X301 users please chime in

I'm thinking of getting rid of my m1330 for a X301 since I've encountered numerous mobo, gpu problems. To the owners of the X301 do you have any complaints of this system? I don't really want to end up with another lemon or any uncovered probs.

Any review would be appreciated!

Thanks.

 

I've been using my X301 rather heavily since purchasing it more than a year ago. I've carried it to school, work, ran with it, coded and ran experiments on it. It's pretty solid and reliable. Hasn't died on me despite heavy usage, often stressing the device. As a long time owner, I'd say it's very reliable. I like how light it is, yet having a high resolution screen. The SSD just makes it even more reliable.

 

i don't know whom deleted my humorous posts before.... but anyway, here it goes the only thing bad about it is the price.

I use the X301 at work when out on the site, which is now switched to Toughbooks and E6400 XFR because the laptops are frequently dropped and there is too much dusts. I have dropped the X301 a couple of times, only cosmetic damage and it is working. So for everyday use, it should be okay. If you want to play games or anything 3D intensive then you obviously wouldn't get this laptop.

Pros: portability, size, quality

Cons: Price, and lacks some essential expansion ports/slots option of the bigger machines.

 

I'm deciding whether to get X301 or MBP 13.3".

I also noticed when it goes out of standby mode, it makes a beep. Can you disable that beep?

 

Yes. You can disable all of the beeps in the BIOS.

 

the lenovo x300 and x301 has some problem with going into sleep. so about like 1in10 try i sometimes get the notebook hangs processor spools up and about 15-minutes to 30-minutes later it restarted.

i logged a question at lenovo's own forum and apparently they said the problem is known to x300/x301 users with SSD.

if i were to turn back time, i rather get the MBP13"... faster boot/shutdown, better performance, reliable sleep, more battery life, magsafe.

for windows notebook, the x301 is very good though. no problem hardware wise that i know of.

 

I'v never encountered this and I rarely shut down my notebook (always put it to sleep when I close the lid). Standby and wakeup is almost instantaneous, so I don't know what you're referring to. I'm running Vista Business and I do not run any of the ThinkVantage bloatware as they are all poorly-made.

 

I agree with this notion because the MBP for the same price offers much more. However, I just didn't go for the MBP for aesthetics. haha.

 

MBP doesn't support bluray nor does the Snow Leopard support codec used for bluray......... Apple is so restrictive with their softwares now..... it wants to monopolise the entire market, force everyone to think on their line and do things under their term..........

I am getting bit scared of how much of a control freak they are with their products and aftermarket software and hardwares..........

 

Some things the MBP can never beat is the screen resolution, awesome keyboard, weight, durability and the ability to run Windows properly. The BootCamp drivers are crap and they are buggy out of the box. The MBP runs hot and noisy on Windows with substantially worse battery life.

Having said that, the X301 is definitely a better business machine.

 

MBP are good.... but not all that it cracks out to be.... if you can't toss up which one to get, i would just get both if finance permit....

 

I have an X300 that I got right when they came out --- I've used it pretty much non stop for about a year and half, and in my opinion it's a terrific machine. It's very portable and extremely well built --- I've had no problems at all. The only drawback relative to the m1330 might be lack of discrete graphics.

 

Thanks for the comments so far.

I don't play games so its not an issue for me whether there is discrete graphics. The current prob I'm having with the m1330 is it keeps overheating and burning out the GPU.

I can get a X301 for about 1400USD so its only a bit more expensive than the basic MBP 13.3. I heard the MBP screen has 60% more colour gamut but I'm not too sure about the overly glossy screen.

X301 configured specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo SU9600 (1.6GHz, 3MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
4GB DDR3 RAM
Vista Premium
250GB Hard Drive (5400 rpm) ( no SSD for this price)
Mobile Intel GMA 4500MHD (up to 512 MB shared memory)
3 year warranty

The T400s is even cheaper (1280USD) but with a more powerful CPU.

Specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo SP9400 (2.4GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
4GB DDR3 RAM
Vista Premium
250GB Hard Drive (5400 rpm)
14.1" Anti-glare TFT WXGA+ LED Backlight (1440 x 900)
Mobile Intel GMA 4500MHD (up to 512 MB shared memory)
3 year warranty

Should I go for a T400s or X301? seems to me its only slightly heavier but with a faster CPU.

 

The increase in size is more about bulk. You can't get past the fact that is 14in. If you are only concerned about weight then I think the t400s is great. However if you need to carry the laptop in a small bag, etc then go with the x301. I'd personally go for the T400s in that situation to have more expandability options.

 

Or a MBP....argh

 

Do you really like OSX? I'd personally always want a thinkpad, hah.

 

I like the unibody MBP fit and finish but haven't used OSX extensively enough to judge.

I like thinkpads as well since they are generally more reliable and pretty robust.

Decisions decisions.....

 

It really depends on what you use the machine for I suppose. I love OSX because it is generally fun. But when it comes down to doing work, X301 and XP all the way. And with windows 7 even better.

Anyways between the t400s and the x301...I think you would really have to think about the differences in screen size to see if that matters to you. I never liked the bigger footprint of a 14inch laptop, and the 13" keeps it manageable.

 

I'll be doing mainly word procs, email, photoshop and a bit of video editing.

 

If screen resolution isn't a major concern (since you're considering the MBP anyway), you should consider HP's new ProBook 5310m. It's a terrrific thin and light, with pretty good connectivity options and support for a 2.5" hard drive (my biggest issue with the X300/X301/T400s).

The MBP isn't directly comparable because I can tell you that it is a poor Windows machine (recreational Windows use is OK, not production). Unless you are willing to fully utilise OSX on it, the user experience will just not be as good as that on a proper Windows PC.

 

MBP doesn't allow alot of adjustment in their hinge, like you can with Thinkpads.

And personally...i own four HP/Compaq laptops (2 died, and two of them are about to die) and none of them can be also it is difficult to take them apart, HP love to use non-standard torex screws.... and makes them hard to take apart.....

 

Really? I use the same screwdriver set on HPs that I use on ThinkPads and have never had a problem.

 

If I get the MBP, I wouldn't bother using Windows.

Will look at the ProBook 5310m. Thanks

Damn...it doesn't have integrated optical drive

 

do you think that is why my machine hang?

 

I own NC4400, TC4400, one HP/Compaq Presario V1010 and a HP 6510b.... user serviceable parts use normal flat or phillip head, but the none CRU parts are screwed in use Torx screws.

 

One advantage of the X301 is that it lets you swap out the battery. I *think* the MBP does not have a user-replaceable battery.

I think the color on the X301 screen is fine. Not as good as the Sony Z, but it's fine. The brightness is very good - I've used it outside.

Another thing I like about the X301 is that, when I close the lid, the lid closes all around the body. There's no space for stuff to get inside. This closing-all-around-the-body also means that some weight on top of the closed laptop will not push the screen into the keyboard (unlike the Sony Z).