X220 price drop?

I'm very interested in getting an X220, but I have heard form some that a price drop might happen soon after the X230 is released. Do you all think it would be a good idea to wait for this, or do you think the price is going to stay mostly the same?

Thanks

 

I think it's a good idea to wait. However, everything is rumor until it actually happens.

A price drop on Sandy Bridge systems is likely though, seeing as Lenovo, et. al. will want to make room for their new Ivy Bridge inventory.

 

I am in the same boat ,waiting for any price drop on X220.

the biggest problem is that they may move all X220 to the resellers once X230 comes on board, and the resellers are less keen to offer discounts

 

that's a good point. we have to keep a close eye on this

 

If you need one now, get it now. When they are gone, they are gone.

 

Lenovo probably has thousands of X220 laptops in stock at the moment, if not more. OP should be fine to wait a few days or weeks after the X230 launch.

There's always the possibility to haggle over the phone with Lenovo to get a good deal now, however. I was able to get 24% off the W520 when it was only a month or two old, and without any special sales (iirc, the current Memorial Day sale is the only one to top my savings).

 

dang--that is good work! Did you just talk to them over the phone about the W520, or did you do email followups and what not?

 

Talked over the phone for a grand total of 90 minutes (split between a Friday and Monday, closed on weekends). The only email exchange we had was when I requested a quote on Friday to make sure that I kept that price (actually got it a little lower than that Monday).

Basically told him I was a rising engineering student that needed a powerful computer, but couldn't spend too much on it. I configured a W520 that retailed for $2167 at the time, low-balled for $1400, and aimed for $1600-$1700. Ended up getting it for $1665 before tax, including a 3yr NBD warranty and laptop lock.

I can PM you the rep's information if you like.

 

well done--Id appreciate that. I'd actually be using this machine to write my dissertation, so definitely an academic application

 

Also waiting for rebates on the X220.

 

Looks like the prices have crept up.

 

no!! they should be going down! I will have to inform Lenovo

 

I wouldn't hold your breathe for any rock bottom prices, there's a 15% off coupon right now, use THINK15X (good through today) and the price drops to $721 on this config:

Intel Core i3-2350M Processor (3M Cache, 2.30GHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
12.5" HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna
Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor graphics with dynamic frequency
4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
6 Cell Battery
None
ThinkPad 1x1 b/g/n
Mobile Broadband ready (no mobile broadband module)
1 Year Depot/Express Warranty

I think that's a good price, I don't think it's going to dip much lower. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the X230 is only a $100 more or so at release, and the Ivy Bridge might make it worth that extra -- unless you hate the idea of the new keyboard.

 

well, the top of the line x220 with the following specs is only $815 today. A $75 price drop from last week.

intel Core i7-2640M Processor (2.80GHz, )
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, IPS, 2x2 Antenna
Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor graphics with dynamic frequency
4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
6 Cell Battery
Bluetooth 3.0 wireless
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
No Mobile Broadband support
1 Year Depot/Express Warranty

 

If being constricted by price then worth keeping an eye on the X220's competitors; Dell E6220 outlet prices (i5 can be had for $500 during sales) as well as HP 2560P ebay prices. Pros/cons against a X220 being:

* Dell E6220 +: stylish, thinner, -: no IPS, no mSATA, no touchstyk

* HP 2560P +: socketted cpu so can be user upgraded to a i7-quad and maybe IVB, optical drive, better 3yr NBD global standard warranty. -: no IPS, heavier/thicker.

The CPU upgradability of the 2560P makes it the bang-per-buck choice.

 

Wow imagine that. Supply drops and prices go up... buy them now.

 

That's an outstanding price.

 

What special link did you guys use? I have $969 and cannot apply THINK15 OR THINK603 for below. I think if your system is $815, then mine will be $715 or so just like 2 weeks ago, but I did not pull the trigger.

Intel Core i5-2520M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, IPS, 2x2 Antenna
Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor graphics with dynamic frequency
4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
6 Cell Battery
Bluetooth 3.0 wireless
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
No Mobile Broadband support
1 Year Depot/Express Warranty

 

Thank a lot for the info guys, I think those prices are acceptable, actually and around where I wanted to be. I may go for it soon

 

update--when i looked at the i5X220, the lowest I could possibly wrangle it was $809. Might still be a little too rich for my blood, but probably an excellent price for such a well reviewed machine

 

You can always call Lenovo and haggle over the phone to try lowering the price.

 

check out barnes and noble gold for lenovo. the discounts are pretty good. Also, try mastercard marketplace.

 

I gave in. Couldn't handle my crappy x100e repeated shut-offs anymore.
And anyways I needed a real keyboard.
Just bought an i7 x220 IPS, and then a proper SSD + loads of RAM separately.

 

Nice, I actually think the i7 price did drop too a very reasonable level recently

 

Sweet. You are gonna love it.

What are you gonna use it for?

 

I was thinking about buying another X220 to get the 4 year warranty that you can only get at the time of purchase. But has anyone confirmed whether 'no mobile broadband support' means no spare Mini PCIe or just no antennas (or both)? See: http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/662573-there-version-x220-without-msata-slot.html

 

There is no version without the slot. I'm typing on one right now which has 'no mobile broadband' and the slot is still there. So, if you aren't using it, no worries--you can still add Msata.

 

I gave in too about two weeks ago. This configuration was posted on the x220's owner thread.

Intel Core i5-2520M Processor (2.50GHz, )
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, IPS, 2x2 Antenna
Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor graphics with dynamic frequency
4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
9-Cell Battery
Fingerprint reader
720p HD camera
Bluetooth 3.0 wireless
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
No Mobile Broadband support
1 Year Depot/Express Warranty

$713.30 + tax

The current price for an i7 x220 is pretty good actually. For about $130 more I could also get i7 and usb 3.0, but well I'll just use that saving on an SSD upgrade or something.

 

Not in France where I bought it, unfortunately

Thanks, I'm already enamoured with my Thinkpad USB keyboard which will be part of the overall experience

Mainly word processing & Internet browsing at the moment, but the lappy may become my main workhorse (the desktop runs an old Athlon 3000+).

I basically bought the expensive i7 for the single (sigh) USB 3.0 port - which should perform better than with an Expresscard adapter according to benchmarks. Yeah, I'm playing Lenovo's game, but since I'm planning to keep the x220 for a long time, that should offset the cost surplus (I kept my T60 for six years before it was stolen - and I'm intending to break that personal record).

I'm incredibly envious of your bargains, guys.
840$ is about 680€... What a joke! You can barely buy a stock i3 for that money on Lenovo's French website!!!

 

I think that's an excellent price for the i5. Did you have to haggle for that?

 

I didn't. I would have if I had known 2 weeks ago that I could actually haggle for a lower price. =)

 

Finger is itching and hovering over the purchase button... Here is my config and pricing at this point ... This is the first time I've been buying a ThinkPad from the yesterday lineup vs. a new one ... I don't want the new one, but would hate to pay more than I should... Opinions?


Quantity Part number Description Availability Item price Line total
1 4286CTO ThinkPad X220 4286
Intel Core i7-2640M Processor (2.80GHz, 4M Cache with Turbo Boost up to 3.50GHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, IPS, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna
Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor graphics with dynamic frequency
4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
9 Cell Li-Ion Battery
Bluetooth 3.0 wireless
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
Mobile Broadband ready (no mobile broadband module)
1 Year Depot/Express Warranty
Estimated ship date: 6/11/12**** $874.65 $874.65
41C9339 4YR Onsite + 4YR ThinkPad Protection $227.43 $227.43
40Y7659 ThinkPad 90W AC Adapter $39.90 $39.90

Subtotal: $1,141.98*

 

Unless you really want USB3.0, the i7 dual-core is a waste of money; I'd go for whatever base CPU there is on your configuration in that case.

Other than that, you should be able to haggle it down to $800 or so. $1000 for a X220 seems a little high.

 

I do need the USB 3.0, otherwise I would go with the i5... The X220 itself above is $874.65, it's $1,141.98 after adding a 90W AC Adapter and 4 year onsite / thinkpad protection warantee... Is the $874.65 still too high in your opinion?

 

$875.00 looks good to me as configured, and considering the aggressive sales they've had over the last few weeks, my guess is that stock is getting thin and the remaining units will end up with resellers. Yeah, you may end up paying a couple dollars more than necessary, but I don't see any dramatic price drops. There are people out there who will want the old keyboard, and the spec difference to the X230 isn't that significant, so the X220 will still probably hold some value. That's my thought at least.

 

If anyone cares, the price for the X230T at base configuration is $10 more than the base configuration of the X220T. I missed out on the 15% sale. There's always Lenovo's outlet, but you only get 1 year warranty. There's always resellers, but it looks like they're selling the X220T at roughly the same price as Lenovo's webprice.

If I buy direct from Lenovo, then I'll just get the X230T at base configuration but with the i7, but I'm wondering if I should bite the bullet and splurge on it or wait (and hope) for an upcoming sale or price drop, but I can't wait too long because I need to take care of have business (got to get cranking on a dissertation!). Then again, the price they're asking for means I'll be eating a steady diet of Ramen Noodle for an extended period of time.

So, any predictions of a price drop? Any haggling recommendations? If I call Lenovo, how much of a discount are they likely to offer? Or, does it take arm wrenching and a threat to switch to another brand to squeeze a discount out of them?

 

If you don't need a 3G antenna, and are buying through a BN account, it is possible to save another $40. Right now there is an option drop the antenna (mobile broadband capability) which somehow gives you a free upgrade for an IPS screen. For your configuration it would be $806.65 (base) + $0 (free IPS upgrade) + $25.50 (9-cell upgrade) = $832.15 total.

By the way, the new x230 is not that much more expensive than the current prices of x220 at all, you might wanna check it out. ;-)

 

Only reason I'm buying now is because I want to get what could be my last thinkpad... I'm one of those new keyboard haters ... One of those that still works with mainframes and what not... I am one who uses all my keys...
With my buying pattern, the _20 series would have been the generation I would have skipped since I generally go every 2 years and have a _10 generation system.

With the antenna, I want to keep my options open to throw a card into the system for broadband... I am curious to see if the 4G cards coming in the _30 generation will work on the older systems?

Just broke down and ordered as configured above... Will make a nice addition to the ones I still have today T61, T510, and soon the X220

 

Congrats, you can always buy the broadband module later on.
Purely technically speaking, adding a 4G card should be possible; yet the BIOS whitelisting would be a concern.

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed, it would be great if I could get a 4G card that I could swap between my T510 and X220! 3G is just so damn slow, hard to justify spending $125 for a card that only operates at those speeds... I do look forward to a lighter, more portable ThinkPad though.

 

I was just browsing Lenovo's page and it looks like the x220 has lost the i3 model. Maybe I did something wrong

 

Imagine that. They stopped making them so they are selling fast.

 

And the no-WWAN IPS display option now costs $50 instead of being a free upgrade. So the price had actually gone up.