Thinkpads Forum

Just joined over this weekend and looking forward to be a part of this group.

I have an iPad 2 and there are times I just want a keyboard etc and larger fonts and such when simply viewing the web while someone is on the PC in the den.

Been looking at a few web sellers and it looks like many are selling the X220 4290-4E2 ( I7 USB 3, but I believe no IPS Video), for a reasonable price. Around $800.00

Also found one site that has a few X220 4291-2ZU (I5 2520M, I believe has IPS Video but no USB 3) for even less. $700.00

I don't think the performance between the I7 and I5 will be that majorly different, maybe less heat from the I5.

But I'm just trying to decide if it's better to get the unit with the UBS 3 and maybe mod it latter with an video panel update,
(voids the warranty)
or get the IPS model and hope that an express USB 3.0 card will work.

I've worked with electronics for over 30 years, so I'm not afraid of the mod, I just don't want to fight Lenovo in case there's ever a warranty repair.

I've used Lenovo's ItwBook.pdf for a reference, the 2ZU is listed but the 4E2 is not.

If anyone can confirm the 4E2 isn't IPS and the 2ZU is, then I'm leaning toward the 2ZU.
And heaven forbid that the 4E2 also had IPS then I'm sold.

Also, I guess I looking for opinions
on whether to go with the USB 3 or IPS.
Any replies would be appreciated.

Personally, I'd take the IPS over USB 3, but then again, I don't use USB much. If you want another option, you could buy the USB 2 version with IPS, then pick up an ExpressCard slot USB 3.0 card. It's not as fast as an on-board USB 3 port, more like 2.5, but still better than USB 2.

If you have the luxury of being patient, you might want to hit the Lenovo Outlet. I've seen X220 with IPS go in the $500 range. You might find a good deal on a X230, which has USB 3 on all models. I would agree there's little practical difference between the i5 and i7 CPUs unless you're pushing them all the time.

ZaZ wrote:If you want another option, you could buy the USB 2 version with IPS, then pick up an ExpressCard slot USB 3.0 card. It's not as fast as an on-board USB 3 port, more like 2.5, but still better than USB 2

I'm pretty sure that on an X220, an ExpressCard USB will be just as fast as the onboard, since the ExpressCard supports PCIe 2.0, and the onboard just uses the same Renesas controller.

Native Intel chipset USB3 in later Ivy Bridge models may offer faster performance - that's one of the things I'm looking to benchmark soon.

I thought I saw somewhere that was not the case, but don't have any practical experience with it. Either way it's another option for the IPS.

I wish I had a Core i7 X220 here to test it on, but no one in my surroundings seems to have one.

An IPS screen will reward you each and every time the machine is on. The benefits of USB3 3 is tangible but not that important for me and is something that I would benefit from once in a while. Realistically how often do you transfer 10+ GB of data between devices where USB 3 is tangibly beneficial? As already mentioned, the USB 3 implementation here is via a 3rd party chipset vs native chipset USB implementation. IMO, native chipset implementation is less buggy and is superior.

Great points, so I'm going with the 4291-2ZU.

Since I plan to use this with the iPad around the house, the I7 isn't needed, nor is the USB 3.

Hope it gets here soon.

Sorry I haven't gotten back sooner.

I ended up getting an X220T (4298-4TU) used but the warranty was good until Jan 2015.

Since it's a tablet the IPS monitor is covered and this model has the I7 which comes with USB3 and a SSD 128 Gb.

I have some questions but I think I'm going to start a new thread for better reference etc.

Thanks for the input eveybody.

Sorry, there is no USB3 on the X220 Tablet at all, even with the i7 CPU.

How much does the IPS screen itself( a good one) actually cost as I am planning to have one fitted if price worth.

petko8680 wrote:How much does the IPS screen itself( a good one) actually cost as I am planning to have one fitted if price worth.

The screen in question: LG LP125WH2-SLB1 (data pulled from my X220 tablet with IPS)

From amazon, 65USD+shipping: http://www.amazon.com/LG-LP125WH2-SLB1- ... B005DI0MFW

If you go on ebay and the like, be careful: some sellers sell compatible parts, some of which are TN since lenovo used to sell a TN panel in their X2x0 machines back in the day.