentially, I'm getting the warranty upgrade for free. With the stock i5 CPU, it comes to $1,126.10 instead. With stock Wifi (which precludes the use of WiDi), it comes to $1,108.10. (Yesterday, the same config would have cost $1,071, almost $40 less).
Is there anyway to get a similar configuration, with the IPS display, from another vendor?
(The X1, btw, looks really slick, but battery life, expense, and non-IPS detract. I'm not sure what 'Gorilla Glass' is though.)

 

That would be fantastic! I ordered the 8th with an estimated ship date of the 31st, so this is great news!

 

Is it normal to not have an estimated delivery date on my UPS tracking page?

My x220 is stuck in Louisville at the moment. I assumed I'll get an estimated delivery once it clears customs.

 

Which would make sense if what people are ordering actually have the 160GB SSD in it. Mine doesn't. I ordered the 4296-2WU, which is why I'm inclined to think that it's IPS screen related. Fingers crossed that it's sooner rather than later, but it seems that no one has any indication of when the tablets might actually ship so far....

 

I ordered a non t version, and it says est. ship is 6/1

 

A hold is one thing. I expect that. But no, they actually charged me...a balance was showing up on my credit card and they had to refund it after I threw a fit over the fact they hadn't produced any shipping information but had still charged me like it had shipped. Which, it turns out, they hadn't even ordered the laptop, let alone had it shipping anywhere.

Scumbags.

 

Where exactly are you configuring this system? at the lenovo site? You know you can configure the same system at the Barnes & Noble lenovo site with the student discount here and get a better price plus free upgrade to 4gb ram. Use coupon ULTRA50911. Plus you can save an extra $42.50 by choosing windows 7 home premium 64bit instead windows 7 Professional.

Price: $1000.60 + tax (or $958.10 with windows 7 home premium instead)

Intel Core i5-2520M Processor (2.5GHz, 3MB L3, 1333MHz FSB)1
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 6412
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna
Intel® HD Graphics 3000
4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
Fingerprint Reader
250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
ThinkPad Battery 29++ (9 cell)60
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2 AGN)10
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable65
4286 : 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller7
41C9170 3Yr Basic Warranty Extension

 

I'm in the same boat. When it was en route to Alaska (shipped 5/6) it had an estimated delivery date of this thursday, that is 5/12. Once it arrived in Louisville, the estimated delivery date disappeared. We'll see if this is a fluke or the result of serious delays at customs...