X200s vs Dell E4200

So besides the fact that the thinkpad will have a better keyboard and the trackpoint, battery life and even the thinkvantage software, what are the other advantages of the x200s over the e4200? i have a coupon for the dell latitude outlet and i see e4200's for about 800-850 with 20% discount coupon, I can get it for less than 700 after taxes and stupid recycle fee, haha. the e4200 comes with SSD, which is nice and is lighter. Or the bottom question is, is the x200s worth $5-700 more than the e4200 (or $3-500 more than the x200)?

 

I have an X200 and I couldn't be happier with my decision. For one, it's a Lenovo, so rest assured you will have a tough, solid, business class workhorse. The X200 runs very cool (both cores at 31 celcius at the moment), VERY quiet, and it very durable. The laptop is barely audible. The loudest part is the spinning hard drive. I plan on upgrading to an SSD in the future, which then the laptop should be virtually silent. The fan never 'kicks' periodically (as with Dells, HPs, etc), it's always at the sound same level regardless if at rest or with a load.

The X200s is expensive no doubt, but if you're looking for the lightest of the two, then the X200s wins over the X200. The X200s also features a higher resolution screen with a brighter backlight. In all, it wasn't worth the extra cash for me, but it may be for you.

 

Sounds like you're describing the 1440X900 X200s. So that resolution seems to be an advantage. Or not, depending on whether you need that real estate vs. being able to read it.

Most of the X200s comes standard with 2GB ram in a slot, whereas the e4200 have 1GB as standard and soldered to the board.

Processor wise, the X200s comes with a LV where the e4200 comes with an ULV, all else equal, this might be both a con and a pro, just like the GHz-wise faster processor in the X200s.

And then I'm thinking battery choice.

When that is said, I really like the dell. It's really really light and loads of different connections. Even Firewire!
Here, though, it's just as expensive as the X200s (Denmark).

 

thanks for the comments. the nice thing about the e4200 that it comes with SSD, not sure on the quality however. Also I did some research and it looks like the fan on the e4200 is a problem and many have complained. Also some have issues with the screen as well. but for $700, with ssd, 6 cell and lighter than 3 lbs is nice but I've been a thinkpad user all my life haha.

 

Don't abandon the Thinkpad! Especially for a Dell. You'd be much better off with the X200/s. The X200s is I believe very close to 3lbs, if not under. My X200 is 3.2lbs with a 6 cell and the X200s is quite a bit lighter.

You can also install a SDD of your own at anytime into the Thinkpad. Plus you'll be able to choose the quality level, unlike what you're 'given' by Dell.

 

I have the X200s and also an X60s.

Honestly, I like certain things about the X200s, but it is clearly the most underwhelming Thinkpad I've owned.

This move to widescreen in a business laptop is very annoying. Save the widescreen for consumer level "movie watcher" type laptops. When I use the X60s after using the the X200s two things just strike out at me:

The x60s is much smaller, it just looks and feels a whole class smaller and is just plain impressive when you consider that ultraportable buyers are aficionados of things small.

What is up with that UGLY bezel on the X200s? Coming from both an X31 and an X60s, there has been improvement in bezel size between those two models until they got to this X200s with a smaller screen area and bigger body.

Why is this so? A smaller screen area and bigger machine? What a step backward!

Yes the x200s being bigger makes it the much cooler running and quieter machine, I won't deny that. But I think we have Intel to thank for that in part.

But the X200s bezel makes it look really cheesy and reminds me of laptops from the 80s. Make the machine smaller, I do appreciate that it is lighter though. I will also admit that for the same 2.7lb weight I can use the 6-cell battery on the X200s and get 6+ hours of run easily with some care. The X60s is 2.7lbs with the ultraslim battery and it too weighs 2.7lbs with that battery. But it only gets 3 hours AT BEST, and realistically about 2-2.5 hours. So I will admit the X200s makes a huge usability improve in that regard.

Where Lenovo clearly still has their heads far up their rear-ends is in things that Dell has done:

Combo USB/Esata slot - it's 2009, get with the program already.
Backlit keyboard - yes I know about the "thinklight" but it sucks in comparison.
Frankly the Dell is a better looking laptop IMHO, but suffers from the BONEHEADED decision to eschew the Trackpoint. The X200s is a clear winner there.
The Dell is lighter and slightly smaller machine as well.

Lenovo needs to lead especially when it comes to premium priced laptops:

Thank you for making your first X-series with digital display support. No thank you for making us buy the dock to use it.

I love the magnesium alloy chassis, but what is up with the poor plastic used on the inside surfaces? Every single X-series I have owned has plastic damage around the sides including my X200s in less than 3 months of ownership.

But other than those points I do like the X200s.

 

sxr71, I can't agree with you more.
Good about x200s: lightweight, battery life.
Very bad about x200s: annoying wide screen, ugly thick bezel.

I think Lenovo should keep the good things about x60/61(s) (screen!) and add the good things about x200s to it, that would make an almost perfect ultraportable. Unfortunately no more 4:3 screen is made.

 

An X60 refresh is what I want. This X200 was a real compromise. I told myself I wouldn't buy a widescreen laptop but in a moment of weakness I ordered it.

So not only it the whole machine wider for 16:10 but there also at least 1" extra bezel on it. The machine could easily fit a 13" screen in its present dimensions. What were they thinking?

This whole move to 16:10 is a big sham, where they can cut more panels from the same substrate. A cost cutting move at best. The average joe consumer associates this with "high-end". Well I'm not buying a fricking TV, I'm buying a business machine. I don't need this thing to emulate a plasma TV or a theater.

Sometimes stupid consumer preferences annoy me. People talk about it being better for watching a movie. I can't imagine why in a world where you can get a 24" monitor in widescreen for $250 anyone would care about that in a laptop? Least of all in a premium ultraportable. It's pretty sad because the X60s was great in spirit but it needed some upgrades. I foolishly bought it with a 1 year warranty and it turned out to be both the nicest in size and the least durable of my Thinkpads. I wish I got 3 years so I could have the plastic parts fixed for free.

Those cheap plastic parts they use is another annoying thing. The chassis: solid as a rock. The plastic: very cheap.

I think they need to completely rethink the design of the X210s. In the process they should consider matching Dell's weight figures on the E4200.