Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Review Discussion

New Intel montevina platform supports both types.

 

So even if the official spec sheet says DDR3, one could use DDR2? This would be a deal-breaker for me, as I wouldn't buy a DDR3-anything right now, let alone a laptop.

 

The ram is a different physical size, so I doubt that would work. What is the big thing against DDR3 right now, cost?

 

The review says it's DDR2, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't work.

 

Hey Andrew, first thing I would like to say is awesome review, I'm pretty much set for getting this laptop in August now.

I have few question though...

1) I'm not sure if you received the WWAN model for your testing, if you did.. can you talk about the GPS function?

2) What is the texture/material of the top of the laptop (outside case behind the monitor). I know someone mentioned in this thread but i wanted to be clear.. is it like the T61 where it has the rubbery feeling?

Thanks.


too bad the lcd isn't LED back lit... it'll be annoying if i bought the x200 and then it releases LED back lit.

 

Great review there Andrew!

Did you record any vids of the X200? Would love to see more of it, like start time and so on.

 

Hey I have a quick question:

Is the 6-cell battery the same size as the 4-cell battery? I'm asking because I don't want to get something that sticks out..

At first I wanted to get 4-cell since it's lighter, but on the data sheet it says that the 4-cell gets 3.1hrs, while the 6-cell gets 6.2.. so I guess the extra battery life might be worth the .3 lbs: http://shop.lenovo.com/ISS_Static/merchandising/US/PDFs/x200_datasheet.pdf

 

Greetings:

I'm a hardware neophyte at best.

The review stated, "Gone is the old style PC card slot, it's now an ExpressCard 54mm"

We have a Verizon PC Card for wireless; will that work in the ExpressCard slot? or do we need to get an ExpressCard version from Verizon?

Thank you.

 

You will need a new card...they are not compatible.

 

I have the same exact concern. Does anyone know if the 6-cell also sits flush?

 

In the datasheet the 4 and 6 cell batteries are listed with the same dimensions.

 

I noticed that too, but check this out:
11.6 x 8.3 x 0.8 – 1.4" (4/6-cell Battery)
11.6 x 9.2 x 0.8 – 1.4" (9-cell Battery)

The 9-cell is only shown to be have more depth (8.3 -> 9.2), but actually it is also thicker (it lifts the notebook up from the back). But notice for the thickness it still says 0.8-1.4". So although the 6-cell will sit flush with the back, I'm wondering if it will lift it up off the desk..

August 5th... almost there...

 

Ah, true. Sounds to me that if the 1.4" is due to the battery then the 6cell is probably thicker like the 9cell. Hopefully reviews that show this will come out once it's released.

 

Man I can't wait for this thing to come out!

 

how long for the charging time for 9-cell ?

 

X200 available now!

 

is anyone else noticing that the 128gb SSD is cheaper than any other option?

 

Yup, I noticed that as well. Though I am not sure I understand it, I hope it'll stay this way, at least until I can order one in Europe.

 

Anyone know when it will be available over here, and what the price will be?

 

Good review it seems like a very good notebook.

I cannot help but notice though that the X61 Merom model was reviewed with an 8 cell battery and this laptop was reviewed with a 9 cell battery. Of course it is not a major difference but things are not exactly equal to start of with.

Also whilst these processors consume less power i would tend to think that the graphics cards are getting more power hungry it seems with every new release.

 

This notebook looks slick. Battery life is through the roof.

 

what version of access connections is this? I want that interface

 

Did the price of the X200 go up? I thought the starting price was 1199? On the lenovo site the price is 1434? Whats the deal???

 

The $1199 price shows up on the TopSeller models.
http://www.shopblt.com

Lenovo doesn't have a low configured machine (yet).

 

I'm considering to buy X200 laptop. Is it possible to play Second Life using X200 graphic card (Integrated Intel X4500)?

 

You shouldn't have any problem with Second Life using the X4500. I am able to run it on an X3100 and can get a decent frame rate with some adjustments.

 

I moved from X31 to X200. X200 has a good performance but I had two big problems with x200:

1) X200 has higher screen resolution than X31, but X200's screen is larger than X31 in size only marginally. I did some calculations and saw that per pixel area of X200 is around 40% smaller than x31! It means that total area of everything (fonts, images etc.) is %40 smaller in x200's screen than x31 under the same settings! It makes harder to read pages, documents etc. My eyes start to ache after a long use!!! I believe that X31 has the optimum pixel size for business use. Also there is a bigger gap between the edges of the laptop and the screen in X200 than X31. They could have made x200's screen a bit larger by filling this gap. X31's screen does not have a so big gap with the edges. As a result, I am very disappointed with the screen.

2) I am using Vista 64. I think X200's network drivers are buggy. After uploading many files over ftp with a high speed connection, windows kernel starts to use almost %100 of both cpu cores.

 

I don't like the X200 at all, it too big, too ugly and has too high dpi.

I was the user of X32 and now I am using an X60. I like the form factor of X60/X61, only wish if Lenovo can upgrade the hardware and solve the palmrest heating problem. Then it will be a perfect machine for me. When X200 came out, I was initially very interested in it. But when I saw the picture, I was really pissed off. For hell's reason why someone in year 2008 should come up a computer with such a HUGE bezel, that's for 1990s. Moreover, I do not see any reason should an ultra portable to become BIGGER! The keyboard on X60 was perfect and I cannot feel any different from typing on X60 and on any decent desktop keyboard. The DPI on X60 was also just fine, even though it was already a bit high. I would prefer 1024x768 on a 14 inch, but on 12 inch is somehow managable. The X200 came up a monitor with resolution of 1280x800 on a smaller (and wider) 12 inch, I have to question the rational for such 12 inch widescreen - to watch movies? Thinkpad should be a business machine, I need to see text clearly. No movies, thank you!

BTW, no webcame, thanks. I just want a small, light, and beatifully engineered machine like X60 with some updates. LENOVO, please come up with a X62, not X200!

 

If only man... if only. 4:3 screens have gone the way of the dodo.

I was recently assigned a D610 at work and it has a 14" 1400x1050 screen. The resolution is great! I can see so much more than I'm used to, even more than my 1440x900 monitor at home.

I just prefer standard aspect ratio because it gives more room for text. I even had my older 17" monitor in portrait a lot (my newer one has a crappy TN panel that dims too much top-to-bottom to use in portrait).

I even wish my netbook had a 1024x768 screen instead of the 1024x600 fashionable widescreen.

 

On the lenovo website, it lists that the "roll cage" is not available for the X200 (The "next generation carbon fiber roll cage", specifically). Is this a specific configuration? Or do all the X200 models come with the magnesium alloy framework?

Thanks.

 

I ordered one a few weeks ago. I was very dissapointed with the buildquality and the keyboard. So much that I returned it. I never tried a thinkpad before and expected a really well build notebook. The flex in the keyboard in the right side felt like cheap crap and when I pressed a bit on the palmrest and other places I could hear it gave in. It really felt like plastic. At first I thougt the company that sold it to me ccheated me and sold me a pretest model or something due to the very cheap price I got. But I found another one in a store and it was the same bad quality.
But I think the design and everything else about it was just perfect.

I would still rate it 7 out of 10 though, because of everything else.

 

Could someone please comment on the fan noise levels please ? I've read the review numerous times, but would like to clarify a couple points.

So, is the fan working at all times ?
Is it audible at idle or "power save" mode ?
Can it be heard in a very quiet environment ?

I just bought a Sony Vaio VGN-SR29VN, and although it is quite quiet, it's not whisper whisper whisper quiet, even at the lowest cpu use...

 

Sure thing. Right now the noisiest part of the X200 is the hard drive spinning. I cannot hear no feel and air blowing from the main fan. If I had an SSD (which I'm planning on getting in the near future) then this machine would be virtually silent. I'm not exaggerating at all, this machine is incredible! Even under load, there is no additional fan noise that kicks in. I've tried Dells, HPs and Sonys and they all have a fan that kicks in every so often, even with no load. The X200 is free of this, it's at the same audible level all the time.

The X200 runs VERY cool, in fact the CPU is sitting at 31 Celsius at the moment, not much higher than room temperature.

I would highly recommend this laptop. The screen is excellent, I feel no flex anywhere on the keyboard or anywhere else on the frame. Battery life is just insane at 6 hours+.

 

+1, I have to have a completely silent room and my head pressed against the keyboard to hear the fan most of the time. It's definitely audible when it speeds up, but that happens so rarely that it's not an issue.

 

xenon2k9, what battery do you have? Is it the 9cell?

 

I have a 6 cell and I typically get around 5.5-6.5 hours with 12/15 brightness, power saver mode, and browsing the internet for the full time.

 

Hi pple, I just gotten my x200.

I am quite disappointed with the keyboard though, there is substantial amount of flex when i press the KB on the top right corner.

Another thing to add, my 6 cell battery isnt exactly very tightly fitted to the laptop. It is movable whenever i press it in a upward direction.

Does anyone else have the same problem as me? I was wondering if it was a manufacturing defect.

Thank you and regards!

 

Most people haven't really reported flexing issues in the X-series.

Battery wiggle seems to be a notorious Thinkpad issue - it happens on some laptops, and doesn't on others. Comes down to manufacturing and how well it fits. My Thinkpad doesn't have any issue with the 9-cell, for example, while my dad's T60 has some battery wiggle with the 6-cell.

 

Hi there!

Thanks for the reply, I did a search on X200 on this forum. Realise that these two problems are quite common with x200. Hmmm, guess i just have to live with it.

They (Lenovo) should really do something about the battery wiggle though. How can they overlook it since this issue has always been bought up by consumers.

 

I bought the X200 awhile back, at first glance its not the most appealing notebook in the market (Bezel is not so bad). Now I absolutely lovin' it the display is centered and bright. Perfect size and weight, Full size Keyboard is fantastic compared to the T series (no flex. Runs smooth and quiet, the fan is barely on. And considering its a ultraportable notebook the speaker sound quality is not so bad, the only bad part is that its on the bottom.

Only if the X200 was an LED it would be perfect... but the 200 nits LCD is good enough...

I bought the T400 as well but I use my X200 all the time now... I would rate this 88/100 reccomended for everyday use and on the go...



My Configuration...

Thinkpad X200 12.1 1280x800 LCD WXGA TFT
P8600 (2.4GHz) / 3GB DDR3 Ram / 2GB Intel Turbo Memory / Hitachi 160GB 7200rpm HDD / Intel GMA4500 MHD / Intel 5300 / BT / WC / Verizon Wwan / 9-Cell Battery / Vista Business

Upcoming Upgrades: 320GB 7200rpm WD Scorpio Black / Intel Wimax 5350

 

This might be a strange question, but does anyone know if the x200 (not s) uses any carbon fiber?

In descriptions it sounds like only the x200s and tablet uses carbon fiber for the lid while the normal x200 uses magnesium alloy.

 

All the build information is in the Thinkpad Tabook, which can be found here [Warning, PDF].

 

It's Quite Expensive But There Is A Different Model That Is Cheaper.
Model Number : 74542GU

 

Have any of you weighed your X200?

Mine with 6-cell OEM battery weighs 3 lbs 6.0 oz on a digital postal scale accurate to the gram.

This is 3.38 lbs, not 3.24 as published. Any ideas about this?

I have 1 stick of ram, 160gb HD, cam, bluetooth, no WWAN.

 

Many people seem to bother about the look of the Lenovo x200 and I find it pretty amusing. Serious users need a fast and reliable machine, the Lenovo x200 is a beautiful piece of engineering and is extremely fast and lightweight. I have a 7454-CTO with a P8700, 3gig of ram and 128gig Solid state drive and it is fast as hell. I am doing a lot of development and I would warmly recommend that machine for people who are serious about quality, speed and reliability for others look on the mac side

 

Do you use an external mouse?

 

Yes I do use a usb wireless mouse but touchpoint is very easy to use. I don't mind the lack of touchpad I never liked it anyway.

 

Excellent review! Really appreciate all the reviews in this forum.
Will make my decision to purchase a laptop a lot easier.

 

I'm thinking of purchasing either the x200 or the x200s. Does anyone know whether there is a difference in size and shape between the 6 and 9 cell batteries? I currently have a 6 cell for my T61 while my friend has a 9 cell for her T400 and the 9 cell is slightly bigger and curves upward. Any insights you can provide would be most appreciated. Many thanks.

 

Unless I am mistaken, the X200's 4-cell battery is flush. The 6-cell battery does not jut out the back, rather, it extends slightly downwards, lifting the laptop up by a little bit. The 9-cell battery juts out the back similar to the 6-cell on the T400 or the 9-cell on the T500.