X201 vs T410 vs T510

I'm sure I want to get one of these three. The only other one that I'm sort of interested in is the MBP after it gets a refresh. I'm curious as to what you would think is best for me?

My main uses would be Adobe CS4 and Visual Studio. I know a larger screen is better for CS4 because of all the menus and toolbars. However, I had an ASUS C90S and I did not like its weight, size, battery life, and build quality.

Do you think CS4 would work well enough on a 12 inch WXGA screen? Is the screen on the X201 good enough quality for doing graphics work?

Which do you think would be the best size/battery life/performance combination for me? They are all similarly priced. With my student discount and one of the coupon discounts, I expect to spend anywhere from 1100-1300 dollars. Hopefully the lower end.

I know this is a ridiculous question, but how does the build quality of the newer thinkpads compare to the build quality of my EEE 1000H? This thing is built like a TANK. It has taken quite a beating over the last year and it still works like new. Can I expect that from a thinkpad?

I am leaning towards the X201, but I am concerned that the screen might be too low resolution to use CS4 comfortably.

Thanks for any help guys! I've still got a few weeks or so to think about my decision.

 

I would think screen quality would be just as important as resolution when working in CS4. The best screens being offered on ThinkPads right now are the tablets, but they're only WXGA. The X201s does offer a higher resolution WXGA+ screen, but the screen quality is fair. At some point you're probably going to have to pick your posion.

I've not seen the 1000H. It would be difficult to offer an opinion. ThinkPads are well built, but luck as always, plays a large role in whether things work out.

 

if you think the ASUS one you got is tough, then wait till you get the thinkpad, it will blow your mind.

CS4 is more demanding on CPU, ram size and hdd access speed, so X201 would be alright (if you have the right gpu it would be even faster).

However, i think you should consider the X200 instead since you can get it pretty much half the price, and i doubt your CS4 speed would improve all that much from X200 -> x201.

For 1300 dollars you probably could get a refurb X200 and a T500, from the outlet.

 

Thanks for your input guys. As much as I want a smaller portable laptop, I'd rather have one that gets the job done.

I specced out a T510

Intel Core i5-540M Processor (2.53GHz, 3MB L3, 1066MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
15.6" HD+ Anti-Glare Display with LED Backlight
Intel HD Graphics with Always On USB
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
320 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Multi Recorder Optical Drive (12.7mm)
9 cell Li-Ion Battery
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 (2X2 AGN)

$1,114.92

It isn't too bad at all. I'm just curious how much battery life I would get with the 9 cell battery. I don't see much reason to get the version with a dedicated graphics card. Though I'm sure it would help in PS. To get the one with the Nvidia card it would cost 170 bucks more. I don't think it would be worth it.

It would only cost about 20 bucks more to get these same specs in the T410. Maybe it would be a better balance between size and performance?

How does the WXGA+ screen compare to the HD+ anti-glare display quality-wise? I see the HD+ is 1600 x 900 and the WXGA+ is 1440 x 900?

 

WXGA+(1440x900) and HD+(1600x900). You're getting 80 more pixels on each side. I've not seen any of the new ThinkPads. It would be difficult for me to comment, but based on past experience, I wouldn't think either of the screens is much above average.

Probably the two best screens offered on ThinkPads right now outside of the tablets and WUGXA on the W700, are the high nit WXGA on the T400(I don't know if they're offering this any more) and the WSXGA+ on the T500 if you can get the LG. There's a Samsung screen too, which offers worse quality than the LG, but there's no way to tell what you're getting until it ships.

 

you might want to get the best screen from the T510 if you are doing color sensitive work.

 

t510 with FHD. but the lead times suck at the moment.

 

Plus it's a touch surface, which may muddle things.

 

It is also far too much money for me.

It looks like the T510 as configured above is what I'm going to shoot for then. The screen on my C90S spoiled me. Many people think it was one of the better laptop screens ever produced. Though I've been using this EEE 1000H for over a year now. I would hope that the thinkpad screens are at least this quality.

Oh one last thing (for now), does "Anti-glare display" mean matte? I love the matte screen on my EEE.

 

I just received my HD+ T510 today with very similar specs as the one you pasted above. You seem to have mostly discussed PS so far, but you also mentioned Visual Studio--I think you'll enjoy the extra width vs. the T410 and extra size in general vs. the 12" X-series models for coding/web design. I don't think you'll be unhappy with it!

(EDIT: by the way Visual Studio work is my bread-and-butter so I feel confident making the above statements; that said, my T510 is a personal home computer and not the one I'll be using at my day job. I'll likely do some side work on it at some point, and would feel 100% confident doing so.

 

I guess that settles it then!

Thanks a lot to everyone who responded. Now I'm all excited!

What are the odds of Lenovo coming out with a 10% off everything coupon anytime soon? They had one several weeks ago IIRC. Right now there's just the student discount and 5% off a T510 (well at least I thought there was... it seems to have disappeared within the last hour? lol).

BTW my main programs would be DW and visual studio. Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash will also see some use, but nowhere near as much as the first two I listed.

 

Someone please tell me this guy is kidding.... in the US you get student discount on new thinkpads?

 

You do (get student discounts on ThinkPads in the US).

When you look at ThinkPad prices here (Finland) and compare them to what you pay for them in the US, the situation is pretty ridiculous. And then add coupons and student discounts

Luckily computers are now toll free in Finland, you only pay VAT (22%) if you order one from eBay, etc Even with postage it becomes cheaper to order them from the US.

 

If you find the EEE PC 1000H built like a tank, then you will find Thinkpads built like a... I don't know... what is tougher than tank? bat mobile?

 

I will go with a Star Destroyer.

 

It is built like a tank compared to the C90S! That thing practically fell apart in my hands. I've been very happy with my EEE. I need something bigger, more powerful, and just as reliable. I think the T510 fits the bill.

 

Thats just utterly rediculous, if i had all this discount i would probably only be paying about 600 pounds, instead of 1100.

I cant get one off ebay as the pound has dropped so it wont be cheaper.

Why the hell don't lenovo do student discount for all countries?

 

Also not sure which to get.

Is Lenovo the best Laptops right now with durability and quality?

 

Yeah I've got the EEE 1000HE (similar to yours but even longer batter life) and really like it. I still use it to toss around the house for quick web lookups etc. Pretty handy and easy on the lap, etc. Oh and runs for bloody ever before needing a charge.

 

Hi

I'm in the same boat, ish.

It's high time for me to upgrade my laptop. I was using a Sony S560b. It was great but it's just getting far to slow for what I need it for. That machine has run for 4 years with only on small hard drive crash. It once ran for 6 months straight. Never off for more then a few minutes. Pretty decent. Any ways...

I work in a computer store fixing pc's and user troubles. I need a system that is easyly potable with lot's of power and a reasonably affordable price tag ( ie $1100-1200 ish)
It's mostly work but I want to play sometimes also. But not crazy games.

Plan was take what ever machine from home to work every day. I have desktops at both but I want one basic machine with all my links, files contacts etc etc.
I want to use the laptop with my TV at home to work from the couch but also want to use it on my desk at work with an external monitor. Then being a laptop I could take it any place I needed or use it on the couch while watching a movie or something. Killer battery life is a huge desire. The sony maybe lasts 1 hour now a days.

So I cant decide if I want to go smaller or larger. My eye was set on the T410 but then I saw the X201. Both have great specs. An i5 with 4 gig ram minimum. My initial thought was go bigger then then the 13.3 inch screen I have but after seeing the spec's on the x201, I'm tossed between lightweight portability and power usage or having a decent sized screen.

I'm looking for any opinion's or comments that anyone may have to offer.

I'm also curious about the keyboard size of the x201. Is it the same standard size?. How is it for typing?
Also HDMI. That would be a mega plus but I can live with out it if I must.

Then there is also Linux. Oh Linux. I suspect a hint of trouble getting it on and fully configured. Not the biggest issue. I'd VM it IF I had to for now... One would think that should be the top if the list but I need full compatibility. I have it on other machines any ways.

Do the Thinkpads have any special hardware configuration's that branch away from the standards. I know sony likes to do there own thing sometimes.

Any ways, Thanks for the comments.

 

^^^ For the X series:
The x201 keyboard (same as the x200/x200s/x201s) is full sized. Typing is still a blast, getting similar wpm with my other Thinkpad.

Sorry, no HDMI, only VGA.

What do you define as "not crazy games"? X series only have integrated graphics. I only say this because the first thought that comes to my mind whenever I hear "integrated graphics" equals a non-gaming machine regardless if it does have an i5/i7 (just my opinion though). If you want to play games that would take advantage of a 3D card, going with a laptop with a discrete video card (T410 w/ NVIDIA graphics) is the way to go.

 

Well I kind of mean any games in general. 3d games mostly. Other then some older game's if I must. I wish I had more time to invest in them but that's never the case. But I do hear what your saying .. Having a discrete graphics card would defiantly be better all around. Maybe even just for blueray playback alone. (Backup's of my disk of course
I'm pleased to hear that the typing is so good as with other Thinkpads. That is a big plus. Thanks. But sadly no direct hdmi. The t410 does have Displayport so with an adapter I could interface with hdmi with an adapter. That's a plus there.

So over all how would you place the performance of the X201. Can you get ahead of it. I mean do you do much waiting for it with whatever your doing??

Thanks

 

The biggest factor here would be an SSD. The felt performance or 'lag' of using a machine is almost always tied to I/O rather than CPU/GPU performance.

From a CPU perspective the x201 is very nearly as fast as the T401 (identical when the same CPU is chosen). GPU is where the two diverge. Neither will be good for gaming, but the T410 with discrete will at least be passable for more modern games (x201 will only work for older titles).

All that being said, I would still go for the x201. The slight speed advantage the T401 enjoys will seem trivial after a relatively short period of time. However, the strong advantage the x201 enjoys in weight and moderate edge in battery life will remain noticeable for the entire time that you have it. An external monitor and possibly a docking station might be a good choice as well (CS4 works best with LOTS of pixels).

 

^^^ Yes, SSD would surely help out. That is the next on my list for my X201s.

And, yes the X201 wins hands down in portability against the T410.

Here are a few FPS benchmarks done with a T410 (integrated vs discrete) just to give you a rough estimate on the difference for intensive 3D games:

Integrated FPS (LEFT) while Discrete FPS (RIGHT)
Far Cry 2 (1024x768): 9.00 fps / 45.00 fps
Far Cry 2 (native res): 4.00 fps / 11.00 fps
World of Warcraft (autodetect): 27.00 fps / 60.00 fps
World of Warcraft (native res): 8 fps / 28 fps

Source: LaptopMag

 

SSD would be awesome!. But regrettably the cost/MB ratio is still to high for my pocket. I need a far amount of storage. I want to VM some o/s on it as well. A 500gig 7200rpm with lots of cache should help the matter but still far short of the performance benefits of SSD drives. I'm also not fully sure of there reliability thus far. It is a relatively new adoption in the laptop market. I wonder how they will hold up for the long haul. I'm certainly looking for rugged reliability. I understand that Thinkpads are notoriously rugged, but aside from the ruggedness of the SSD's with no moving parts, I just cant afford the upgrade to it at this time. On top of the base machine price.

So I still can't decide. lol. I had almost convinced myself this morning to go with the T410 but all this talk still has me looking at the small lighter more portable X201. Gezz. What to do. I want to find a place to actually touch them before I purchase either. Any one know a place in Toronto that showcase's them ??

Guess I've concluded the T510 is to big. . I should have this in another tread perhaps.

 

Try the computer stores at U of T or York University. I know the latter usually stocks them along with Macbooks (well, they did the last time I was there, over a year ago). Never been to U of T's, but they likely have them as well. I'd call first just to make sure unless it isn't out of the way.

 

Yeah. Good idea. I think I will just do that.

Thanks

 

Bump!!

How did it go? I'm stuck at the same place - confused between an x201 and a T410. As configured, I'm going to be ending up spending almost the same amount on either one - any insight would be much appreciated!

 

I guess it would boil down to whether you want the portability of the X201 or the higher resolution/optical drive on the T410, which is hard for me to say for you since we just met. You should probably pick one and go with it. At some point you'll probably wish you'd gotten the other, but that's life. There's no perfect notebook or anything for that matter.

 

So are you going to take your laptop everywhere? If not then you should consider the T410, as it has eSATA, Displayport, 4 usb, etc, all of which you could use as a desktop replacement machine.