X200 going to pull the trigger, take a look

This is with the student discount, let me know if there is anything I should add. I'll upgrade the ram once it arrives and I'll buy a cdrom on ebay. What wifi card should I get?
Thanks


7454CTO ThinkPad X200
$1,110.80

Intel Core2 Duo processor P8600 (2.40GHz, 3MB L2, 1066MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows XP Professional (preinstalled via downgrade rights in Windows Vista Business)
12.1 WXGA,
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
1 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
TrackPoint
250GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm

Integrated Bluetooth PAN
ThinkPad WiFi (BGN)
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
ThinkPad X200 Series 9 cell Li-Ion Battery

41C9170 3 year depot 9x5 Next Business Day $80.92
Total price $1,191.72

hmm I thought this included an ultradock I'll check

 

Hi and welcome to NBR! It's rather hard to say what else should be included unless you tell us what you would be using it for first... there are few hardware upgrades that could be considered as a "necessity". The only thing I would say is to get a 1 DIMM 2 GB RAM stick if you plan on upgrating to an eventual 4 GB. This saves money and time on the long run.

 

Your config generally looks fine. I'd recommend either of the Intel Wi-Fi cards (the 5100 is perfectly adequate but the 5300 will get slightly better range and speed at range).

The 1GB base RAM + 2GB RAM added aftermarket is probably the way to go if you're running XP or Vista/7 32-bit because you can't even address 4GB anyway.

 

Well Lenovo wants $40 to go from 1gig to one 2gig stick and I can buy a 2 gig stick for that so it seems like that is the better deal.

I'll use the x200 for the same thing I have been using my x31 for, basic grad student stuff, writing science crunching data, no crazy models or anything.

 

I have been using my X200 for a couple of weeks now and love it. For your config I would go for the 5300 Wifi card and stay with Vista Business 32 or 64 bit your choice(I think you get free Win 7 upgrade rights if I am not mistaken).

 

damn well now I can't the link to that deal, I swear I found it some where here...

 

I'm thinking about similar config. Few questions though:

1. Where did the high-res screen go?
2. Are there any differences between X200 and X200s other than the processor?
3. Is it worth paying for X200s?
4. Does 6 cell battery stick out? If not, how does it differ from 4 cell battery?

I'd appreciate any info ;-)

 

1) The WXGA+ LED display seems to be out of stock at the moment. The main Lenovo page doesn't list it and special portals (e.g. academic) list it as a possible 4 week delay.

2) The main other difference is the display and the associated top cover roll cage and reduced weight. However, the base of the x200s is also slightly thinner/lighter than the base of the x200. With a LV CPU and LED displays the x200s should get 20-25% better battery life than the x200. Additionally, the x200s does NOT offer the webcam/WWAN if the LED WXGA+ display is chosen.

3) If you can get it with the LED WXGA+ display and want that resolution then yes. If not, then I would say the x200s is worth little to no premium.

4) The 6 cell raises the notebook slightly (about 0.25 inch) compared to the 4 cell. I believe this difference is more pronounced on the x200s because it is thinner. However, the 6 cell does offer double the battery life so it is preferred over the 4 cell in that regard.

 

1.) The high res screen is on backorder an in short supply right now. They should be getting more, but not sure when. The high res screen is only offered on the X200s, not the X200.

2.) Yes there are differences between the two. The X200 uses a magnesium lid, sides and bottom, where as the X200s uses a glass fiber lid, sides and a magnesium bottom. This makes the X200s lighter than the X200 and still very strong. I think the X200s is about 1/2 lb lighter on average than a X200. Second, is that you can only get the high res screen on the X200s(when available). Also the high res screen on the X200s is brighter than the X200. The X200s screen is 250 nits with a LED backlight while the X200 is 200 nits with a CCFL backlight. All these little modifications to the X200s means it gets better battery life than the X200. I have heard that the X200s gets about 2 hours more battery life than the X200 on a 9 cell battery.

3.) The X200 and X200s still have quite a price difference between each other. I found the X200s to be about $300 to $400 dollars more than the X200, and that was with used models. I would have gone with the X200s over the X200 but the price difference was too great to justify(and over my budget) the X200s at this time. Hard to say if it is worth it for you. The lighter weight and very high battery life are certainly nice(though the X200 is also great in these areas too).

4.) There was some here who posted a nice little chart about that. I think it was nando4? In any event here is the break down..

4 cell = does not stick out and does not raise the back end of the laptop
6 cell = does not stick out but raises the back end of the laptop
9 cell = sticks out and raises the backend of the laptop

 

I think this only applies if you get the WXGA+ LED display. To the best of my knowledge if the x200s is ordered with the WXGA CCFL display it gets the same upper as the x200 with the thicker magnesium lid, extra antennas, and webcam slot.

 

Is the X200s 1280x800 also LED backlit?

And in the description it says that both X200/X200s have magnesium alloy on top and bottom; I think it's the same I had on my X41 a while back!

With the current sale, X200s and X200 have almost the same price. So I think I'll fork few extra $ and go with X200s for the nicer CPU.

Last few questions:

What's the difference between Intel WiFi Link 5100 and 5300? And it seems you have an option for 2x2 UltraConnect II antenna with a camera or 3x3 without. Which would be better? Camera would be nice for talking via Skype or Google talk.

Do you need special router to make use of this 2x2 and 3x3 tech anyway? Can't say I followed Wifi tech in last few years ;-)

 

Well the 200s is alot slower, correct? 1.4 vs 2.4

 

Also how have you found the best deal?
If you google "fat wallet cpp" a post comes from August 2 that has the best deal I have found. With my original config + upgraded wireless + base was $1170
Let me know if you find a better deal

 

Didn't know that, thanks! I didn't know that the top lid was tied to the screen like that. I guess it makes sense since it probably makes assembly a whole lot easier.

 

OK so now I have 1gig ram, 250 drive, 5100 wifi, bluetooth, 9 cell bat, vista business, dock, dvd burner, 3 year warranty for $1200
I think I'll take that unless someone knows of better deals

 

NO. It is exactly the same as the standard x200 display.

That's fine. The SL9400 is a very nice CPU and will run a fair bit cooler and more efficiently than the P8600. The base of the x200s should also be a bit thinner/lighter than the x200.

Read the 802.11N link in my sig. It covers performance and requirements in detail. In theory the 3x3 antenna array should offer slightly better 802.11N performance, but I haven't seen this proven. Additionally, my x200 Tablet has 3 antennas for the Wi-Fi card and 2 antennas for the WWAN card and they all seem to be routed into the display bezel despite having the webcam. You WILL need an 802.11N router to appreciate the speed benefit of an 802.11N card.

 

Well I just pulled the trigger, if a better is out there let me know and I'll change the order!
thanks

 

still looking for a better deal