X220... Is it a good buy?

I am shopping for a laptop that will mainly be used for internet surfing, email, movies (watching and perhaps editing), and photo editing. The one I am looking at comes with the dock, which I will have an external monitor hooked up to for photo editing and anything else that a bigger screen would be helpful for. Here are the specs:

• 12.5 inch LCD
• core I5 2540M processor - 2.6ghz
• 8GB memory
• 320GB HD - 7200 rpm
• Docking Station

What do you all think? I really like the size of the unit for portability (I had an Alienware M11 for a while and loved its size). How much do you think something like this is worth? Is there anything I should be looking out for? Seller states that it is still under warranty and that it can be extended through Lenovo...

Thanks for your time.

Kevin

 

If you can live with the mediocre screen and the rather mediocre build quality, take it. If not, stay away from the X220.

 

I found my X220s to be very nicely built. The LCD, if you get the IPS version, is very nice, though limited in resolution to 1366x768. The ease of scrolling on the stick will help mitigate this, but not everyone rolls that way, so you'll have to decide on that one for yourself. The touch pad is average at best. The X220 with the i5 still should be an excellent notebook for every day usage. Worth is highly subjective. What you or I are willing to pay for one probably differs. I don't see upgrading the warranty on a three year old notebook being money well spent. The X220 is very easy work on and replacement parts plentiful.

 

What's the price? Does it have the IPS screen? I owned one with a similar spec from 2011 until this past fall, and it served me well. Any cosmetic flaws? The ones mine developed were blotches on the LCD (the lid isn't rigid and over time the screen can get pressure spots) and a cracked left palmrest above the expresscard reader. These seem to be pretty common.

I had the mini dock plus 3 for a while but the vents are actually blocked by the dock:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/thinkpad-x220-i-t-owners-thread.568751/page-154#post-9065423
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/thinkpad-x220-i-t-owners-thread.568751/page-156#post-9076674

I'm not sure about the other docks, which one are you looking at?

The main drawback of the X220 is the low screen resolution and the horrible clickpad. But they keyboard is very good.

edit: I also second what ZaZ said about the warranty and serviceability of the X220, it's pretty easy to work on. Just look for the X220 hardware maintenance manual. I tore mine down a few times to replace the fan and DC jack, among other smaller things like changing the Wi-Fi card and SSD.

 

I just found out that it is the standard screen, not IPS. Here is a list of everything included...

• Excellent condition Lenovo X220 laptop (that is dust on lid in picture)
• 12.5 inch LCD
• core I5 2540M processor - 2.6ghz
• 8GB memory
• 320GB HD - 7200 rpm
• Win 7 Pro w/COA and Lenovo restore disks
• WiFi b/g/n & LAN gigabit
• webcam
• SD card reader
• Express card slot
• Lenovo 65w charger
• extended battery with low cycles
• warranty until May 11, 2015 - can be extended thru Lenovo
• Lenovo ultrabase docking station (no keys to lock)
• Lenovo 90w charger (added, dock does not come with adapter)
• DVD-RW for dock
• Ultra bay tray for dock - for 9mm 2.5 inch HD to swap with DVD-RW
• X220 disk caddy with screws to replace current HD with SSD or different HD

Asking price is under $350.

 

Given the age of these systems I'd question the possibility of the warranty upgrade and would verify that fact with Lenovo prior to purchase.

I don't think it's anything close to a great deal, but that's me.

 

I agree, not a good deal if it's not an IPS screen. Even if it is, it's borderline. I think I sold mine for $250 with the 6 cell. Also a valid point about the warranty - ask for the build date, because the only warranty extension available is 3 years total, 4 year warranties have to be bought with the machine.

 

The key thing is that the warranty can be upgraded/extended only once during the life of the system AND that total time can not exceed five years for any Think product. Running the machine's serial against Lenovo's website or giving them a call would remove any shadow of a doubt.

Good luck.

 

In my opinion, its not worth buying a system that old. As others have said, its not even a good price.

If the budget allows, I would aim for at least an X230, or X240.

 

i have one, construction isn't the best, flexes, will easily crack over time, screen will get damage because the lid is weak if you do decide to upgrade to IPS, the machine will probably need to be re-pasted because it will reach higher temps due to its age. there are some HP counterparts if you are not dead set on an IPS display that are far far better quality. only thing good is the keyboard and battery life, but i doubt you can get a new genuine for cheap anymore..

 

Not enough positive comments on this one, so I am going to pass on it.

Thanks everyone!