Merits of X220 Tablet over X220 Non-Tablet

[ai69]

Hello Thinkpad Forum members,
I have an X200 as my work machine, and am absolutely in love with the Thinkpads. However when it comes to making a personal choice I am still sitting on the fence between the X220 Tablet and the X220 (non-tablet).
I would appreciate if someone could explain to me if there are really compelling reasons for having a tablet version? What are the primary uses for a tablet version? They sure look more interesting than the simple X220, but my concern is the swivel, or its durability--it just does not look to me as it is something that can endure a long-term use.
There is a premium of around $300 for a tablet version as compared to the non-tablet one (with basically identical technical characteristics), but that's OK I am willing to pay that, but I need to know if it is really worth it.
Really appreciate the insight this Forum can provide.

[vinuneuro]

There is a BIG size and weight difference between the two, among other issues. Think long and hard about whether you will really benefit from pen input. The touch input is relatively useless imo, it's just too big and heavy, not like using an iPad.

Here's a X220 w/ 9-cell on top of a X220 Tablet w/ 6-cell. Imagine the X220 with only a 6-cell and nothing sticking out the back and size difference becomes even more ridiculous.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/attachm ... _220_2.jpg

I had an X200 and X201 Tablet last year and ultimately didn't keep them. Apart from size, the hinge doesn't wear nearly as well over time. It develops much more play in both axes over time compared to Thinkpad notebook hinges in which it's a negligible issue. The other thing is that a portion of your palms are inevitably off the edge of the palmrest in X-series. Whereas this isn't an issue in the notebooks because it's rounded, the sharp edge in tablets becomes uncomfortable. Tablets also have no thinklight which is annoying using it at night.

I strongly recommend going for an X220. It's very well made, much better than almost every Thinkpad notebook of the past, nearly as good as the X301 which I also had. The IPS screen option is about as good as it gets, and a very reasonable upgrade for only $50. The screen was a big advantage of X tablets before (though it was canceled out to a certain extent because of the graininess from digitizer layer), but you can have that now in the X220 notebook without the many drawbacks of the tablet.

[ai69]

vinuneuro,
Thank you very much for your insight. Especially appreciate since I live in a country with no access to Lenovo facilities, so can only make a judgment based on information found on the internet.
Indeed, the picture you provided is VERY telling. Not only am I not that desperate to get a tablet now, I think I will opt out of the 9-cell option as well. Will buy an additional 9+ (or what it's called) dock-battery instead.
Thanks again.

[Kaze22]

Taking notes and drawing stuff.
If you never take notes or sign digital documents or draw anything, Tablets useless.
If you need to write and draw, then the x220t is still the best tablet in the market.
The x220t smokes any tablet in its pen accuracy, even the THINKPAD TABLET cant compare the x220t digitizer accuracy.

I have both the Thinkpad Tablet and X220t, the pen accuracy on the x220t is something to write home about.
Its really for designers and engineers, or a CEO, who hates pen and paper.

[ai69]

Thanks all for your insight, very much appreciated.
After a long consideration, I decided to for a regular non-tablet X220. Just purchased one on eBay.
I wish I was able to build my own system on the Lenovo's website but alah, it's problematic to buy from Lenovo if you are not based inside the US.

Thanks again.

[loyukfai]

Is buying from China an option? After all, the machines are made there.

I've always wondered, despite that Kazakhstan shares the border with China, the fact that the north west of China is mostly unpopulated and undeveloped compared to the east, is there much trade activities there...

Cheers.

[twistero]

Is buying from China an option? After all, the machines are made there.

Buying a ThinkPad from China would be more expensive than buying from the US. This applies to most "serious" electronics, like computers, smartphones, household appliances, etc., even though many of these are in fact made in China.

[ai69]

Buying a ThinkPad from China would be more expensive than buying from the US. This applies to most "serious" electronics, like computers, smartphones, household appliances, etc., even though many of these are in fact made in China.

This. Also, spoke to a colleague of mine who buys smallish stuff on a Chinese equivalent of eBay, he said he'd never buy anything with a substantial price, for considerations of security and delivery.

[loyukfai]

One just have to be careful but admittedly, it's easy to get burnt not familiar with the tricks commonly used. But I guess it's more or less the same everywhere - There are dishonest vendors on eBay as well. I was just wondering about the relationship between Kazakhstan (which seems to be a nice place, BTW) and PRC.

Cheers.