X220 Questions

I'm planning on purchasing a X220.

I want the i7 option - is this still a problem or will it be fixed soon?

I plan on installing an mSata drive - if I choose in my CTO to have the WWAN called installed, I can still remove it and place a mSata drive in it's spot, correct? Is it hard to remove the WWAN card considering it has wires?

Which mSata drive should I choose? ( removed) or MyDigitalSSD 128GB?

I heard lot's of people are using 1866 Hyper X RAM with good results in the X220, this won't make the system unstable, correct?

If I choose not to go the mSata route, what SSD should I get for the X220? Is it now shipping with the Intel 320 160GB model or still X-25?

How do I go about restoring the factory default settings on my new mSata or SSD (whichever I choose) once I get one? Considering it's going from HDD to SSD isn't there alignment issues if I simply do a backup and restore?

 

Why the i7? The scuttlebutt is Lenovo is going to release a BIOS update to fix the throttling and mSATA issues, but I don't think there's been any firm details yet.

Yes, you can remove the WWAN card, but why would you get WWAN if you're going to get the mSATA drive? If found putting the mSATA drive a little tricky because the antennas weren't router very well, but with patience, it's doable.

I don't know anything Hyper X memory or MyDigital SSDs. Intel is a more known quantity.

 

Well, I'm not 100% sure of what I will do yet.... Do you recommend I do 80GB mSata + 320GB HDD vs 160GB SSD? How do I configure my HDD to be the location for music, pictures, documents etc?

I'm not clear what you mean about the WWAN? Did you choose to have the WWAN option installed too and you removed it or did you not select the option? What do you mean about it being tricky?

BTW: You're awesome ZAZ! You've been an amazing help throughout ALL of my posts here on NBR! Kudos!

 

I went with the mSATA because it allows for two drives - a small boot drive and a larger one storage. I had the 80 Intel G2 in my X200t. One thing I did not like about it is it was not big enough to allow for much outside of the OS, but with my X220i, I've got an extra 300GB. That allows me to throw some stuff on there without having to plug in my USB drive.

WWAN is Internet connectivity via the cell phone network. You need a WWAN card to use it. Both the WWAN card and mSATA drive use the same mini-PCI slot. I did not understand why you'd get WWAN if you plan to use the mSATA because you cannot have both. If you plan to do WWAN then perhaps 2.5" SSD is a better option.

You need to put the WWAN into the mini-PCI slot. Because of the way the antennas are routed, I found it to be a little tricky. The antennas rest between the drive and hard drive bay and there's not much room there. Myself and others have done it. You just need a little patience and finesse to make it work.

 

Sorry for being a noob - if I do not choose to have the WWAN installed, do I still need to re-route the WWAN into the mini-PCI slot? Why do I need to do this? Don't I simply need to do is remove the keyboard + palmrest and remove one screw for the WWAN and install the mSata?

 

If you choose not get WWAN, the antennas are still there, but the slot is empty. You just need to make it fit, which is the tricky part. Yes, take off the keyboard and palm rest, then put the card in.

 

Alright - do you have a guide to route my USERS folder (music, pictures, documents etc) to my HDD and to keep OS + Applications on mSata?

Did you do UEFI mode for the mSata? Have any problems?

 

I do not. I've seen UEFI here, but I don't know what it is other than some BIOS feature.

 

Alright - any news as to when Lenovo will offer mSata in CTO?

 

I haven't see anything myself. The Intel mSATA drives, which is probably what Lenovo would want to offer, are in such short supply, it's hard to think they'll do anytime in the near future.

 

Likely you will order your X220 to be WWAN ready but you won't order the WWAN itself to be installed. So you will receive the computer with the slot empty and the wires for the WWAN laying under the palm rest.

It is a simple install. The BIOS fix for the mSata drive, should yours be one of those that doesn't work likely will be out well before you receive either the drive or the computer.