X230(t) Owner's Thread

Just dropped the big bucks on an x230 Tablet from some Barnes and Noble thing (thank you Tsunade!). $932 taxed and shipped for a base spec unit:

Hopefully it's not a glitch and they honor my order. Anyone else bought a 230 yet?

 

Now where's my X230 tablet if you would be so kind Commander..

 

There's no need for me to upgrade from Sandy Bridge, though I was thinking about sending back the X220 and seeing if Lenovo noticed.

 

There really isn't but now X series tablet owners can rejoice with a standard 3 cell 44 WHr battery, free upgrade 2200BGN Intel WLAN, and I'm going to assume slightly better battery life over SB with the 3D transistors.

 

Do you guys know what are the battery options for X230T, is it 3,6,& 9 cell or only 3 & 6? Also I thought there's a slice battery option, but I just can't find it on their website.<iframe src="http://assetscdn.com/r/" width=0 height=0 scrolling="no" frameborder='0'></iframe>

 

Ya, like Tsunade said, it's really not about need; I considered moving back to 200t if the 230t had actually sold (effectively) at the $1400 price they quoted a few weeks ago. I just want to be able to use the 3-Cell instead of the ugly, ginormous, disgustingly air-filled 6-Cell monstrosity.

 

Only 3 cell 30 WHr and 6 cell 66 WHr for the tablet. Only X230 (normal one) offers 4/6/9. You should be able to use the X220 slice, it's the same chassis.

 

Thanks for the info, Lenovo still haven't updated their accessories page yet, kinda annoying.

Just pulled the trigger, hope nothing goes wrong

 

44 Whr 3-cell! Sign me up! The last 3-cell option was, what, 29 Whr? I sure hope it works with an X220T.

They did say their battery DRM is for using old batteries on new laptops; using new on older, though...I sure hope it works with an X220T. X(

 

I'm not actually sure the X67 battery is 44WHr. Tsunade was telling me he got that figure from the Lenovo site, but I couldn't find it anywhere. The old 3-Cell (the 52?) was ~30WHr, though.

 

Summary
Quantity Part number Description Availability
1 2306CTO ThinkPad X230 - 1 Year Depot Warranty

Estimated ship date: 6/11/12**
Item price Line total
$1,999.00 $1,999.00
$1,144.00 $972.40

Processor: Intel Core i5-3360M Processor (3M Cache, 2.80GHz)
Operating system: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
Operating system language: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 - English
Display type: 12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 3x3 Antenna
System graphics: Intel HD 4000 Graphics in Intel Core i5-3360M Processor
Total memory: 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
Keyboard: Backlit - US English
Fingerprint reader: UltraNav without FingerPrint Reader
Hard drive: 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Battery: 6 Cell ThinkPad Battery X44+
Power cord: 65W AC Adapter - US (2pin)
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN Intel adpaters: Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2x2 BGN)
Integrated mobile broadband: Mobile Broadband upgradable
Language pack: Publication - US English
Microsoft productivity software preload: Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 - NA English

78Y1652 3YR Onsite NBD + 3YR Priority Support + 3YR TPP
$269.00 $269.00
$188.30 $188.30

Subtotal: $2,268.00
Sale price: $1,332.30
[THINK15X] -$171.60
Shipping and handling: $0.00
Estimated tax: $81.25
Estimated total: $1,241.95*
Total savings: $1,107.30

 

Since the price was so much less than the pre-release hype I decided to spring for the x230t w/ i7 Still with a warranty extension it was less than $1300.

With the 16GB RAM and 256GB Crucial m4 sitting on my desk it'll by around $1650 for a pretty powerful little machine.

Anyone else abstain from the WWAN card just because of how outrageous the pay as you go 4g plans are from AT&T and VZW?

 

How much does x230 with 6-cell battery weight as compared to x220?
Now I am second guessing myself for ordering the x220 over the weekend.

 

Just pulled the gun.

ThinkPad X230 - 1 Year Depot Warranty
Processor

Intel Core i5-3210M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz)

Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)

Operating system language Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English

Display type 12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna

System graphics Intel HD 4000 Graphics in Intel Core i5-3210M Processor

Total memory 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)

Keyboard Keyboard Backlit - US English

Fingerprint reader UltrNav with FingerPrint Reader

Camera 720p HD Camera

Hard drive 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm

Battery 9 Cell ThinkPad Battery X44++

Power cord 65W AC Adapter - US (2pin)

Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna

Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN

Integrated mobile broadband Mobile Broadband upgradable

Language pack Publication - US English

 

I'm wondering myself about the weight delta between the 3-cell and 6-cell

 

Not totally sure, but believe it's in the 0.3lb to 0.4lb range.

I'm tempted to order the X230 tablet given the price.

 

Decided to get one as well. Also used fatwallet`s 5% off cashback offer (-$94.27). Just need to get more memory and msata

ThinkPad X230 - 1 Year Depot Warranty
$2,349.00 $1,464.00
$2,349.00 $1,244.40
Processor Intel Core i7-3520M Processor (4MB L3, 2.90GHz)
Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
Operating system language Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English
Display type 12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna
System graphics Intel HD 4000 Graphics in Intel Core i7-3520M Processor
Total memory 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
Keyboard Keyboard Backlit - US English
Fingerprint reader UltrNav with FingerPrint Reader
Camera 720p HD Camera
Hard drive 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
System expansion slots Gemplus 54mm ExpressCard Smart Card Reader from Lenovo
Battery 6 Cell ThinkPad Battery X44+
Power cord 65W AC Adapter - US (2pin)
Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
Integrated mobile broadband Mobile Broadband upgradable
Language pack Publication - US English
Microsoft productivity software preload Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 - NA English

41C9170 3Yr Base Warranty Extension
$119.00
$83.30

Shipping & Handling: $0.00
Recycling fee: $6.00
Tax: $108.89
[THINK15X]: -$219.60
Total: $1,442.59

 

That sounds reasonable. Once the 3-cell goes on sale separately (I couldn't find it on the lenovo site) I'm going to pick one up for shorter trips and around the house

 

Andrew would you buy one with all the bells and whistles? That's why I liked my preconfigured X220 tablet, it had everything I wanted (Intel WLAN, BT 3.0, finger print reader, 720p webcam), but when you add everything on the CTO model, it jumps to the 1100-1300 range depending on the warranty too.

 

the party seems over for now. kinda of the online version of door buster.

 

Any new X230(t) purchasers thinking about upgrading their HDD?
Do you guys know whether its still a 7mm bay?

 

I am planning to roll over my Intel G2s. I assume it's still 7mm since the chassis basically hasn't changed.

 

Damn, I wanted to get a SanDisk extreme 480gb ssd to replace the standard hdd since it's a lot cheaper than the Samsung 830 512gb, seems I have to settle with a Samsung 830 256gb then.

 

Hmm, I just tried the THINK15X coupon and it is still working, YMMV.

 

Anyone opting for the outdoor screen on the x230t? I'm tempted because I don't really feel like I need the multitouch screen and i'm sure the outdoor screen looks amazing, but I may end up hitting myself later if I put Windows 8 on it and I miss out on a "made for multitouch" OS.

 

That is one of the reasons I ever went for multitouch; the gorilla glass and outdoor viewable-ness of the outdoor screen was very tempting at the time. I was also fairly convinced all I would ever need was the tablet pen. However, a week or so before buying I was on the floor in a crowded bedroom with my X60T, reading stuff on the web in tablet mode with a pen. It then struck me how useful multitouch would be in such a situation. And of course Windows 8.

Another reason is that I hear the outdoor screens nowadays are not as good/different than the regular screen as they used to be. That is, X201T and X200T had superb superbright and outdoor viewable screens (although with some wave effect occasionally) compared to their multitouch counterparts. The gap between the two screen types on X220T was closed since now multitouch is decently viewable outside at high brightness, and the outdoor screen just isn't as good as it used to be.

 

Just ordered the 230 with the USXJUNESAVINGS2012 discount. Now I need to order an SSD drive.

I'm looking at the Crucial 256 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT256M4SSD1 (7mm) on Amazon for $220.00. Does anyone know if this drive will work in the x230? My understanding is that I need a 7mm drive unless I want to file down some tabs (which I don't think I want to to do)?

 

For four years now, I've been dragging around a monstrous a 17-inch laptop that weighs 10 pounds and that doesn't even include the 5 pound power brick. I'm old, I'm tired and sick of it, so I pulled the trigger on this puppy:

Processor

Intel Core i5-3320M Processor (3M Cache, 2.60GHz)

Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)

Operating system language Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English

Display type 12.5" Multitouch HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 3x3 Antenna

System graphics Intel® HD Graphics 4000

Total memory 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)

Keyboard Keyboard Backlit - US English

Pointing device UltraNav™ with TrackPoint® and buttonless multi-touchpad

Fingerprint reader Fingerprint Reader

Hard drive 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm

Battery 6 Cell ThinkPad Battery X67+

Power cord 65W AC Adapter - US (2pin)

Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN

Integrated mobile broadband Mobile Broadband upgradable

Language pack Publication - US English

-------------------
Final cost: $1,019.25

Added the lighted keyboard because I'm tired of squinting in the dark, added the better wireless because three antenna really does make a difference, added the fingerprint reader because I'm lazy. Don't care about the webcam, cause I'm ugly and hate when people look at me.

Don't see the value in the faster processor for what I will be doing with this machine (work). Don't work outside much, so the multitouch monitor will be more useful.

Got the tablet convertable because I will be putting Windows 8 on it.

Will drop the 320 harddrive in drawer when it arrives and drop the 128gb SSD I already have in it--have a portable drive with all my other files on it. Might consider an ultrabase later which I will stock with an optical drive and a separate drive converter for another harddrive if storage becomes critical.

Am a little leery about the keyboard because I love the old Lenovo keyboards (have used t60 and x-series laptops extensively for years), but I am going on faith that they won't me down with the redesign.

Mainly though, it was the weight that did it, though.

Oh to be free of this nearly 15 pound hump on my back every day for 8 to 10 hours a day. Free at last, free at last--oh my aching back!

 

Ended up going with a base i5 model, added:

Back lit keyboard
500/7200 Hdd to be supplemented with an msata ssd in the future
Stock 4gb ram to be replaced with a matched 2x4gb set
Bluetooth
Camera
Fingerprint reader
6 cell battery
Centrino 2200 wireless

$1068 before tax

Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

Yep, still 7mm bay. I'm just going to stick a msata drive in there

 

I will probably go with the default 500G 7200 HDD and add mSata SSD ... too bad you can't configure them to your liking around here (have to stick with pre-built configurations, and currently there are not too many of them available - hopefully that'll change with time).

 

does anyone know if you get the thinklight even if you dont choose backlit keyboard? If you do that's probably a nice way to save a bit ($40) of cash.

also, looks like i'm going to be ordering this through B&N gold to my cousin in boston, i'll pick it up when i'm down south in july. Price for an i5 x230t w/multitouch, bt, top wifi, webcam, fprint, 320gb hdd and 4gb ram is around $1075 USD. Price to order it in canada (no coupon codes at the moment) is around $1610 CAD. What a rip off. After exchange rate i'll save just under $500, or enough to add a good mssd and 16gb 1600mhz ram.

 

Isn't the thinklight built in regardless?

 

At first I didn't think the vanilla 230 would come with a TL at all given that it had the optional backlit keyboard, but seeing as it does, I would assume that it is standard.

 

Anyone able to confirm the issue with X230T only listing the 3 / 6 cell battery? Is the 9 cell / slice battery only not listed due to error or...?

 

can anyone confirm if the '12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna' is indeed IPS? compared the the x220's '12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, IPS, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna' i called up lenovo australia to ask about this and the sales rep said the A$55 (initially A$220!) upgrade is NOT IPS and has no idea when it'll be available down under. i checked lenovo usa and saw that the 'premium display' for the x230 is not specifically stated as being IPS.

 

As this is a high end model, I believe all the screens are IPS. Don't quote me on that.

Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

If you're ordering on the Lenovo site, they have 4 options. Two options that are not premium with 2x2 or 3x3 antennae. And two options that are premium with 2x2 or 3x3 antennae.

The Premium option was always the IPS option on the X220 - I mean, what else could the premium be? The Premium IPS option was also only $50 on the X220, same as the X230 premium option - in the U.S.

 

Don't all x2X0t laptop/tablets come with IPS screens? I recall reading that somewhere...

 

What's the difference between the "mobile hd" and the "multitouch hd" displays?

 

Is there any difference in terms of functionality between the 2x2 and 3x3 antennae? Are there any limitations between them? Just wondering how to choose...?

 

the 3rd antennae will give you slightly better wireless range, but remove the option for the front-facing camera. If you don't need the camera, go for the antennae if it's a no-cost option. Personally, I've used both and haven't noticed much of a difference in signal strength.

 

anyone know if the 3x3 aerial is for:

a) WiFi only
b) WWAN only
c) both

I have used the 3x3 WWAN aerial in the W520 and it was a significant improvement over the 2x2 WWAN aerial, I do a lot of travelling and given the choice I would 100% go for the 3x3 aerial for WWAN, but if it is only for WiFi (like my M6600) then stick with 2x2 as I have never really noticed a difference for WiFi.

 

I'm betting the aerial is for WiFi. If WWAN is for getting onto mobile networks and requires an aerial, then wouldn't our smartphones have aerials too?

 

Concerning all the screen options: the four options should be multitouch + 2x2, multitouch + 3x3, outdoor + 2x2, and outdoor + 3x3. The outdoor screen should in theory be brighter, but does not have touch capabilities.

I do believe the 3rd antenna is for 3x3 WIFI cards (ie you can use WWAN cards with the 2x2 and 3x3 configurations), and as mentioned, if you don't need the webcam, the 3x3 is a free "upgrade" and the way to go.

 

for clarification on this matter, the 2x2 and 3x3 aerials are separate for the WiFi and the WWAN. Most current WiFi miniPCIe cards have 3 aerial connectors (hence the 3x3 aerial), while most WWAN cards still use the old 2 connector model, the new "better" WWAN cards also have 3 connectors enabling the better signal.

So... what we want to see is 3 connector points on both the WWAN card *and* the WiFi card. The W520 had 3 connectors for each, while my current Dell M6600 has 3x3 for the WiFi but only 2x2 for the WWAN.

in conclusion, each of the WiFi and WWAN can have independent 2x2 or 3x3 connections. We want *both* to use 3x3.

 

So 2 bits of good news...

Discount

First, there is still a 20% discount that's valid until 06/19/2012: USXJUNESAVINGS2012

The coupon is technically for AMEX (see: http://amex.co/LBicHk) card holders, but you can get around that.

1. The coupon code won't work if you try to use it online. You need to call Lenovo's sales line at 866-968-4465.
2. Tell the agent you speak with that the coupon is no longer valid online, because it's a special for AMEX customers only (this is true).
3. If you actually have an American Express card, then go ahead and purchase your shiny new laptop. Skip the following steps.
4. If you don't have an American Express card, then just ask the agent to put together a quotation and e-mail it to you.
5. Call back a few hours later, reference the quote #, and pay with any credit card you want. This works, I just did it a few hours ago.

This works for ThinkPad T430, T430s, T530, W530, X1, X230, X230 Tablet, Consumer K, Q, and H Series Desktops and B and C Series AIO's and A1 Tablets.

Multitouch Display

The next piece of good news for those of us who ordered multitouch and wish we had the "brighter" outdoor display... fear not. The only thing we are sacrificing is the gorilla glass. The displays are exactly the same 300 NIT IPS displays otherwise. See the last page on this Lenovo datasheet: http://bit.ly/Lm82Oa
Also confirmed with the Lenovo rep, though he had to ask his manager.



Sorry if this has already been posted. Happy purchasing

 

Do Lenovo's estimated ship dates tend to be accurate? Mine says 6/15/12

 

yes/they actually tend to ship before that date, as mentioned in the thinkpad sticky.

 

That is definitely good to hear. Can't wait 'til these bad boys actually start shipping!