Would a X220 w/IPS, classic keyboard, & i7 w/USB 3.0 still be a viable machine today?

hello,

Ok, bottomline, I love the older style thinkpad keyboards i.e. non-island/chicklet, I purchased a T520 vs a newer model for exactly this reason, so I was hoping I could get some feedback from some X220 owners, as this seems like the best, lightweight IPS display, classic thinkpad keyboard model I can find. I could upgrade it w/a new SSD like a Samsung 840EVO if that would improve performance as well. I have also read that that the only way to get USB 3.0 support is to get one of the core i7 models.

I would love some feeback on this model from some real users here on the forum vs the reviews from 2011.

thanks.

 

Of course it would be today and will be for another 3 years at least, depending on how heavy of a computer user you are. I have a desktop from 2010 that still works excellently and I would imagine it working well for another 2 or more years. The only reason it may need upgrading is if I play games with high details at 2880x1440 or some other high resolution. I would imagine that the X220 with a Sandy Bridge i7 to perform better than my desktop, probably much better.

You have a lot of people here who are using their laptops from 2008 and earlier. I was never an owner of a X220 but did own a X230 with a I5-3210m for a little bit and found its performance to be amazing as expected from a modern machine. I would imagine the i7 on the X220 to be just as amazing.

Here is a sample configuration for a X220 with a i7:

12.5" LED Screen w/ Optional IPS
Up to 2.7GHz Intel Core i7-2620M
Up to Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit OS
Intel HD 3000 Graphics
Up to 320GB HDD or 160GB SSD
Up to 23 Hours of Battery Life
Up to 8GB DDR3-1333MHz Ram
Optional USB 3.0 Port
Optional 720P HD Webcam
Optional Fingerprint Reader
Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 for fast boots

So I would say you will get USB 3.0 with an i7.

No reason not to get one if you want one.

 

Bluebird,

Thanks for the feedback. So, from various units I have seen on Ebay, it is pretty easy to determine if the X220 has an i7 processor which will come w/USB 3.0, but most auctions do not mention the "Premium HD" or IPS display, and I have not seen any that mention the laptop coming w/the 3x3 wireless adapter.

Also, would one of the current SSDs like a Samsung 840EVO 500gb unit be a drop in replacement for the original SSD? I'm not clear if the SSD controller on these machines supports the latest SSDs properly or adequately.

 

Exactly. If you need "on the go" ThinkPad, X220 is still above and beyond a simply viable option.

Ask for a serial number and look it up under "Parts Lookup" on Lenovo's site. You'll see everything in there, most of the time.

Nothing much has changed in the SSD world since then, so as long as you get a proper format, it will be just fine.

 

Ajkula66,

thanks for the info to lookup the laptop. I remember reading in some other threads that you also liked the keyboards on some of the HP models--do u know if they are still using the classic keyboards in their current models? I would love to find an IPS screen Haswell model w/a nice keyboard in the 12-14 in class, but i'm not really sure who is still making laptops w/non-island keyboards.

 

No. HP dropped the ball a while ago, went the island way and while I love the DC panels and find their version of trackpoint acceptable, they are not a ThinkPad replacement if one needs a classic keyboard.

I'm fairly certain that Dell still uses conventional keyboards on at least some of their models, but can't recall an IPS offering in the 12-14" range...

My opinion is that improvement that Haswell brings are grossly inflated, but I know that many would not agree...

It's all about one's priorities, really. No one knows yours better than yourself.

Good luck.

 

Don't get sidetracked. Since you like the classic Thinkpad keyboards and style, just stick with it. More options are necessarily a good thing. Keep in mind that starting with the Ivy Bridge CPUs, the classic Thinkpad keyboards were no longer made. Anyway, the performance gains just are not worth it.

 

Ajkula66, Bluebird20,

thanks for the replies. I'm not that really crazy about haswell, but the battery life improvements in some of the laptops are quite nice. I'm still running a nicely overclocked Sandybridge CPU for my desktop, and don't see the need to upgrade that machine any time soon.

I will definitely use the Lenovo parts checker to review the laptop specs, to make sure I am looking at an IPS display unit--if the seller will provide the serial#, ofc. An initial check on Ebay shows the X220s w/an i7 going for around $800, and as usual, it's a little difficult to make sure you are buying one from a quality seller.

if you have any other advice about specific parts/options to make sure to get and/or avoid on the X220 as well as any other models that might be a good alternative, please let me know.

 

If the seller won't give out the serial - which I could understand - have THEM run the utility and email you the parts list with the serial number removed from the sheet.

Not really. As long as the "shell" is what you need it to be - i7 + IPS - everything else is workable for the most part.

 

Unless you have a need to run CPU intensive tasks, you could probably get by with the i3 or i5, then just pick up the ExpressCard USB 3.0 card. My X220i with i3 is still an excellent performer for every day usage. Heck, my R60e with SSD is fine for typical stuff. You can still find the X220 in the outlet too from time to time, which means you'd have a warranty and I believe Lenovo is now allowing upgrades to the warranty in the outlet.

The brand of SSD doesn't matter much. They're all fast. I might suggest the mSATA SSD unless you've got a need for WWAN.

 

X220 is a great laptop. Go for it! Don't worry about haswell and battery life. That x220 sucker has amazing battery life already if you get the 9 cell! If battery life is your main priority, don't get such a high powered CPU.

 

i love mine i7 X220, it doesn't feel any slower than the X230 with the i7. The battery life difference between the X220 and X230 with same specification (i.e. SB i7 vs IB i7) is about 6~10 percent, which is not that much. I can get my X220 with 9 cells battery + 6 cells slice to last about 13 hrs.

 

I love my x230 with the classic Thinkpad keyboard

 

Zaz,

Thanks for the info, i checked out the outlet, but the nice X220s are pricey. $1700ish,

lead_org,
I hope that the version I find has the 9-cell battery and then I can add the slice battery at a later date.

Oxf77,
Was it ez to swap to the classic keyboard from the island-style?

 

You cannot swap island keyboard to classic so if the screen size is what you want, go for the X220. It's a fantastic machine.

Here's the machine for you, you'll have to add $100 to swap to IPS. There are also a couple new ones on ebay for 900-1000, i5, dunno if TN or IPS.

Lenovo ThinkPad X220 12 5" Core i7 2640M 4GB RAM 160GB SSD WiFi 6 Cell BT 3 0 W7 | eBay

 

I've own both an X220 and X230. I switched over because I after using an Edge for a short while I actually prefer the island-style keyboard on the Lenovo. It's the best keyboard I've ever used, and I prefer the layout of it. Besides the keyboard though? They seem identical to me. I had an I7 X220 and an I5 X230 is my current rig, so processor speed is similar. In every day use though, the machines seem identical in all aspects: speed, noise (very quiet), heat, battery life. So, if you prefer the old keyboard, go for it. I imagine it's functionally almost identical to the new X240 in real-world performance.

As far as the machine itself--I love it. It's my work/home computer so it's on >8 hours most days and it's performed flawlessly over the last year. I expect many more!

 

I've been an X220 owner for about a year, and by far it has been my favorite laptop (I'd tried Acer, and a couple Alienwares). I love how easy it was to customize it to my liking - I added a bluetooth module from ebay, and one of those MyDigitalSSD mSata drives so I could have an SSD AND plenty of storage for content; those swaps took less than 10 minutes for both! The keyboard feels amazing, it's a pleasure to type on it. I could do without the rubberized finish on the back of the screen, which is all scratched to hell now, but otherwise, it feels great to hold. Not too heavy, which is good for those business trips. It even works for light gaming - I've played TF2 a few times without issues.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

Is there finally a BIOS fix to solve the problems with some keys not working properly?

 

There is not.

 

jcv,

would would mind explaining the problem you have with keys? I did end up buying an X220.

ZaZ,
So, my x220 came w/out any of the thinkpad softward installed, and I was wondering if (in your opinion) any of the Lenovo apps are worth installing?

Finally,
I asked that the laptop be shipped w/a higher wattage AC adapter as I had read that the X220 can pull more power than its' standard 60w adapter can supply-- consequently causing throttling issues. However, the 90w adapter plug fits a little loosely, so I was hoping that someone might know which 90w AC adapter or similarly rated units from other Thinkpads fit the X220 power socket the best? I can look for that on ebay.

---Thanks again for all the advice and feedback!!!---
---new x220 owner---

 

I'm not ZaZ, but I'd definitely recommend installing Power Manager (first install the Power Manager driver), as it has additional features that are very, very useful (ie: battery charge thresholds). If you're running a conventional HDD or secondary HDD, Active Protection System is a good idea as well. Other than that, I can't think of anything that'd be essential.

The plugs from 65W and 90W adapters are the same, barring minor manufacturing tolerances; if the 90W adapter is loose, the 65W one will be as well. I do believe the X220 and X230 that my father and brother use, respectively, both have some wobble with the power jack.

 

Yes. I'm not sure what you need to use your laptop for, but for me, the x220 handles everything I need to in spades. I purchased a desktop last year just because I wanted to fuss around with it and play games, but frankly, the x220 is really all I need. After two years, it still feels new to me. I don't plan on getting another laptop until the wheels fall off my current one.

The problem is that I get serious gadget jones on occasion, which is why I am debating between a Surface 2 and a Thinkpad Tablet 2. As I wrote, I don't need another laptop so this new device would really just serve as a tablet. However, if I want/need to use Office on vacation or some other location where I am not carrying my x220, I want access. Has anybody used the Thinkpad Tablet 2? I actually like the Surface cover/keyboard over the Thinkpad keyboard accessory. However, I like to mark up documents by hand on occasion so the Wacom support on the Thinkpad (versus the Surface 2) is a nod in favor of the Thinkpad.

 

I have no problems with keys, as I have a W520.

The problem is with putting a X220 keyboard in an X230: some keys are not working properly in that scenario. It would be nice if that gets fixed, so one can use a **30 with a proper **20 7-row keyboard.

The plugs of the 65W and the 90W should be the same. Of course there is a small manufacturing tolerance.

I would, as recommended above, install the Lenovo Power Manager stuff. Other than that I wouldn't install all the Thinkvantage crap. Just the drivers, hotkey Utility and Power Manager.

Enjoy your X220! It might be the last in it's class. :/

 

MnSun/JCV,

thanks for the info on the utils to install. Can you clarify the install order for me?

on the support page, I see several options:

lenovo powr mgmt drvr ver 1.67.03.13
patch module for powr mgmt win 7 ver 1.00
Powr Mgr for Win7 ver 6.63.1

so, i do the driver 1st, pwr mgr sw 2nd, and skip patch module?

for the utilities, I see

Hotkey features integration for win8/win7 ver 3.86
lenovo autolock for win7 ver 1.07
lenovo battery firmware update util for win8/win7 ver 1.13

 

Hotkey features is critical. As is the the Chipset driver.

 

Do you have a link to that page?

As far as I remember, the Power Manager includes the driver.

As for the hokey utility; only the first; the Hotkey features integration.

Oh, and I installed the stuff related to the Trackpoint and Touchpad. But later on I downgraded it because it messed up my scroll settings.

Also, a personal recommendation: tpmiddle.exe
TPMiddle

It gives the middle button of the trackpoint an additional function: a short click on a link opens it in a new tab, just like a normal click on a scrollwheel / middle button does on a "normal" desktop mouse. Click&hold + trackpoint move stays the same: scroll.

 

I just sold my x230 and went back to my old x220. I was planning on upgrading to the X1C but decided to keep the x220 and get an external monitor instead for a bigger screen. I plan on buying the Mini Dock Series 3 as well.. only thing is my x220 is i5 so no USB 3.0

 

Get the older version of the dock; it has eSata. For external storage that's superior to USB 3.0

For a USB 3.0 port you can use the Expresscard slot.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm not too familar with eSata, I will have to look into it. Would I be able to find those on eBay?

And good call on the expresscard. After a quick search, I found this on Amazon : Amazon.com: GMYLE® ExpressCard 34mm to USB 3.0 Adapter (Dual Port): Computers & Accessories

 

Yes, there are still some around on eBay, even in Europe, haha (I live there).

This one would do:
New Lenovo ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series III 0A90204 0A90205 0A90206 0A90208 | eBay

But since you have an X-series, you really don't need the version with 170W adapter. It's just that I have an eBay auto-search for 0A90204, which is the 170W version with eSata (I have a W520, so need the 170W version).

And if you're in the US, buy it from a US reseller.

Basicly; all the ones w/o USB 3.0 have eSata. Lenovo later on downgraded them to USB 3.0