how I improved my x220 (with thanks)

I have been torturing this forum for days now asking for help to get my new x220 into a happy place. Here are the three things that have made the most improvements. Anyone else want to add a tip for the next x220 owner?

The sound was sad, so soft and muddled I figured something must be wrong because no one would put up with it. I got this from the Lenovo forum and it did a bit of magic for me: "here is some sort of a fix: go to start->control panel->sound->choose speakers and click properties->enhancements->put a checkmark on loudness equalization hit apply/ok, and try another video."

My color (it's an ips panel) was whacked in that on this color wheel http://theworkingwardrobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/486465_thumbnail.jpg the two greens were identical as were the two orange/reds. After following the directions below the greens did differentiate but the two orange/reds still look the same although maybe a little less so. (The win7 utility doesn't seem to help btw.) I think the screen feels a little 'hot' and the whites could be brighter, but overall it is crisp and nice. From erik:
1: open the "color management" control panel
2: check the box next to "use my settings for this device"
3: click the "add..." button
4: scroll down about halfway and select "sRGB IEC61966-2.1" and click "ok"
5: select "sRGB IEC61966-2.1" on the ICC profile list and click "set as default profile"
6: select any other profiles on the list and delete them
7: log off and back on, or restart your system
8: if absolutely necessary, tweak colors using the win 7 utility (instructions)

I guess what I was thinking when I made the order was 'oh, I'll get the i5, it's right in the middle' only to later realize (and they do tell you) that I don't have any usb 3.0 ports. From this forum both zaz and lyndos suggested Expresscard usb 3.0 which I'm excited about and have on order.

Thanks to all!

 

I'd like to add one more thing. After using my computer every day for many weeks now, mostly on the road, I'm happy (WOW on the battery life)...except...that battery rattling (the 6 cell is not snug in the computer case) got more and more annoying, not less. So I did what someone here suggested, I shoved some paper in the gaps. It's much better and doesn't seem like it should hurt anything.

 

Make sure there's still a little bit of give on the battery. Otherwise you might be straining the plastic clips too much; they might snap on a drop or serious bump.

 

If you really want to improve your sound, install the Dolby drivers. Loudness equalization is ok, but doesn't even compare to the different drivers.

 

I can only laugh at Loudness Equalization. This is the real deal: http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/657971-dolby-home-theater-your-thinkpad.html#post8454530