Will a 12.1" do?

Hi

First time poster.

I have had an Dell Latitude D630 with 800x1280 for the past 3½ year.

But now I will propebly exchange it for a X201 with 800x1280 or a T410 with 900x1440.

I have for a while been certain that I would like to have the T410.

But now I am starting to look at the X201, for its low weight and size.

My main concern is if the screen is to small.

It will be used in the following ways:

At the office in a dock with two external monitors.

At home mainly for internet browsing.

At customers I will connect to the customers servers through remote desktop for 3-5 hours, this will be 60-80 days a year.

What do you think?


Kind Regards

Henrik Høy

 

It's personal preference, some of us can live with a 12.1" others can't. Only you can tell. If you have any local computer shops around that carry Lenovo products, you could go and check them out to see if they are for you.

If anything, I recommend you get the T410... That's the most common size of notebooks you find nowadays, and pretty standard too. IMO, the perfect size.

 

I can pretty much live with 14" 1440x900 on mine, however, I have never had any problems with 12" 1280x800 that I use once in a while.

Judging by your usage patterns you should not feel too much of a loss by going from higher resolution to slightly lower given that you browse internet or use it docked with external monitors. You mileage may vary tho, so if you know someone who could give you their 12" notebook to play with at least for an hour or two, then do so and see for yourself.

Smaller size and much lower weight and better battery life as a bonus will make up for it, Id go for X201 now personally

 

I've always had laptops with small monitors as my main machine, everything from a 10" screen to a 13.3" screen. For most things like internet browsing or normal MS Office work the screen size is fine. The size starts to feel constraining (to me at least) when I want to work on multiple applications at the same time, say looking up some figures for an Excel table online somewhere and I want to look at both screens at the same time. I also have to semi-routinely remote into a dual screen machine to do some work, and trying to navigate two high resolution widescreen monitors from my single 13" monitor is not a lot of fun (but bumping the screen size up to 14" or even 15" wouldn't improve things that much either).

I recently bought a 23" external monitor for home for the times that I want more screen real estate, and plan to pair it with an x201 soon.

 

I have been debating this for so long, its no longer funny!!! I am very interested in how you folks respond to this.

 

I think that if you're extremely mobile you'll quickly appreciate the difference in size and weight something like an X201 will provide. However, as has been mentioned the size/resolution can be a pain to work with at times. I frequently work with Word documents on my X200, and viewing two side by side can get a little frustrating. When I'm at home, I'll frequently break the T500 out for writing, but if I'm on the go the X200 almost always comes with me.

It doesn't look like you're going to be actually running around with the machine all that much; just a commute to work then back home? You may consider the larger resolution of the T410 to be easier to deal with when you're not using it at a dock.

 

Your T500 has WSXGA+ 1680x1050 resolution which is not available on 14" or let alone 12" ThinkPads, so there is no way OP could relate to this.

I dont find 1440x900 that much better for multiple windows, what Im saying is - if resolution to run multiple windows at once is mayor concern then external monitors is only solution for OP, except for WUXGA/FULLHD resolution on laptops, which again, is only available on 15" ThinkPads and that again doesnt answer OP's question
So, my pick would be loaded 12" machine docked to external monitors when necessary
I know I will have no doubts considering my next laptop purchase - it will be either 11" or 12" machine.
Tho I wouldnt mind to try out WXGA+/HD+ resolution on 12" just to know if that wouldnt be too dense for such small LCD.

 

This is really the crux of the problem isn't it?

But suppose I have a dual monitor set up at home and at work then the problem is somewhat mitigated, no?

However, whether the 12" screen space is comfortable enough for continous work (without additional monitors) is the key question - but one which cannot be addressed, I guess, 'cause it depends on the individual.

I read in a post above suggesting borrowing a friend's x201 and playing around with it for a few hours. I tried that. It was ok while I was fooling around. But I wonder if I could be comfortable with it on a longterm basis.

Ideally, I think I would like the T4xxs (given that the x301 is going to remain unavailable) with the internals of the x201 - especially the battery life. But then again the lightness of the x201 (with, say, a 6-cell battery) affords excellent mobility. Paired with a good / well appointed smartphone, I think the combo could prove to be quite productive.

 

I'd vote for the T410 with 1440x900.

I have a T510, a T410 and an X201 in active use. The X201 is strictly for trips when I need the mobile convenience and not the screen space for "productive" document preparation (like the rare cases of having two documents side by side). I enjoy it for the small size and long battery life, but I won't surf the net with it.

 

That bad is it?

 

Doing anything on a single full screen on a 12" is completely fine, surfing, single page word docs, etc. Doing anything requiring two windows is just not possible...well for me anyways. I've always had a similar experience using smaller screens; your body gets use to it no matter how small, but when two windows are needed your in trouble. I would love to have an x201, but since I pretty much type reports all the time it wouldn't be very feasible.

Just as an aside, 14" mulit-window I feel is OK, could be better however.

 

The OP has done just fine with 1280x800 on his 14" screen, so it's not like he's going to be cramped real-estate-wise. Plus, he has a dock and two external monitors at work, so that's not as much of an issue.

I used a 12.1" 1280x800 laptop as my only computer for 3 years, and didn't really have any problems. Sure, sometimes I wished I had more screen space, particularly when editing photos or typing up large documents (can't do side by side view like on my T500's 1680x1050 screen), but it's not as bad as some people may say. Besides, I think you'd have some trouble doing a two-page side-by-side view on the T410's 1440x900 screen anyways.

So, I think the X201 would be perfectly fine as your primary computer: it'll certainly have more power than you need. If you find that its portability and great battery life make it a more compelling package than the T410, go for it!

 

My 2cents,

If you are carrying your notebook around alot, if you do a lot of walking, or riding public transportation you'll appreciate the lighter weight of the 12" model.

I you carry your notebook from your table at home, to your car, to your work desk, and sit there all day, the larger 14" screen would be of benefit to you.

But since you are using the x-series dock with dual monitors you really have the freedom to go with either and be happy.

But you're probably like me and will never be happy, always obsessing about the one that got away, dreaming of the next great leap in notebook design and performance.

Here's where I go off topic and share my dream about notebooks.
I like ultra thin and light notebooks, the x-series is great, but it doesn't push the boundaries far enough in my opinion. I hope lenovo designs a thinkpad like intel's Canoe Lake Design, but with AMD Zacate E-350 instead of intel's Atom. Unfortately we might have to wait a few more years to see a thinkpad that thin and light. Maybe when windows comes to ARM.
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His usage model is almost exactly the type of niches the X301 and T4x0s models were introduced to satisfy.

 

Very true, with the caveat, of course, that the latter lacks the battery life of the x201, which detracts from its overall mobility. As per this, I can see the validity of a recommendation made in another thread of a x4xx s model

And, in so far as the topic on hand goes, I quite like how MidnightSun explained his point of view. If your fixed workstations are equipped with larger monitors, then yes, I think the x201 is probably the better option.

 

Well if it's between a x201 or T410.. I just bought a x201 I5 and sold my T410 I7. Loving every second of the decision. The price on the x201 I5 was under $700.00 loaded with the most recent Lenovo coupons.(still think it was a price mistake) Which allowed my to sell to a friend my elder T410 I7 for $750.00 (A loss of what I paid)

And here is why. I have a dock with monitor at work and external monitor at home. I would say 20% of the time I would use the external monitor at home, but mostly the x201 screen is fine 80% of the time.

Usage: Surfing Internet - WLAN Data retrieving, Email, Creating reports on company software, Mapping (lots of), A little video crunching, And a few Facebook games.
The laptop is carried with me everyday from home to work. Also, it is with me on vacation and in the field (work not in the office)

** Why I made the change: The T410 is bigger and heavier.
A month ago, I got a loaner for a few days which was a X201. LOVED the size and weight. The X201 Fits perfectly in my bag of tricks (briefcase) with my laser, camera, and files. NO ADDITIONAL BAG NEEDED! I'll Say it again: "NO ADDITIONAL BAG NEEDED!"

As for the size difference X201 VS T410. I have not really noticed a huge functional screen size difference. I have 20/25 vision and have no problem with a few windows open on the X201. However, My wife has a Acer 11" ULP which I use once in awhile. Now her screen is TOO Small. As for the X201 vs T410 keyboard, No difference felt.

Conclusion: If your vision is fine and you need to carry a lappy back and forth from office daily. The only choice in today's market would be X201. If you carry a lappy only once or twice a week, I might have been happy with the T410. Dang loaners
Just the X201 fits so nice in the Briefcase.

 

Having used the older ThinkPads, I say the X201 keyboard feels more "classic", more "ThinkPad" than the T410/410s/510 keyboard.

Anyway, you did make a great point: the X201 keyboard is full-sized and serious.

 

I enjoy using my x200t's 12" display. I came from a 15 XGA display, to a 15.6" 1366x768 display, to this. I love it because even on my T510, it isn't as though word processors use up all of that width efficiently. The document isn't exploded to the sides; it is wasted. I am solely using my x200t at school without an issue.

Also, the size of a 12" laptop is perfect. I can't even tell it is in my backpack.

 

Added: Being a EX Dell XPS & Latitude owner And current Dell studio owner (Daughters now). You will love the ThinkPad's keyboard over the Dells. I semi liked the latitude keyboard, until I drove a Thinkpad keyboard. Ferrari VS Kia.

Though the best feature of the X201 is POWER in such a manageable size.

 

I tried out an X201 at a local store, and they had a T410 right next to it. I didn't notice any huge difference between the two other than the palm rest being shorter on the X201, but it didn't bother me. I usually type with my hands a bit elevated (that's how I was taught in high school anyway).

 

i find it more of an eyestrain to look at a 14" 1440x900 than it is to look at the 12" 1280x800.

no problems using a 12" screen to browse the net or run my apps. and i don't have 20/20 vision either...

 

Actually, a 14.1" 1440x900 display has a lower pixel density (~120 PPI) than a 12.1" 1280x800 display (~124 PPI), so resolution is not the culprit here - it's likely something else that is different between the particular screens you have that experience with (ie, contrast, brightness, etc.).

 

The descriptions/ discussions of the variations of screen quality even within a single product range of a manufacturer is very interesting and also disturbing. On a lighter note, if things progress like this, maybe some day we would be identifying a screen that we really like and are comfortable with it and keep transferring it to all the newer machines that we may buy in the future.

 

You don't want it if you work with large Excel spreadsheets a lot.

 

Manufacturers must use more than one supplier for most parts. If they a single supplier and something caused the parts to be unavailable, you can pretty much stop production. It's only natural that some parts will be better than others, even from the same supplier.

 

Thank you for all the replys

It has given me alot to think about.

Kind regard

Henrik Høy

 

I have to chime in here... since this is something that I am dealing with ....

I love the 13.3 size of my x301 and the resolution 1440 x 900 .. I was thinking that I might get the x201 after this, but the more I think about it... the next laptop has to be the t410... but then I always seem to change my opinion of laptops depending on the day..

 

Not to get too far off topic, but what prompted you to want to move to a X201 or T410 from the X301?

 

Well the fact that the x301 is no longer being made, so that means that when I do make a change, those are the two laptops that I would have to choose from...

And I dont imagine myself going to another brand, but then again, I always change my mind with everything I do...

 

Hi

I got an offer on a T410 that I could not refuse.

I5-560m, 4 Gb ram, 240 Gb SSD, 3G WWAN, 900x1440, 9 cell battery, 3 years NBD, fingerprint reader, and so on.


Kind regards

Henrik Høy

 

900x1440: so you get one of those rare special-edition "portrait mode" T410 notebooks? Just kidding.

Congratulations! Hope you'll enjoy its service.

 

How much did you pay for it, brand new or used?

 

Yeah I would also like to hear more. I've been debating the move to 12" as well. 1440x900 on 14" is great, but I could go smaller. My only concern is documents side by side, which I do all the time. On the t410s it's doable but it does get cut off a little. I've also heard 12" is not good for multiple screens, but some say it's not much different with a 14" 1440x900 so which one is it?

What was the pixel density of a x301 anyways?

 

X301: 13.3" WXGA+ 1440x900.

I gathered the display panel quality was very good.

 

12.1" is a bit small, I love my Latitude's 13.3" screen, but isn't that productive to do office work on. 14.1" is good balance, getting you higher resolution screen but still having the horsepower to do work.

But then again 12.1" notebooks were always a niche market.

 

I really want a tablet, but since I don't usually use a permanent desk I have to use the laptop screen. 1280x768 (comapred to WXGA+) is pretty low for doing text related work and 12" is on the small end to use for 12-15hrs a day.

What I'd really like is a 13" tablet with a 1440x900 screen.

 

That, sadly, is most likely not going to happen at least from the Lenovo/ThinkPad stable any time soon!

I really wish they had at least the x301 on the market. The 13" screen is - to me - perfect! But they ain't gonna do that either!

 

i use my X200 a lot so much so, i got another x200s waiting for me back home.

 

Now, Im sure if your X200s had WXGA+ screen you wouldnt hesitate to try and place it into X200 case, now would you ?

 

Got you

Hi

Unless your from denmark, then i dont think prices will be comparable.

 

Im from Latvia and prices here are sky high as well if compared to USA

 

Same thing in Poland...

 

US - we all know that they have all electronics cheaper
The question is why?

 

Import taxes largely and duties....

Renee

 

US has everything cheaper and especially computers because:

1. Many of the computer companies are based in US, or started in the US.

2. It is the largest single economy in the world, and salary level per person is high.

3. Many discount retailers buy in large bulk.

4. USA or North America by large have had a stable society and relatively free from conflicts on its home soil over the past 100 years or so. So its consumer has developed the sort of confidence to spend large swath of their income on non-essential consumer goods (i.e. cars, electronics, etc). This behaviour is not so prevalent in most of the European countries, which are more conservative in their spending behaviour. So the US consumers tend to spend more and that makes it a lucrative market.

5. US market is like a trophy market, those who tend to well in US gets the consumer recognition around the other parts of the world. So many companies tend to spend a lot of attention on the US market, so that they can make the case for expansion to the other parts of the global market.

 

it just unfair....I understand small differences in price but sometimes it's even 40% less on some goods. UK is one of the greatest economies in the world as well, why we don't get it in here?

 

I guess this makes US an attractive place to holiday and live in. But pricing of goods depends on consumer sentiment, government taxation, and company's product pricing. UK maybe a big market, but it is nowhere the size of US, and quite frankly UK can't support the rate of consumer goods consumption like that of US.

 

lead_org - thanks for the answer.

For instance, I bought a photographic bag, original Domke f3x bag in US. This bag cost was £50. To get it to UK I had to pay £40 for shipment and further £20 of duty/tax on arrival. That gave £110 for the bag where in UK shops it costs around £140. It still was saving but you see the difference.


ps: sorry for off-topic