U150 or X100e

I am currently looking for a small notebook/netbook and found 2 models from lenovo that I fancy

U150
X100e

Since to me, a newbie, they seem similar I try to find out what are the differences.
I also don't know the brand Lenovo so have difficult making a comparrison

For me the only things important are

Weight - as light as possible
Heat - not something which you cannot put on your lap
Noise - I am freak for noice
CPU and RAM - I guess I need something powerfull when running Win 7
Battery life - the longer the better

For the rest the notebook will be used for business purposes meaning internet, e-mail and MS office

Looking forward to comment from experts

 

I guess I'd vote U150, mainly for the CULV.

 

spend more and get an X200s or X200 series, both lighter than at least the X100e. I am a heat and sound freak as well ... reviews seem to indicate that the X100e may have a heat issue ...

 

I agree, it looks like the x100e is a classic AMD laptop that you can't use in your lap.

The only reason to even consider the x100e for your uses is the Thinkpad build and keyboard because it's graphics power is worthless in a business setting and its MV40 is much weaker than anything on the U150.

On the other hand the U150 comes in at a bit of a premium compared to the x100e, even the su2300 version will cost you $550 (similar battery life to the Neo, but faster with dual cores). It's not like the U150 is a slouch on build quality or keyboard either, it's gotten good reviews for both.

And yes definitely consider the x200s, it weighs less than either of the ones you mentioned even with a 9 cell battery, smoking them in performance and endurance for just over $900.

 

I have been looking at the X200s but I am not sure I can get used to only having the "niple" and not the trackpad to navigate.

Anyway, as far as I understand you suggest me to go for the U150 or the X200(s) but not the X100e

 

The U150 is a fine computer, but the Ideapad line is not built for durability like the Thinkpad line. The early reviews of the x100e indicate that heat may be an issue, but this is a really important model to Lenovo, so they will definitely address it in a revision. I would suggest waiting a few weeks for the dual core x100e models to be released. Heat could be why the dual cores are delayed as the processor is readily available.

If you absolutely need a computer sooner, consider the Dell Vostro V13. I was debating between it and the x100e. My V13 arrived yesterday and I am very happy with it; business class build quality,~4 hours battery life, runs cool and virtually silent. I will likely pick up a dual-core x100e or Alienware m11x for increased GPU power when they have been reviewed in the wild.

The X200 or X200s are excellent, but they are getting long in the tooth. The Trackpoint is easy to get used to, but they'll never be able to do the multi-touch features of the newer trackpads.

 

Yep that is my suggestion. If you can wait for the dual core x100e's then maybe they'll be better...I doubt it. Lenovo can only make a cheap business machine work so well at such a cheap price. The x200s might be old, but it has the same ULV processors that are in your other options (with better upgrade options), and I don't see the Core i5/i3 ULVs being in reasonable price ranges when they come out.

 

This thread was started back when the X100e was still exclusively single-core. (And I know it'll change again when the U160 comes out.) But for now the U150/X100e choice seems to be tougher than ever. Same size, weight, screen resolution. Spec 'em both with Bluetooth, 4 GB of memory and a 320 HDD, and the prices are pretty close ... only $70 apart:

• ThinkPad X100e Elite - AMD Turion Neo X2 L625 + discrete ATI graphics, DDR2 memory, 32-bit Win 7, ThinkPad bgn Wireless - $679.
• IdeaPad U150-690969U - Intel SU7300 + integrated graphics, DDR3 memory, 64-bit Win 7, Intel 5100 Wireless - $749.

Here are my thoughts so far:

1. I haven't seen *any* benchmarks of the L625-based X100e. Do you think these two models are about the same in terms of performance?
2. I read that the ATI graphics hardware in the X100e can't handle Flash 10.1 yet. That would be a potential showstopper. (Might as well buy a Mac
3. Maybe I can install 64-bit Win 7 on the X100e, but does that wipe out any support from Lenovo?
4. The U150 comes with the much-maligned Intel 5100 for wireless. Yuck.
5. The X100e still seems to have the more robust Lenovo keyboard. (But they both look pretty good.)
6. The U150 is pre-configured--no real choices. By customizing the X100e I can probably save a few more dollars (smaller hard drive, etc.). BTW, I have *not* yet tried to apply any coupon codes or anything. These are just the latest "best deal" prices buying direct from the Lenovo site.

Even though the X100e with the L625 is newer, I'm leaning towards the U150 because of Flash and 64-bit Win 7 (even though it's more expensive). And then I'd just live with the crummy 5100 wireless. But I'm open to suggestions ... What do you think?

 

1. Performance is practically the same, AMD vs. Intel – Which Processor is Best in the Toshiba T135?

2. The HD3200 is suppose to work with Flash 10.1. It just depends on ATI's drivers and Adobe's ability to release a fleshed out bug free final release. RC4 working pretty nicely: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4aqhxg0Cp0

3. Wipe out support? As in warranty? It will not void your warranty. If you meant utilities then you can just download those off the site.

4. Never heard much criticism of the 5100, I have it myself and have no problems with home or school networks.

5. I do think the x100e would have a much better keyboard, the u150's has being criticized in reviews.

Don't forget that the u150 has better battery life. But overall if you're going to go with a consumer model with Intel chipset and bypass the quality keyboard/build/ATI of the x100e, then i would look into the Acer 1810T/TZ or Asus UL20A.

Also $749 could get you a x200 second hand.

 

1. Thanks for the quick reply and especially thanks for the link to the CPU comparison in a pair of matching Toshibas. That was great! I guess my only question is about the SU7300--which the upscale U150 has--along with the DDR3 memory. The Toshiba test used a 4100/DDR2 for the Intel. I did a *little* digging on the Intel site, which seems to say the only real difference is that the SU7300 has a 3M cache instead of just 2M for the SU4100. But still ... and the DDR3 memory might do something.

4. The 5100 has gotten some criticism from a few folks here on NotebookReview. Some of it has been pretty-clear operator error, but some of it seems deeper than that. I don't want to judge, but it makes me a little nervous. Here's just one of those posts. (The fact that you're running OK with it is a plus!)

3. By "wipe out support" I meant: I guess I'd be pretty much on my own if upgrading to 64-bit makes something not work. Like Bluetooth. Or Lenovo bgn Wireless.

I'm a big fan of the Lenovo keyboard, so the X100e appeals to me at a gut level. Seems like a better build quality, too.

BTW, the keyboard on the otherwise-popular Acer 1810 is a showstopper for me (in fact, on almost any Acer/Gateway product). I can't feel where one key ends and the next key starts ... I end up watching my fingers, which is deadly. And the Asus UL20A (which has the SU7300 and a much better keyboard than the Acer) is missing Bluetooth (arrgh), plus I'm really looking for the smaller size that comes with the 11 inch screen, vs. the 12 on the Asus. I also gave some thought to the Dell 11z. 64 bit Win 7, SU4100, and you can get a small battery which drops the weight by another 10% (battery life isn't high on my needs list). But the 11z would likely be the slowest machine of all the ones we're talking about here. An SU4100 and DDR2 memory. These are the reasons why I'm kind of focusing on the two Lenovo models.

I'd love to be able to wait three or four months. It looks like a lot of new dual-cores are Just Around The Corner. But the time is now.

Oh, and that was a great suggestion on the used X200 ... I hadn't thought of that. Obviously much faster, and with the build quality that I'm used to with my office machines, but for my purpose ... small size and weight are the real drivers.

Thanks for the suggestions ... VERY helpful.

 

Ouch. A little more research shows that the Dell 11z has a similar flat-layout keyboard ... similar to the keyboard on the Acers/Gateways.

Definitely a showstopper. [ Close-up photo of 11z keyboard]

 

I would go with the x100e then. Build quality, keyboard, matte screen, less bloat ware if you're not going to do a clean install, it's just a better user experience than the u150 (minus the heat, but for office work it shouldn't be a problem).

DDR3's improvement is tiny. Memory speed is rarely the bottleneck in a computer anymore. You can see the comparisons between the u150 and the Acer 1810T. It actually performs slower, so it's just in range of error.

 

DDR3 is expensive too. Not that DDR2 is dirt cheap anymore.

 

my x100e plays 720p flash pretty smooth. 1080p not so much tho

 

u160.

Here is my take. U150, at list price, is overpriced. Turion II x100e, at Lenovo's lowered $500 price is quite good. You need to factor in RAM upgrade and Win 7 x64 disks as it is listed as only shipping with 32-bit windows. Either way, you have to add an SSD as well, but Newegg had the x25-M for $195 last week, so I got another one.

If you can wait a couple of weeks, U160 (or 165 with AMD) is the way to go.

 

I have both the X100e and X201. Both of them are excellent ultraportable laptop. My advice is, if you have no other computer, buy the x201. The i5/i7 's performance are super and graphic card are as good as my old T60p and play 1080p movie smoothly. If you wait for the right time, you can get a X201, i5 520m, 4gb RAM, 320gb HDD, touchpad/trackpoint, Intel Centrino 6300...for $950(inc. tax). Its more future proof and you save in the long run.

If you have more powerful computer already, buy the x100e. Its a new design and the keyboard+trackpoint+touchpad design are the best of ALL thinkpad. You have to try it to believe it! The battery life is OK, Close to 4hrs with 4/15 brightness, Energy star mode, Zune music and Web browsing. But heat problem is real. If you willing to upgrade the x100e w/ an SSD + 3 GB RAM. why not just buy the X201 w/HDD.

 

I would *love* to be able to wait, but had to act right away.

Also, I'm guessing that for the first few weeks, the U160 will be 1) hard to find and 2) full list price. Can you imagine that? List price on the top-of-the-line U150 is already $950 (overpriced, just like you said). If I had to pay *more* than that for a high-end U160? Not for me.

Fortunately, my hand was forced and I had to buy now.

That's the situation exactly. I don't need the full boat capabilities of the X201. I really needed a small size and tiny weight--at a low price. But I didn't want to settle for the compromises of Single-Core Wasteland.

So I went with the X100e. I got the smaller HDD to save a few bucks (I'm not expecting to store much of anything on this machine), I'll upgrade to 64-bit on my own, we'll have to watch the heat, but I have to say the decision finally came down to the keyboard.

Thank you all for your help. It pointed me in all the right places, gave me the info I needed, and suggested a couple things that I hadn't thought of at all. Thanks all!

 

x100e isn't bad. I just bought one for my girlfriend with L335 processor and I bought a Samsung 128GB ssd here from a fellow notebookreview member and that little things is quite fast. Even with Windows 7 and 2gb it didn't slow down at all with multitasking(multiple IE tabs open, playing Itunes, installing programs...) Im not sure about graphics since I don't play any games but I really liked it at its price range and the fact that its Lenovo with the keyboard trackpoint and trackpad. Like mentioned before it has a battery life of about 4hrs of actual usage. The only downside is the minor heat problem.

 

The only problem with the X100 is that it runs pretty hot thanks to the AMD processor (reviews and others have said this much).

 

Is the x100e going to get refreshed with the new AMD processors/chipsets?

 

We hope so.

 

hi guys, i'm in the same position, i want the X100e (love the design). I already have a dell precision notebook for all the heavy lifting, but i've been travelling on a daily basis (by public transport, 1 hour each way, queues etc) and its way too heavy for that so i'm looking for a cheap ultraportable. Trying to avoid netbooks.

I;ve pretty much decided on the X100e, but want to find out about the heat issue. Is it really too hot to use on the lap? I'm probably not going to use mine on full load (no HD video etc) just web, office apps, and skype. can any owners comment on the heat levels? it might be worse for me as i'm based in singapore at the moment. Ambiet temperature is 30*c

battery life is a bit disappointing. i can live with 4 hours but 6 would have been perfect for me.

any news on it being refreshed with the new amd chipset?