T61 / T400 / T500 / X201s - Which should I buy?

[jonashendrickx]

X200s: http://www.2dehands.be/computer-game-co ... 49953.html
T500: http://www.2dehands.be/computer-game-co ... 41939.html
T400: http://www.2dehands.be/computer-game-co ... 77659.html
T61: http://www.2dehands.be/computer-game-co ... oks/2/T61/?

Specifications are mostly incomplete, but the seller refurbishes them and sells them again. I am looking for a machine to run Linux to keep my knowledge up to date. My W530 is currently running 14 hours a day.

Let's say prices mostly vary between 100-180 EUR, I don't really want to discuss the advertisements but rather the products themselves.

Any recommendations? I am also trying to learn more about the history of ThinkPads, why everyone prefers the 7-row keyboards etc.

I already own a W530 (3447) and Helix (3698-6EU) (and few other Idea-branded models models which don't really matter in this question.)

Reasons not to consider the T500/T61: too big, maybe I want something smaller, but they are still well-priced.

[ajkula66]

Good to see you around here...

I'd go with X200s...spectacular battery life, and arguably the most interesting "small & light" ThinkPad without a touchpad. Still very useful as a travel machine.

[brchan]

I agree with getting the X201s. It is a great little machine with better performance as well (core i cpus). The other three machines aren't particularly special, and the hinges can even snap overtime from a hinge design flaw.

[RealBlackStuff]

@brchan: the machine in question is an X200s (not X201s), which has C2D CPUs, not i-Core!

@OP:
in your title, you mention X201s, but your link goes to X200s (lookalikes, but quite different inside!).
This X200s only has 1280x800 screen (has ridge on lid, same as X201s), and not 1440x900 (has no ridge on lid, same as X201s).

[jonashendrickx]

Sorry typing errror!

Doesn't the X200s also come with a 1440x900 screen? (According to thinkwiki)
My only real demands are a decent display, 1366x768 or lower isn't exactly something I am looking for. I get claustrofobia from that. But maybe I can live with it.

This is really a hard choice, I think I may be able to get one of those T-series with a very good display for less than 200 EUR.

But you are right, I read a lot of complaints about the hinges. The X200s will probably serve me best over time

Thank you for your help everyone!

Hello ajkula66!

[RealBlackStuff]

To get any X200/X200s/X201/X201s with the high resolution 1440x900, look for a lid without the ridge.
You can swap complete lids between them (but not just the LCD).

[jonashendrickx]

I ended up with a X201, X200s was not in stock sadly enough.

lid has a few severe scratches and keyboard looks pretty worn out.
I have a 9-cell battery still in perfect condition.

I ordered a brand new keyboard and brand new lid straight from IBM. Ordered a new base cover from ebay, accidentally damaged it trying to screw a M3x3 instead of a M2x3.

Still not bad for my first ThinkPad. Need to learn a lot. I had a lot of fun disassembling it with the HMM in front of me.

Windows 8.1 and Ubuntu 14.04 work fine without problems on my X201 so far. Ubuntu works pretty much out of the box. Exactly what I wanted.

[ZaZ]

I ended up with a X201, X200s was not in stock sadly enough.

That's good if you want a good screen. Now you can do the AFFS swap and get an IPS LCD if you're inclined.