Thinkpads Forum

Alrighty... I really hesitate to do this, but I'm in the process of clearing out a lot of extra equipment and junk as I might be relocating in the next year or two.

Firstly, my 'heavy lifting' machine is an Asus G73JH; equipped with a i7 740QM, 8GB RAM, two 640GB HDDs and an Intel X25M-G1 SSD. It will do any conceivable task for me including gaming, but it is a large 17" form factor and not really what I would call portable. I'm keeping this system as it's the most powerful out of anything I have.

I have two Montevina-era ThinkPads; a T500 and X200. I have an Ultrabase for the X200 and an Advanced Mini-dock for the T500. Whichever machine I keep gets the nifty 256GB Samsung SSD I recently picked up. However, one of these systems has to go.

I am strangely torn between which one to keep; logically the X200 would be favorable as it's smaller and lighter, plus I have a new 9-cell battery for it. However, I do appreciate the T500's larger, higher-res LCD, switchable graphics, and the fact the Advanced Mini-dock has ports I use that the Ultrabase doesn't(namely a parallel port for an old printer and a PS/2 port for my Model M keyboard). It also seems to run a little cooler than the T500 which translates into less fan noise doing typical Internet browsing and Office tasks. Also, the larger palmrest is a bit more comfortable for typing than the X200, making it a little easier for me to type.

I will be using my TP for anything on the go, which includes Office apps, Internet browsing, light work in GIMP and Photoshop(I'm starting to get back into drawing and just picked up a tablet to play around with; I am definitely not a pro), light programming and light gaming(mostly Source titles, perhaps some Oblivion or anything else that I could get away with). I think that either system will be fine with that but the T500 would be better on the gaming end.

All told this has been a very hard decision for me to make and I would appreciate any input to this end. I know this isn't the Marketplace, but any fair ballpark figures for both systems and hardware would be greatly appreciated.(The T500 has warranty until August and the X200 has it until November; either system would come with its respective docking station and a carrying case as well). Any input to this tough decision is more than welcome.

Thanks in advance!

As far as someone guessing estimated value of these systems, it would be a good idea to post their machine type/model numbers. Also list any remaining warranty. I like both machines, so I can't help you with which one to keep. Seems to me though that you already have a large laptop, so an ultraportable would fit as a second machine.

Harryc wrote:As far as someone guessing estimated value of these systems, it would be a good idea to post their machine type/model numbers. Also list any remaining warranty. I like both machines, so I can't help you with which one to keep. Seems to me though that you already have a large laptop, so an ultraportable would fit as a second machine.

Ack, I knew I was forgetting something. The X200 is a 7458-AE3, and the T500 is a 2082-3HU. The only 'mod' done to them are 4GB RAM each and I replaced the palmrest on the X200 to add an FP reader. Both machines have a little damage to them; the X200 has scuffing on the lid and the T500 has a slightly dented corner and one of the display latches have broken. Those likely won't be covered under warranty, however. Also, the T500's 9-cell battery holds about 50% capacity and is listed as being in poor condition in Power Manager.

It really is a tough decision as I like and use both machines quite a bit. The carrying case I use for the G73 will comfortably fit either the X200 or T500(in addition to the G73) which is a bonus, though admittedly the X200 is a much lighter load. I do like the fact I have the Ultrabay included in the T500, though.

Other options that have crossed my mind are selling both and getting a T400s or an X301, although the X301 doesn't have either an ExpressCard slot or card reader which is a major pitfall as I use both an ExpressCard flash drive and an SD card to back up my most critical data.

I'd estimate $550 with the Ultrabase for the X200, and $450 for the T500 with damage.

Here's a vote for keeping the X200. Since you've already got the Asus as a DTR, having an ultraportable seems to make more sense.

I agree with Harry and Fred that if you must keep either the T500 or the X200, it makes more sense to keep the latter. However, if I were you, I would probably do the other option you mentioned:

LegendaryKA8 wrote:Other options that have crossed my mind are selling both and getting a T400s or an X301

For me, their bigger screens and higher resolution would be more comfortable to use than the X200's 12.1" 1280x800. The T400s is about a pound heavier than the X200 whereas the X301 is about the same. In addition, I recall that the T400s has a high failure rate. So, I would prefer the X301 over the T400s.

I myself just don't see and extra hundred pixels making all that big a difference. I find the stick so easy to scroll on, it somewhat mitigates the loss in resolution. Plus you've still got the AFFS mod option on the X200, which will give it a much higher quality screen than the X301.

I do have to admit the X200 is the more practical choice of the two. I didn't realize the T400s wasn't a reliable model, which is a shame. The X301 seems to be a pretty good system but the lack of expansion besides USB will likely be a dealbreaker; I don't like using USB flash drives or card readers as they are easy to snag in the environments I usually work in. The X200's ability to take internal storage is a Godsend in those situations.

I do like the added horizontal resolution that 1440x900 provides. It might be only an extra 160x100, but I frequently work with side by side windows(Word documents, or a Word doc and a webpage) so the added res really helps. I don't mind vertical scrolling as much as I do horizontal, and most websites just don't display well on 640x800. This forum is one of a very few sites that do well at this resolution.

That said, another option might be either the AFFS mod or finding an X200s 1440x900 LED panel. The AFFS sounds tempting but I have plans to get a good 1920x1200 IPS LCD for home use as well... might be a little less expensive than the AFFS mod for the X200, too. Decisions, decisions.

Just a thought, but if you don't mind glossy, some of those HV121WX4 LCDs are dirt cheap on ebay. Since most have the touch surface still on, I'd bet on the cheap ones once you remove the touch surface, it'll be good underneath even if the screen is rated in less than like new condition.

Sell both and buy x220