Used X61s VS Used X200 VS New Netbook

Hello awesome folk

I am absolutely in love with the X201s but cannot see myself spending over $500 for what I need. Which is simple:

On frequent travels and trips, I want to have a laptop which is
- no bigger than 12"
- lasts "forever", meaning a minimum of 6hrs
- able to play videos
- good enough for emails and Skype
- preferably with inbuilt camera
- must be 2.5" HDD, so I can jam a 640GB in there in a month or so

The X61s seems like a smart bet but does not have touchpad + 9cell lasts ~5hrs

The X200 has no touchpad and is "older", battery lasts somewhere in the middle

The new Asus 1015N and classic 1005PE both last forever on battery but build quality is... well, nowhere near the Thinkpads

So - if you were faced with the same dilemma: what would you do?

A) buy X61s and get USB mouse to compensate lack of touchpad
B) buy X200s + mouse (and maybe one more battery?)
C) buy new Asus netbook
D) something smarter, which OP did not even consider?
E) shut up, save money and buy a X201 or X201s

Thank you for your advice and input

 

Wait couple of weeks and get yourself dual core atom netbook

 

Yes either wait for daul core netbooks or get an x100e

 

I absolutely love the X100e but am pissed at Lenovo for not making it available with a dual-core Atom and 9cell for 10+ hrs of battery life...

(I know, I know, if they do this, it will cripple the X201 sales, cut down the premium, I know... still, I think it is stupid. I would pay premium for such option. Stupid AMD Neo crap )

 

First of all let me clarify a bit.

- The X61s comes with either 4-cell slim, 4-cell enhanced or 8-cell battery. There is no 9-cell.

- The X200(s) with a 9-cell battery can easily do +6 hours. If you are a bit carefull with screen brightness and CPU/GPU stress you can get more than 8 hours.

- The X200s can only be had with webcam in the WXGA version - not WXGA+.

My choice would be B, and get the X200s WXGA with Webcam. In addition, learn how to use the TrackPoint and you will not be needing an external mouse. When you're comfortable with the TrackPoint you will be able to scroll and maneuver faster and more precisely than the trackpad.

Don't get a netbook. It will be significantly worse on all accounts compared to the X200, whether it is quality or performance. I would also advise against the X100e even in the dual core AMD version. It is not comparable to the X200(s) even if it has the ThinkPad name.

 

definitely get the X200s if you can, the 9 cells can last around 10 hrs.... and it is extremely light.

 

LOL i actaully dont mind if it criples the x201 sales. Because it probably wont and i see them as two different things

 

You guys are awesome!

I am now plotting my next move: should my trusty T61 should go down the chain in our families or up for sale to make room for the X200s

Tonight I will plant an "Inception" in the family circle [for details, check IMDB for movie called Inception] So, eventually, they will be begging me to give them my old T61 and I shall (somewhat) reluctantly agree

queue in evil laughter

Joking aside - thank you for the clear and spot on advice. Much appreciated!

 

Hi,
You may want to consider waiting a bit. The 2010 IFA trade show is Sept 3-8 and you may see some really cool new thin and light, or netbook stuff. Of course you'd have to wait for it to come to market, and I don't know if that works for you or not.

I'm hopping to see something like this Intel Canoe Lake design, it looks absolutely amazing.
Intel 'Canoe Lake' prototype netbook preview -- Engadget

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I vote X200 too. I wasn't really a trackpoint enthusiast before I got my X200, but it offers the best value and over time you will get better at the stick.

 

I can't believe these words came out of your "mouth" considering your preference for track/touchpads

 

that new canoe lake design looks very weak in the hinge area, don't think it would survive a meter drop.