ThinkPad X230 vs ThinkPad X230 with Fast Processing

I want to order the X230 and Lenovo.com has two models to choose from and customize.

1) ThinkPad X230 Laptop; and
2) ThinkPad X230 Laptop with Fast Processing

The only difference that I was able to spot is that option (1) has the second-gen core-i3 as the base.

What puzzles me is that if I configure the two models with the exact same specs (in my case it is Core i5-3210M, 4Gb RAM, 2x2 Wi-Fi, IPS, camera, etc), option (1) ends up being about $30-35 cheaper.

Does anyone know why this may be the case?

Does anyone know if the two models are identical if configured the same? I am just worried that the cheaper model may be based on last-year model's chassis or something in that nature.

Thanks.

 

Did you add the Professional OS to the cheaper model? Because it has Home Premium as default while the 'fast processing' one has Professional

 

Oh yeah. Thanks. Missed that part. So it's the OS that most probably explains the price difference.

So am I safe to assume that the two models are identical then?

 

As far as I know, yes, build wise they should be identical

 

Ok, thanks again. I will go for the cheaper model then. I have a Win7 Ultimate key anyway.

Since I am getting the webcam, I just hope that 2x2 Wi-Fi is not much worse than 3x3.

 

I just installed Air Magnet Surveyor on a new new X230T with a 3x3 antenna. I ran a wireless survey comparison with the new X230T and an old T400 and signal readings were almost identical. Both have A/G/N cards in them. I'm not sure if the third antenna is going to improve anything unless you are using an "N" network in a very busy enviroment.

 

I opted for the 6300 in my T430 because being on a large university wireless network, coverage can be spotty at times and I am hoping this will help me get better reception and range.

 

Does anyone know if the number of antennas / wi-fi card affect the wired connection at all? Also, can a wireless connection ever be faster than a wired connection with a good enough wi-fi card?

 

I'm no expert, but I am fairly confident that no, the wi-fi card will not affect your Ethernet port, and no it is not possible for Wi-fi to be faster than Ethernet when connected to the same network. Ethernet simply allows more bandwidth.

 

The number of wireless antennas should not affect the speed your wired connection.

As for wireless connections outperforming wired connections, it all depends on your wireless and wired controllers and infrastructure. 802.11n is technically rated for much more throughput than the 100mb/s of say, a crappy 100/10 Ethernet controller (and yes, there are still laptops and wireless routers sporting that kind of rubbish!), but in practice, I don't actually know how often the former will outperform the latter.

 

Yeah. I also got the 6300 with my T520 last year. So far, it's been perfect. Great reception. No hickups whatsoever.

However, with the X series, you can't get the 3x3 antenna and the webcam. It's either the camera or the 3x3 antenna. And camera is a must in my case.

 

One more question. I ordered the Intel® Centrino Wireless-N 2200.

Is there any reason why I should have opted for the Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6205 instead?

 

The 6205 is dual band, meaning you can access 5GHz in addition to 2.4GHz if the router supports it (may result in better speed and less congestion). The 2200 is single band. I'd say that's the main difference.

 

Hello, I have an X230T and have had a world of pain and issues with Air Magnet Version 8.5. Just wondering if you any driver/BSOD issues.
I have reformatted my machine multiple times and now have AM running on a separate partition on my drive. Some of the issues I have experienced are listed here.....

-Blue Screen of Death both randomly as well as on demand when I turn my internal NIC on via its physical button on the side of the machine after completing my survey.
-Information Bubble remaining on top of not only the AM window but everything else as well.
-Adapter locks up- "No new data recorded in the last 60 seconds" - This was happening about every 3-5 minutes at one point in this adventure.
- No adapter identified message-

Just trying to see if anyone has experienced all or some of these issues.

Thanks.