Thinkpad x20x (s/t/i) Owners Thread

Ah, got it, thanks. The manufacturer name of my "no wiggle" 6 cell is LGC.

 

Charging symbol? What charging symbol? Are you referring to the lopsided "Z" or "N" in a circle? That simply tells you that the computer is ON.

 

from right to left i have the following
moon, power cord, battery, globe with Z or N, house, house, wifi?, and standard wifi signal on the far left.

 

Consult the "User Guide" on Lenovo's website for the X201. It details all lights, function keys, ports, etc.

 

Soon to be an x201 owner here. I ordered with the following configuration from the IBM stockholder purchase program. I ordered on 7/12 and it shipped today, 7/16. The before tax total came to $921:

Processor: i5 520M
Ram: 2x2 gb 1067 mhz
4 cell battery
Trackpoint with touchpad

I also ordered the Kingston 128 gb SSD for $204 after mail in rebate from Newegg (It's $214 now - Newegg.com - Kingston SSDNow V Series SNV425-S2BD/128GB 2.5" Desktop Bundle 128GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD))

I'm coming from an HP nw8440 that I had for 4 years and before that I had a massive Dell XPS for about 3 years. This will be my first Thinkpad and I'm very excited to have a smaller/more durable laptop. It will also be the first SSD I've ever had, so I'm excited to see how fast/quiet/cool it is too. I'll post my thoughts once I receive it.

 

wait how come i ordered on the same day as you but mine hasn't shipped yet? is this normal? though i have the 2gb ram, 9 cell, fingerprint and 6200 wifi.

 

Hmm I'm not sure...I ordered mine early in the morning - maybe it was just a couple of spots ahead of yours in the production line.

 

hmm maybe. i ordered mine around the afternoon

 

just wondering but do they build any any laptops during the weekend?

 

hey guys,

does the x200 9 cell battery work on the x201 ? I want to purchase a new one for the household but wish that my existing battery would work on it as well.

I have a 2GB Samsung DDR3 ram stick in my x200. But I don't know if it's 667mhz or 1067mhz.... is it usable on the x201 either way? Thanks.

 

yes i believe that it should work since when i was ordering my x201, the battery said x200 series battery so i assume that it shuold work with both models.

 

^ thank you sir! I checked the product numbers and despite the new one being a bigger capacity, the Canadian website only offers the old capacity when I attempt to check out and buy "accessories".

my next question concerns window 7 - with my x200, the bios was never updated. perhaps as a result window 7 on idle (max battery life settings) had the fan idling at 3600rpm! it would not spin down no matter how long I kept it sitting there doing nothing. when I ran vista (the original OS) it always spun down to 1900rpm. do you guys experience any such problems with the x201? how fast does the CPU fan run during normal usage? the fan is VERY audible at 3600rpm.

 

hi guys,

i've had my x201 for two days now and i was wondering whether any of you have encountered this problem..

i'm experiencing random contrast changes on my display. it doesn't matter what i do. this happened while i was watching a youtube video, browsing the net and just opening folders. the screen would fade to white in about 10 seconds then would resume to normal display after approx 10 seconds.

some folks at the lenovo forum who have the same problem were able to reproduce the fade-outs by:

1. watching a youtube video in full mode
2. opening ms paint and filling the canvas in black

i've tried reproducing the fade-out by performing the above but nothing happened on my x201. the random fade-outs still happen though.

i have updated bios and intel graphics drivers (updated via thinkvantage) but the problem persists.

should i return my notebook?

thanks.

 

I would return it for another. I have no such problem as you describe and I am using Lenovo's drivers too.

 

i'm sorry. i forgot to add that this only happens when i'm on battery. same with the folks at lenovo forums.

the culprit seems to be specifically brought about by this: the laptop running on batteries with the graphics power plan set on "balance". "maximum performance" setting seems to 'solve' the problem.

@raydabruce: thanks man. that's what i thought. unlike the speaker problem which almost all have had, this fade-out thing seems to have hit only a few people. darn it. i love the build of this thing. i'm really loathe to return this.

:sigh:

 

I've had no problems at all with mine. It's the best laptop purchase decision I've ever made and I've made LOTS of them. (I've lost count, maybe 25 laptops?) All the others have long since been sold. The X201 is my only computer.

 

I think Ray just somehow hasn't noticed this. It's one of the power saving features that you can turn off in the Intel Graphics and Media console. I have that set not to load on my computer because I'm using a custom color profile, but, IIRC it's a very obvious option (i.e. it mentions contrast and that it's a power saving feature). Just look around all the things you can do in that console until you find it. If you have trouble, let me know and I'll turn the stuff back on and reboot and find it for you.

 

I'm assuming you're talking about the settings in the Intel Graphics and Media Control program and not the Thinkvantage Power Manager. I have the Intel program (when I'm using it) set to "maximum battery life" selection for when on battery. I have also used the "maximum performance" setting for battery, but never the "balanced". This may be why I haven't had the problem you describe. But then, I rarely run it on battery power.

Sometimes I will disable the Intel Graphics programs and use a color profile supplied by marlinspike. In that case, the power manager settings only would apply since I've disabled the Intel programs via msconfig.exe

I wonder if settings in the Power Manager conflict with, override or disrupt settings in the Intel Control program... or vice versa. To simplify things, increasingly I'll just disable the Intel stuff and go with Power Manager and marlinspike's color profile. It simplifies things and lessens the chances of problems or conflicts.

 

Hello, in your 25 laptops experience, any Toshiba??
I dont have orderred any laptop yet!!! I want go LENOVO, but the Portege R700 seems to be good!!!

WAiting the perfect oportunity to buy my lenovo!!

 

Actually yes, there was one Toshiba (I think it was a "Satellite") and I was pretty disappointed with it. But that was several years ago and quality goes up and down with most of the big manufacturers. They may be great now, I don't know. Your best bet is to talk with those who have the one you're considering buying. There must be a Toshiba section on this forum.

Personally, I view Toshiba the same way I view HP, Dell, Acer and several others: hastily designed, improperly tested, flimsy consumer laptops. I got fed up with all of them. It's either Sony, ThinkPad "T" or "X" Series or possibly even a Macbook from this point on for me -- subject to change, of course. Even the best get sloppy now and then.

I'll add that Asus does make some fine laptops here and there, depending on the model. I had an Asus gaming laptop that I wish I'd kept. They make their own motherboards.

 

Thanks Raydabruce...

I want LENOVO!!!!! just waiting... i want a good offer!! (of course with webcam!!)

 

man can't wait to get mine. Just got shipped today. Just making sure, but is the changing contrast problem a power saving feature or something? i've read the 4pg thread on the lenovo.com forums. There is a way to disable it?

 

Yeah, it's a power saving thing that can be disabled in the Intel Graphics and Media console.

 

thanks so much for your replies.

unfortunately, i just sent in my excellently built laptop for a replacement before i read your comments. i agree with all your assessments. this was the first thinkpad i've ever laid my eyes and hands on and it's a pain to send it away. i was even prepared for the "terrible" display quality but it isn't really that bad. definitely preferred it over the cutesy glossy ones.

yes, it's the intel graphics and media control.

so if this is a power saving feature, i guess that my laptop replacement would exhibit the same problems. shouldn't have sent it hastily. damn.

thanks man! never thought i would actually get responses. lots of good people here.

what's IIRC? sorry if its a dumb question.

can i also ask for your color profile and directions on how to apply it then disable the intel programs as raydabruce did? what does a color profile do exactly?

 

IIRC = If I Recall Correctly.

I wonder what person in tech support was so poorly trained that he didn't know to tell you that it's a power saving thing.

Color profile is too complicated for me to get into right now lol. See here http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=88247

 

IIRC- got it.

i've read the thread, and i've seen the pictures. holy crap, those were nice color reproductions right there.

i'm gonna download the color profile and try to install it then disable the intel power management program when my replacement arrives.

crap. shouldn't really have sent my laptop.

thanks again for your help guys. really appreciate it.

 

did you ask them to repair it under warranty or are you requesting them to build you the exact system for an exchange? please update when you get your replacement because i am intersted to hear how lenovo's support is

also just wondering if any of you guys have read this thread

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/X-Serie...een-contrast-ratio/td-p/237266/highlight/true

so the problem addressed in this thread could have been fixed by just changing the option in the intel graphics program?

 

i asked for a replacement with the same specs, as my laptop is still within the return/exchange period policy. they're going to check the laptop later and read my report.

will get back to you after they get in touch.

 

yes, that's the thread in the lenovo forums i was referring to. they were really passionate about the contrast problem that i got scared poopless reading them and sent my laptop away lol. couldn't blame them though. lenovo should address that thread right away and put the issue to rest once and for all.

 

have question about shipping. i just got my tracking number last night. this morning i checked my tracking and it said that "rescheduled" delivery will be the 21st. i thought that was pretty fast. But later i refreshed the tracking page and it changed to the 20th. will it arrive at my door that quickly? or is it just delivery to the US or something? i paid for the 2 day shipping? also why does it say rescheduled delivery rather then just scheduled delivery? has the date changed before too?

 

Mine was ordered on June 24th,
Built on June 27th
Shipped on June 28th
Arrived on July 6th (I also paid for "2-day shipping")

It was stuck in Customs in Ontario, Calif., for 3 days and I also had to deal with the 4th of July weekend. Your experience may be different, Customs doesn't delay all shipments, just some of them. The 2-day part really doesn't apply until it's released by U.S. Customs.

As for the display problem, I have a feeling this is a screw-up on Intel's part (and Lenovo's part for not finding it first). I think the Intel graphics control program is causing it -- when you select "balanced" in the battery power settings. This sort of thing happens all the time -- in the rush to get the product out the door (and make money) the testing and quality control occasionally suffers. It will be corrected, in time. Probably with an update.

In the meantime, the lawyers will make lots of money suing Intel for lost revenue, breach of contract, whatever.

 

so does marlin's solution, disabling the power saving option that changes contrast under the intel graphics program stop the problem for you too?

 

I don't have that option in my Intel graphics control program. I may have either an older or newer version of it.

I DO have the "balanced" choice under battery but have never selected that one. I use either the max performance or the battery life setting, so I've never experienced the issue. But sending the computer back over this issue should wake them up to do something about it. Apparently you're not the only one having this problem. They don't like returns/exchanges, so they'll most likely fix it soon.

 

You have it.
Open Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel
Go to the Power tab
Go to the Power Features subtab
Change the drop down menu for the Graphics Power Plan Settings to "On Battery"
Display Power Saving Technology will now appear. Uncheck it (it's the contrast lowering feature)

What they need to do is work on making Power Manager comprehensive. There shouldn't be multiple programs you have to get into to adjust your power saving, especially programs that bury options.

 

also the 5700mhd should be able to run aero with the transparent taskbar,etc. right?

also Ray, what was your scheduled delivery date that was on the UPS tracking site?

 

Yeah, it can run area just fine. I turn it off though, I can't imagine area doesn't use some battery life.

 

just making sure but you mean aero right? also i entered my serial number in to the warranty lookup and it said that it's not in the system? do you guys know how soon after the serial number is generated will the system be in the warranty lookup site?

 

sumtimez i maek tipos.

I seem to recall it wasn't in the warranty site until a few days after it shipped.

 

lol is this right:



the current progress is that the package is in shanghai just got export scan so i guess it just left china. is it possible for it to come this quick or will it be adjusted again later. i kinda think it's too fast since i guess it will have to go to kentucky first.

 

Yeah, when I got my x201 recently the UPS estimated delivery date bounced all over the place. It didn't really settle down until it had cleared customs.

 

@kevinf:
Comenius is right. At some point UPS will stop estimating delivery date, most likely because Customs has it. You'll have it soon after it clears Customs, 2 days at the max. It's still in China until it gets a departure scan there. And yes it will run AERO just fine. Even the old GMA950 could do that and the Intel HD is two generations beyond that.

@marlinspike:
Yes, I saw that checkbox and never checked it because I rarely run my X201 on battery power. Usually only for a few minutes at a time to check email or something. I was looking for "reduced contrast" in the settings and didn't see that so I figured I had a different version.

 

Yeah, that's my fault, I was going off memory when I said that.

 

flipped through all 50 pages of this thread. Close to finalizing my options, very excited.

Can you guys tell me if performing normal tasks such as web browsing, is the fan is spinning at speed 3 (3000+rpm)? An X201T owner complained about this on the 10th page or so - that his CPU fan stays consistently there even when doing nothing. Does this occur with any X201 owners? (I'm not buying the tablet)

 

My X200 did have some fan issues at first, but I swapped out the heatsink and all is good now. If I'm just surfing the web with the CPU parked in low power mode, I never hear the fan.

 

^ZaZ thank you. I was hesitant to ask a stupid question but like you always say, better look stupid on the internet than make a wrong purchase.

I can't hear the x200 fan at all while browsing. In VISTA. In windows 7 it goes insane and refuses to drop below 3000rpm, which is really really fast and surely drains the battery slightly quicker. So I don't know if I should get an x201 because that uses the i5-540M which is even faster (and a bit hotter). Any owners willing to spare a few seconds and share their thoughts?

 

Yes, I am a convicted felon who provides sound financial planning from time to time.

Honestly, if you've got a X200 and you're happy with it, especially the noise levels, I see no reason to upgrade.

 

^it's not for me. Another family member needs a computer and it's time to buy one more... Just trying to find the quietest option.

 

i got my replacement x201.

this was how the exchange went.

i sent an email to our purchasing department that my x201 (the first one) was defective (this was before i came across this thread and asked the folks here for help), then proceeded to explain in detail the random contrast changes i experienced with the laptop. the purchasing manager then called our local distributor and discussed the issue. now here's the fun part: the distributor acknowledged that yes, it was a common problem with the x201 and they've had such complaints in the past. they pronounced that i got a factory defective laptop and they'll be happy to send me a replacement.

after a day, i got my replacement. and sure enough it still exhibited the random contrast changes.

here's a thought: i wonder how many exchanges they went through before the other customers just gave up and ordered another brand of laptop. coz sure as hell, they would have experienced the same "problem" over and over again.

p.s.

killed the power saving feature in the intel graphics management control panel as advised by marlinspike. no more problems.

 

thanks glad to hear the solution worked out. how many days, from calling lenovo for replacement to getting the box to getting a replacement shipped back to you, did it take?

 

I am now the proud owner of a ThinkPad x200. Core 2 Duo P8600 2.40 GHz, 4GB RAM, 160 HDD (don't know how to find RPM), Windows Vista Business 32 bit (nervous about upgrading to Windows 7 64 bit, but I'm going to try it; the lack of an optical drive is a bit of a problem though), with a 3 year depot warranty. The x200 feels incredibly light, but solid at the same time, without an ounce of fragility.

The keyboard is a joy to type on. It has an amazing feel and is much more solid than the Dell Inspiron E1405 I was using previously. I'm still getting used to the Fn Ctrl switch from other keyboards. Power Manager is so cool. And with very little previous experience with a trackpoint, I am loving it on here, so much so that I don't even miss the touchpad. I have no problems with the screen, and the matte design definitely helps its case. Photos don't look the best, but I'll make that trade off.

I did a big System Update and downloaded 23 updates and since then every time I've booted up, it's told me that Power Manager has stopped working and tells me to close it, but Power Manager still works. It's just an annoying dialog box that will hopefully go away once I get the courage to upgrade to W7. Having some trouble trying to upgrade to Vista SP2, though.

I can't wait to start college with this baby.