Thinkpads Forum

I've been using a T42 2373 (14.1" XGA) since 2004 and didn't want to give up the 4:3 aspect ratio, but the keyboard change has thrown me into a panic. I feel I have to make a decision within a month on either the X220 or T420s.

Buying a machine with the the 7-row keyboard and large DEL/ESC keys is my only certainty.
Everything else is a mix of pro's and cons.

I hadn't realized that the T42's XGA screen was only 150 nit and 200:1 contrast.
Screen quality (brightness, contrast) may be a step up from what I've been using for the last 8 years no matter which I choose.

The T420s is 250 nit and 300:1 contrast.
The X220 is 263 nit and 743:1 contrast.

Yesterday, I spent a few hours typing on the keyboards of each model, but the shops only had the X220i with ordinary screen as floor models. The X220i is an i3 machine with the low-end screen.

The T420s and X220 keyboard widths are both the same as the T42.
For me, the the most important difference is that rounded palm rest.

I kept trying to convince myself that I could get used to the smaller palm rest and even started wondering if the design would be healthier. Healthier smealthier. I'm sure I have carpal tunnel syndrome already, but can I get used to it after 8 years?

Whichever machine I buy will be hooked up to two external 4:3 19" monitors and used for CAD, Visual Studio, Windows Office, and factory monitoring software. I usually have 10 windows open at once.

T420s would certainly make the desk cleaner since the monitors and printer will hook up in the rear.
It would still fit in my T42 bag, though and is actually lighter than the T42.
Still, I'm not getting any younger and have pull the thing in and out of bags at every airport (and sometimes trains).
...and that IPS screen everyone is praising. . .


It comes down to this:
How long has it taken people to get used to the smaller palm rest so that you stop noticing it?

I think the keyboard thing boils down to if you use a lot of keyboard shortcuts. I myself don't so the switch to the island style keyboard and the moving around of the functions keys doesn't really bother me much. I'm typing this on the X230. The actual typing part is very good in my opinion.


I never really noticed the short palm rest on the X220 until I saw that others were having trouble with it. I'd say if you're just going to have monitors hooked to the screen, there's no need for the IPS screen on the X220, though the screen itself is quite nice.

I went through this exact same decision, though for different reasons (I wanted something smaller than my T61 but didn't like the screen options on the 14's). I was also pretty apprehensive about the short palm rest, but it's absolutely no problem. If anything, I actually prefer the shorter palm rest from an ergonomic standpoint. I also used an Edge E420 for a while, and while the palm rest was a lot bigger, it was horribly uncomfortable for me.

The big difference seems to be the rounded edge on the T-series palm rest, which just makes the whole thing much more comfortable. My hands are average size, and the bottom of my palm just barely touches the part where it starts to curve down. I'm often typing on the laptop for hours at a time since it's my only work computer, and comfort-wise it's been great. I'm now pretty much a convert to the 12.5" notebook.

smashkenazi wrote:It comes down to this:
How long has it taken people to get used to the smaller palm rest so that you stop noticing it?

I'm using x200s instead of x220, but I think it's comparable as far as palm rest width concern.

For me, almost in no time.

Prior to using x200s I was using T400 for couple years, before with was T60 and T40p (which should be similar size as T42) for 3 or 4 yrs. Never need to adjust to the palm rest size. When I was choosing a T400 replacement I did struggle a bit on choosing between T400s and x200s mainly because of screen size and resolution, but at the end x200s size and weight won me over.

And don't forget that x220 has a hugh bonus of LED IPS screen ( 700+ contrast !!! ) too.

smashkenazi wrote:Screen quality (brightness, contrast) may be a step up from what I've been using for the last 8 years no matter which I choose.

With the X220 IPS screen, yes. Otherwise do not count on it or you may be sorely disappointed. The general trend with new, non-premium screens, compared to my old, non-premium 4:3 Thinkpad T30 screen, seems to be:

Higher brightness.
Higher black level (blacks are milky grey).
Lower contrast. Forget about what the specs say other than sources like notebookcheck who actually measure the screens.
Possibly better horizontal viewing angles.
Worse vertical viewing angles.

My T410s is a bad example of the new breed with very high black levels, low contrast and atrocious vertical viewing angles. It comes out as a net loss for me, with that machine.

Thanks to all who gave feedback.

It really helped me make the decision to get an X220 before it's too late. I pulled the trigger on the day the X230 showed up on the website.

So I promise not to post whining complaints about the palm rests and hope to update some time in July once I'm trained to type on it. That is, if I can force myself to stop using the T42.

It's hard to believe I was typing on electric typewriters and detached keyboards without any palm rests for years before laptops became economical and functional. Maybe that has something to do with this neurotic attachment to the T42.