X230 vs X240 - which one would you buy today?

Background: I used a T40 and then T42 until I switched to Apple in 2007. Have used MBP 17", MBP 15", and am currently on a 2011 MBA 13".

I have been contemplating trying out one of the newer Thinkpads and cannot decide between the X230 and X240. I have gradually moved to smaller machines, and am not interested in T440(s). I plan on installing a linux distro on it.

Lenovo in my country have the following machines for sale (outlet store, but they are labeled as "new"):

X230:
3rd Generation Intel Core i5-3230M Processor (3MB Cache 2.6GHz up to 3.2 GHz)
Intel Integrated HD Graphics 4000
4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600MHz SODIMM
12.5" HD Premium 1366x768 LED Midnight Black
6-row with trackpoint (local language)
2.5" - 500GB 7200rpm SATA
20 volt AC: 65W (2-pin)
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2 AGN 300Mbps)
Bluetooth Version 4.0
WAN Upgradeable
Windows 7 Professional 64

X240:
Intel Core I5-4200U Processor (3MB Cache, up to 2.60GHz)
Intel HD Graphics 4400
4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM 1600MHz SODIMM
12.5" HD IPS 1366x768 LED Backlit Display, 300 NIT
Backlit 6-row with UltraNav (Multitouch) (local language)
2.5" - 500GB 7200rpm SATAIII
3 Cell Li-Polymer 23.2Wh
Bluetooth Version 4.0
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 2X2 AC
No Fingerprint Reader
Windows 7 Professional 64

Prices:
X230: $726
X240: $781

The prices might seem quite high to Americans, but it's cheap in my country. The cheapest new Yoga 3 Pro will set you back $1520 in comparison.

I have an Intel 320 Series 600GB SSD, that I'll install in the machine (to replace the HDD).


1) Am I stupid for even considering a 2,5 year old machine over a 1 year old machine - just to save $55?

2) Am I stupid for thinking the X230 actually seems a better proposition from a price-performance perspective?


I think the X230 have a lot going for it:
*) The CPU is no slower.
*) A lot of people mentions whining fans on X240 where X230 remains silent throughout all load levels (albeit with a higher idle temperature floor).
*) Better RAM-upgrading possibilities.
*) I'm aware that the HD4400 is better than HD4000, but not by much - especially not if I not plan on playing modern games.
*) One could expect that known problems from X230 had been fixed in X240, but people continuously report on ghosting on both machines, etc.
*) I haven't seen either of the machines in person (no stores in my countries stock such business machines), but if the trackpad on a Thinkpad Yoga is similar to the one on X240, I understand the hate! I prefer the physical buttons.
*) When "going Thinkpad" I prefer a Thinkpad-looking Thinkpad and not a "I'll try my best to look like all the slim, but cheap, folks next to me"-Thinkpad.
*) It is amusing, that Lenovo have priced the machines so closely. It indicates that they might even be in doubt about what machine is the best (since the X230 is not more deprecated - or the X240 is not higher valued).


3) Do you guys see any compelling reasons for choosing the X240? For what kind of usage would that be preferable?


Sorry for the wall of text.

 

If I had to buy right now, I would absolutely go for the X230. The GPU advantage of the X240 is probably nullified because of the limitation of single-channel memory (which can have an impact of around 30%). And the X230 has physical trackpoint buttons, whereas the X240 does not (it's unknown at this point whether you'll be able to retrofit the palmrest from the X250 when that comes out). And the option of 16GB memory is a huge advantage. My prediction is that your RAM will become a bottleneck before your CPU will.

That being said, it sucks to be picking out a Thinkpad right now. I was interested in upgrading recently but changed my mind... I'll stick with my X201 for now and upgrade when Lenovo provides a compelling reason for me to do so (and a single-channel memory configuration limited to 8GB isn't going to do it for me). As you said, it sucks to be looking at a 2.5 year-old machine because of the current offering being crap.

That being said... Don't take only my word for it. Others will have different opinions, and you should do your own research as well. I'm just bringing your attention to things that matter to me.

 

I'm using and trading Lenovo laptops and I'm using x230 rather x240.
Main reason which is not applicable for you it's new Lenovo touchpad (because you used Apple in the past) and second it's 16GB of ram.
I have personal feeling that x230 with CPU M-series it's little bit faster then x240 with U-series.
Christopher

 

The trackpad button or lack of on the x240 is a deal breaker for me. The X230 is without its flaws, my two biggest issues with the x230 is the horrendously weak wifi and flimsy build quality compared to its predecessors. I do like the fact it has both thinklight and backlite keyboard and true trackpoint buttons.

Make sure your x230 has the IPS screen.

 

If battery life is really important to you, I can see an X240 being tempting if you can get past the lack of dedicated trackpoint buttons.

 

I was also facing this choice a few months ago, and in the end chose the X240 for a number of reasons:

1) Slimmer chassis/design. My colleague has the X230, and when we compared the two, X240 seems to be true to 'ultrabook slimness'; the X230 seemed too thick for me. There isn't much difference in weight, however.
2) Longer warranty on the X240.
3) Much better screen options on the X240, X230 IPS option is very rare to find (TN sucks) and lacks FHD option, X240 has HD & FHD IPS models available everywhere.
4) Supposedly better build quality. There have been a few complaints about X230 build quality, and the top of the screen becoming loose (the section where the WiFi antenna and camera is located).
5) Better battery configuration, hot-swappable battery.

So my advice would be to go for the X240, IF:
1) You can overlook the lack of dedicated trackpoint/trackpad buttons. The relevant X250 parts may be swappable, but don't place your bets yet.
2) You don't have very heavy workloads that demand the slightly faster CPU, and 16GB of RAM.

 

I won't even take the X230 into consideration due to its quality issues, the poor screen resolution and the mediocre screen quality.

 

I'm curious, does the X220 have the same build and wifi issues as the X230? And what exactly are the issues that you're both referring to?

 

My $.02 on the X220 would go along those lines...obviously, YMMV.

1) I've never experienced any issues with wi-fi.

2) Screen "ghosting" is present on just about every IPS panel that I've seen, but levels differ by a *huge* margin - from "have to look for it in a dark room and dark background" to "all over the place". Luck of the draw for one part, and weak lid for the other part.

3) Build quality...not all that bad, but they do feel fragile, definitely less sturdy than X20* series, let alone X301. Nothing about these machines screams "I'm a sturdy, expensive ThinkPad".

 

Thank you all for your thoughts and input!

I couldn't make a decision, and Lenovo bumped the prices in their Outlet store on January 1. Now they want 915 USD for the X230 I mentioned in the first post and 872 USD for the X240. You read that right: Lenovo wants MORE for the 2,5 year old machine than the 1 year old!!

I was almost set on the X230, but some valid points were made: Poor screen, warranty and battery life. On the other had it had proper trackpoint buttons.

I have decided to wait for the X250, which will become available in February. Hopefully they will have sorted out the QA issues related to FHD screens (I've read a lot of complaining about the LG FHD screens in X240). The buttons are back and the battery life will be much better than the X230.

I'll probably live with 8GB RAM, but I'll cross my fingers that Intel and Lenovo eventually will update the BIOS to allow for the 16GB sticks, that have become available.