Thinkpad X220 specs revealed!

Is the 54 mm Express Card Slot a smart card reader? I don't mean SD card (storage), I mean smart card (authentication). Just wondering if the X220 has a smart card reader by default, or if there is an option to get one (an internal one, not external).

Is there more memory bandwidth if you populate both DIMM slots? Meaning is the memory subsystem faster by having two 2GB DIMMs versus a single 4GB DIMM?

There is an option for a 4GB Solid State Flash Drive, Serial ATA - is that for ReadyBoost or ReadyDrive? So that 4GB would act as a file system cache?

The thickness of 19-34.6mm - is that 19mm with no batter slice or the laptop itself is tapered so the front is 19mm (.75") and the back is 34.6mm (1.4")?

Given that much faster SSDs (OCZ Vertex 3, Intel 510, etc.) are coming out, it probably makes sense to just order a X220 with the cheapest HDD option and then buy one of the next-gen SSDs that are coming out if you are looking for absolute fastest disk speeds? Assuming, like someone said, they don't criipple the native 6GB SATA in the Sandy Bridge chipset?

The 4-cell (~4 hr.) battery is the only X220 battery that won't stick out the back, correct?

The lowest CPU options (2410M, 2310M) both have a lower GPU turbo speed (1100mhz vs. 1300mhz for the more expensive CPU options) so it probably helps to get at least a 2520M, no?

 

I was comparing it to the X25-M because someone was saying if the X220 wouldn't support SATA 6.0Gbps he would just stick with the X25-M. The comparison is still relevant though, since Intel has yet cut the price of the X25-M.

It's amazing how fast the SSD technology is evolving. SATA 6.0 Gbps has not been available for long (very short indeed) and the newer SSDs are almost saturating its bandwidth... What's going to happen to SSD in a year? Moving to Lightpeak/Thunderbolt?

 

The datasheet doesn't mention a smartcard option. ExpressCard is not smartcard. However, you can buy a 54mm ExpressCard that is a smartcard reader. See Lenovo Support - Gemplus 54mm ExpressCard Smart Card Reader from Lenovo - Overview for a Gemplus from Lenovo. If you need a reader, this would be a good option if the X220 doesn't offer a built-in reader.

 

Lightpeak/Thunderbolt only external PCI-e 4x muxed with Displayport data in one cable. It simply transfers data from external devices on speed identical to the device connected to the motherboard directly. Why connect the SSD in the laptop via Lightpeak / Thunderbolt if there is already allocated for this SATA II / III controller connected to the chipset and the CPU directly.

With Lightpeak / Thunderbolt can be created an external devices, with SATA or SATA Raid controllers that can connect to a laptop with a single wire and thus will work as well as internal devices.

for training study. pay attention to speed.

 

the X220 really looks impressive based on the stats provided. Will it be the best thinkpad ever? Looks like this may be the case if build quality is improved also. Cant wait for reviews!

 

Man... i'd wish they'd stick to their 16:10... 1280x800 is much better than 1366x768 especially since you get a few more vertical pixels... (although i'm wishing they put a 1600x1000 pixel screen on it), but i do appreciate them making the panel IPS

 

There are quite a few things I like on that spec sheet, but 1366x768 is still getting a thumbs down from me. When the time comes to replace my X201, unless a higher resolution model has hit the market, I'll probably move back to the T series for the first time since my T22. 800 vertical pixels is just barely acceptable for me, 768 won't work in certain functional scenarios.

1600x900 might be a bit extreme, but I would drop the money for a system sporting a decent panel and that resolution, just to let Lenovo know that there is a market for it.

 

768 pixel height certainly sucks, but oh well. At least it's IPS.

Does anyone know the dimensions of the X220? Curious to see if it's any bigger than the X200/201 notebooks. I have a X61, and was slightly disappointed when the X200 turned out to be bigger than the X61.

 

So has this been delayed? I thought it was supposed to come out last tuesday.

 

On the resolution debate ... 768 (the new vertical resolution) is only 32 pixels shorter than 800 ...

The Windows 7 taskbar - by default - takes up 40 pixels in height (if it is at the bottom). If you move it to the left or right side, it will take up 75 pixels (in width). So by moving it to the side you get more vertical space and less horizontal space. On the new panel that would equal to roughly 1291x768 pixels.

If you have the taskbar at the bottom on the X201 (1280x800), your working area is now 1280x760. Almost the same.

Of course this way you have to put up with the taskbar being on the side

 

It was supposed to be announced last tuesday. Availability is a completely different thing. They might announce it later, but still keep the release date the same. We will have to wait and see.

 

That Support link now says March 15 availability! I think I read somewhere in this thread that it was sometime later.

 

Oh I see.

 

Well, I think for those who have WGXA LCDs it is indeed almost the same.
However, from the X200s' WXGA+ user point of view the new resolution is c.a. 15% smaller...

 

Looking at the stats/pictures I think the X220 is shaping up to be an amazing notebook. I love the fact they offer as an accessory a battery that fits the real-estate form factor of the notebook itself. One thing I think they should have done is move that expresscard slot down (if they still want to add this) to the ultrabase and keep the notebook itself clean and use that space for something else - I duno, discrete graphics? 2nd HDD/SSD?

 

Unfortunately according to the leaked pictures, the expresscard is still an option. look at here

I too would like an internalized smart card or RFID smart card reader (something dell has been doing for a long time on their business notebooks) instead of the wasted volume with the expresscard.

There are definately options to get smart card readers that fit the expresscard 54 format. It is semi internal (some models have a bit sticking out. The full sized smart card will definately stick out though once inserted.

 

The heck? Did I miss something? Is the 2620QM different from the 2620M? I can't find hardly any information about the former on the 'net.

 

The 2620QM is quad core, the 2620M is dual.

 

I wonder why Intel doesn't even list a product page for the QM, and yet also, the 2620M doesn't appear on that page of "second-generation Core i Processors" that I linked to above.

Quite confusing.

I'm assuming for video editing the QM would better serve me...?

 

official announcement: Lenovo Newsroom | New Lenovo ThinkPad Ultraportable Laptops Recharged, Reenergized and Renewed

 

Excerpts:

The multitouch tablet now adds a new rough and tough feature to its super bright, 300-nit screen with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass. Already military specifications tested to meet extreme conditions, Gorilla Glass strengthens the screen so it can withstand scratches, scrapes and abuse from the field.

Additionally, USB 3.0 technology on select models transfers data lightning fast, up to 10 times that of USB 2.0.

The ThinkPad X220 laptop and X220 Tablet will be available starting in April through business partners and lenovo dot com. Prices for models start at approximately $900 and $1,200, respectively.

 

Hurry-up and get yours. I'm anxious to see what you think of it. Although I'm not quite ready to replace my Acer 3820TG, when I do, this looks like a candidate. $1,200 for an IPS panel I5 thinkpad is a really nice price. With the typical sale dsicounts, these might be very affordable.

I wonder how this unit would work with a VI-Dock and external graphics linked through the mPCIe slot? Hopefully, the HD 3000 IGPU will be a good performer. Anybody seen a 3DM06 bench for the IGPU? I would prefer a backlit KB, but I guess the Lenovo-light will have to suffice.

BTW, I would configure mine very much like the specs you listed.

Bronsky

 

Will Lenovo do a simultaneous release of its new models across all its markets? Or, do some markets get the new models earlier than others?

Thanks

 

Granted its not a fully equal comparison, but based on what I have seen on my my Droid 2(which has Gorilla glass for a screen) vs other phones within in the same screen size range, I haven't noticed any extra grain, or haze. Do you think this time around it is possible the multi-touch model will not have issue the X20x tablets with that feature had? Because, I would really like to get the dual touch tablet(pen + multi) if the issues of the previous tablet are not there anymore.

 

I notice the mentioning of a 720P Webcam? But todays T41x / T51x, W51x and X20x series spot their own 2.0MP / 720P webcams already don't they?

Are we talking about a new and improved webcam or the same thing just with more marketing behind it?

 

This is a 2.5" 7mm ....????? Hmmm ...
X220 can not accept the standard SSD 2.5" 9.5mm ?

 

Good pickup. Spec sheet has 320GB as the maximum HDD size. This suggests to me that the HDD cavity is 7mm tall rather than 9.5mm. This could be a deal breaker for some.

 

Oh no .... this is madness. Sacrificed for the sake of 2.5mm thickness?

 

Just in case anyone's wondering, I have reason to believe that the manufacturer for the X220's IPS panel is LG. There may be others, but at least one of the FRUs is listed as an 'LGD' display (i.e. LG Display).

 

From the "X220 video review" thread:

BTW, erik initially posted "The panel is by AU Optronics" and later edited it to "Looks like an LG panel".

 

Yep. 93P5675 is the FRU for the LG panel that pdagal had (LP125WH2)

I didn't know that AUO made IPS displays, but it certainly wouldn't surprise me to learn that they did. The only AUO panel that I saw that looks likely for use in the X220 is B125XW01, which is the TN panel used in the U260.

My money's on Samsung and AUO as the suppliers for the TN panel, and LG being the sole supplier for the IPS panel (unless Hydis or CMO have a 12.5" AFFS/MVA panel up their sleeves.)

 

At least, LG has been concretely reported. I like LG panels, both matte and glossy.

Your note regarding B125XW01 is interesting. So, perhaps X220 "regular" display is AUO and "premium" display is LG.

 

i was in the middle of editing when my post was quoted.

 

The sunny smile icon was there to insure a friendly observation only.

 

The wide-angle tech tends to break down like this: Samsung makes (S)PVA, AUO and CMO make MVA, Hydis makes AFFS+, and LG makes (S)IPS.

Lenovo explicitly mentioned IPS (not *VA) in their datasheet, so that makes me think that the premium option will either be an LG IPS panel (as has been confirmed) or an AFFS+ one (as AFFS+ could kinda-sorta be described as an IPS offshoot.) I'm disinclined to believe the latter though, as I suspect they'd use the FlexView moniker if they were going to use several different panel technologies... but who knows. They could be trying to ride the public's recent introduction to the term "IPS" via the iPad. I do know that Lenovo's used AFFS panels in a number of their tablets and in some of their T series machines, so sourcing from Hydis wouldn't exactly be unprecedented.

 

They can make other types of screen too, however, they need license to do so Toshiba makes PVA panels for Lenovo which is licensed by Samsung.

 

Does this mean it won't take my Vertex 2?

 

the X220 is definitely 7mm.   sorry.

 

Yeah, I figured they were all *capable* of the various fab procedures -- I was just commenting on what I've observed in the past. Didn't know that about TMD doing PVA though. Where are those panels used?

 

Erik can you comment on the SATA III support of the X220 and the T420s (Sata II, Sata III throttled, fully SATA III, ODD bay SATA, etc.)?

 

We could always dissemble a 9.5mm SSD and make some tweaks in order to fit it inside the X220.

 

ouch.. 7mm cavity does hurt....

i guess i have no other option but to upgrade to the ssd from lenovo directly.

i wonder how much the 128gb option will be?

 

Mostly X2xx tabs.

 

I was planning on using the mSATA ssd and a hdd in the regular bay anyway. But so far it looks like 320gb is the maximimum size for the hdd (right now anyway) which hurts a little but is perfectly usable.

I'm praying Lenovo doesn't whitelist mSATA ssd's. Their hard drive upgrade prices in general are ludicrous.

 

Great idea. So can you make the mSATA as primary and use the built in spinner to act as a secondary storage?

I guess that would make this the perfect laptop.

 

That's why I'm calling it the holy grail. Up till now it was very tough making Thinkpad decisions because each one was compromised in different ways. X220 seemingly has all the bases covered.

 

How would lenovo whitelist them?

You can buy the same 80 GB intel mSATA that lenovo is using from online stores. I don't think there should be any problems.

 

The same way you can't use a generic Intel wifi pcie card in older Thinkpads (and maybe even current ones), through the BIOS.

 

So, tell me this. The 160GB Intel ssd will fit in the X220 or not?

 

Then we must pray.

With the mSATA option, I now have my heart set on x220.

I'm even willing to part with my x201t i7 for a loss for this.