x200 return for T400s?

I got the x200 in the mail a couple of days ago and am not completely thrilled with the screen resolution (somewhat washed out) and am beginning to think that I should have purchased a T400s.

I am not that concerned about the 15% re-stock fee as I am going to have to use the computer practically every day over the next two years for school and want to make sure I have the best portable computer. Therefore I was curious about other users who have had the opportunity to use both the x200 and the T400s, and what their thoughts were.

Overall the weight difference between the x200 (9-cell) and the T400s is only around .25 pounds and with the ultrabay battery in the T400s, the battery life shouldn't be that much difference.

So what do you guys (gals) think? Should I return my x200 and get a T400s? Or stick with the x200? Is the portability of the T400s and the additional features worth the larger size?

-Brian

 

What do you plan on using the notebook for? Do you travel a lot or need 6+ hours of battery life? Do you prefer a larger screen size?

 

Well is your portability concern regarding weight or size. The resolution could certainly be of concern but on the go it shouldn't be of huge concern. You can always use an external monitor when back at home.

Also is money of concern?

 

sgogeta4 - I plan on using the laptop for b-school. It is going to be my primary laptop that I use in class, at home, to perform research etc… I think that the 4-5 hours would be the max that I need it for which I am assuming the T400s could handle (with the ultrabay battery). And I didn't really think that there would be a huge difference between a 12" and 14" but it seems quite significant after comparing it to other 14" computers that people have at work. I am also not a huge fan of the clarity of the x200 (the screen quality just seems poor).

jaredy - portability is a big concern but the weight between the x200 (9-cell) and the T400s is less than 1/4 pound. Therefore I was curious if the larger size of the T400s made it less portable. Also, I currently use my laptop so much and b-school is already costing a ton, so money for my laptop isn't a huge concern. Thoughts?

 

Don't kid yourself about the battery life of a T400s even with the 6-cell battery and ultrabay battery. T400s users reported that the 6-cell battery only lasts around 4 to 5 hours in real world usage. The ultrabay battery adds around two more hours on top of that. On the contrary, my X200 with 9-cell battery lasts 8 to 9 hours in real world usage (web surfing, document editing, etc...)
But the T400s does have a more powerful CPU, and better screen, though, so it's understandable if you want to get a T400s instead.

 

The T400s is quite a bit larger than the X200.

I went from a 12.1" notebook to my 13.3" X301, and there was a very noticeable jump in footprint size (though not in weight).

I too was debating on whether or not to purchase a T400s but, upon receiving my X301, I am glad that I did not go any larger.

 

If you are not super concerned about weight , I think its a great idea. The X200 is known to have a pretty junky screen anyways and the T400s should be quite a step better. I really never worry about weight as long as its 4.5 lbs but I know some people that care a lot more. The stronger processor, better screen, and overall better laptop in my opinion is worth the increase in physical footprint size.

 

However if you are realistic about your uses you do not need more processing power or that great of a screen...

Clarity should not be an issue with the x200 screen. Unless of course you are viewing it at an angle that is washed out (but just correct the screen).

For business related activities the screen quality shouldn't matter really except for the fact that we like nice screens. However resolution might be of concern. At work I have to use 1280x800 on the dell e-series latitudes. That is pain with excel...(I am in the accounting field).

 

If you are going to use it for several hours everyday, I would say that a larger and better screen really makes your eyes feel more comfortable.

 

hi, I just got a T400s after using an x61 for a month. I know the x61 is not identical to the x200, but they are similar in several ways. A friend has the x200 and I have noticed the same washed-out screen, not to mention its small size.

I completely love the T400s (and this is not just because I bought it; my employer paid for it and I could easily get a different machine). It is a wonderful *primary* computer, which sounds like what how you will use your machine. A few things I love:

* The 14" screen is big, bright, and beautiful. No comparison with x200. It is so bright that I run it at 70% brightness indoors. It can be used outdoors and in bright rooms. With the x61, I found myself limiting what I did until I got back to my desk and hooked it up to a "real screen." With the t400s, I work on everything no matter where I am and never feel inhibited.

* battery life is quite good. I rarely use the DVD drive, so I swapped it for an Ultrabay battery and 6-7 hours is pretty easily within reach. No, it's not the 9+ hours you can get with a 9-cell on an x200, but it's enough for me and from what you say sounds like enough for you.

* I thought I wouldn't use the touchpad that much, since I had gotten used to the nub on the x61, but I love it now. It supports multi-touch gestures including two-finger scrolling in documents and web pages. You can also "pinch" to make web pages bigger or smaller.

* The newfangled keyboard is AWESOME. I'm a touch typist, but I always used to fumble for the Escape and Delete keys. Now they're twice as big as before, and my fingers get there with no problem.

* if you use Skype at all, the machine has two microphones that let other people hear you clearly. Also, there's a mute button for the microphone. I find the microphones good enough that I can do speech recognition reliably.

If you get the T400s, and $ is not a huge barrier, let me recommend the SSD, 4GB of RAM, and 64-bit Vista. Vista absolutely *screams* on this laptop and is a pleasure to use.

good luck, and hope this reaches you soon enough to be useful...