X61s or X61 - what difference does the ultralight screen make?

Hi there - I'm still trying to decide between one of these. The reason I like the X61s is obviously the extra battery life, and I've heard the ultralight screen is nicer.

First am I correct in assuming that increased efficiency with the X61s stems from the ultralight screen option, in addition to the low voltage processor?

My dilemma is that I would only be able to buy the X61s with the standard screen through Visaperks.ca. Interestingly the X61s is not listed on the Lenovo Canada site and no ultralight screen option is available for the X61s on the Visaperks site.

If the difference in battery life between the X61s and X61 is minimal (to me that would be 20-30 minutes with the 4 cell slim on the X61s vs 4 cell enhanced on the X61), I would probably just get the X61. However, if the ultralight screen on the X61s was noticably more efficient and visually better, I would consider purchasing the X61s in the US.

Has anyone compared both? Thoughts?

Thanks

 

The Ultralight screen is about 20% brighter. For the four cell I say the battery life difference would be in the 30 minute range,

 

The ultralight screen is 20% lighter and 20% brighter.

AFAIK there is NOT any power savings from the ultralight screen. The "s" models are more power efficient due to the processor only. They are also slightly lighter due to a slightly different design (mostly a different cooling system).

 

I like the regular screen of the X61, I have never seen the X61s screen but I have heard that it is indeed brighter.

 

I own an X60s with regular screen and X61s with ultrabright screen.

The ultrabright is noticeably brighter - worth the extra money that it cost me, but not much more.

 

Wow I never knew about Visaperks.ca, I can save ~$100 by just using the visa card. That's awesome as I've been looking into buying the X61.

 

I'd like to ask this questions also. On Lenovo Canada Website, in configuring the x61, there is no options for the screen so is the default selection the ultrabight screen? ( it says: 12.1" XGA TFT ) And on the front page it lists the ultrabright as an option for the X61S.

But on the US site, it is also an option but when you go configure it, there is an option to add the: 12.1" UltraLight XGA TFT, 2x3 UltraConnect II antenna

SO! Is the default TFT on the Canada Lenovo the Ultralight version since there is no option for choosing an ultralight screen?

 

The ultralight is not standard in Canada.

As far as I can tell, ultralight is not yet an option in Canada, even on CTO orders.

 

That is so dumb. So why is the base model of the X61s more expensive than the X61 when you can't even get the ultralight screen as an option? The ultralight screen is promoted on Lenovo Canada's website.

 

The X61s is slightly thinner and lighter than the X61. I suppose this is the justification for the extra $100 in base price. The ultralight option actually isn't even an expensive upgrade - I believe I paid <$30 for it when I purchased from the USA site. I don't know why it isn't available in Canada.

On a similar note, UWB is not available as an option on the X300 CTO orders in Canada but is an option on USA CTO orders

Edit: just buy from the USA site. That's what I did. The same config on the USA site costs ~$100 less *including* the ultralight upgrade than the same X61s from the Canadian site. Alternatively, do a phone order with Lenovo to see if they can do an ultralight upgrade.

 

Actually according to here, the X61s on the Canadian site comes with the Ultralight screen as a standard config:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=388568&sid=ddeca6b31995df8908e024734c1f97c0

 

I see no evidence in that thread that CTO models in Canada come with ultralight as standard

The screen option in Canada is simply listed as "12.1" XGA TFT". This is the same description on the USA site for the NON-ultralight model. In contrast the ultralight has a description of "12.1" UltraLight XGA TFT".

Tabook provides no help for CTO models.

 

No, but people who bought it says that it is the Ultralight screen. I can only assume and hope they are correct.

 

If you go to the parts spec site on lenovo.com/ca/en - sorry I'm not at home and don't have the exact link - you'll see that the CTO models sold on lenovo canada have the ultralight screen.

I bought one and haven't received it yet - when I do I'll let you all know if it's actually the ultralight screen or not.

 

I really want to believe this is the case but I just called Lenovo Canada and the sales rep said he confirmed with his technical manager or someother that it is NOT the ultralight screen

 

I found this on the website: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-62914

Is that what you are referring to. It shows the 1688CTO belongs to both the Ultralight (TMD) and non TMD versions.

 

Does anyone know if the X61s CPU can be upgraded later?

 

No, they are soldered onto the board.