X201 Review: 14 Months On

I posted the following on 12/21/10:
"Thanks all, I ordered this, delivery to start 1/4 $931 including tax/shipping, etc.:
75Y1663 SBB INTELCI3-370M2.40GHZ3MBL3
45M3093 VBB GENWIN7HOMEPREM32
60Y7988 SBB GWIN7HOMEPRE32 US ENGLISH
60Y7816 SBB 12.1WXGALED2X2UCIIAW/C+WBU
43Y4797 VBB 4GBPC3-8500DDR3SDRAM1DIMM
44C5216 SBB KEYBOARD US ENGLISH
43Y5779 SBB TRACKPOINT
60Y7830 SBB 250GBHDISKDRIVE5400RPM
60Y7826 SBB 5-1MEDIACARDREADER+MODEM
75Y1342 SBB THPADX200SER6CELLLI-IONBAT
41W1787 SBB CPK NORTH AMERICA
60Y7825 SBB BLUETOOTHSPACER
45M4804 SBB IN.CENT.ULTIMATE-N 6300
44C7950 SBB INT WRLSSWDAREANTWRK UPGR
60Y7853 SBB WIN7LANPACK US ENGLISH"

14 months on, here are my comments:

Summary:
I have actively recommended this computer to others up until the 13 month. Performance has taken a noticable downtick; but it's lasted long enough and performed well enough that I would definitely consider a Lenovo for my next laptop. This is my first laptop to last more than a year ever.

Hardware:
The display was a problem in month 6-9, It was fading in and out. I finally did something about it and called Lenovo. They suggested a software update and it did the trick. No complaints there.

The keyboard loses its keys too easily. Im on my 2nd keyboard now and am writing this without a "D" key. So I need to get myself a 3rd board. Im hoping Lenovo covers it since its been a continuing problem.

Performance:
After a solid year of great performance, processing/performance has taken a big step backwards. Am I power user and just didnt know it? I routinely have 15-30 MS Office files up and am running plus 10+ tabs on Explorer or Chrome plus Outlook. So maybe I am? Dunno. But I've always used this much, why the drop now? Switches among windows have gotten slower, sometimes video loads but still doesnt play well, I get delays when typing in word or when writing an email in Outlook and the unit is heating up like never before. I'm starting to think I could be headed for a new unit already

The battery has taken a nose dive in the last 3-4 weeks. Time for a new one.

Speaker volume has always been annoying low; especially coming out of the bottom of the machine.

Durability is great. Other than the keboard problem, this is one solid piece of machinery. I work hard and this laptop can roll with me from city to city, bed to home office and everywhere in between. It's taken some *hard* falls but never even whinces.


That's my mini-review. If I think of any other key points I'll reply to this. You guys helped me pick it out so I thought you'd be interested to see that I've been a satisfied customer so far. Thanks again...

 

As far as performance, I'd recommend opening up task manager to see how much memory you have free. under the Performance tab, "Memory" will show your RAM usage, and "Commit" will show the total memory usage including paging file. if the "Commit" is more than ~3000MB while you have everything running, then purchasing more ram for your computer would probably help. you'll also have to get 64-bit windows, since yours came with 32-bit.

you can check the battery status by opening the power manager. it sounds like something is running in the background that is slowing your computer down and making battery life worse.

besides the keyboard, glad to hear it's working well for you!

 

I can tell you work your X201 real hard, which is good. (Most of the keycaps on my X201 have become quite shiny but none has popped off yet.)

I second the idea of getting a new 2x4GB RAM kit for your workhorse. This will also force you to do a fresh install of Windows 7 64-bit. And, as an option, an SSD will push the speed further up.

 

Thanks to both of you.

Will the upgrade to 64bit cost $? Will it also require an upgrade of Office to the 64 bit version and would that cost $?

Im trying to figure out if I should just start shopping for a new one? If the cost crosses +/-$300 for all of this I may as well get the latest of everything...

 

I'm not sure, but I believe you are entitled to use your current Win 7 key to validate a new install.

I have a win 7 key that can be used for up to 3 machine on a 32 bit and a 64 bits install. But that key did not come with the purchase of a ThinkPad. Hence, I can't tell for sure.

 

Your Windows 7 COA key is valid for both 32- and 64-bit versions. Microsoft rule: One key, one machine, one OS install. You'll only need to get a Windows 7 SP1 ISO (look elsewhere on this forum) and use it to install the 64-bit version. Of course, back up all your data before you format the drive at the beginning of the installation process.

I find it helpful to read the Hearst Guide and/or the Lenovo Guide.

Office? You don't need to upgrade. Just re-install the suite.

Bottom line: No cash, only sweat.

 

Your windows 7 key on the bottom of the laptop will activate a copy of Windows 7 x64. Official Windows 7 ISO's Here

Next, memory is very cheap to bring to 8GB's. Click here for memory compatible with your system

As for Office, just install the media you have, 32 bit software installs just fine on a 64 bit platform. Others may be able to chime in but I'm not sure how to go about if you want a 64 bit office platform. You should be well under 300 dollars for a quick upgrade and performance will be good. No need to get a new system yet in my opinion.

 

..........

 

Thanks everyone. I began following your advice this morning and I thought I'd start with some of the Thinkvatage diagnostics.

I hadnt looked at the history in a while and when I did it showed a hardware failure last month. I figured no big deal and ran the diagnostic again.

It came back with a targeted read test failure and a smart short test failure. It warned that a failure may be imminent and thatI should back everything up ASAP.

Are these alarmist warnings off Thinkvantage warranted or is it just being over cautious?

 

SMART is actually self-monitoring/testing done by the hard drive.

And yes, you should heed them. SMART failures and warnings of imminent drive failure are definitely something to pay attention to. Back up your data now, and try to replace the drive ASAP.

No, I'm serious. Are you still reading this? Then you're doing it wrong. Go make a back up right now!

 

Update:
I've backed up my hard drive. The 201 still works, but it's on its last leg it seems; though I havent replaced the hard drive because my office got me a new x220 in April 2012, but last night it crashed with a "serious hard drive error". There are no programs in the start menu and the whole thing seems to have basically blown up.

I feel like a Lenovo assasin and Im not sure if it's me or it's Lenovo...

 

Sounds like a malware infection, I see that 24/7 at my workplace.

 

Sorry, looks like I responded to your post here and maybe it was better placed here. I still think you should give the SSD route a try if it's just the hard drive and slowness there you are having troubles with. The X220 is one of the best all around portable laptops for a reasonable price, although with your nice budget of $1,500 maybe you'll be tempted to get an Ultrabook with SSD already inside.

 

Sounds like this to me too. Or the hard drive is extremely fragment or the memory is loaded with all kinds of crap. SSD is a must tbh.

I daily use X200T (1.9GHz Core2Duo, 4GB RAM, SSD) and it works great for any office work and even occasional coding, photoshopping and making presentation posters. The laptop is also extremely silent, which is great when you want to type something in a conference room or a class. It also helps that it has a great screen for watching movies.

 

Thanks all...I'll see if my company will put an SSD in the newer hard-drive and also see what they have to check for malware.

 

My X201 runs like a champ...as of now! Though, I do think the battery is losing its capacity (but that's easily replaced). Thanks for the mini-review. I should also add that I also run my machine quite hard - like you do. I simply love the X201 though I think I am ready to move back to a 14" screen or better yet a 13" screen when I upgrade next.

Edit: Yes, the SSD will be a marked improvement, but I probably won't go for it till my next machine.

 

Oh, if it's a business laptop provided by the company then yep they may not feel that it needs an SSD.

 

Go to Control Panel / Sound , on the Playback tab select Speakers, click Properties, choose Enhancements tab, check Loundness Equalization.