X200s, X200, OR x61--Help!

My T60 was stolen along with my wife’s R61. We replaced hers with a T500 as our “desktop”. I’ve been reading reviews and posts on here & other sites trying to find a more portable replacement for myself.

I’ve narrowed to the X200, X200s, or an X61. However, I’m a bit concerned about working on a 12” screen all day because I’ve always used 14” and hate the Samsung NC10 I’m borrowing (though in part due to lousy trackpad and slow speed). So I want to ensure I choose the best screen to mitigate the negatives of a 12” or have one of you talk me out of a 12” altogether. A 13” seems to strike the ideal balance between portability and usability, but the X301 is too expensive for me. I’m addicted to the trackpoint and high quality keyboards, having used thinkpads for 11 years, so I’m stuck with Thinkpads and thus either a 12” or 14” in my budget. I nearly pulled the trigger on a t400s, but the lower battery life and bigger footprint hurts especially since it’s more expensive. I figure my wife & I (both Realtors) will trade off using the T500 and could omplement that with an ultra-portable…but not if using a 12” all day is too painful.

Uses: Average day = Outlook and internet 8+hrs. Other than Acrobat and Office, my main programs for work are internet based. I often work from coffee shops so long battery life is key.

Processor: I’m ignorant as to how fast/good a processor I’ll make use of for the things I do so I need advice. I'd like it to run cool, though, and not set my lap on fire after a few hrs like the T60 (and T42 before it) did. I don't want to overpay for a processor I don't really use or underpay and be stuck with a sluggish system, i.e. the NC10. Also, how expensive/difficult is to upgrade in the future if my needs change?

Screens: This is the biggest dilemma because of complaints, conflicting opinions, and backorders already discussed on this site. I want the one that’s easiest to work on all day. I’d love to be able to see it in bright sunlight but not if that’s a major tradeoff in other areas affecting me.

My options:

1) X200s w/Celeron M processor & WXGA (1280X 800)--Cheapest option, but is the processor crap and how’s the battery life/heat w/ this processor?

2) X200s w/ SU9400 (1.4GHz or 1.86Ghz) & WSXGA+ (1440 X 900)—have a good quote for this one, but now the led screen’s not available and won’t be for ??? Might need to roll the dice with the outlet store to buy this configuration rather than wait weeks and weeks.

3) X200 w/ P8600 (2.40GHz) & WXGA—Slightly cheaper (and faster?) than X200s when configured w/ Core 2 Duo SU9400 (1.4GHz). But heavier and shorter battery…any real advantage here?

4) X61: I don’t know much about these, but if I’m willing to buy from the outlet store or ebay is it a better option for me?

5) A different X series or other brand laptop with an on keyboard mouse (I know some dells used to have them) that’s 13” and suits my needs at +/- $1,000 that you can recommend to me.

Finally, never used a laptop without an optical drive. Don't really need it except for loading programs that I have on disks. What are the cheapest/easiest solutions for downloading without optical? Can I do it through the T500's drive somehow?

Any guidance is greatly appreciated. Sorry for all the questions, but I’m weary of reading posts that only half address my situation.

 

1) Don't get it with the Celeron M. It is a bad processor (single core, lacks power management, etc.) it should NOT even be offered.

2) The SU9400 is 1.4GHz, the SL9400 is 1.86GHz. Both are very good CPUs. The SU will run cooler and provide slightly better battery life but the SL will still run very cool and provide excellent battery life. Not sure how long the screen will take (some portals that still list it say 4 weeks).

3) The x200 is cheaper and faster, that's the main advantage. In addition the WXGA CCFL display offers a webcam and WWAN option that the x200s WXGA+ LED lacks.

4) If the x61 is substantially cheaper it's a fine option. The resolution will be lower (1024x768), and footprint slightly less wide (but it weighs more), it runs a bit hotter, and is slower. In short if the price premium is not too great the x200(s) is a better option.

5) Dell Latitudes, HP/Compaq, and HP Elitebooks offer a pointing stick usually. However, the quality of the stick and keyboard is not quite up to ThinkPad standards in my opinion.

6) I've only used my optical drive for installing the OS. It is possible to use the T500's drive either over a network (share the root drive and mount it on the x200) or by using the appropriate USB adapter and hooking it up directly.

 

If you're concerned about working on a 12" screen you may wish to consider that standard screen on the X61 is taller and easier to read. Unless you're going to get the tablet, I think you'll find most notebook screens are fair to middling. Sorry to hear about the theft. Good Luck

 

Thanks for sifting through my rambling initial post and providing some answers. Here are my concrete options with prices:

1)

X200
Intel Core2 Duo processor P8600 (2.40GHz, 3MB L2, 1066MHz FSB)
12.1 WXGA, 2x2 UltraConnect II antenna with Camera
1 GB RAM
250GB , 5400rpm
Bluetooth
Intel WiFi Link 5300
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
9 cell Li-Ion Battery
$816.89 (pre-tax)

2)

X200s
SU9400 (1.4GHz)
12.1 WXGA (1280x800), 3x3 UltraConnect II antenna
1 GB RAM
250GB, 5400rpm
Bluetooth
Intel WiFi Link 5300
9 cell Li-Ion Battery
$908 (pre-tax)

3)

X200S
SL9400(1.86GH)
12.1WXGA+,2X3ULTCON
1 GB RAM
250GB, 5400rpm
Bluetooth
Intel WiFi Link 5300
9 cell Li-Ion Battery
$1080.94 (pre-tax)
**Quote but screen is backordered ETA unkown**

4) X61s for $___. What price makes the heat issues and older system worth it? I'm only really considering it for the taller screen.


If option 3 is best for me I’ll probably look for a comparable system at the outlet. Price for a “new” system there is basically the same as option 3, and I can't wait for the screen delays.

The question remains which screen is most feasible for all-day use and is the led worth a $200+ premium? I have the money but not being able to see, much less use, these screens makes this a very tough call.

Thanks again!

 

There's nothing magical about LEDs. They are brighter and offer longer battery life, but they don't in themselves offer better PQ. The brightness does help a bit with readability, but it does not mean you're seeing a better image. I didn't think the X61s was overly hot and the Core 2 Duo in it should offer more than ample performance. The downside is if in the future you want to go with a SSD, the X61s is locked at SATA I speeds and below. Some SSDs like the X25-M or OCZ Vertex are much faster than SATA I.

 

Well, that extra cost is also going into a better processor ($75, according to the site). I'd personally be willing to shell out the extra $100 for fact that it's a higher resolution. I spend so much time on my computer that I want to be able to put a lot on the screen.

 

pem69:

The numbers in your post confused me a bit. There's about $90 difference between the X200 & X200s when both have the 1200x800 screen (identical screens in that case, right?) and similar configs.

I want the LED, but it adds more like $265 (not $100) when compared to a similarly configured x200, hence the dilemma of settling on screen and weight. But $265 more plus 4+ weeks of waiting has me leaning towards x200.

Last question: if I go with the x200 and hate the screen I can swap that one out for something better, right? I think I read on here that the x200 screen can be changed, whereas the x200s can't.

 

If you hate the screen on the x200 you can swap it out with a glossy FFS Boe-Hydis display from a Gateway tablet. However, this will void your warranty and is not an upgrade for the faint of heart (it will require cutting the writing surface off of the tablet display). Theoretically this upgrade should work for the x200s with CCFL WXGA as well, but that is unconfirmed.

 

Sorry, I saw the second X200s and read X200. The a $180 difference, but $75 was for the better processor. You're right that it becomes more cost when you add in the better screen, but perhaps it's not available for the X200? I'd consider the pieces separately. Is the extra $100 worth the better weight/battery/etc of the X200s in similar configurations to you? How badly do you want the better screen? Is that worth another $100? If you said 'no', then 'yes', is the screen worth $200? Can you do without the computer for a few extra weeks, or do you need it now?

Also, it may be worth considering the Enhanced X200s for the better case. I'm not sure what other increases you have to get as well, for that.

 

Here are my thoughts...

- I have a 15.4" T61p and then went to a X200. I didn't find it too hard to adjust to the smaller screen. I don't find it annoying to work on the machine for hours at all. I really feel that 12.1" is the ideal size for me in a laptop.

- If I wanted to spend more money I would have gone for the X200s. I think you would like it.

- You can't upgrade much on a laptop other than the harddrive and memory.

- I see no point in considering the X61 unless you are getting it for a crazy deal or you are in love with the standard aspect ratio screens 4:3 and even then I might not go for it.

- If you multitask a lot and have a lot windows open on the screen at the same time and do things like compare 2 documents side by side, then I think the X200 is not for you. But from your description it looks like you will mainly use it for Outlook and Internet and the X200 is perfect for that in my opinion.

 

Thanks! That's very reassuring and the exact sort of firsthand experience I was hoping for to confirm the drop down to 12.1 won't be painful. I think you're right on all accounts, and I'm definitely going for an X200 or X200s. I can't wait for the led screen, though, so I'll have to decide if 1/2lb and better battery life is worth the extra $100 for X200s with 1280x800 screen.

Final question re screen: If I buy the x200s with 1280X800 screen can I upgrade to the LED screen later? Is it possible and is it difficult to swap?

Thanks to all. I'm very close to the best decision now.

 

If I were you I'd wait for the LED screen. If you've seen the X200 WXGA screen in person you'd know the colors are washed out and the overall quality is unsatisfactory. The LED screen is an improvement over the regular WXGA and well worth the premium. If you are going X200s you might as well...

Swapping screens is too much hassle. You would have to acquire a new screen, make sure it's good quality, and then find some way to get rid of the old one if you want to save money.

 

Upgrading to the LED display isn't worth the hassle. If you're going to go to the trouble of upgrading the display you're better off going the whole way and installing an AFFS+ Flexview display from a TabletPC.

 

I agree with wolssiloa. I would wait for the LED screen and the X200s. The screen would have a higher res at 1440x900. That is a very high res for a 12.1" screen. I haven't ever used that res on a 12.1" machine so I can't comment on it. It might be too small for you, but you can compensate by upping the DPI(this might be a show stopper for you I don't know). My X200 1280x800 screen is ok, but not great; it is a bit washed out, but I do run it at a very low brightness to save power. I like my T61p screen(1680x1050) a lot more in the sense that the viewing angles are better and the colors are slightly better too. I find the 1280x800 res comfortable on the 12.1" screen. I could probably handle a bit more but your only choice after the WXGA is the 1440x900 LED screen. So much of this is opinion and everybody is different, that it is hard to say "Yes, definitely do this". Overall I am very happy with my X200 laptop. The great battery life, small form factor and light weight actually makes me want to use it more than my T61p since it is so comfortable. I love my T61p and it is a powerhouse but since it was heavier and didn't get as great battery life so I had to keep it plugged in when using it much of the time(i.e. hassle), I actually used it very less and used my desktop more. Now with the X200 I am using my desktop and laptop about 50/50.


Swapping screens can be done and people have done it, but it isn't your regular run of the mill upgrade like changing your ram or harddrive and I think it might void your warranty. I myself would never probably do it, I would just get the screen I want upon order.

 

I know you wrote off the t400s but let me sing its praises for a minute...

* the screen is beautiful & bright, and the right size for high-res (I cannot even contemplate 1440x700 or so on a 12" screen).

* if you swap the DVD drive for a battery, it's easy to get 7+ hours.

* all that and it's under 4 pounds, just a few ounces more than an x200 with the 9-cell battery.

 

get the x200s (with LED). i was using previously T60 (14.1) and to my pleasant surprise getting used to x200s's 12.1 (LED) at that same high resolution was not difficult at all!

the weight saving and battery life will definitely aid in the long run.

 

i'd say either get the T400s, or the X200 (not the " X200s")

 

Hey mind me asking where can you get a X200 for $816.89 (pre-tax)? Is it on the Outlet store website?

 

FYI if you ever plan to install an SSD in your notebook, you should go for the X200 because it does not have the capped SATA bus.

 

Just as clarification, neither does the X200s or T400s or any of the current-generation Thinkpads.

 

If all I want is that DVD burner, is it worth the cost to the get x200/x200s ultrabase?

Is it possible to install Windows 7 upgrade using an external USB DVD drive?

I was under the impression you can only do system installs using the built in DVD drive.

 

No, you can do a Windows install via a USB external DVD drive.

You could even do it off of a USB flash drive if you wanted to.

 

Thanks. By not getting the ultrabase/DVD drive combo, that can shave about $300 off the cost of an x200/x200s.

 

Get the Ultrabase ONLY if you plan on setting up a home base with an external keyboard, external HDD, external display (via DisplayPort→DVI), etc. If all you want is a DVD drive for OS installs and the like there are far cheaper ways of doing it.

 

Thanks, that's good advice.

The only other thing I was planning on using the ultrabase for besides using the DVD drive to do OS installs/watch some DVD movies is to use a second hard drive in ultraslim bay. But I can get an external USB hard drive for far less money.

 

"Hey mind me asking where can you get a X200 for $816.89 (pre-tax)? Is it on the Outlet store website?"

It's on the contractor website (don't know if I'm allowed to post the address, so just google it and you'll find it and password for access). Then click on "exclusive savings". It's only good for certain models, i.e. x200 and not x200s but shaves an extra $85 off the listed contractor price for the x200--$849 vs $934. Then there's a coupon taking an extra 10% off that price. It's the best deal I've seen and part of why I circled back to the X200 vs X200s, along with them eliminating the led screen option for now.

Incidentally, am I allowed to use that website? I've seen the link posted on sites like logicbuy, so I assume it's semi-public access and they aren't going to require a secret handshake at checkout??

 

The T400s is very compelling, but I don't know if I can justify the extra $$ when I'm prioritizing portability over screen size with this purchase. I know it's light as well, but the larger footprint has got to hurt a little when tossing it in a small backpack and toting it around all day.

Thanks to those who talked me out of the idea of swapping screens. I don't have the expertise for that not to prove a big hassle if not huge failure. I guess I'll wait for the x200s screen or just make myself content with the x200 screen if that's not feasible...my welcome is wearing pretty thin on borrowed laptops at the moment. The solace of the x200 is saving about $200.

Wobble987: Care to elaborate on why you vote X200 over X200s? Everyone else seems to think the screen (and annoying wait) are worth it, but I'd love to save the money and have it sooner.