need help deciding X201

Hi guys,
I was able to quote a x201 for $1087 with spec
i5-560m
4gb ram 2 dimm
128GB SSD
9 cell battery
win7 pro with win7 xp mode
intel wireless n (not the advanced one)

do you think it's a good deal? also, should i get the extended onsite warranty? i can't seem to find depot service for this x201... i was looking at i7 but an extra $170 or so does not seem to justify this... also is it sensible to add ultrabase without the optical drive? i dont think i nieed optical drive - not playing dvd ever.... i only have 1 external monitor and i think i would use this as mobile...
or will it be available after i get this machine and buy online?

Thank you

 

That's a very good deal!

Personally, I don't go for extended warranties as I figure most major problems occur either early on in the laptop's life or much later, when it is not worth much anymore in any case. However, many others highly recommend the on-site warranty, so it's really a matter of personal preference.

The difference in performance between the i7-620M and the i5-560M is very small and likely unnoticeable 95% of the time.

From what you said, I see no reason why you need the UltraBase, but yes, it is always available for purchase later on.

 

$1087 and a SSD, sign me up

Just to add; You can get a USB optical drive for about $30, if you ever need one.

 

i just read somewhere that SSD from lenovo is no good... did anyone try that SSD option?
thanks

 

I heard that some of them have Intel SSDs, while others have...toshiba? Samsung? I forgot.

 

i want the depot service warranty 3 years but it doesn't seem to let me choose it! anyone bought this after getting your laptop?

 

Fantastic deal - I would recommend getting an aftermarket SSD instead of the one lenovo supplies you. It tends to work out cheaper (if you're looking at the same capacity).

btw - core i5 - 560M? Is this new? didn't spot this when I was getting my x201 a week back.

 

i think the ssd from lenovo site that i could get was about $200 - for a 128GB ssd, that's not bad at all... isn't it? the ocz vertex 2 on sale last week was like $190 for 120GB. I just reasoned myself being lazy swapping things around....
though without the ssd, i can get i7-620...
what is you guys' take on this?
and yes, 560m is new. same speed as i7-620m - only 3mb cache vs 4mb cache and some embedded option in i7 that i5 does not have. that's why i wonder if $160 is worth the upgrade from i5 to i7

 

If it was a direct purchase $200 is reasonable. But if customizing an order you were probably compensated for not having the default hard drive. I noticed this with the 9-cell battery option: $50 for the 9-cell upgrade, but in reality Lenovo charges you $179 as a stand alone accessory. But that is because the default 4-cell is $129.

 

i5-560m is launched in Q3 of 2010, so it is relatively new to the market.

 

actually the default setting for me was 6 cells. choosing 9 cells costs me $25 more only. now i wish they have depot warranty rather than making me choose onsite warranty~~

Oh well, I finally bought it...

 

First off, great price. Go for it.

Second, the ssd that came with my unit in late August is a 128gb Samsung (mmcre28g8mxp-0vb)

It's not slow but also not outrageously fast. I would recommend the 100gb Vertex2 instead (not the 120 extended). Even at $100 extra cost I believe it is worth it.

Third, I have the 6cell battery and find it sufficient. Typing I get 10 hours of use out of it and there is nothing sticking out the back. The i7 cpu I have is so smart that it runs as low as 1.2ghz and as high as 3.3ghz. The i5 can't be much more different.

Fourth, I got the dock with an optical drive for mine. I opted for the dock not because of a need for a dvdrw drive but because of all the ports and the convenience they offer. After buying an extra 90w power adapter which sits permanently connected to the dock, I simply place the x201 in it and I have a desktop, complete with a 27in monitor, kb, and mouse, plus external hd's and usb cables to charge my mobile.