X200s/t -- Your shipping status

The increase in the number of cells isn't so straightforward. I believe it has to do with the 4-cell being "prismatic" and the 6-cell and 9-cell being "cylindrical".

4-cell: 28.8Wh ( LINK)
6-cell: 56.16Wh ( LINK)

So indeed the 6-cell has twice (1.95 times to be exact) the juice of the 4-cell.

I think that a reported battery life of 5:42 on a fresh install of Vista (indexing) with nearly full brightness (250 nits vs. a recommended 140 nits for optimum PQ) and the variability that occurs from user to user and specific operating conditions that an optimized time of 8 hours shouldn't be a problem with the 6-cell. I'll await more user reviews which should be pouring in over the next couple of days!

 

Looks not that bad, but I'm still all other than impressed.
It's unbelievable how less technical and physical advantage this new Thinkpads can offer, compared with very old models.

Ok, sure, the CPUs getting faster, the RAM getting more, but that's the least one can expect.

It's just odd that even the smallest and lightest brand new Thinkpad is hardly lighter, even bigger and hardly thinner than my > 7(!) year old X24.

Let's compare, X24 6 cell vs. X200s 6 cell:
X200s: 295 x 210 x 35, 1.2 kg
X24...: 280 x 220 x 30, 1.6 kg

So the X200s is a bit lighter, a lot faster (but not the difference 7 years could be), and the battery lasts longer, but:
It's bigger (yeah, the thinnest part is 20mm, but that doesn't mean anything at al) AND the display is A LOT smaller (10%, unbelievable!), 415 mm^2 vs. 455 mm^2.
The keyboard might be a bit bigger what is good, but according to the T- and W-Series reviews (which have the same keyboards) it sucks, compared to the good old ones.

I'd really like to replace my good old X24 with a newer, lighter, faster thinkpad with longer battery life, but is the slight advantage after 7 years really worth that much money?

 

Jack,
Thanks for your answer.

Thomas,
No other 12.1" laptop will give you more battery hours for less weight. Moreover, all laptops today are widescreen, hence the decease in viewable area.

Your old laptop can't run new software well, it's about time for an upgrade.

 

I think the x200(s) is the best Thinkpad ever. I agree it would be nice if it were even thinner, lighter, and faster, but it is very good in all of those categories. The keyboard is actually fantastic, it is every bit as good as my T40 was in feel and lack of flex. It is also a bit quieter, this is good because I used to have people tell me to stop typing on my T40 because it was bothering them. The complaints on the keyboards for the W and T series refer to flex. This is not a problem with the x200 because the small chassis is very firm and allows for ZERO flex, and a fantastic feel. The x200 also runs very cool and is dead silent in normal operation (much cooler and quieter than my T40, I'm not sure about your x24, but I would bet the x200 runs cooler and quieter).

 

Ok, I'm glad that this keyboard issue seems really to be only a problem of the bigger TPs and their cases. I love the keyboard of the X24 and would really like to get an equal follower.
The X24 is also pretty quiet, I think most of the time the fan is not running at all (or so slow that it's even impossible to hear with the ear on the air grill), but it's great that the X200s is also that quiet.
I'm still waiting for confirmation that internal WWAN is possible with the WXGA+ display, then I think I'll get one.

 

So will I

 

It seems as though I was wrong with regards to the hinges being black on the wxga+ model. Perhaps, the model on NBR was like a pre-release of some sort. I wish they would have kept the black hinges as it looks cool, but that is minor.

The most important thing right now is to have wxga+ and integrated WWAN. when that happens you better believe I'm going to have me one. I also will probably get the 4 cell as i do like the laptop to sit flush. I will just have to buy me a 9 cell later so i can probably use that when need be (traveling long distance) but the 4 cell should be sufficient enough (IMHO).

 

Please read this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=309108

 

Sadly I don't think WWAN is possible with the WXGA+ LED. It can be done on the x200 with the WXGA display, however that is thicker and thus supports extra antennas and the webcam. You can always add a WWAN card to a USB port or the Express Card slot of the x200s, although that is admittedly less convenient than having it internal.

 

According to the early report the hinges were black, I didn't notice now they are metal after someone pointed out.

I prefer 6 cell since I don't like the stick-out part of the 8 cell version. Actually I think 6 cell is better for heat dissipation.

 

as requested

direct link to google photo of power supple size

http://picasaweb.google.com/xchric/X200s#5256377603525008258

From x200s

 

Hey xchric....Thanks a bunch for those photos. I'm sure your excited as you probably are one of the few to own one of the best ultra portables around. Does it have the rubber feel to it on the back like the standard x200?

For those that think this thing is expensive, it is the best bang for your buck for a computer in that category. Try and check out others with the same specs and you will see that it doesn't compare.

Now what would make it amazing would be if you could get a video capture of about a minute or so of the whole thing and post it on you tube.

 

Agreed. I was shying away from the X200s for price reasons until I called my Lenovo rep and priced one out away from the Lenovo site.

THINKPAD X200S
12.1WXGA+,2X3ULTCON.ANTUWB
TRACKPOINT
1GB PC3-8500DDR3SDRAM
2GB PC3-8500DDR3SDRAM
DVD REC8XMXDUALL,ULSLSATA
160 GB HDD, 7200RPM
ULTBASE US
BLUETOOTH W/ANTENNA
NEW INT LBL 2008 CORE2 DUO
THINKPAD 11B/G WLAN PCI 3
SD CARD READER
THINKPADX200SER.6CELLENH.
12.1WXGA+LED2X3ULAT,W/BT
PLT X200S WLAN + BT
LBL SL9400 TPM PLN
INTEGR.BLUETOOTH PAN
THKPLUS TP 3YR PICKUP DEPOT
MS WIN VISTA BUSINESS
MSOFF SM 2007 ENGLISH
3GBPC3-8500 1067MHZ2DIMM
INT.TURBOMEMORY1.6 2GB
GWV BUSINESS 32 US ENG.
SBB SD CARD READER
THINKPAD X200 ULTRABASEVC
INTCORE2DUO PR.SL9400(1.86

So, SL9400 (1.86GHz, 6MB L2, 1066MHz FSB) CPU, 3GB RAM, 160GB 7K2 HD, Ultra Bay with DVD Burner, Bluetooth, Turbo Memory, WXGA+ (1440x900) LED backlight, MS Office Small Business, and upgraded 3-year warranty.

How much?

$1,800 out the door. For my money, this is a heck of a machine.

 

More questions to those who have the X200s:

1. Does the keyboard gets too hot after long periods of usage, or under CPU stress ?

2. Any new findings about the real-world battery life ?

 

This appears to be the same size and connector for the power supply that I have with my x200. Although the Lenovo logo on mine is smaller, subtler, and flipped 90°. The logo actually makes yours look a little gaudy and brazen despite its diminutive size.

 

Excellent, thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for. Adding the iPhone was a good idea too for scale. That is significantly smaller than my current Sony Vaio power supply, which is great.

 

I just pulled my trigger on 90w slim combo adapter.
One in office and one for home.

 

I have the 90W slim adapter (still no computer though!), and it's a lot larger than the adapter in your photo, except for being thin. If you cut that CD case in half, the slim adapter would be a few mm larger in every dimension. The primary reason I ordered it was for DC input, though I'd like if it was a little smaller, and lighter.

As for my X200s, apparently there is some indication that it might have shipped on the 11th, but no other data to support this -- the fellow I talked to today issued some information request which has a 1-2 day turnaround. He said he'd email me when he knows more. Maybe I'll be lucky and an unannounced package will arrive at my door before then.

 

Nice pics xhric! I have to say I'm kind of jealous.

 

It seems to me that all the X200s shipped are pre-configured. There is some lag for the customer configured ones.

Thanks for your info for the slim adapter. I didn't expect it would be that large in size.

 

A picture from bottom view.

From X200s

 

The slim adapter is so large because it is 90W. I am hoping that Lenovo will produce another slim adapter with less wattage for the low voltage X200s. It would only need to be 65W or less.

 

Has any one ordered an X200 tablet? I had originally ordered one direct from lenovo, but fount a topseller model with better features for less money, so I canceled on lenovo and ordered through provantage. Also it might just get here faster. Oh lenovo why must you be so slow?

 

I'm almost ready to cancel my X200s order. Lenovo can't even tell me what the status is... apparently there is some indication that it might have shipped on the 11th, but no real data to support that (eg. tracking number). And I haven't had any deliveries.

Now that we're going into late October and the first Intel SSD's are available I'm interested in that rather than the Samsung. I also feel like I'm at the point where I could wait a couple more weeks to see the price of the machine drop a little. But the real problem is I don't have a residence for much longer -- that's why I need a machine now rather than later. Before I'm a traveling vagabond. * Jumps up and down in a fruitless tantrum*

A few more days and I think I'll settle for a topseller and undervolt it, underclock it, and add the Intel SSD.

 

Xchric, Thanks a lot for the pictures!

would like to ask you some questions:

1- How FAST is it? your booting time?
2- How small is the Characters/Icons/Fonts?

BTW, can u please do a "print screen"

 

Xchric,
Can you measure how thick your x200s is? According to lenovo documents it is 1.4" thick with the 6 and 9 cell, the same thickness as the x200?

 

I would also like to see a print screen if possiable? This should show the correct size on various monitors won't it?

 

No it won't.
How big the screenshot is in physical size depends only on the ppi value.
As the X200s has a 140 ppi screen, a screenshot has only the "real" size on another 140 ppi screen.

 

X200s ordered: 10/7
Shipped: 10/18
Expected arrival: 10/21

SL9400 1.86GHz, 6MB L2, 1066MHz FSB
WXGA+ (1440x900) LED backlight
3GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Intel Turbo Memory 2GB
X200 Ultrabase
3-1 Media Card Reader
Bluetooth
6 cell Li-Ion Battery (9-cell also on order)

 

Arrived 10/20! But I'm in NYC on business travel for 3 days! The anticipation is going to kill me!

 

I have a tablet on order, the estimated ship date is Halloween (10/31/08). Looking around at some other forums it seems that NO ONE has received their tablet yet. A lot of people on gottabemobile have had their dates pushed back a couple of times already.

I was in the first batch for the x200 (late August), hopefully I will also be in the first batch for the x200t (late October or November ). The tablet looks awesome though, it has a fantastic screen and maintains all of the technologies from the x200 [camera, WWAN, etc], and I am really looking forward to it.

 

Sure, I will use my stopwatch to measure the booting time.
Usually I close the lid and leave it on sleep mode. I seldom turn it off so the booting time never bothers me.

I just order another piece of 2G ram from lenovo. Now it is 4G in total. My X200s doesn't have intel turbo memory installed so the booting time may be slow and it also depends on the softwares installed. I would say booting time alone cant tell you how fast it is.

Based on my personal experiences, 4g ram + fresh install Vista + Seagate 7200.3 320G, I am pretty satisfied. I have a desktop with Q6600 qual core, 4G ram, Seagate 7200.11 500G, Abit IP35 pro, Vista business. For small and medium size softwares loading and running ( iTune, Eclipse, Word, Powerpoint, kmplayer, Realplayer, firefox(10+ taps saved)), I don't see much of a difference between my desktop and laptop.

Yes, I can do a print screen. I will upload the screen shot asap.

I am disappointed about the battery performance though. With 1 lvl below the full brightness. I usually get around 4 hours usage on my 6 cells battery.

 

I just measured the thickness of X200s at the back (the 6 cell battery stick out part, the thickest point) using my iphone ruler. Yes, it is around 1.4 inch.

 

Received the slim combo adapter a couple days ago.
The size and weight turn out OK for me. I like it.

 

The Turbo Memory will actually slow your system down....

 

I don't know if this has been answered but i wanted to ask xchric whether you have noticed any heat issues or noise with your X200s?

 

Anyone who ordered an X200s from Lenovo: has your order been received or even shipped yet? If so, what configuration options?

I was away for almost a week, and hoped there'd be some change of status... but no... just the automatic bumping of the (useless) estimated ship date, by another 2 weeks. It also feels pointless to call them... they have no more knowledge or ability to do anything about the order than I do. They're a "placate the customer" layer -- a service for higher-ups; not customer service.

If no one's getting these things (except the fixed configurations from other outlets), I'll initiate cancellation at the start of next week (since canceling will probably take a few business days to "clear").

Argh. I just want a simple transaction -- they have a product (or at least advertise such), and I have money... let's trade.

 

X200s ordered: 10/7
Shipped: 10/18
Delivered: 10/20

SL9400 1.86GHz, 6MB L2, 1066MHz FSB
WXGA+ (1440x900) LED backlight
3GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Intel Turbo Memory 2GB
X200 Ultrabase
3-1 Media Card Reader
Bluetooth
6 cell Li-Ion Battery (9-cell also on order)

 

Anyone that has received their X200s care to post their first impressions? I am amazed that after all this time there is just one real review out there. I will be ordering mine (Topseller $1500 config) today or monday!

 

I ordered mine too, but the shop gave me a expected delivery date in about 4-5 weeks (Germany), so I guess I have too wait

I also wonder why there is only one single review (and not a really good one), not one good technical review, and not even some short first impressions around.

 

Thanks kboyer, at least they are shipping configured systems.

It would be nice to know why my order, placed on Sept 24, is continually delayed. The substantial differences in configuration are an SU9300 and 64GB SSD. Of course, they can't tell me anything -- there is no way to be accommodating to their production capabilities. Sometimes I wonder if their orders are on a stack... most recent ones are handled first; the earliest orders are doomed if there are any shortages.

 

Hey Kboyer,

Congrats! for receiving your unit. Can you tell me whether or not the device is using the black hinges or the silver one. Also, have you noticed any heat issues so far, or even noise? Thanks!

 

My unit has silver hinges. I've been using it for a few days now and have not had any heat issues at all. If anything, it is quieter and cooler than the last two ThinkPads I've owned.

As for a review, I'll just say I love this machine. My last two Thinkpads were an X61 and a T61. Both were fine laptops, but I vastly prefer this little X200s and here's why.

It's very light. When I left work with it the first time, I thought I had forgotten to put it in my bag.

The battery life is incredible - in the first two discharges I've gotten 3.5 hours from a 6-cell battery and 6 hours from a 9-cell battery.

The keyboard is excellent. There is no flex and it feels better than the T61 it replaced.

The screen is crisp and considerably brighter than the T61. the 1440x900 resolution is great (the low resolution was the reason I got rid of the X61). I work with imaging software and the color reproduction is excellent.

Performance is fantastic. Although I do a lot of multitasking, I don't run many big footprint apps. But this machine easily juggles Firefox, Excel, Word, Outlook, MySQL-Front, CYGWIN, Photoshop, Digsby, iTunes, and WinSCP all at once.

The only thing I wish it (or the Ultrabse) had was a DVI port. Although I bought the Ultrabase, display quality through VGA on a 26" monitor at 1990 is not great. The Ultrabase has a Displayport and I need to find out if someone makes a DVI/Displayport adapter.

Ken

 

Kboyer can you post some close up pics??

 

Monoprice - Displayport -> DVI adapter - $13.30

 

Excellent - thank you!

 

Here ya go!

 

Thanks for those wonderful pics kboyer. Its great to know that you are not having any heat or noise issues with your device. Ive owned an x60s and although it was quiet, the temperature when the wireless was on, was too much, especially when plugged into the ac adapter. I'm kind of surprised that you were only able to get 6 hours on the 9 cell battery. Shouldn't it have been more (like 9 to 10 hours)? Did you buy your X200s through Lenovo or some other retailer? Ive heard that the hinges are suppose to be black on the x200s if you bought it through Lenovo. I could be wrong though. Can you please provide some pictures of the laptop with the lid closed, especially side views?

Congrats on your device. I will definitely buy one once they have a wwan option available.

 

The life of the 9-cell may be influenced by a few factors -- it's brand new and they tend to get better after a few cycles, I was running the screen at 3/4 brightness, and I was running the wireless radio. I'm guessing that with less screen brightness and no wireless, it would push 10 hours. In the 5th picture you can see that it has very little "bar" left in the battery icon in the taskbar and yet it still had over an hour of life left. Right now, I just woke up and unplugged it, it is showing 100% charge and 7:30 of life. Nice!

I did buy the unit directly through Lenovo. I asked our corporate sales rep about the hinge color and he said he was only aware that they were available in silver so I guess there is conflicting reports on this. It didn't matter to me either way. Actually I guess I prefer the silver as it breaks up what is otherwise an almost entirely black laptop.

Luckily, I didn't need to wait for WWAN since we have company issued Verizon Air Cards. It would be nice to have it built in, but it's not so bad carrying around one of those little USB modems.

I can post some more pictures with the lid closed later today, no problem.

Ken

 

Did anyone order a X200s with the SU9300? It would be really interesting to know how much the ULV processor extends the battery life.

If the difference is small, nothing would stop me from ordering from ProVantage (except maybe the weak euro rate...)