Time for a refresh so X201 or X201T ?

So its time for me to refresh my workhorse X61. I'm a security field tech so I'm on the road alot. My X300 is my main system and my x61 is used for audio/video review editing, logs, visio, network live mapping other network related stuff that my X300 isn't doing at the time. Basically More CPU heavy related stuff. So since I have never had a thinkpad tab only a tuffbook
LONG time ago I'm not sure what to pick here.

So here are my questions if you guys don't mind taking the time.

1)Are the screens between the X201 and 201t different enough in quality that would make me not want to have one?

2)Battery life any different ? I know the t is 8 cell so there some but is it really noticeable. I typically carry 2 main batts 6 cells and 2 - 3 cell bay for x300 and 2 9 cell for x61. So if I get the 201 I will more than likely get 3 9cell batt's or 3 8cells. From what I understand there isn't a bay option?
if there is please let me know.

3)CDR/DVDR bay recorder? is there an option for this on the lappy itself or just the dock?

4)Can you actually use the tab to say watch a movie on netflix? I often do this with my POS iPad while on the road.

5)Is there any difference in size of the lappy between one with the touch pad and one without? Meaning are you left with just extra space where a touchpad would be but there however just isn't one installed or is the chassis actually shorter with only the track.

6)I read somewhere that the i5 was actually faster than the i7 and the older x200 was actually faster than the x201. But the i5 doesn't support
hyper-threading so its faster but has its nuts cut off. This makes it kinda confusing for me so if someone can clear that up that would be great.

7) Do the 201-T have a higher failure rate than just the reg model.

8) X201-t If I choose to load a different OS say it comes with win 7 home and I wipe it put my win-7 pro 64bit does lenovo give you access to all the drivers for the tab to get back up and running?

This is what Im looking at

i7 cpu
8 gigs of ram
win 7 64bit pro with xp mode
the rest is all options etc but the above is the core.
From what I understand the x200 doesn't support more than 4 gigs of ram
if it supported 8 I would just get it.



Thanks guys. if there's anything else I need to look out for please let me know.


ym

 

all X200 models will accept 8GB.   I had 8GB in my X200T.

 

Question one is really a personal preference. Everyone's going to answer that differently. I didn't think the Samsung I got on my X200 was all that bad, but you may answer differently. Lenovo does use screen suppliers, some better than others.

My X200 with the AFFS mod and nine-cell battery went about seven hours new. The X201 with the standard screen would probably do somewhat better. My X200t goes about 6-7 hours with the eight-cell.

Only on the dock unless you want an external. I have an external Blu-ray drive.

If it works on most computers I don't see a reason it would fail on the X201t, but I don't do NetFlix.

All X201t have the touchpad. If you don't want it you can use the one from the X200t without it. If you're talking about the difference between the tablet and the regular X series, I think the tablets palm rest is a bit larger, but not hugely so.

The CPU is only likely to matter if you're pushing it. Typical usage does not push the CPU.

Not that I've heard of, but I doubt Lenovo is releasing those numbers.

All drivers are located on Lenovo's web site.

If you want an X series with a good screen and don't care about the tablet parts, you could hold out for the X220 with the IPS screen. That's if your you X61 can make it a few months.

 

1)Are the screens between the X201 and 201t different enough in quality that would make me not want to have one?
I can say that the screen on my X201 gets no complaints from me, although I have seen photographs of the AFFS mod, and the screen quality is tempting. Still, for day to day use, the X201's screen is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be.

2)Battery life any different?
I've been able to get 13+ hours out of my stock X201, normal usage (when I don't run the screen on minimum brightness and turn off all the wireless antennas) gets me about 9-10 hours. I'm running the I7, so the I5 might net you some power savings.

3)CDR/DVDR bay recorder? is there an option for this on the lappy itself or just the dock?
Only docked - there's no room on this tiny laptop's frame for a CDRom drive.

4)Can you actually use the tab to say watch a movie on netflix? I often do this with my POS iPad while on the road.
I can't speak to the tablet unit - I know they use lower powered processors, but my X201 handles streaming video flawlessly, and HD video loaded to the hard drive without a hiccup.

5)Is there any difference in size of the lappy between one with the touch pad and one without? Meaning are you left with just extra space where a touchpad would be but there however just isn't one installed or is the chassis actually shorter with only the track.
I don't think there's a size difference, but I did opt for the system without the touchpad. I just don't like touchpads.

6)I read somewhere that the i5 was actually faster than the i7 and the older x200 was actually faster than the x201.
The I5 processors available in the X201 line are definitely outclassed by the available I7 620m. If you are looking at the tablet lineup, the scene changes, but as of right now, I only see the 1..06 ghz I5 520um. (Edit: The I7 640LM is also available, running at 2.13 ghz.) I wouldn't pay 1200+ for a notebook or tablet with that processor in it. There is no way that the old Core2Duo X200's are faster than the X201 series - the I7 620m is, for lack of a better word, ludicrously fast. That's not to say that the Core2Duo is a bad processor, but the mobile I7 and I5 series processors are on another level.

 

The screen quality difference isn't as clearcut as most people make it out to be. I was in total shock when I received my X200T. The digitizer layer that accepts pen input adds a very significant amount of grain and the multitouch will add another layer of grain. The screen itself underneath in tablets might be very good, but all your eyes pick up is the grain. I've been trying my best to like this machine since it's so powerful and small, but I get a headache from looking at it after 30-45min. I'm sure this varies a lot person-person, but just be aware the grain in tablets is very obvious.

 

I apologize and I don't intend to hijack the thread for something minor.
But I thought i3, i5, i7 all support hyper-threading.

 

On my X200t, I'd say there's a slight grain, but I mostly don't notice it. I'd agree the extra touch layer is more grainy.

 

Thanks for all replies. The screen I think will be the biggest question for me. I think I'm going to need to find someone with a tab so I can really see the difference and if its really going to bother me. I found the place were I read the i5 non hyperthreading here but I think he was talking about non mobile units
after reading it more than once.
Thanks to all.
ym

Core i5 vs. Core i7: Differences Between Intel's i5 and i7 Processors

 

12" HP 2540P has an internal DVD option, as does 13" Toshiba R700 or 14" Lenovo T410s.

Worth waiting for a 12.5" Lenovo X220 at this point. Will allow a internal msata+HDD setup, longer battery life with a faster cpu and IGP, IPS LCD option.

 

I think the worse screen to get is the x201t with the multi-touch. Hear alot of horror story about that screen, so stay away from multi-touch x series.

 

Actually the multi-touchi the only thing I need out of the tablet not the pen/styles. I don't think or atleast I haven't heard of a x201 with multi-touch only? Nand, thanks for the input but I haven't seen anything come out of HP in 20 years worth my time, Toshiba on the other hand makes great lappys just not Thinkpads .) and lasty I couldn't justify the funds for X220 when it comes out nor do I have the time to wait., I have to order a replacement this week.

ym

 

The Elitebooks are certainly worth a look. The one-gen older 12" 2530P is a great unit which I prefer to the X200/X200s due to it's HDD+DVD setup plus availability of unwhitelisted and dual-IDA capable modded bios. I get a real 7hrs of battery life out of my SL9400-1.86 on a 52Whr 6-cell and can overclock up to 2.6Ghz on AC. A 93Whr 9-cell would get me 12.5hrs . They can be had for < US$400 on ebay. Non-refurb and non-smartbuy units with 3yr onsite warranty making them great for business continuity.

The i-core Elitebook 2540P, a competitor to the X201, got porkier with a crappy keyboard but it too does also have an internal optical drive + 1.8" HDD/SSD option. It's to be replaced by a 12" HP 2560P, a competitor to the X220. I expect they'd follow the same styling as shown HP Shows Off Redesigned EliteBook 8460p and 8560p; We Go Hands-On .

 

Ok I will be nice, I even watched a demo of the new Elite book and then I hit the X to close my browser, and now wish I had the last 3 mins of my life back.
Its great you like them.

ym

 

Oh looki what I found on the CPU finally !!!!
Compare Intel® Products

ym