X200 - still a good buy?

Unfortunately, I am down about $600 for next semester's Tuition as I calculated how much money I need from loans wrong.

So I am selling my MacBook Pro.

However, I need a cheap laptop, and always liked the looks of the X series think pads - the others are way too bulky.

Basically, my questions go as follows:

1. Can the X200 handle web browsing (with flash video playing), iTunes, and Microsoft Word all running at the same time?

2. What is the max RAM on the X200?

3. What kind of battery life can I expect from an X200 just web browsing on a nine-cell? Is there a trusted place I can buy authentic Lenovo batteries from previous models?

4. Best OS for the X200? I quite like Windows 8, not sure if the drivers would work though.

5. Does the X200 have a mSATA slot for an SSD?

6. Any good alternatives to the X200 you guys can think of?

 

1.- As the X200 is available with about the same CPUs as my T500, I'd say it easily handles running all three at the same time. I'd venture to say that in most normal usage, you won't be able to notice a performance difference between an X200 and, say, and X230.

2.- 8 GB in a 2x4GB layout, I believe.

3.- For a brand-new 9-cell battery, around 8-9 hours in Windows Vista or W7. A sub-10W power draw value is quite feasible on an X200, particularly one with the LED-backlit screen (versus the CCFL-backlit screen).

4.- Windows Vista and W7 work well on the xx00 generation Thinkpads with no driver issues. Haven't tested W8 on my T500, so I can't speak to that.

5.- No. Only the X220 and X230 have an mSATA slot.

6.- That depends on your budget. A used X220 with an IPS display would be a good option if you can afford it.

 

6) Actually base-spec x220/i are getting really cheap on eBay now. Like in the low $400 range. Obviously you probably can't find one with the IPS at that price, but I think it could still be a consideration. On the flip side if you want something slightly thinner and lighter, I really like the x200s, especially if you can get one with the WXGA+.

 

These usually command a hefty premium, unless a seller is completely clueless on the rarity of the machine in question.

Meanwhile, an average X200 can be picked for under $200 nowadays...

 

I mean I'm seeing about $300 for the cheapest WXGA+ x200s on eBay. Percent wise, maybe it's "hefty", but I would definitely go for a $300 WXGA+ x200s over a $200 WXGA x200... depends on what OP values, right? Just throwing the options out there.

 

Oh I'm not saying you were wrong in suggesting the X200s by any means...these are fine machines indeed, although I'm not to keen on the quality (or lack thereof) of the WXGA+ panel...

Someone just got very lucky with this one:

Lenovo ThinkPad X200s Laptop w Core 2 Duo 1 86GHz 80GB 4GB AC Used | eBay

Not affiliated with the seller in any way...

Patience is a virtue...happy hunting to OP...

 

Thanks for the help all. I am not looking to spend more than $200 on a laptop as I am strapped for cash.

I plan on possibly getting one at $150 as soon as I find one... Upgrade the RAM to 8GB for $30.

A question about the battery:

On ebay I can find 9 cell batteries for $35 compared to $80 on amazon. Are these reputable?

 

They're probably third party batteries, which means they won't last as long as a genuine battery and they'll wear more quickly, but will most likely work. You'll also get a pop-up in the task bar about the battery being non-Lenovo unless you dump Power Manager.

As to your question, the X200 is still a very capable machine. My R60e, which is even older, still works perfectly well for every day usage. I recall playing 1080 Blu-ray rips on my X200 very nicely, though it was a no-go in low power mode. As was noted, unless you're pushing the CPU near capacity, it's unlikely you'd notice a difference between the X200 and X230. Maybe the only thing I didn't like about my X200 was the single drive bay. When I switched to a SSD, I had to carry everything on the external, which was annoying. You could solve that with the Momentus XT when funds become available. I personally find the touch padless palm rest to be much more aesthetically pleasing and wish the offered it on the X220, but you can't have it all I guess.

 

The X200 would be a better buy then the X200s, purely due to the CPU perspective.

Intel 4500MHD GPU that is used in the X200, T400, T500, R400 and R500 is more than capable of doing native FHD blu-ray decoding (they were designed for such processes).