Thinkpad X120e/X121

Having been initially disappointed with the X120e stated not being released in the UK/Europe, there was a post on the Lenovo Facebook page announcing that Germany would be getting it in April/May. Now it seems they have updated it and they are not releasing in the UK/Europe.
Anyone know why there is this confusion with the X120e?
There was a leaked 'roadmap' around that stated that the X120e would be up until Q3 2011 and a replacment (tagged X121e) would be bought in.

I just cant seem to see why they are not releasing it in area's outside the US, when it clearly would be popular, initially anouncing a worldwide release, then cutting it back, then announcing it then cutting it again. I can only think that as someone mentioned some sellers have a lot of X100e's left and are wanting to get rid of those (slower than expected) and skip the X120e for its replacement (whenever that is).

Just annoying as thats the only real professional laptop that combines the value of a netbook and power of an ultraportable and build of a thinkpad. Currently in the UK there is not really any competition, so why not release it?

http://wingsanlee.blog.so-net.ne.jp/upload/detail/image/2011-02-20T00:13:36-2c3a1.jpg.html

 

Why can't you just buy from a dealer from the US and have it shipped to the UK. I sometimes shopped at the Amazon UK and had no problem with shipping or prices.

The replacement for the x120e is supposed to have the AMD e450 sometimes this fall, but the improvement is small if I remember correctly.

 

AFAIK its available for corporate orders even in those other markets where its not available for personal purchase.

your average user is going to go wow over the thinkpad edge instead of the x120e, thats probably why. too similar.

 

I would order from the US, but i asked in another thread about the warranty, would i have to send it back to the US with any problems, and also dealing with the US keyboard.
Pretty much decided to go for a replacment for my Toshiba M5 with possibly a T410i for the moment then wait until the autumn (Q3) to see if the replacment for the X120e comes to the UK.

 

I believe most current of the model have international warranty but Lenovo state that certain countries require documentation of importation.

 

X121 sounds exciting.

 

If the x121 should use the soon to be release e-450 it will have minimal improvement on the processor(1.6 vs 1.65) speed and graphic, what's interesting is that it is going to have Turbo Boost like overclocking call Turbo Core.

 

I wonder about the Turbo Core on the E-450.

The current Turbo (Ex: Thuban Ph2 X6 1090T) from AMD is a bit lacking, it boosts by a set amount if half the cores are idle. Its supposedly nice for Linux users since its completely hardware, though I don't have a Turbo Core CPU to test with.

The next gen Turbo (Ex: Interlagos Opty's) doesn't seem fit for ultraportable laptops. Its designed to overclock any core that has a load up until the chip hits TDP, sort of like a reverse of the PowerTune functionality in AMD graphics cards. Unless you're running a power virus type program, the chip should be overclocked any time it has stuff to do. From what I've heard, its more intended for server people so they can use exactly the amount of power they have bought from their rackspace provider and no more. Though you could say that stuff will finish faster so the chip can return to idle, I am a bit doubting about the benefit of that.

 

Anybody heard any news on the replacement for the X120e, and if its likely to come to the UK?
We have to make do with the Edge 11 over here

 

I live in the UK and got me a x120e from USA. I've just done a clean install with an OCZ Agility III. About to purchase 2 X 4 gig G.Skill RAM. I'm very happy so far with it.

 

Ah cool, how do you get on with the US keyboard and may i ask roughly how much it cost including import duty, VAT, delivery etc?

 

I agree it's stupid that they don't make it available everywhere. Or does anyone know of another netbook as cheap as the X120 with a modern CPU/GPU tandem, matte screen, and three touchpad buttons?

 

as far as i know, there is no duty/additional taxes on computers, so all you'll have to pay is Delivery+VAT. If you buy from ebay, which i suggest you do, you can ask the seller to find out how much fedex is. If they sell a lot, it'll only be around 50-80 pounds if they have an account with the courier.


but its no good for a cheap laptop, sine 20% vat + 50-80 pound is a significant premium to pay on a laptop that only costs 250-350 pounds

 

Why only Fedex? USPS is IMO as good and as cheap alternative. Delivery fees vary from seller to seller, some overcharge to make more money from overseas shipments.

OP, I say if you want X120e now then import it from USA and be done with it
If you dont need it now then wait as long as you can and see what else Lenovo offers in your region or get something you feel comfortable with from USA.

 

yes, but is the X120e worth its current price + 20% more + ~30 pounds for delivery? i have got 4-5 kilo packages from the US before and the postage was around that. by the end of all that you're looking at an X120e that costs you almost 700 US$

 

That depends of what configuration he orders, how much he pays for it and how much it/comparable laptop would cost him if it was available in his country.
Tho I agree that in most cases its more profitable to order med-high price range laptops or EOL products with great discounts rather than plain cheapest budget line laptops+given that in USA laptops come only with 1 year standart warranty one might lose out on that aspect as well(cheap budget class laptop+1year warranty might turn out more expensive or as almost expensive as in ones home country after VAT and shipping costs added).

Thats the reason why I spent months looking for a deal until I found one, OP might have to reside to the same strategy and perhaps when the right time comes he can get really sweet deal with good warranty and save lots of cash as well

 

I am waiting / hoping that the next model (as mentioned maybe X121e) will be released here with the E-450. I did actually get an Asus Transformer tablet/notebook but i returned it as i think i will actually miss the functionality of a Windows based machine
I have looked into the X220, and the price has come down a little to around £900 configured with the i3, 4gb Ram, 320gb 7200rpm, W7 Pro and the IPS display. Its just a lot of money atm that could be spent elsewhere (Car and actually living).
The X12# series/range just seems perfect for a durable, portable laptop thats (should be) under £500 and not a netbook.
If it was in the UK, with an E-450 and an 11.6 IPS display and came in just under £500 it would be just about perfect!

 

Just check, altogether I paid £374.65 GBP for this delivered to my door. There was VAT of £28 on it. The American keyboard is fine, I've set it to British standard and I can touch type so I don't need to look at the American style keys.

 

Ah that's not bad at all. Still not too keen on the American Keyboard. How does the warranty work? Cheers

 

i'm primarily based in the uk but i still use american keyboards. the larger left shift key and elongated enter key does feel better than a UK keyboard.

that said, i frequently use uk keyboards as well on other systems. i dont think you'll find it a big issue. you'll probably only have issues with @ and ' or " which you'll get used to after a while

but other than that 374 ish quid is pretty good for a notebook like that, uk price wise.

 

I've actually never had to use warranty on anything in my life.

 

Thanks, I have to say it would annoy me with the keyboard. You are right, under £400 there really is nothing here to touch a X120e.

 

Consider yourself lucky. My x100e had to get repaired a half dozen times in the short time I had it. Warranties are worth their weight in gold.

 

hmm im in the uk. all in all i think mine set me up to nearly £500. i got the e350, 6gb ram, 500gb hard drive, 6 cell battery, bluetooth, agbn 2x2 wireless card AND a UK keyboard on it
but if i was to sell it....
then i would have to be be offered my money back really. but the machine is too nice to for my efforts of upgrading it just only receive my money back really.

 

How did you manage to get a UK Keyboard?

 

skill. i did try to upload for proof but it keeps failing to upload it for me so you have to take my word for it. in a few months from now you will see it on ebay. only to upgrade but wont be cheap unless buyer is happy for me to downgradde parts which i wont mind.

 

Sorry can you elaborate on Skill? I'm interested in having a British keyboard too. You can post links here. Thanks

 

i bought a UK x100e keyboard, pretty straight forward. requires about 3 screws. one attached to the hard drive caddy. theres a manual online. you can check cos i cant remember on the top of my head.
takes about 5 mins tho.

 

seems like x121 really exist. expect it will come in few weeks

 

Ah thats cool, slightly more tempting if i can get a UK keyboard, is it easy to change the keys in the bios?

 

yes it gives you a choice if you want to swap the function key around. techinally users are used to it that way. but cos this thing is small and no dedicated media keys. it is actually easier to keep it as it is beasue u dont need to look if you are pressing thhe correct key becasue its on the end to combine with any of the desired "F" keys.

 

I'd be a bit curious on battery power with the E-450 if the 'Turbo' feature can be activated on battery.

 

Isn't the idea behind Turbo to finish tasks faster so the processor can return to idle, thus in theory extending battery life?

I would expect to be something that works on battery mode.

 

Looks good on paper but that's hardly the case IRL.

 

I just wanted to post my experiences with my X120e, I can confirm that lenovo is indeed experiencing a parts shortage supply. It took me a while to get my replacement laptop in the mail. My first machine was DOA. The E450 won't be replacing the E350 in the X120e anytime soon.

 

So, does anyone know if the e-450 will find it's way into an X-series model this year?

edit: Heh, I guess I can answer that myself.

A couple of german sites seem to have it, and at pretty much the same price as the e-350 models, that's nice to see.

 

I've already "bought it" and am waiting to get it in 4-10days.

Lenovo ThinkPad X121e NWS5YGE
AMD Fusion E-450 Prozessor (1,65 GHz), Dual-Core
AMD Radeon HD 6320 Grafi

It my first thinkpad machine!

CU

 

Please update when you have received the machine, a boatload of testdata and impressions is expected!

 

Inandu, could you point us to where you got your Thinkpad with e450 ? thanks

 

I've seen several german sites with the x121e with the E-450. I went for the x121e with the i3 CULV instead, from where I am now typing. If you guys point me in the direction of some useful testing software I could get a couple numbers back to you. This machine's drawback is that it doesn't have turbo of course.

Otherwise first impressions are very positive. It's my first Lenovo so still need to get used to ThinkVantage and all the other stuff. Keyboard feels good. Trackpad is a mixed bag in that it does not always pick up on the fact that I am trying to click. There also doesn't seem to be any scroll ability on the trackpad.

 

Not sure what the policies for external linking are here but if you type in x121e on idealo.de it will give you several options, including the x121e NWS5Y which is the E-450 model as far as I can tell.

 

I'm curious how much a performance gain the E-450 provides over E-350, the CPU portion is still grossly underpowered for a lot of mundane tasks such as watching Netflix HD.

 

Is there anywhere to not buy it from a German site? I'm from the UK, so has anyone got info any info on a UK e450 thinkpad release date ?

 

Or anywhere that will ship to Australia? All those German sites only ship to the EU.