X230(t) Owner's Thread

Just to return again to the charging issue: Now that I think about it, after changing from windows 7 pro to windows 8 pro yesterday (clean install with W8 upgrade DVD), I noticed that the battery remained at my chosen threshold of 80% (set previously in PM in W7) even after windows 8 was up and running. It was only after upgrading the memory from 4GB to 8GB today (for which I removed the battery first), that the 80% threshold was lost.

Could it be that the original W7 PM threshold was stored either in battery memory or ram memory? If so, I could reinstall W7, reset the threshold- and re-reinstall W8- making sure not to remove the ram or battery in the foreseeable future. Makes sense?

 

edit: Tried the registry tweak and it seems to be working. Entered start charging below 75 and stop at 80 (decimal). Result!

 

New X230 owner here... upgraded from an X61!
One question regarding warranties and mSATA installation...

Will I be screwed out of my 3 year warranty if I pop in an mSATA drive?

I'm confident that I won't "break" anything but I don't want any trouble down the line.

I have the machine configured with a 256GB SSD drive and im worried that won't be enough for me as the X230 will be my primary machine.
Will be leaving the country in two weeks for three months and need to get this sorted out before I leave!

 

Absolutely not.

 

Hmm... I think I know what's going to be in my computer when I get to replacing the hard drive...
Crucial M500: The first 1TB SSD, priced at just $0.60/gig | ExtremeTech
To sum up, a 1TB SATA-III drive, for $600.
And yes, it's a 7mm drive.

 

So I won't be voiding my warranty or anything even though the part is not a CRU?
Also, will I need to buy a screw to secure the mSATA drive in?

 

Was there any ambiguous in my statement? Where did you see it was not a CRU? I can tell you there was a screw in my X220i when I put in mSATA. I would assume it's the same for the X230, but don't have any firsthand knowledge.

 

http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/x230_x230i_hmm_en_0b48666_01.pdf

Scroll down to p.46.

The statement you made, in itself, did not convey any ambiguity.
On the contrary, I did order an mSata drive soon after reading your post, which to some extent shows that I accepted your statement.
However, the fact that the Hardware Maintenance Manual specific to the x230(t) itself states that the mSata is not a CRU still has me worried.

 

That's interesting. The only part you need to take off to get access to the slot is the palm rest, which is a CRU. It could just be a typo. I don't know how Lenovo expects users to add a mSATA drive when they don't offer it themselves. I'm almost certain it's a CRU, but I suppose if you want clarification, you could call Lenovo and ask. You could also just pull the drive in the event it needs service if you're that concerned. Lenovo won't warrant the drive and the chances that you'd break something in doing so are practically nil.

 

After I had checked out my own X220 with it's boot HDD, for maybe 3 weeks, I pulled out that HDD and set it aside in case I need any warranty work in the next 8 months.

I then installed my new 256GB M4 mSATA SSD as the new boot drive, and did a fresh install of Win7/64Pro on the mSATA SSD.

 

My understanding is that Lenovo honors warranties if RAM, graphics cards (in desktops), or storage have been upgraded. An mSata is a relatively common upgrade, and I see the topic discussed on the Lenovo forums regularly. . . which are visited by Lenovo staff regularly. I have never heard of a warranty being affected by an mSata upgrade. You could ask there specifically, or simply choose the same mSata that they offer (as listed in the HMM or TAbook).

As a second comment, I have heard of several examples when one of their spec books, or an HMM, or some promotional materials, or parts of the website contained inaccurate information. Sometimes that was because someone in Marketing spoke beyond their technical understanding, or typos, or because new hardware may get certified/approved on particular machines but not all documents are updated immediately.

Two weeks ago I dissected an X61s to replace a CPU fan. The HMM made it looks like 10 relatively easy steps, but several of the steps required half dozen additional steps. I ended up needing to disconnect virtually every part of it. I had never done so but just followed the HMM and it works great now. Point being there is little you couldn't do yourself on one of these machines anyway.

 

I called lenovo and asked their tech support if adding a msata drive to my x230 would void the warranty. The tech said no, but as always, take it with a grain of salt.

 

didn't want to make a new thread, but is there any news on the 2013 X series update, x240?

 

It's going to have Haswell and no trackpoint buttons, but other than that, it's still a mystery.

 

lead_org has previously said that there would not be an x240t. ZaZ, why do you think otherwise? I would really like that to be the case so I might not have to get a Helix...

 

Who said anything about a tablet?

 

Oops, I think I just read what I really wanted to read, rather than what was actually there -___-

 

I am actually interested in the X240T?

So there will be nothing like it? Lenovo terminated the X Tablet series?

 

Yes, this is the rumor - replaced by the Helix and the Twist (High End - Low End).

But I am very sure we will see at last one "Swivel-Hinge Convertible" ThinkPad from Lenovo with Haswell, maybe a Twist with Haswell - hopefully the will eliminate the glossy plastic display-bezel this time (like they did on the Edge series this year) and add an optional pen.

 

oh crap, dafaq is Helix and Twist?

 

ThinkPad Helix: ThinkPad Helix Convertible Ultrabook Laptop & Tablet PC | 11.6” with Windows 8 | Lenovo (GB)
ThinkPad Twist: ThinkPad Twist Secure Convertible Laptop & Tablet | Lenovo (GB)

 

My only beef with the Twist (aside from the horrendous build quality) is the lack of the pen digitizer, which defeats the point of a tablet for me.

 

Well, we have a Twist here at home, and ours Twist build-quality is very good, with the small exception of the glossy/chrom-plastic display-bezel around the screen, which squeaks sometimes. Other than that, it is a solid body. No flex anywhere until you press really hard.

But sure, the lack of the digitizer option is a bad decision. Hopefully Lenovo provides one with the next generation...

 

Looks like I'll have to get the 230t or jump ship to another brand...

 

Buy a Convertible Laptop - Lenovo S230u ThinkPad Twist Ultrabooks | Lenovo | (US)

Convertible Ultrabook Laptop & Tablet PC | ThinkPad Helix | 11.6" with Windows 8 (US)

EDIT: nevermind, ibmthink already posted it

 

I've already posted in the main forum regarding this, but haven't received any replies so I figured I'd give it a try here

Has anyone been able to get more than two touch points working with windows 8?

 

X230t only got 2 finger touch.

 

Why did Lenovo only give the X230's mSATA connection SATA II speed?

Money or tight mobo layout or... ???

I mean, the cpu/chipset has an unused 2nd SATA III.

And am I correct in thinking that the unreleased X240 (Haswell cpu/chipset) will likely have an mSATA connection with SATA III speed?

FWIW I spent more than an hour searching through this thread (for: msata) and this is by far the best response:

 

Not true, I believe the second connector goes to the ultrabay.

Yes, Haswell will bump the the number of SATA III connections to four, which should allow for a SATA III mSATA, but you'll be giving the trackpoint buttons on the next X series notebook. Pick your poison on that one.

 

I'm pretty sure that the X230's HDD bay is SATA III.

So on an X230, what is the "ultrabay"???

I mean, the X230 is too small to have a DVD/optical bay.

re lack of "trackpoint buttons" (on the next Haswell based X240) and also re keyboard layout, I've seen all too many here go off the deep end on how the sky is falling. Puzzling to say the least.

I've used so many different keyboards (due to my love of small/compact desktop keyboards) that I'm used to adjusting to different keyboard layouts. And since I'm also very new to trackpoint on the Thinkpad's, whatever Lenovo does there is also unlikely to make any difference to me.

 

The X230 has, as all former X-Series in the 12" size, the ability to use an UltraBase Series 3 with an additional UltraBay Slot. I also guess that the 2. SATA 3 connection is used for this slot...

 

Very interesting possibility.

And wow what a popular item for the X220 laptop, w/ 85 sellers (of new item) on Amazon.

Still... given that my T530 only has 2 SATA III ports (one used for the HDD bay, and one used for the optical bay), a SATA III ultrbase connection isn't likely.

Any explanation for that???

 

True, but the dock has one.

 

OK, I finally get it. Namely that recent Thinkpad "docks" are not all the same.

But you are the master of brevity, whereas @ibmthink was a bit more verbose with his one response.

 

when would you to reset your 6 cell battery? Mine has 49 cycles left after about one year use and I can feel it does not last long as before.

 

There isn't really a right answer to this; typically you do it if you're seeing "jumps" in battery life (ie it will drain normally from 100% to 30% and then jump to 10%), but yours is as good a reason as any to try it.

 

...........

 

Hi, I was previously the owner of a Samsung 700T Ativ Smart PC Pro... I loved it for the most part... 1080p screen, small, light...but still functioned somewhat as a normal laptop with the keyboard docking bay.
I then purchased on a whim a used thinkpad x120e for my wife.... I was blown away by the keyboard and input functionality of the device... I absolutely fell in love with the thinkpad design language and functionality... I purchased a used x130e for myself to play around with with the idea of loading linux and using it as a network testing device/ misc usage..... and I'll be darned if I didn't find myself using that little x130e for EVERYTHING and leaving my ATIV Smart PC pro in the bag 9 times out of ten........ I realized that the Samsung smart pc pro was just too awkward and fragile to use for my liking, and difficult to type on as it has a tendency to tip over since the entire computer lives inside the back of the screen rather than as one unit..... I realized that I needed to sell my samsung ativ, sell my x130e and just get the fusion of them both... the x230t..... so I picked up an x230t with Core i7 processor, looking forward to much better gaming experience on it, and not having to worry about it breaking with normal use.... and still having wacom capabilities for the occassional times I need it.

 

I've had my X230T i7 for a few months now and really enjoy it. Loved my X220 (non tablet) as well and is still the best "little guy" I've ever owned.

I also have the small battery as primary and the 6 cell dock battery pretty much permanently attached to it. I do have the 9 cell extended battery but I feel the tablet is more ergonomic with the bottom battery as opposed to the 9 cell sticking out. It keeps the tablet with a squarer, blockier feel to it, and those that love Thinkpads can appreciate that feel With the 9 cell I have a hard time figuring out how to slip it into my bag, either battery down which doesn't sit flush or antenna down which seems like a no-no. So the 9 cell just sits charged in my bag in case I run out of juice. The standard battery with bottom slice gives quite a bit of run time so I haven't run out yet.

It's also great to be able to swivel the screen a bit if you are sharing the screen with someone else.

Enjoy you new laptop.

 

I'm thinking getting one of this but there are two questions that are blowing my mind.

1) Is this screen flicker free? I mean at 60hz can someone with good eye strenght notice the flicker? I'm trying to figure this out with videos on YouTube but it's very difficult to notice as people use different camaras, lights, and also YouTube pixel the image to safe bandwith. Have some notice this flicker or it's flicker free like last PLS/IPS displays?

2) This is not really important, but want to ask it anyway. In the hardware mantenience manual the description for the wireless LED indicator is that it blinks when there are traffic but watching this video: ThinkPad x230t overview (improved) - YouTube
The lights never blink, so I don't know if it's a problem of that laptop in particular, an incorrect description of the manual or just my eyes can't see on the video. Are this indicator really blinking when data is transfered?

 

No Flicker as far as I can tell, and never heard of it on the X230T.

No Wifi Blink, indicator stays solid on mine.

 

First of all thanks for the answers.

About flicker, I'm worry because I saw this video:
Lenovo ThinkPad X230T - Screen Quality - Extra Clips - YouTube

At min 3:27 is where you can see the effect more clear, side by side he compare the Lenovo x230t with another laptop, the lenovo flicker and the other one not.

Other thing that is kicking my mind is this other video:
Lenovo ThinkPad X230T - Screen Wobbling - YouTube

I know he is forcing the situation, but it's a good method to know what will happen in the near future, but compared to other videos about x220t or x201t, it's day and night. Yours do the same?

If wifi don't blink, what a hell of indicator, pretty useless. Any way to solve it? I mean on the manual clearly say it blinks:

from x230t_x230it_hmm_en_0b48730_02.pdf page 50/44.

I know this was working before as I own two thinkpads, A30 and R51, and both blink when data is transferred. They even blink slower/faster depending the speed.

PD: I can sound a little paranoic, but in my country this is not a cheap and I can't physically see the laptop before I buy and can't return it either if I dislike.

 

I too have pretty sharp eyes and noticed some slight flickering with my x230 tablet. It seems that the panel at default runs at 50hz... probably some sort of power saving design choice. However it is easily remedied because you can go into the monitor settings of the intel graphics control panel and adjust the refresh rate up to 60hz manually... I confirm that I no longer notice any "flickering" and the vsync rate in video games is now 60 rather than 50.
My guess at the flickering you see in the video is because of the fact that lighting generally flickers at a constant 120hz, which matches up with 60hz screens and match up with 60fps video recordings.... I think the 50hz panel of the thinkpad shows up especially bad in videos, but in real life it isn't quite as bad... but noticeable at 50hz... but even so, it is easily remedied by manually setting the panel to 60hz... and done!

 

I know that by default, the screen is set to 50Hz as some power saving feature, you have to set it to 60Hz, because otherwise there is a bit of a wave effect in the areas you're not looking at.
As to the screen wobbling, I've had my X230T for almost a year now, and I'm pretty sure I can assume I won't have wobbling issues over at least the next 5 years I'm planning to use it over. I have never had any problems with the screen wobbling - I've used it in cars in laptop mode before and other bumpy areas and never had any problems. If there is anything I would be worried about, it would be the rotating motion, but then, I haven't exactly been careful with my hinge either.
As to the light, I think it's more meant as a Wireless On/Off light.

 

My X230 died on me

Here's my e-mail to Lenovo

 

Thanks both for your answers.

The problem with this kind of flicker is that only cameras get this effect more clear. If it do that on 50hz, I bet it do same at 60hz, just at faster speed. Our eyes correct this effect, going up/down really fast so they disimulate the effect. And at this "fast" speed of 60hz you can only notice after some time in front of the screen or recording with cameras.

If I'm correct this is caused by the PWM effect, and it's more clear at lower brightness rader than higher. You can always take your Smartphone or camera, and see if still do at 60hz.

That's is not what manual said, and definitely not what is meant for. On old IBM/Lenovos it work this way:

off = wifi off
on= wifi on
Blink = data transferred (This blink also change with speed)

For what I want a LED that said me that it's on/off when you can always see this on task bar or opening a browser? I think I will ask at lenovo forum, maybe there is a solution.

 

Point taken... you still may be able to see the refresh rate flicker.. If I look really close at monitors at 60hz I can see it as well. but my point is.... all lcd screens have this effect.... and almost all laptop screens are 60hz refresh rate... so my point is that the thinkpad isn't any worse than any other laptop lcd screen (except when set to 50hz possibly)... only a few lcd panels will go above 60hz to 75hz or 85hz and some desktop panels will do up to 120hz. but my point is that the thinkpad screen isn't any worse, and is in fact much better in terms of color, being an IPS screen vs TN... The bottom line being: I don't think the screen should detract from your decision to purchase since it does not flicker any more than any other laptop.


Also... I wanted to confirm that on Windows 8 Pro x64 my turbo boost on my i7-3520m x230 tablet is working just fine... I get 3.60ghz in superpi... it takes a full 4 minutes of this before the heat makes it throttle back to 3.40ghz.. But the turbo boost is definitely working... I did not install any special turbo boost drivers, it seemed to just work.

 

Sorry but you are wrong, there are a lot of laptops, PC screens that don't flicker at all. My main reason to change my laptop is that mine flicker and I saw some that don't flicker. A good example of this are PLS from Samsung, but I know there a lot more IPS out there that don't flicker either, recent BenQ has release all his new line of products with flicker free displays.

Another thing, is that the flicker just get disimulated at higher refrest rates, but the effect it's not cuaused by that. Take a look at this article and you will understand better:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/pulse_width_modulation.htm

Beleive me, maybe you dont notice now, or don't disturb you too much. But after 2 years of use your eyes will tell something different as mine are doing right now.

If they were other options out there this will be a no no decision for me, but unfortunly there is nothing close out there So now, I'm again in a sea of doubts.

 

If anyone is interested I have found a very nice article explaining the flicker we are sufering in most LED backlight panels:

http://www.s q u i d o o.com/led-backlight-flicker

(remove spaces, don't know why, but forum remove the domain)


And also if you are interested I think I've found a solution for the wifi led not blinking when transmiting data (I've not tested my self, as I don't own the x230t yet, but might work):

 

You're link does not work.

FWIW, I have never noticed a flicker on my screen that I have been using for over a year now. Also, my screen does not wobble forward, back, left or right, although I can physically move it left and right due to the single point of contact in the middle..

Over a year of use, these are the "defects" i've had/noticed.

Keyboard popped a key early on. Had to replace the keyboard as there was nothing I could do to keep it in place after it initially popped. This happened on day 3 of owning it.

The FUNCTION keys are slightly higher than the rest of the keyoard and when the lid is closed it has resulted in a screen bruise in the lower right corner where the corner of the END or INSERT key constantly presses into the screen when the lid is closed.

Rubber feet on the battery fall off. If your's are loose or falling off, users should glue them on with something substantial like Gorilla Glue or Superglue because replacing them is nigh impossible. They don't sell them individually, but sell them as part of a "rubber kit", which Lenovo wants to charge $40 for. and only one is in the kit with a bunch of other rubber pieces sprinkled throughout the laptop.

Screen bleed on LCD when starting.

The "tablet" function seems very neat, especially with Windows 8, but I almost never, ever use it. Plus, there are only two points of contact on it so it is not 100% windows 8 functional.

That all sounds bad, when added up, but I am still very pleased with the laptop and have bought several for businesses. Love the size and weight, battery life, and while it was my first concern, have come to love the keyboard. I am constantly surprised how much of a difference the "cupping" makes in touch typing, as well as the overall quality of the keyboard.