New, cheaper, Lenovo X201 replacement

[DaKKS]

I've been thinking of replacing my X201 with something else since the graphics is terrible. I honestly cant stand it any more and a eGPU solutions are expensive and clumsy. I don't quite want to spend more than I can sell my X201 for, but is still want most bag for the buck. I'm not cheating on Lenovo though, even if other manufacturers have better laptops in my price range.

I can easily sell my X201 for around 4000SEK (600USD) over here, even more if I find the right buyer. Thinkpads are extremely expensive over here. I found a Lenovo G580 for about 500 USD. Throw in a cpu upgrade and some ram and it should do fine. I'll miss the classic Lenovo design, but whatever.

Cons: Quality, Portability, battery life(?), Screen resolution (upgradable?)
Pros: 2nd Gen i-CPU (upgradeable), 16Gb ram, Intel HD4000 graphics, ultrabay battery(?)

Thoughts?

[RealBlackStuff]

If you like the rest of the X201, you may consider swapping the LCD for a WXGA+ (1440x900) version with LED backlight.
You'd need to swap the whole lid from a X200s or X201s, as you also need a different LCD-cable.
See also this:
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/X-Series-Th ... d-p/354537
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... w=previous
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... w=previous

[DaKKS]

If you like the rest of the X201, you may consider swapping the LCD for a WXGA+ (1440x900) version with LED backlight.
You'd need to swap the whole lid from a X200s or X201s, as you also need a different LCD-cable.
See also this:
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/X-Series-Th ... d-p/354537
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... w=previous
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... w=previous

Thanks, however I believe you misunderstood me. Graphics as in the [censored] Intel HD 1000, not as in screen resolution. I'm used to 14" XGA, 12" WXGA is pure joy for my eyes.

Now if Intel could release drivers that unleashed the full power of the HD1000, i'd never let this thing go.

I looked at the G580 and I wasn't blown away by any stretch of the imagination. It felt very Acer (yes, that's an insult) compared to my X201. I realize I wont get the same quality with a budget laptop than with my X201, but it didn't have that Lenovo feeling at all...

[DaKKS]

Yup, took the plunge and hunted down a G580. Turns out the one i looked at was a B570. I quite like the G580 to be honest. Paid 520 USD for it and i was pleasantly surprised. This thing is pretty decent. No flex at all anywhere, feels snappy (although i threw in 8gb ram and an SSD) and even the screen isnt as bad as i imagined. All in all, i think this is probably the best 500 USD range computer i've used.

i3-3110m
8GB ram
Intel 330 180gb - 500gb Seagate
HD4000
Win 8 Pro

Thinking of throwng in a more powerful CPU, i've heard there is a Quad i7 that works with it, but i have a feeling its going to cost an arm and a leg.