X61s or X200s...which one to keep?

So long story short...I ordered an X200s and decided to go with an X61s but Lenovo couldn't cancel my order. I have both now...my X200s arrived today and my X61s came yesterday. I was going to send my X200s back but I was really tempted and *gasp* I opened the box. I'm in the process of installing Windows 7 on it right now.

I have the X200s configured in my sig plus an X61s with 1.6 GHz C2D, 4GB RAM, 160 GB 5400 RPM HD, and 4965 AG Wireless.

I'm so torn as to which one to keep...or even if I should keep both though I don't really have a good reason to. The resolution on the X200s is amazing and the weight is even more so but I love the tiny footprint on the X61s also...as well as the amazing keyboard (which I like a bit more than the X200s keyboard). Obviously there are other advantages of having one over the other but I think you guys know pretty well enough what they are.

Any ideas as to what to do? Also, since I have both of them right now I'll be happy to do any general comparisons between the two models as long as it doesn't involve benchmarking or anything complicated.

 

Keep the X200s.

 

Keep the X200s. There is almost no advantage to having the X61s, except for the 4:3 ratio screen. However, the higher resolution of the X200s more than make up for that.

 

Well it seems you have the ideal LOL ... what I would like to know ...how does the screen resolution compare, are the fonts/letters in for example a web page far smaller on the X200s than X61? And is the LED screen giving you headaches at all? There are a number of complaints about that around since it apparently has unseen "flicker" and some people end up with migraines. Also could you possibly compare the speaker loudness, I need speakers for voice only. Thanks

 

Yeah, after installing Windows 7 on the X200s, I'm really enjoying it. After using it for a few minutes I don't notice any "headaches" at all. Also, there's many comparison of 1024x768 vs 1440x900 resolution online but to me, it makes a huge difference. The resolution actually isn't THAT small on the X200s but for some it might take a bit to get used to. I'm personally really enjoying it.

 

For both systems, the speakers are plenty loud enough but the X200s's speakers are a TON better than the X61s, which is just a crappy mono speaker. That's not to say that the X200s has a great speaker at all because speakers on larger laptops are much better (obviously).

 

True, and Thinkpads are business notebooks, they were never built with speakers to play loud music or HD Dolby 5 on. A Skype conference and regular Windows sounds are what they are built for.

 

200s for me as well

 

Thanks for that ... the speaker info. Yes agree only for skype conferences, not music etc. Skype conference is all I need speaker (s) for ... does anyone know any good links for comparison between resolutions. Other than trying it out myself I am never going to get out of it ...will just have to order the 2 systems somehow with a return policy which allows you to return within 7 days ...that I may be able to find in UK ?

 

First, what's the price difference you paid for the two? If you already opened them, a return will subject you to 15%(?) restocking fee. (Btw is the X61s a refurbed or new?)

May I ask why you prefer the x61s keyboard? Most people seem to prefer the full size keyboard of X200s.

I'm also interested in these two models. I didn't know there are the "headache" problem and it concerns me a lot. I think just a few minutes without headaches is far not enough to draw conclusion...

Suggest you not to return either in rush, at least until you have prolonged experiences and can make plenty of comparisons

 

Vaw ... that comment was mine since I read about it ... that people have problems with prolonged use of LED screens since leds cannot be dimmed ... I am sure one of the tech wizards on here can explain it. You can dim it but I think that results in flicker somehow. So that has me worried as well. That is why I was thinking CCFL screen, but then on there the video playback is crap .. You wonder why you are paying so much money for technology when the stuff from 4 years ago worked better and no headaches LOL. I am seriously thinking of buying an X61s.

 

That's exactly what I think. Technology does not necessarily make life better, but do make it more expensive

Perhaps the headache problem is the result of a combination of the LED and high resolution.

 

i say keep the x200.

the x200 is meant to replace the x61.

i dunno what you're saying exactly about thinkpad not having decent speaker because its a businees notebook. my x300 plays sounds very fine, much much better than my macbook (white), i think compared to other 13" laptop, the sound is excellent, volume is also excellent to. i dont mind listening music as a background on it, while i work.

again, i dont see the screen flicker on LED screen while on low brightness. but i dont like that i cant shut off the screen fully off..

the LED screen is also more power efficient and brighter.

 

Problem is, your X300 has a stereo speaker, while the rest of the thinkpad line uses mono speaker. Do you understand our pain now?