Thinkpad X61 Tablet now, or X200 Tablet later?

[carsncars]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for your reassurance on the bezel issue. I need your advice once more.

I think I'm going to be purchasing the X61 Tablet for university this fall. This is the specification I've picked out:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo processor L7500 (1.60GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)

Operating system: Genuine Windows Vista Business

Recovery DVD: Genuine Windows XP Recovery CD English NA

Screen: 12.1" WVA SXGA+ TFT

System graphics: Intel GMA X3100 GM965

Total memory: 1 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 (1 DIMM)

Keyboard Language: US English Keyboard

Pointing device: TrackPoint (TrackPoint Only)

Hard drive: 160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm

Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth PAN

WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (US/CAN/LA/AP)

Battery: 4 Cell Li-Ion Battery (Tablet), 8 Cell Li-Ion Battery (Tablet)

With the 25% off sale and 15% coupon code, I'm getting this for CAD$1,594.31. I will be upgrading the RAM to 3Gb myself.

Firstly, think that's a good price to pay for that configuration? Will it last me four-five years?

Now, my real question is, do you think I should pull the trigger now, or wait for the (rumoured/leaked) X200 tablet this summer? How likely is it that I can get a similar configuration for that price? Do you think the X200 tablet will have a higher-resolution screen option?

Any insight is much appreciated.

EDIT: Dropped it to the lower processor to get the SXGA+ screen. Also took out the Intel Turbo Memory, because if I'm upgrading to 3Gb I don't think the speed bump is worth it (especially with possible driver issues). Does anyone know why the SXGA+ isn't available with the faster L7700 processor? Also took off

[rosel]

Couple of points:

there's no set date for the release of the x200, so lets say it does come in for sept., it will probably ship in 2-3 weeks which could leave you w/o a comp. for the first month of uni. Given that semesters are usually 3 months and a bit, this may be too long to wait.

i've also heard that the x200 is supposed to be an offshoot of the x300 which has a base price of around $2,742 CAD...so I'm not sure if you can get an x200 in the $1500 price range....

as well, i'm in the same boat as you....buy now for 4 years of school or wait....the x200 is widescreen which is a bonus considering that 12inch isn't that big, however i'm convincing myself that the wait for this model isn't worth the money and possible time since theres no confirmation of a release date...

finally, are you ordering from the canadian lenovo website? and which 15% coupon are you referring to?

thanks

[ajkula66]

Some aspects to consider...

Tablets, in general, are more expensive than most of the other ThinkPads. If and when X200 T hits the street, it will be pretty pricey to begin with.

Also, there's almost no chance that these machines will have anything close to IPS FlexView LCD used on current tablet models. For that reason alone, I'd highly consider getting one now.

My $0.02 only.

[rek]

Also, there's almost no chance that these machines will have anything close to IPS FlexView LCD used on current tablet models. For that reason alone, I'd highly consider getting one now.

I agree with this. I know I keep on harping on about this point, but with a tablet you have to consider the screen resolution in both landscape and portrait orientations. This is where the SXGA+ panel of the X6x Tablet really shines, in portrait it's 1050x1400, which is wide enough for anything.

A WXGA paneled tablet will have 800x1280 in portrait mode, which is still too narrow to be of use in a world where most programs and web sites assume a 1000+ pixel screen width. Even if they provide a WXGA+ panel option in the X200T, it still isn't good enough in this regard (900x1440 portrait).

Another screen related point; when using the screen in so many orientations to straight-ahead, as you do with a tablet, compromising on display viewing angles is a bad idea. Before the X60t I had a Toshiba tablet with a non-IPS style display, and using it as anything other than a conventional laptop was a bear. Most of the time in portrait mode, half the screen was so washed out to be unreadable; you had to constantly tilt it around to read the screen.

[carsncars]

Thanks for the input, everyone.

I did end up pulling the trigger on the X61 tablet. I figure:

1.) It's probably not likely for me to get the X200 (in my hands) before the end of August, which means a mid-term transfer of files/date/etc.
2.) I'll probably end up having to drop 500-1000$ more on the X200, compared to the incentives on the X61t.
3.) The screen. I highly doubt Lenovo is going to pack a WSXGA+ in the X200's 12" screen.

So, I'm eagerly awaiting my new tool (/toy). It's estimated to ship at the end of this week... not bad: 8 days for a CTO machine.

The estimated ship date on my extra 8-cell battery is September! I'm not complaining though, because they're upgrading my 4-cell with the machine to an 8-cell at no cost, and I'm getting that with the computer.

For the poster who asked... the coupon code for Lenovo Canada was CAPHOTSAVINGS or something like that (there's a post on it in this forum) that gives 15% off the X61t if configured over 1800$. It gives 10% off if under 1800$.

[kunfuchopsticks]

i've also heard that the x200 is supposed to be an offshoot of the x300 which has a base price of around $2,742 CAD...so I'm not sure if you can get an x200 in the $1500 price range....

Nonsense, The x200 is X61 Replacement. So how can it even be anywhere over $1500?

[ajkula66]

kunfuchopsticks wrote:

Nonsense, The x200 is X61 Replacement. So how can it even be anywhere over $1500?

In case you haven't noticed, we're discussing tablets here. Go on Lenovo's site and configure one with SXGA+ LCD properly and tell me if you come up with less than $1,500.

And new X200T, if and when it arrives, will only be more when initially introduced.