x220/x230 trackpad vs Apple trackpad

I do not wish to get into a pc/mac debate, just trying to gauge what to expect with the x220/230 trackpad. I need to replace an aging MacBook with a new laptop, and the x220/230 may fit the bill. I have an older Asus netbook with a somewhat touchy (and small) trackpad. It works decently, though hardly as smoothly as my MacBook or my wife's stellar MacBook Air trackpad. My biggest let down with any non-Apple laptops were accidental touches that move the cursor to the middle of a paragraph. Is the Lenovo x220/230 trackpad as bad as some make it out to be?

 

I find the x220 touchpad decent, but not up to the MBP ( IF your big on using gestures ). However after getting used to the trackpoint I find it superior to both trackpads

 

Thanks for the quick response. I appreciate the input. I have never taken well to the trackpoints on previous Dell machines, but in all honesty I have never given them a shot.

How do you like the performance of your x220 in comparison to your MBA? (I know silly comparison). Your x220 configuration is very similar to what I would go with myself.

 

Thinkpad trackpoints are a different beast from the Dell ones. I'd have to agree, the trackpoint beats any touchpad hands down after acclimating to it. I actually just disabled my touch pad.

 

Both the two-finger scroll and the tapping gestures didn't work all that well with the stock Synaptics drivers. After installing this here, I've bee really happy with the touchpad for the most part: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...oll-two-finger-scrolling-done-right-more.html

Here's the one issue that I've had. On the X220, the click buttons worked great. The touchpad was nice and firm, and had a solid "click". On my X230, the touchpad has some free play before a click is depressed. It moves about 2mm down before then anything happens, then you have to push a little harder to activate the actual "click". I actually took off the palm rest, removed the keyboard and played around with the clickpad a little bit in an attempt to fix this. It's better, but I'm going to open it back up and play around a little more. Basically, I'm using some fabric tape to build up the bezel a little bit to eliminate the free play.

This isn't specific to the X230. I actually read this same complaint from some X220 owners. So, it seems to be a matter of manufacturing tolerances--because the clickpad on my X220 didn't do this at all. It's my only complaint about the X230. So, in short, with a little work you can make the clickpad work well, IMO. The two-finger scroll program above is worlds better than the stock drivers.

 

Good to know - I really couldn't understand why anyone would use the Dell trackpoint.

Jack - thank you for your detailed reply and informative post. Quick question - aside from the obvious (Ivy Bridge, HD4000, backlit keyboard, USB 3.0), is there any particular reason to spend more for the x230 at this point? I don't have a set budget per-say, but I'd much rather spend less.

 

I would agree the sticks on ThinkPads are better than those offered on other machines, but I think it's just that some just take to them like fish to water while others need time. Some will never make the leap. I myself was never a stick fan, but the value offered by the X200 was so compelling I got one anyway and committed. It took a while, but now when I used a touch pad it feels so foreign.

 

Yeah, most people I know who use Thinkpads actually don't make use of the pointing stick, but it's mainly because they haven't tried. Personally, I think it's better than pretty much any trackpad out there

 

Honestly, my reason for going to the X230 over the X220 was that I had a chance to use both a MPB and and Edge 420. I actually preferred the island-style keyboard of the 420 over the older TP keyboard, and I really liked the backlighting on the MBP. And I say this as a long-time TP user: I preferred the new keyboard.

That aside, there's zero difference for me. I know the graphics have better benchmark scores, but as I'm not a gamer it's not an issue for me. My 230 runs a little quieter, but again that's probably manufacturing variance more than the model. Both of them were incredibly quiet.

Lastly, I was able to make the swap at pretty much no out-of-pocket expense (long story), so for me it's a no-brainer. If you don't have a preference on the keyboard and the extra graphics performance isn't a big issue, I'd probably stick w/the X220. Either way, they're both great machines.

 

I have the X220 and the 13" MBP and to be honest I love both of the input methods.

The touchpad on the MBP is unrivaled and you're not going to get even near the same experience on the Lenovo. Using gestures becomes almost second nature after a while but that might be because of the tightly integrated gesture support in OS X.

BUT using the trackpoint on the Lenovo is great for work too, in somewhat of a different way. It's really enjoyable to use since you don't have to move your hands from the home row on the keyboard while using.

The only thing I can safely say is that the touchpad on the X220 and X230 feel terrible. They're tiny and for some reason it feels even worse now that they've integrated the buttons into the touchpad.

 

The clickpad on the X220 is awful, so bad I just disable it and use the Trackpoint, and I'm getting much better at Trackpoint since now my main ultraportable is the X61 tablet and it has no touchpad.

Whoever designed the X220 clickpad should get smacked in the face, and the worst part there is no option for removing it, like on the X201 it was an option for touchpad.

 

I thought the touch pad was a bit better on the X230. It's the same size and the buttons work the same, but they must have worked on the drivers in the meantime because the gestures like two finger scrolling or pinch to zoom work better, though still not Applesque.

 

I think it's mainly just that it takes getting used to. Most people are used to trackpads nowadays and many folks don't want to go through the day or so of reduced accuracy, etc. that switching to a new input method usually entails.

Personally I think the TrackPoint is superior -- I have never really gotten the hang of touchpads, despite using them for over a decade now -- but I can understand how users might not want to even consider switching something that's "good enough". If it ain't broke...

 

with a good mSATA drive and 16GB I say its roughly 40-60% faster in most tasks

 

Have a x230t and a mbp 15", as well as I work with x200s and x220s all the time.

First, the x230t trackpad is much better than the x220s (not tablet) Haven't played with the x230 non-tablet, but I believe it is the same as the x220. That single pane with no buttons and wrap around the front edge on the x220 is frustrating as heck to use. It feels lose and cheap to me. The x230t is different though...it is still a single plane with no buttons on the bottem, but because it does not wrap over the lip of the laptop edge it is much sturdier and workable. I still prefer the two bottom buttons on the x201 to the single buttonless plane of the x220 and x230/x230t.

Nothing compares to the macbook pro trackpad, though. If you're going to have a single plane touchpad with no buttons, the macbook pro is superior in tracking, clicking, gestures.

 

Lots of great info in this thread. I truly appreciate the very informative people contributing to my discussion. I apologize that I am not responding to every individually.

That being said, I am still confused. Most people have made me feel a bit better about the trackpad (I wish I could try it before I buy) and some have even made me want to consider using the trackpoint. That being said, I love the large, glass trackpad on the recent Macs.

I am a photographer. I need a capable laptop to use on location or away from the home office. The desktop in the office will do a vast majority of the editing, but I still need to do some off site editing and writing. I have gone back and forth between numerous laptops - X220/230, W530, MBA/MBP, Dells - though I cannot seem to find the perfect solution for me.

I have recently come to the conclusion that the X220 may be the closest match. I wish it had a better trackpad and higher res IPS display, but everything else seems on point. I can add up to 16GB and a mSata drive, while still retaining a 'data' drive too. An i7 configuration is about $900 with the B&N discount and I am pretty sure nothing else comes close in that price range.

 

Saw this video sometimes ago

Lenovo X220 Tablet X220t Review for Photography Professionals - Night and Day Photography Shop Talk - YouTube

 

I dont do photography, but am a video editor ....... agreed the screen could be higher res but IMO its a much better tool for the job overall.

I tried using an Air .. by the time you loaded the charger, 4 various video adaptors and network adaptor and external hard drive for data, it was heavier, slower and less durable.

with the x220, I use a 9 cell, clip on the battery sheet and im good to go for a full day, occasionally 2 days with no extra add ons ( 20 hrs battery in my config, 12-14 running it HARD )

 

IIRC the X220 tablet and X220 vanilla have the same touchpad, Commander Wolf should be able to confirm this as he owns both.

 

I came from a Mac as well, and the trackpad on the x220 is too small to be useful. I stick with the trackpoint when travelling but break out the mouse when I connect to an external monitor at home. You get used to the trackpoint pretty quickly, and I now don't miss the trackpad all that much.

 

The trackpoint buttons on the X220 were too shallow and was injuring my thumb so I was forced to use the touchpad for a while while recovering.

It's not THAT bad if you adjust the deadzones. Some options are nice like the ability to hold two fingers on the trackpad and press down to simulate middle click.

 

Not to sound like a total a$$ here, but how did you injury your thumb using the trackpoint buttons?

 

I have somewhat come to the conclusion that if I purchase the X220, I will either need to live with some shortcomings of the trackpad, learn to use the trackpoint, or use a bluetooth mouse. That being said, I think that is OK.

This almost made me want to purchase one of the T's - thanks for sharing!

One more question - If I purchase 1yr onsite and 1yr ThinkPad protection, can I extend both prior to the expiration date? Not sure how long I will keep the laptop, but wouldn't mind the option of extending if possible.

 

Overuse. The X220 trackpoint buttons depress 2mm less than the X201's and thus do not cushion your thumb as well when pressed.

 

The better graphics isnt only for gaming, but also for other graphical work. like watching movies.
720p, 1080p(useless but w/e) work like a charm.
But the touchpad on my x230 is horrible, i cant get double gestures working, even if i try. Sometimes, when i accidentally hit the touchpad i get double gestures, but when i try it on purpose i fail. That is with the newest drivers and software.
But oh well, the only reason i went for a thinkpad is because of the red in the middle. nothing beats that

 

Well, after it was said and done, I decided to go with the T530. The extra real estate and gamut of the panel, possibilities for 3 drives, and 'better' trackpad made the decision for me. Thanks for all the help.