X220 or X230 to buy?

Most likely this question has been discussed, but still: I really can't make a decision. Today I've tried these laptops at the shop and still can't make a decision on which one to buy. Is new island-style keyboard that bad? I've tried it today and found OK.

I've been Lenovo X61s user for 3 years and now want to upgrade. My choice lies between X220 and X230. Please suggest which one to choose. What I'm worrying about is a new keyboard I won't like (however it was OK for 5 minutes, but I haven't used it for days or weeks). Guys who moved from old keyboard to a new one - please let me know your feelings. Thanks!

 

If you have used the keyboard on your X61s for 3 years and was not turned off by the new keyboard when you recently tried it, then I'd say "Go with the X230."

Lenovo has managed to preserve the "classic feel" in the new keyboard design. The keys themselves are good, too: they are not flat and shallow and small like in many popular notebooks out there. The complaints are primarily about the new keyboard layout, especially the removing and rearranging of certain keys.

Again, if you are relatively indifferent to the new keyboard, get the X230. Ivy Bridge CPU runs cooler and consumes less battery power. HD 4000 integrated graphics is quite capable.

 

should I wait for Windows 8 to come before purchasing the thinkpad? What do you guys think?

 

I would be more concerned about getting a good deal on the system itself. I would recommend if you get a good deal now to go for it. Upgrading to Windows 8 is only going to cost you $15

 

One of the biggest complaints I have noticed is that people don't like the 6 row keyboard, rather than the chiclet style. If the whole 6 row vs. 7 row problem doesn't affect you and you don't mind the chiclet keyboard, I doubt you will dislike the x230 in the long run.

 

I would go with the x220. Knowing you have come from the x61 helps alot. I spent time with a x230 and by that I mean a day which inclucdes alot of typing etc and trackpoint usage I think I have a solid point of view.

The x220 is solid meaning that all the bugs have been worked out of it. You can even buy an warrenty on one if you buying from 3rd party from Lenovo. The x230 Keyboard is the biggest thing for me and my guys. I was going to pick up a bunch of the X1c's for my guys as our prim laptop's replacing a slew of x300, 301, t400s etc. That was until one of our clients brought over a x230 and we all fingered it for while and I took it home for the night. I can say that the KB at first use was kinda of a pain with the missing keys like forward and back and the del key. You mind says its "there" but "they" are just not. Why in the world Lenovo decided to come out with a so called "New and better" Keyboard that actually takes away features and they thought this was a good idea I have no idea. Its just simply dumb. Its one thing to say "hey we have this great new Keyboard" its another to release one that is missing actual functions that thinkpaders use all the time. and have been for over 20 years!!
Anyway, moving on after about an hour or two the keyboard is so solid that the tips of my fingers started to hurt. The KB has really no flex in it which is what we all rave about but this thing is like a rock. The keys themselves feel different in a way that maybe my mind wasn't sure I was actually putting the key down far enough to register a key print and that's where the higher pressure my mind thought was needed thus my hurting fingers. I'm sure that would clear up over time. Next up was the trackpoint buttons which they changed. There no longer curved so you can no longer hook it when right click or left click there just smooth. I found this insanely annoying since I don't even use the touch pad.
In fact I bought x200 over the x201 just so I didn't have to bother with touchpad being in the way and I would have smooth palm rest. I know sounds crazy but there you go. Strangely enough on this point while talking to a few of my reps the two most requested questions they have had when related to both the x230 were
1) can I get it with the old Keyboard
2) Do they make one without a trackpad like the x200 since the palm rest width is pretty much useless to even try to use the trackpad.

There you go. If you didn't know already the palm rest on the x220/230 width is VERY small and pretty much un-useable unless you have boy hands.

Take what I have written with a gain of salt for those are mine and my guys views. Hope it gives you some deeper insight
into what you would be getting either way. Oh on the Win-8 thing we can all hope that it will just go down as blimp on the screen
like say vista or Win-Me cause it trully is the worst idea M$ has come up with in awhile. But hey they got to try something when Apple
pretty much gives their OS's away.

ym.

 

Unless you want some of those keys that are missing on x230 then go for x230, thats pretty simple

 

x230. Don't mess around with a generation old technology already. You don't want to be behind before you even start. I switch between a T410s (work) and my x230 (personal) laptop everyday. Just takes a second to remember which keyboard I'm on. I've loved the Thinkpad keyboard through the generation of laptops I've had (x21, T41, T60, x61, T410s, and x230), the T41 keyboard was my favorite. The x230 keyboard was a big change, but overall its fine IMO.

 

Unless you've got a specific need to run processor intensive tasks, I doubt you'd notice a difference between the X220 and X230. I'd buy on price. If you can get the X220 for less, that's the way I'd go.

 

Hmm, if you can get a mint X200s for cheap, maybe that the way I'd go. Who needs Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge for web surfin' anyway?

 

I'd say buy whatever the 12th post to this thread suggests ...

 

What the 11th poster said. Make sense?

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