Assuming I can still order a fully specced out X220 what will I miss out on compared to the new upcoming X230 based on the available data?

I've been a Thinkpad user for a long time and like many others have commented, I am not a fan of the new chiclet keyboard, so I am thinking of getting a new X220 while I still can.

Is the new processor platform worth waiting for? What about Gobi 3000 3G versus the new Gobi 4000 4G connectivity? Would the Gobi 4G card work in the X220? Do we know anything more about the screen resolution on the X230?

Thanks for helping me out!

From a performance perspective unless you're pushing the CPU all the time, Ivy Bridge won't offer you much. I don't think we'll know if the Gobi will work until someone tries it. The specs on the the X230 are fluid right now. Until Lenovo firms it up, your guess is as good as mine, though you can call me a skeptic about Lenovo offering HD+ on the X230, but I've been wrong before.

Thank you ZaZ, I appreciate your input.

I'll probably hold off on making a decision until I know the specs for the X230 for sure. I forgot how it was with the X220, but do you think both models X220/230 will be available for order or will the X220 be removed from the product line when the X230 is released?

Several weeks before the release of the X220, there were also rumors that it would have 1600x900, just like what we are hearing about the X230.

Lenovo will continue to sell the X220 for a while even after the X230 has come out, at least on their outlet site.

I wasn't aware of the outlet site. Can you post a link?

I'm planning on an X230 so 1600 x 900 makes me drool. Now I've got fingers crossed on both hands.

I think the keyboard might be fine, and more reliable than the X220 style. I've replaced keyboards over and over on R50, T520 and X201, so I'm willing to give "Accu--" chicklet a try. I will like the backlit option.

The lenovo.com site does specify SSD up to 256gb and traditional hard drives up to 500gb for the X230.

My dream would be: high resolution screen in a touch screen tablet, light weight, long battery life.

The lenovo.com site does specify that the Ultrabase 3 will work on the X230, so the form factor can't be changing too much.

Its not happening. Lots of posts elsewhere on that.

Cheers,

Bill B.

Amongst other things:

4G internal WWAN support (for at least some markets).

USB 3.0 on all USB ports.

Cheers,

Bill B.

There really was NOT rumor about X220 1600x900 screen. A Japanese site leaked some spec and photos of the X220, in Japanese, without a 1600x900 screen, and then at the end of the post, the author wrote something like "i wish it had a 1600x900 screen" or "my dream machine would be one with 1600x900 screen". Google translate sucked and basically translated that sentence into something meaningless and people on every forums quoted that website as saying that a 1600x900 screen would be available.

At least this time around, a number of tech sites claim that Lenovo representatives told them that a 1600x900 screens would be available. Yet, it seems pretty clear now that this won't be the case.

correction - two USB ports.   the left ports are USB 3.0 but the powered (yellow) port on the right is USB 2.0.

just putting that out there to prevent any confusion or disappointment.

X230 can be ordered now. As expected, no 1600x900 option.

Third time lucky? X220 and X230 didn't work out so maybe the next one will finally get a decent resolution... and loose more of ThinkPad features. (what would be going out next? TrackPoint?)

Don't even say it out loud!

Battery life, video performance, and heat - in a nutshell.

The battery life performance on the X230 I have is a few minutes short of my X220i, at least when the battery was new. Heat/noise wise, they seem about the same, though the Hitachi hard drive in the X230 is a bit noisy, but that's probably dumb luck more than anything else. The CPU on the X230 is a modest upgrade, but the GPU is quite a bit better.

As I understand it, battery life on the X220 should be shorter, video performance less optimal, and heat should be greater. No hands-on experience from my part though.

As for heat issues, read Temperature paragraph in this review http://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-Thi ... 317.0.html

"To put bluntly, surface temperatures of the X230 are on average noticeably warmer than the X220 under both idle and stressed conditions."

Hadn't read that review. Notebook Review seemed to indicate something different.


http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... D=6477&p=3

you might want to compare NBR's own reviews.   they show that the X220 lasts 6 minutes longer on battery and runs at the same average temps if not marginally cooler.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... D=6056&p=4

I did revisit that review for the X220 after my initial post.

My initial post was an off-the-cuff remark based on one review (NBR's) for the X230. Oh well. Taken in the light of other reviews, this statement from NBR: "Lenovo promised a "cooler and quieter thermal design" thanks to the dual exhaust vents and they weren't kidding.", leaves one to wonder why it was made. (Well I do get the "quieter" part)

given that the X220 has the exact same dual vent system i'm not sure why they called that a new feature.   if anything it would have been repeated from the X220's press materials since dual vents were an update from the X200/X201 design and were marketed quite heavily upon the X220's release.

It's probably as "new" as the new slice battery of the X2* series...

Does anyone understand what has changed between the X220 and X230 batteries? Are they just a different shape? They are not compatible - right?

It's the same battery.

So there is no difference between a 29++ and a 44++?

I was told the new *30 series batteries had an authentication chip built-in and older batteries won't work in the new models.
(That's what I read on the german Thinkpad forum anyway... )

Well - I'll find out. Just bought an X220 battery.

the batteries differ only in authentication chips as benjs mentioned.   an X220 battery will power the X230 but won't charge.   once it runs down you'd need an external battery charger or X220 to charge it back up.

in short, X230 owners shouldn't buy X220 batteries.

Is there any reason for it?

A reason to limit batteries the new *30-series Thinkpads charge may be the new rapid charge technology:
according to their marketing material, they promise 80% of the battery to be charged within 30 minutes IIRC.

If that's not the reason however... well... money. Sell more. The usual...

I guess that means anyone who wants a good deal on an X220 battery should watch for my upcoming "almost used once" sale on the marketplace forum