X201 now or wait for X120e or even the new X220?

I am interested in getting a mobile machine for coffeeshop and running around classes as my current 14" weighs in at a hefty 6-7+ lbs.

I can currently get the X201 (i5, w7 ultimate, bluetooth, WWAN and ultrabase) with coupons down to around CDN $1100. WIthout the ultrabase, the system will be looking at around $800+.

Should I be getting the X201 at all now or wait for the new X120e or even the X220 whenever it becomes available?

I know they are promoting the X120e as under $400USD but what is the canadian price likely to be (I know we wont know but please speculate with your best judgement)?

Also when is it likely that the X220 will come out in terms of the month (again please guess using your best judgement from experience of lenovo).

Cheers

 

what do you need to do with your laptop? If you're doing anything that requires heavy processing, then wait for the X220 (which probably will take a couple more months to come out, it might be March like the current generation or it might come out the same time as the others do). That's only if you need fast processing in an ultraportable. Other than that, I'd say get the X201 because that looks like a good price. I wouldn't consider the X120e unless you can't afford anything better.

 

CPU performance isnt important at all. I already have a system for gaming and such. I need mobility. However I want the thing to handle full HD video also, which Im sure the X201 can? However that poor 1200x800 resolution is bugging me, especially when the smaller and cheaper x100e has a higher res and smaller screen!

BTW I am totally out of the loop on computer things, what is the big deal about the sandy bridge? I keep seeing people recommending waiting for the sandy bridge? Exactly how much is it better than the current i processors?

Oh btw I didnt ask, is the price tag I have worth it for the X201 this late in the game? How does it compare in terms of canadian pricing and vs the always cheaper us deals?

 

yes it'll handle HD video, any Core i product should handle HD video just fine. I don't know what we may see with screen resolution, it's likely to switch to 16:9 and get 1366*768 resolution, I don't think there will be a 1600*900 option. If the resolution is extremely important then consider the Macbook Air 13 inch which has 1440*900 resolution, or maybe the Vaio Z if you could afford it. Otherwise, you'll probably have to accept 1366*768 (which the X100e has, I think you're a little confused because 1366*768 is pretty much the 16:9 version of 1280*800).

Sandy Bridge should be faster than current Core i products by anywhere from 10% to 30%. The integrated GPU performance is also a lot better, but still not as good as a typical discrete GPU. If you don't need a fast processor then you're better off getting the X201 now.

 

The new CPUs will offer a modest performance bump, but only if you are pushing the CPU. If you're just doing Office and Internet, there will be no difference. I'd vote for the X201 or X201i. It's the best ultraportable on the market right now. The X220 or X120e are right now unknowns. Until further notice there's no AFFS mod available for the X220 either, which is a more tangible benefit than any purported performance or battery life increases.

 

I'm no expert, but I'll pass along my opinions based on stuff I've read.

The two main advantages of Sandy Bridge are:
- best graphics performance to date with out using a dedicated graphics card.
- Hardware accelerated video transcoding, improves the speed of video transcoding.

If you don't game on your notebook, and you aren't into doing video transcoding on your notebook, there isn't much advantage to Sandy Bridge.
AnandTech.com has some good Sandy bridge articles.
The Sandy Bridge Preview - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News
Intel?s Sandy Bridge i7-2820QM: Upheaval in the Mobile Landscape - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

Why are you going with Windows Ultimate? Just curious. Make sure it actually has features you want/need rather than just paying the extra $108 dollars for no reason.

You say the base station costs $300. That can't be right. Try going to visaperks.ca, scroll to lenovo on the menu on the left, then click on the "Shop Now" link that takes you lenovo's site. There will be a coupon code there. Right now it is CAXVISASPR11 till Feb1,2011 for 32% off x201

Keep in mind that the x120e has HDMI, so you might not even need the base station if you went with it. It's hard to know what the performance of the x120e will be until we see some reviews. You might want to read AnandTech.com articles on AMD Brazos (aka Zacate, e-350) to get some more info on it.
The Brazos Review: AMD's E-350 Supplants ION for mini-ITX - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

Keep in mind any money you save on the x120e could be put towards an SSD. I've been using an x61s with an intel x25-m ssd and it is great. Newegg.ca has the best prices that I can find. Memoryexpress.com is also a good place to shop.

Newegg.ca - intel ssd

intel x25-m 120GB: $233

 

My understanding is sandy bridge processors are going to be more power efficient and and barely a little faster in the processing department.

The big difference of a sandy bridge to a X201 current setup. The X201 uses integrated Intel Graphics GMA HD which runs at 500-766MHz (depending on your processor). The sandy bridge Integrated graphics core runs at 650–850 MHz with a much better turbo that could kick in, it can achieve up to 1350 MHz clock speed.

This WILL have a huge edge over the current x201 in graphics.

However, I would only guess the pricing for the first 3-6 months would be double the costs of the current x201.

My opinion is if you don't need/use that extra graphics processing, the X201 would be very close in performance to the new sandy bridge except in the battery department. Though the x201 with a 9 cell already lasts an extremely LONG time.

 

I'd personally go for the X201 (in fact, I already have, just waiting for it to arrive ). As others have said, the X220 or X120e have not been released yet and the general consensus is unsure as to their reliability, performance etc. If you want to be on the safe side, go for the X201 now, or if you don't mind waiting the extra month or two, wait around.