Thinkpad X210 wish list

So the X210 is going to come out when the new Intel "Sandy Bridge" processors come out.

The X210, unlike the X201, is going to be completely redesigned.

What are some things that you expect to be in it, and what are some things that you want to be in it?

Things that we should expect:

-Perhaps one of the USB 2.0 ports turns into a USB 3.0 port

-A thinner design package overall

-The newly designed Thinkpad keyboards

-An HDMI Port added

-128 GB, 256 GB SSD options

Things that I want:

-Better quality screen, higher resolution option

-Webcam standard

-Not only thinner, but a much lighter design, make it so the 9-cell doesn't stick out as much maybe?

-Slightly cheaper to compete with the MacBook Air

 

I want it to be just like my X200s, only completely covered in that wonderful ThinkPad rubber finish.

On a serious note, I hope they reinforce the back of the LCD assembly better this time. While the hinges are clearly superior to the M11x, the lid itself does not feel as rigid.

 

I would not expect a thinner design or HDMI port. USB 3.0 is doubtful. Also webcams shouldn't be standard in business laptops because some companies can't allow webcams or cameras on their premises. If it's an option then every party will be satisfied and that's what matters.

 

And I love/prefer the current keyboard!
USB3 would be nice; HDMI or Display Port would also be a plus, but not necessary.
Size and weight are quite fine as well.
I’d prefer they drop the RJ11 port (although maybe keep it for the occasional fax), and perhaps even the express card slot and make a dual HD configuration, preferably RAID-able.

I hope you are joking about the competition with the MBA... If not, we should probably talk about what we’d like the next MBA to include to compete with the X200/X201!

 

Ummm...this throws a spoke in the wheels for me. Should I buy the X201 now or should I wait for the X210? It's not like I NEED a second machine now. But I have to spend the money I have been given and I have to do so soon!!!

 

I really want the x210 to have an x210s model that's really thin and light. USB3.0 would be nice. WXGA+ WXGA+ WXGA+! And an option for an IPS? If not, looks like I'll have to do the swap myself, which is always a lot of fun....

 

Where did you hear about the X210? I can't find any information on it. Please provide links/proof.

 

The author of that bulletin at TechTarget, Where Serious Technology Buyers Decide. mistaken Lenovo's X200 replacement model as the X210, like T400-> T410, T500 -> T510, W500->W510, etc, rather than the X201.

 

Regardless, there will be a refresh of the X20x line next year - I am guessing! Maybe I should wait for that. Or. perhaps it may be better to go with what will then be a slightly older but proven model.

 

First and foremost you need to be clear on whether you can wait or not. You say you have to spend the money soon/urgently, but at the same time you consider waiting for a refresh during next year. Those are two different scenarios.

Even if you can wait until a refresh, the pricing will most likely be high for the new model just after introduction. My advice is this:

1) If you can wait - wait until refresh comes out and get a X200 or X201 which will be even cheaper due to the new model.

2) If you have to spend the money soon, get a good spec and decent priced X200(s) and maximize the config with accessories like SSD and Ultrabase. Apart from gaming capability the X200 is very powerful, runs very cool/silent, has great battery life and great build quality. If I were you I'd probably look for a X200s with the SL9400/SL9600 CPU.

Without knowing the specs of the upcoming model, trust me on this:
For most people with non-gaming or significant rendering needs, there will be no noticeable difference between the X200 and the upcoming refresh. A X200 with SSD will however be noticeable faster than X201 or new model with HDD.

 

I expect newest expresscard iteration (is it out yet?)
SATA 6Gb
Esata port, Esata 6Gb preferable
USB 3.0 is a must
1333mhz RAM
Build quality on par with current x200/x201 but not lower in any way!
6 cell being completely flush
9cell giving even better life than on X200.
Oh and my dream would be ODD that is swappable for second HDD, just like HP 2530p/2540p has!

Not discussing x2xxS series, but regular X2xx series

 

I'd like to see a mPCIe SSD option like Dell M6400/M6500 has, HDMI and higher res/nits/quality LCD options.

 

i just want less cost price it's awsome as it is, although all those mentioned are good upgrades, a cut in price would boost sales and many dilemmas with this awsome laptop would result in buying this. me included

 

Well...I meant I need to spend the money soon (rather than urgently)...I would not like my benefactor change his mind

But your suggestion has great merit. Thanks.

Edit:

Btw, when you say "2) If you have to spend the money soon, get a good spec and decent priced X200(s) and maximize the config with accessories like SSD and Ultrabase. Apart from gaming capability the X200 is very powerful, runs very cool/silent, has great battery life and great build quality. If I were you I'd probably look for a X200s with the SL9400/SL9600 CPU."

What are you referring to? The X200s or the X200? Any particular reason for suggesting the "s" version - if that is what you are indeed referring to? Thanks.

 

If you can get a X200s at a reasonable price I would recommend getting this. Main reason for suggesting this is the slightly better battery life due to the low voltage SL processors.

If you get the best price on a X200 or if that is the model mainly available to you, go for that instead. With i.e. a P8400/P8600 CPU they still have very good battery life despite the normal voltage and higher frequency.

 

Are the X200 and X200s chassis identical otherwise? I've never actually seen an X200 in person.

 

Slightly less tapped by the ugly stick, please.

Lighter t model wouldn't go amiss - I thought I was rid of lugging a 4.3lb machine.

 

Actually, X201/ X201s are the only models available to me if I buy in India. But the "s" model comes with the i3/5/7 options.

 

Thinner, ability to upgrade cpu (aka not soldiered so I can swap out for an Ivy Bridge quad core ).

 

Funny how this thread has switched to a wish-list.
What I'm waiting for is native USB 3.0 and SATA 6g/s. I plan my next system purchase to be a tablet with said features, then I'll be a happy camper.

 

You know what's funny about SATA 6 Gbit? It's almost already too slow for the next generation of SSDs. The Sandforce 2000 controller is supposed to have ~500 MB/s sustained reads/writes SandForce Announces Next-Gen SSDs, SF-2000 Capable of 500MB/s and 60K IOPS - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News (depending on what flash memory is used or how much) so it's funny to think that the newest standard is going to be too slow already.

Most hard drives still aren't saturating even SATA 1.5 Gbit. In only 1-2 years of SATA 6 Gbit being out it's going to be fully saturated by some SSDs. Unbelievable (and to think, SSDs used to be slower than hard drives when they first came out).

 

In which case then the CPU needs more cores to keep up with the extra data processing.

 

well not necessarily, hard drives might typically use up 1% and less of CPU power, but SSDs might need about 10-20% of the CPU (numbers from an Anandtech article). More CPU power might be helpful but not absolutely necessary.

 

that depends on whether it is moving the data around or actually processing the extra data that is coming through the pipeline.

 

Would you guys want Lenovo to do the same thing that Apple is doing and make built in SSD Cards? Lot less space consumed and they *can* be upgraded.

I wouldn't mind it. I don't need more than 256 GBs and it would be a lot cheaper to do it that way.

Are the graphics cards in the new platform going to be a lot better?

 

i don't think Lenovo would ever use fixed SSD in their Thinkpads, as these machines are used in business environments, where field serviceability and parts compatibility are extremely important. Apple products are not business orientated products, so they are more interested in the form of the machine more than serviceability of their machines (also back to depot servicing after expiration of warranty is a great revenue earner for the Apple resellers and depots).

 

Big no for me. It looks like a PITA just to get to the SSD, and another PITA to find SSD modules that are compatible. While it is upgradeable, it's just a horrible execution all around for anyone who wants to upgrade their drives.

Well I said up above that faster SSDs based on Sandforce 2000 are coming out, so a huge thing for me would be just to have the option to use the fastest drives (when they become a little cheaper). With the Macbook Air you're limited to whoever specially designs a drive for that specific machine. It would have been better if they just used miniPCIe SSDs so you could use parts already available.

It should be Sandy Bridge, so the performance should be much improved over Intel's current integrated GPU. They should be comparable to the low-end ATI mobile graphics cards at the very least.

 

HDMI and backlit keyboard, I sorely miss the backlit keyboard I had on my Dell Latitude E4300 and love the convenience of HDMI for the various other gadgets I have. DisplayPort is a wasted port for my usage.

I like the fact a typo has now resulted in the next generation X series being the X210, ahh the Interwebs

 

I sorely miss a HDMI / display port. If the graphics got more powerful, it would kill the battery advantage.

Also, in the x201, is the CPU soldered to the motherboard - or can it be upgraded?

 

This could be easily integrated. Lenovo could provide a mPCIe SSD option and provide the option of a 9.5mm optical drive or 2.5" HDD via ultrabay OR light travel bezel. In a sense taking the best parts of a T410s, Dell E4200, HP 2540P and putting a x210 stamp on it. There is no reason why it should weigh or use any more volume than the current chassis.

There's Renice 128GB 70mm SF-1200 mPCIe SSDs available here. Zoom zoom.

 

eSATA/USB combo port.

USB 3 would be nice if it gets integrated into the chipset as expected.

digital video out

brighter, higher resolution screen.

 

What's all this about USB 3? Am I the only one who really couldn't care less? I use USB to connect mouse, keyboard, web cam and occasionally an external hard drive - everything works fine.

I vote for matte AFFS Boe Hydis screen as an option.

 

you can get the T400, T500, W500 ultrabay slim blu ray drive (it doesn't burn blu-ray discs though)... it is around 150 to 250 USD on ebay.

 

Since I'm considering acquiring a tablet PC in the next year or so, I'd really like to see what the X210 will offer. My hopes for improvements over the X201t, ranked from most probable to least probable, IMHO:

- new keyboard design of the Tx10 generation
- eSATA/USB combo port (or, less preferably, USB 3.0)
- a higher quality webcam (2.0 MP with low light functionality would be nice) that does not interfere with triple-antenna WiFi cards
- DisplayPort video out with audio
- combined audio/mic jack along side edge
- 9-cell battery with improved battery lifetime
- ThinkLight
- a higher resolution, high-quality tablet display (I would love to see a 1440x900 AFFS display, although it's probably most likely a pipe dream)

The last point is the only thing making me hesitate between the tablet and the currently-MIA "s" model - I would love the high resolution panel of the "s," but at the same time I want a display of higher quality, as well as the tablet functionality. But, the "s" model's lack of a webcam (an essential feature to me) is also a dealbreaker.

 

Could you not work with a mobile webcam fitted externally?

 

it is another extra piece of kits that many people can't be bothered carrying around.

 

True! But not having an integrated web cam helped me out a lot in the past few days when I had to work in offices that do not allow webcams on machines (they took my phone away too). Under these situations a clip-on web cam is probably useful - though, naturally, specific needs will vary widely.

Edit: And since we are talking about wish lists, here is what a Lenovo official has to say reported in India: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...rm-factor-says-Naitoh/articleshow/6862725.cms

 

Interesting
On the other hand, if they make X series even thinner then there is no way to fit ODD in there or secondary HDD.

 

They can make the X200 thinner, but it would also drive up the cost of the machines. I think the current format of these machines are a perfect size. Any lighter and thinner would comprise its durability and upgradability (as mentioned).

 

Really? Wow I knew the one they sell on the Lenovo website was a rip off. >$500 just to watch Blu rays? Unbelievable.

There's always the need for speed. eSATA, Firewire, and USB 3.0 are all about delivering faster speeds. You'll probably think Light Peak is unneeded as well, but I say it's a good thing. Once we get 10 gb/s going to our house then we'll really need Light Peak running at full speed to take full advantage of that fast internet connection. Verizon FiOS field trial introduces XG-PON2 to the lexicon, shows 10Gbps capabilities -- Engadget

 

Other than wifi adapters and hard drives I also share that opinion. I could still be using a PS2/Keyboard and mouse and I could care less about USB 3.0. But for external HD's and usb network adapters I think it's important. Now with ESATA though, using USB for external storage is a lesser option I believe.

 

@jaakobi, the price i quoted is from ebay.

 

ok. Actually I can barely find any on eBay, only 1 at that price range. Are they no longer making any?

 

not many people ordered these blu-ray drives, and those that trickle through to ebay are quickly snapped up by Thinkpadders.

 

I guess most people use their thinkpad laptop for work rather media entertainments. Also you need a proper home theatre setup to get the most out of the extra resolution and sound channels offered by bluray movies. Thinkpad's LCD and speakers are not the best on either counts. So I guess most of the serious movie buffs would not want to watch their whole bluray collection.

 

I'm just hoping that they don't mess with the current form factor too much. I've just sold my T400 to wait for the X210. I'd like the new Sandy bridge CPU/graphics (which is a given) and for them to offer the next generation Intel SSD's with the 300 and 600gb size options as I've seen written about on Anandtech. I'll take any improvements in Wifi performance as well as for built in 3G.

Yes, a higher quality screen and webcam would be a plus - but I can live with the current quality and I'm not at all bothered about HDMI. I don't mind USB 3.0/eSATA either as I won't be using them.

So in summary I'm looking for a light, well built evolution of the X series with the latest CPU's and integrated graphics with the latest Intel SSDs.

I'm hoping they are out by late January, as I'll be relying on my desktop until then.

 

Well, it's getting closer to January when Sandy Bridge is released...

So excited to get my hands on the X210/whatever it's called.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if the refresh would be an x202, while the T series would jump to the T420/520 respectively.

 

the new X202 would only be called as such when Lenovo retains the 12.1 inch LCD, but i doubt it.

 

Ok. x250?