X200 vs. X301

What do you think about how the X301 compares to the X200?

Do you think the improvements over the X200 (bigger screen, better resolution, LED backlight, DisplayPort, better speakers, palm rests, rubber paint, SSD) are worth their money?

Do you think the X301's lifetime will be comparable to the X200's? After all, in two years the X200 can be easily and cheaply upgraded with a SSD. Considering Moore's Law and that the X200 has a processor which should be about 60% faster, doesn't that mean that a X200 with upgraded SSD will last more than a year longer?

When upgrading to 4gb of memory, doesn't most application data (in Linux at least) remain in the memory after their first start? Don't remain opened/saved files, etc., remain in memory until it gets sparse? Doesn't that render the advantages of a SSD more or less useless when using the laptop for extended periods of time?

How well do you think both systems compare as developer platforms? How much is compilation speed dependent upon CPU and HDD/SSD?

Do you think the X301 will be able to handle demanding web applications in about four years from now? How about OpenProcessing and some of the more complex demos there?

Is the X200/X301 able to handle simple OpenGL applications? I am thinking about simple things like animation of chemical structures, physical simulations, mathematical flows, etc.? These things could get ever more visually pleasing by using shaders, antialiasing, etc., and more computationally complex to achieve higher accuracy.

Is the X301 as easy to keep clean and without smudges and greasy spots as the other ThinkPads? The rubber paint feels like it attracts more of those.

 

I think the x200 is definitely the better buy if you plan on keeping it for a while. I agree with most of the points that you said. I plan on getting an SSD if/when there prices become reasonable (100GB+ SLC <=$200), and upgrading to 4 GB DDR3 when a 2GB stick is <=$50.

Most productivity applications (compiling, statistical analysis, etc.) are processor bound. An SSD primarily helps with application launch speed (zero access time) and noise/durability (no moving parts). The only applications that are really disk bound is lossless video editing because you are dealing with tremendous amounts of data (100 MB/sec+ for HD content).

I am not sure about Linux, but one of the new (and probably only good) feature of Vista is superfetch. It leads to a bit of hard drive thrashing (especially right after boot), but it does a decent job of keeping your memory full of frequently used applications, thus reducing load times.

The x200 (and I think x301) have an Intel GMA 4500HD. This is able to handle OpenGL and is DX10 capable. However, it is substantially less capable than a dedicated Nvidia/ATI GPU. Further, true OpenGL calls in an application like Maya can only be done with a workstation card (e.g. FireGL).

The x200 will definitely be a better machine in 3-5 years because of the more capable processor, 9 cell battery, 54mm express card slot (good for future expansion). I would only recommend the x301 if someone else is footing the bill AND you will have it replaced with a faster model within two years. The display port and LED would be nice, but are acceptable omissions on the x200 (if you really need display port you can use the ultrabase)

It is for the reasons mentioned above that I bought the x200. I used a similar logic when I bought the T40 instead of an x30 back in 2003. I used my T40 up until the day my x200 arrived in late August.

 

Great reply and thanks for your advice. Indeed, a third party is not going to pay for my choice. Why did you not choose the T400 this time?

How audible is the X200? I am a bit concerned about it as I often work in dead silent rooms.

Do you know how the quality of VGA compares to DisplayLink, DVI, etc.? I will work with lots of text and I imagine a less crisp image with VGA.

 

not at all! you wont notice any difference btw,x200 is pretty silent

 

I just purchased the X301 and it is quite nice. I came from a T61p and the speeds are just about identical. I think these days, processor specs are almost irrelevant as there are very few mainstream applications that will see a noticeable benefit in processor variations.

To me, the bigger screen makes the biggest difference in choosing units. Coming from a 14.1" T61p, I was worried that a step down would be problematic. I'm not sure if I could handle a 12.1"

I know it sounds bad to say but I wouldn't try to estimate how the laptop will be a in a few years performance wise. We've all seen how fast technology changes and most likely (if you're on these boards), you'll be looking for a new laptop by that time that will be faster, cheaper, etc. There will probably be even newer technologies by then that will be worth upgrading to (OLED screens, faster memory, etc.)

The only reason I'd consider an X200 is if cost is an issue as you do pay a nice premium for the X301.

I believe for most of us here, our laptop is one of our most important tools that we own. If that laptop can help you make more money, be more productive, get the best one you possibly can.

 

I did not choose the T400 because the x200 satisfied all of my needs and was in a more compact package. I feel that an optical drive is now obsolete because you can buy an 8GB SDHC card for about $20 and that can serve the same removable storage role, and uses less battery, makes no sound, and is easily re-writable.

I have also heard some reports of a problem with keyboard flex on the T400, but have neither heard nor experienced any issues with the x200. The x200 has the same keyboard, but has a firmer chasis so this may help. Further I think that a 1280x800 is the perfect resolution for a notebook because it provides a large workspace, keeps text readable, and allows full screen playback of 720P content without scaling.

VGA output works fine, and it makes no difference if you use the built in LCD (it has a direct digital link to the board). If you are working at very high resolutions on a high end large LCD (e.g. 30" Apple Cinema display at 2560x1600) you will probably want a display port. In that event I would suggest buying the ultrabase and leaving that hooked up to the keyboard, LCD, speakers, external hard drives, etc. and just dropping your x200 in the base when you want the external devices. I have only hooked up my x200 to a 20" Viewsonic at 1680x1050 with the VGA and it looked fine (crisp text and decent color). VGA is okay as long as you use quality cable of a short length (unlike digital an analog signal is subject to distortion/attenuation that cannot be repaired).

I think the only reason to go for the T400 is if you think you need an optical drive, discrete video card, and/or firewire. I decided that I did not need any of those things and thus chose the x200. Also the GMA4500HD is quite capable for an integrated processor. It is adequate for light gaming and also accelerates video decoding (I can play back ' Elephants Dream' a 1080P rendered movie at a very high h264 bitrate with the processor on the lowest [800 MHz per core] setting).

Noise is not a problem on the x200. I have used it in very quiet rooms and I have a very good ear. With the processor at low speed and fan set to reduce noise it make NO NOISE, and the computer remains quite cool. I have even lifted the exhaust port right to my ear and I still can't hear it (it has a great visible copper heatsink). If the processor is at high speed for a long time (compiling, rendering, gaming, etc.) the fan does speed up a little, but it is still quieter than any other computer I have ever owned. The only thing that actually makes a noise I can hear is my hard drive and it is only a 5400rpm Hitachi. If you want a dead silent experience I would suggest an SSD, although they are very expensive.

 

Great review Jonlumpkin, how about battery life ?

 

i am trying to decide between the x200s with the 128GB SSD (as soon as its out) or the x301 with the 128GB SSD..

I have an x40 now and with the 12.1 non widescreen.. is the x200s LCD going to feel much smaller than the x40?

 

Hats off, jonlumpkin. You are of great help.

I will be using an external 24" screen at 1920x1200. Would VGA suffice at that resolution, too?

I have seen an X301 yesterday, though I am not sure whether it was a preproduction unit. Do the final X301s also have backlight bleeding? The X200 and the X200s does not seem to suffer from that problem.

It would be great if the X200 had a resolution of 1440x900. Decent speakers for video conferencing and for relaxation would make a nice, though somewhat luxurious, treat, too.

I agree that an optical drive is useless these days, at least for me. I have used mine only twice in the last four years: once to install the OS and once to access an old backup disc. You could, however, load an extra battery pack in the slot. Come to think of it, is the UltraBay battery used in a way that does not kill it fast? I mean, Lithium batteries should not be drained completely. How is an extra battery handled?

 

There are some other opinions about the x200 in the discussion thread I started. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=296363

The x200's lcd is not the best if that is of any concern. But if you are going to use an external monitor then it might not matter so much (for office work it is fine).

 

I cannot personally verify if VGA will work for a 24" screen at 1920x1200, but it should be okay. As I said though, if you plan on docking your machine frequently (I almost never do because I also have a desktop with a triple monitor setup [4640x1050]) you should consider the ultrabase. It will allow you to attach your monitor and peripherals to it at all times. You can easily drop the x200 onto this and all of your devices will be connected instantly. When you are ready to go, just lift the x200 out of the base and be on your way.

To my knowledge Thinkpads are smart enough to drain the batteries stored in Ultrabays first. However, I do not know if it will stop at 5% on the drain or if it takes it to 0% (I would assume 0). Ideally you would be able to adjust the stop thresholds for additional batteries just like you can set the charge thresholds for primary batteries (I use a 60%-95% config). In any case this just brings the x301 into parity with the x200 (or maybe x200s because of the ULV processor) for battery life. The x200 has a 4, 6, and 9 cell option, while the x301 only has a 3 or 6 cell main with an option for a 3 cell ultrabay battery.

Battery life with the x200 varies substantially with the settings used. If you use minimum brightness, no wi-fi, and an idle machine you could get something like 12 hours. Adaptive processor, max brigtness, wi-fi, and reasonably heavy usage may be more like 5 hours. I tend to get about 8 hours from 95% to 5% with mid brightness, slow processor, and wi-fi connectivity on my x200 (the x200s should be better because of the LED and ULV chip, although you pay a price premium and lose processing power and thus long term usability).

 

The x200s LCD should actually feel a little bigger because of the higher resolution (1280x800 vs. 1024x768). A widescreen at the same inch rating is only very marginally smaller than a 4x3, the main difference is in the width of the laptop, although this does allow for a true full-size keyboard on the x200. Also the x200s should be able to fit into the little nook created by the fold-down tray on an airplane because it is a bit stunter than the x40/x301 (although I have not yet had the opportunity to test this).

 

so since the x301 and x200s both have an ULV proc, any thoughts on which is a better unit?

 

I would say it is wholly dependent on the port selection that you want. When identically configured (LED screen at 1440x900, SSD, etc) the x200s and x301 should be comparably priced. The x200s has a 54mm express card slot which could be useful for future expandability, an SDHC card slot for easy solid state removeable storage and working with digital cameras, a modem for legacy connections (good if you ever find yourself in an area where they have never heard of wi-fi, ethernet, or EVDO), and a dock connector for easily attaching it to external peripherals via the ultrabase. The x301 has a built in optical drive and a display port on the laptop, rather than in the base, and it is also a shade thinner than the x200.

The x200s should get better battery life with the 9 cell battery than the x301 with its 6 cell. You can probably match this with the use of an ultrabay battery, although doing this sacrifices the one key difference of the x301 (the optical drive). In most situations I would recommend the x200s because it can work with dock connectors, and has a wider variety of connectivity options with the ability to add future options via the express card slot. However, both are very good laptops, and I would say the choice comes down to how frequently you need an optical drive.

 

Appreciate the feedback.. part of me was looking forward to a bit larger screen than the 12.1 on my current x40, which was part of the reason I was looking at the x301 to being with..

I travel alot, and use my x40 10+ hours a day.. and the screen has started to feel a bit "small" to me.. but weight has always been important..

I was originally looking at the x300, but with only the 64GB SSD available its just not even a viable option, 100GB SSD and I would have said OK.. then the x200s showed up (but with only a 64GB SSD right now) and the x301.. and I keep going back and forth.. but I need to take delivery before the end of the year at the LATEST..

also, I used to hate the trackpoint.. and had missed the touchpad.. but now after years of using it.. I wouldnt go back.. thought its nice to have once in a while..

the optical drive was just a bonus, nice bto have.. I have the x40 ultrabase with dvd.. and i NEVER use it.. acutally I used it twice.. both times were to use the recovery CD's to restore the HDD or flash the HDD Firmware. I probably would have used it more if I didnt have to fish it out of the bottom of my drawer in the office.

Since this machine is my primary machine and used to generate most of my income, I dont mind spending a premium for the x301 (assuming it is the right choice).. Though it would go thru my EDU discount which is a pretty good discount.

-- How is the enhanced USB Port replicator?? as the x30x does not have a base.. that is the only option.. I dont do any high end graphics stuff.. just a lot of coding (PHP, XML, JSP, Java, etc.)

-- anyone know when the 128GB SSD option is going to come out for the x200s?

-- has there been any new release date info on the intel anti-theft and WiMax options for the x301 or x200s?

-- I see the x200s integrated camera option is not there.. is that just becuase its new and has not made it in their system yet? or do people think it's just not going to show for a while?

-- is either the x200s or x301 LCD any better then the other, or is it just screen size?

 

The LED LCD on the x200s and x301 should be identical in quality. The x200s will have a higher DPI due to the smaller screen, but they should be otherwise identical. I am pretty sure that a webcam will be an option with the x200s because I saw it on a spec sheet (I have it on my x200).

The main problem with the USB port replicator is that it has relatively low bandwidth due to the USB connector as opposed to direct motherboard hookup with the ultrabase. This means it is basically an overachieving hub, and you may have issues with external displays, especially if you try and play back video or some other application that frequently refreshes the screen.

 

will the 13.1 really even feel that much larger then the 12.1?

 

That is an entirely subjective question that I cannot answer. To me the only really important thing is a resolution the allows you to fit the information on screen that you want, and a DPI that you can read. If you have those, screen size is largely irrelevant. If you use your laptop at a relatively close distance from your eyes it may even 'feel' larger than a 24" LCD monitor on your desk, or a 42" plasma TV on the wall, but that is entirely up to you. I would suggest you look at some 12.1 and 13.3 inch laptops in a store (they don't have to be Thinkpads) and decide which 'feels' best to you. I moved from a 14.1" T40 to a 12.1" x200, and the screen does not feel substantially smaller (the smaller depth and lack of a touchpad allows me to hold my x200 closer to my eyes than I could the T40).

 

well the 12.1 I have (x40 though not widescreen).. so that size I know.. too bad they are not sold in stores (at least not that I know of), it would make it much easier to decide..

also, I need to see if an MTM model shows up with the 128GB SSD and desired options, as that is where the largest EDU discounts show up.. the CTO models just dont give the same discount.. which could mean the x200s (with the 128GB SSD when its available) would end up costing me more then the x301..

I am also just now seeing a 1.2 ULV and a 1.86 LV on the x200s.. how much does the 1.86 hurt battery life? seems like an odd option for this machine.

 

You are right in assuming that most stores do not stock Thinkpads. I have never seen one at a big box store(Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.). However, some University bookstores do carry Thinkpads. I bought my T40 from the UCLA bookstore (no configuration [the model they stocked had almost everything I wanted], just picked it up on my first day at the University). I would also browse the T4x, R50s, and x40s they stocked in subsequent years just to see the progress IBM was making (none was a big enough upgrade from my T40 to force me to make the move).

I would suggest calling any/all of the University bookstores in your area. It is possible that one of them actually stocks Thinkpads that you can touch. However, it is unlikely that they have any x200s or x301 in stock yet.

As far as the ULV and LV processor I think it is nice that Lenovo provides the increased choices as an option. You can get an x200(s) with almost any speed processor you want and choose the point which yields the best combination of processing power and battery performance to you. I believe the following steppings are available from Lenovo (altough there is a slightly better ULV chip from Intel). ULV SU9300 (1.2Ghz) @ 10w, LV SL9400 (1.86 Ghz) @ 17w, MV P8600 (2.4 GHz) @ 25w, SV T9400 (2.53 GHz) @ 35w [select units].

You can choose where the optimum is for you. The tradeoff between th SU9300 and SL9400 is 660MHz for 7 watts (Δ94.2 MHz/watt), between the SL9400 and P8600 is 540 MHz for 8 watts (Δ67.5 MHz/watt), and between the P8600 and T9400 is 130 MHz for 10 watts (Δ13 MHz/watt). It should also be noted that the SL9400 and T9400 have 6MB L2 cache, while the SU and P series have a lower amount.

If you want the best battery life, and don't care about how long the laptop will remain a capable performer, then the ULV SU9300 may be a good choice. The SL9400 and P8600 are both good choices because they return a substantial performance increase on a per watt increase for TDP. The T9400 is just plain silly for this laptop because you get almost no performance benefit and pay a substantial watt penalty. Also, all of these processors are capable of dynamically under-volting (the P8600 goes down to 800 MHz) and thus reducing energy consumption.

It is for this reason that I settled on the x200 with a P8600 chip. You get a very good processor that will likely be able to handle most applications for several years, and it can reduce power dynamically to increase battery life to a very respectable 8+ hours with the 9 cell battery and real world settings. I personally would only recommend the ULV SU9300 if you intend to replace the laptop in a few years, and want respectable battery life in a very compact package (4+ hours with an x200s with a 4 cell battery, SU9300, <3 lbs.). Otherwise I would recommend moving up to at least the LV SL9400, or all the way to an x200 normal with a MV P8600.