Confused about X series differences

[atanasoff]

I'm looking for an X series to serve as a portable machine (instead of an ipad+keyboard+stand) and as a standard machine with a dock.

I'm not clear on the differences among recent models (x200-x300) or between recent and older series. X61 seems to be still usable if HD changed out to SSD, and these are said to be well-made.

Which X series fills the following specs?

First priority for me is a crisp, bright screen, at least 900 pixels high. Width is less useful - this is an advantage of a slate. I see T60/61 were available up to 1400x1050 - that's a full workspace squoze into a carry-about machine. But those are old, and there are 1350x900 screens in later models.

I currently have a very old T with 1400x1050. This is enough to be useful, for me 1024x768 is not. This SXGA+ screen is sharp, is viewable at any angle I can use the computer but is not usable outdoors or at a large, sunny window. I'd like a screen in the next machine to look at least as good but not wash out as easily next to a window.
I've read that there was a decline in screen quality around 2007.

Also want:
Solid feeling and good construction; flimsy feeling stuff is annoying.
Durable; it's a headache when computers break.
I don't need a new machine, but I want something recent enough that spare parts are available and the machine isn't near dying of old age.

I won't use it for heavily compute-intense tasks, eg no games or running a compiler. Handbrake now and then, but I'm not time-pressed to get the output. It needs only to be fast enough to feel snappy in casual use; cool and quiet operation is more important.

Quick boot/resume time.
Trackpoint, pad and typist keyfeel, but I believe all thinkpads have this.

There's always the MacBook Air. I found, though, that by the time I got done configuring it was $1500, which is a more expensive object than I want to routinely lug around in public. I believe they have glossy screens which I don't care for.

[ajkula66]

You're going to have to make some compromises here...

X200s and X201s will offer 1440x900 on a 12" widescreen. Sharp screens, but poor colour reproduction and viewing angles. Not that easy to find either, and the CPUs on X200s might be getting a little long in the tooth depending on what you're going to use the machine for.

X300/301 offer the same resolution on a 13.3" panel, but utilize 1.8" drives which are somewhat expensive nowadays. Screens have pretty much the same issue as the ones on X2** models mentioned above. They also sport a media drive that can be replaced by an ultrabay battery or another hard drive unlike the X2** series.

X201s would be the most modern, most expensive and most difficult to find. Probably most future-proof as well.

My personal pick would likely be X301.

Happy shopping.

[atanasoff]

"X201s would be the most modern, most expensive and most difficult to find. Probably most future-proof as well."

201 is newer/better than 301?

Maybe they should date-code these things!

[ajkula66]

X201 has a Core i CPU, where X301 still sports a Core 2 Duo.

These two machines are not related at all on any other way...and I agree that using *01 designation on both makes the comparison confusing...

[ZaZ]

Keep in mind any of the X series notebooks mentioned so far are going to be a step down in image quality versus your iPad. You might want to consider the X220/X230 for a few reasons. Though the screens are 1366x768, there is an IPS option. That nets you a nicer screen, but better yet, it's rated at 300 nits, which is usable outdoors as long as you're not in direct sunlight. Other benefits would be seriously long battery life, like 9-10 hours of battery life with the nine-cell, maybe more if you can stomach a lower brightness level on the screen. It can also offer a SSD and a hard drive. I have a 80GB SSD for the OS and a 1TB drive in mine. Plus, they can at times be found very inexpensively in the Lenovo Outlet, depending on you locale, like less than half what the Air costs. Personally, I'd take the better PQ over the 100 or so extra pixels, but that's me.

[atanasoff]

Keep in mind any of the X series notebooks mentioned so far are going to be a step down in image quality versus your iPad. You might want to consider the X220/X230 for a few reasons. Though the screens are 1366x768, there is an IPS option. That nets you a nicer screen, but better yet, it's rated at 300 nits, which is usable outdoors as long as you're not in direct sunlight. Other benefits would be seriously long battery life, like 9-10 hours of battery life with the nine-cell, maybe more if you can stomach a lower brightness level on the screen. It can also offer a SSD and a hard drive. I have a 80GB SSD for the OS and a 1TB drive in mine. Plus, they can at times be found very inexpensively in the Lenovo Outlet, depending on you locale, like less than half what the Air costs. Personally, I'd take the better PQ over the 100 or so extra pixels, but that's me.

I haven't bought an ipad yet -- tempted, but I want to keep the gadget count down. An ipad with a thin keyboard does fit the role of casual, portable connectivity very well, so I suspect I'll end up with one at some point.
768 pixels high, that's 25% less than I have now. I'll have to try setting my machine down to that for a day and see if don't go nuts. The other benefits of a modern rather than antique machine are attractive tho.
Have you used an X61t with the SXGA+? That's a decent size workspace and, with some luck, might be a crisp and attractive screen also. I'd lose the charge and forget battery life and other benefits of a modern machine, hm.

[ajkula66]

Have you used an X61t with the SXGA+? That's a decent size workspace and, with some luck, might be a crisp and attractive screen also. I'd lose the charge and forget battery life and other benefits of a modern machine, hm.

Those are fine machines, forget about using them outside, though. The LCD is simply not bright enough.

With a good extended life battery you're looking at 5 hrs in W7...don't know if you need more than that.

[ZaZ]

I find the stick and center button to be a very effective scrolling tool and to me it mitigates the loss of resolution, but to each his or her own. I used to have a R60 with UXGA FV LCD before I got my X200. I thought I'd really miss the extra resolution, but I liked more the fact the X200 weighed half as much.

[rjwilmsi]

All of the X series from X200 / X300 and later are fast enough with an SSD (I have an X200s for travel and X200T as Windows machine at home), and all except X61 take DDR3 RAM. Build quality, keyboards all good.

The issue is the screen. I went through the same thought process, if you say good screen then to me that means NOT a TN panel. So you have X61/X200/X201 tablet models only, or X220 or newer with the Premium (IPS) option. Problem is that only the very latest X series have the option for IPS at 1600x900 or better: X200T is 1280x800, X220 is 1366x786, so is X230 and X240. So you have a choice really: get used with 1280x800 or 1366x786, my X200T was £100 without RAM & hard drive. Or, if you must have a higher resolution, you switch to the T series with 1600x900 Premium screen on T430, or buy new X1 or Helix or ThinkPad Yoga with up to 1080p screen. That's > £500 rather than from £100.

I decided that it was not worth spending > £500 on a new/nearly new machine to go from 1280x800 to 1600x900 or even 1080p (yes other specs are better but I'm not worried about those), I can get a 1080p IPS monitor second hand for < £100, not going to pay > £500 for it on a laptop. Also really what I want is a UHD screen, so I'll stick with 1280x800 for now and get these latest ThinkPads used with a 1440p or better/UHD screen for a song in three years' time.

[atanasoff]

I find the stick and center button to be a very effective scrolling tool and to me it mitigates the loss of resolution, but to each his or her own. I used to have a R60 with UXGA FV LCD before I got my X200. I thought I'd really miss the extra resolution, but I liked more the fact the X200 weighed half as much.

The 220/230 sounds like the thing. I'd say later is better but it seems Lenovo is making each successive model more fluffy and less Thinkpad -- there are some without the screen latch for instance.

Anyway ..
Palmrest -- do you find the X200 and later his your hand wrong compared to older X series? There's tons of space on my T series, I could do with an inch less but not 1.75 cut off. I noticed a photo of someone typing on an X230 which shows the user must hold their wrists up. That's OK for a "serious" typist but not for a read/think/peck at keys cycle.

What should I look for if I want an X220 (230?) to keep a while,
how can I tell if it has the 300 nit IPS screen
are there other options to be aware of
and where can I find one?
Lenovo outlet is showing only X230 and X230T, no X220.

[ssd_thinkpad]

The T60 was upgreadable to a UXGA IPS display, I still use it occasionaly on the Intel GPU T60 and do like that very much.

IPS does not mean it will be a good screen. A screen consists of backlight and the panel. There are lots of good panels build into the thinkpad (TN panels, but they can be very good), but the backlight flickers. My T520 has a wonderful FHD TN display, but it flickers. How could you prove a display flickers? Make a video of your notebook display with your phone camera.

After the T60 series, the largest panel with IPS / VA technology from lenovo is the T440s which I currently use. It's around 1,5 kg, you could put it into the X series, too. The T440s panel has a backlight where I do not notice too much flicker.

[atanasoff]

"the largest panel with IPS / VA technology from lenovo is the T440s which I currently use. It's around 1,5 kg, you could put it into the X series, too. "

How could a panel from a 14" machine fit into an X series?
I would tend to wonder if it isn't more economical of total time, cost + trouble to also get the rest of the computer that display is attached to. (probably I am misunderstanding your post).
The T440 looks to be almost compact, but at the moment I'm looking for something smaller.

[ssd_thinkpad]

A 14 inch 16:9 display is comparable to a 12 inch 4:3 display if you mostly care about the vertical height. I meant lenovo could market the T440s also as an X440s, as a 14 inch x-series release. The x series had following characteristics: no optical drive, build to be small.

If you need the smallest available notebook, the x200 series is of course much better and slimmer. I owned both a x40 and a x60 thinkpad, and while they were the best notebooks for the road, I did not like them so much for extended use because of their not full-sized-keyboards. The x200 series has a full size keyboard, but then their vertical display height is reduced. You have to sacrify somewhere.

You could also just take a one pound ipad air with you and a keyboard which would give you the vertical size of a 15 inch notebook in portrait mode, but then you have to sacrify with the iOS and no other pointing device than your hand.

[pianowizard]

Keep in mind any of the X series notebooks mentioned so far are going to be a step down in image quality versus your iPad. You might want to consider the X220/X230 for a few reasons. Though the screens are 1366x768, there is an IPS option. That nets you a nicer screen, but better yet, it's rated at 300 nits

The 1920x1080 panel of the T440s is also IPS and 300 nits. I think it meets all of the OP's requirements, except that it's a bit big. It's the most interesting Thinkpad since the X201s.

If the OP didn't require a very bright screen or quiet operation, Panasonic's Toughbook CF-Y7 would be worth considering: 14.1" 1400x1050, Core2 Duo, strong construction, only 3.4 to 3.6 lbs (depending what kind of lid is used), and fairly easy to find one for under $300. As you know, I am extremely happy with mine, especially after upgrading to an SSD and Windows 8.

[ZaZ]

It's the most interesting Thinkpad since the X201s.

If your world view is screen resolution, then perhaps so. The 160+ pixel density, which will make for very small text, would give me pause. Other downsides would be the fact I believe Lenovo has dumped the mSATA option for a cache drive, so no SSD + HDD option. T440(s) accepts less memory than the T430 due to the 4GB soldered stick. If you're a stick user, the new setup is less appealing, though touch padders should be more happy. I'll reserve judgement until I use one. You can buy a X230 with IPS and warranty in the Lenovo Outlet for half what a new T440s will cost.

[pianowizard]

If your world view is screen resolution

Yes it is, because I do text-intensive work on my computers. I once had a 1366x768 HP netbook and tried to like the crippling resolution but simply could not. Since the OP feels that having at least 900 pixels vertically is his/her "first priority", getting a 1366x768 laptop would be a major gamble. I wouldn't be saying this had s/he said something like "having 900 pixels would be nice but not important".

Weight is almost as important to me as resolution. A 14.0" laptop weighing 3.6 lbs impresses me more than a 12.5" laptop weighing 3.0 lbs.

The 160+ pixel density, which will make for very small text, would give me pause.

You are thinking of 13.*-inch screens. 1920x1080 on 14.0" gives 157.35 DPI, which I think is the ideal balance among productivity, viewing comfort, and mobility. The above-mentioned HP netbook's 10.1" 1366x768 screen was 155.16 DPI and text was still comfortable to read. I am excited to see that an increasing number of brands now have 14.0" 1920x1080 laptops.

Other downsides would be the fact I believe Lenovo has dumped the mSATA option for a cache drive, so no SSD + HDD option. T440(s) accepts less memory than the T430 due to the 4GB soldered stick.

These have zero impact on my enthusiasm for the T440s, or my nonexistent enthusiasm for the X220/230. If the latter's 1366x768 screen prevents me from doing any real work, having two internal drives wouldn't help at all, would it? And the T440s can still take up to 12GB of RAM, whereas I rarely need more than 4GB. I still regret wasting $35 upgrading my primary desktop's RAM from 4GB to 12GB.

If you're a stick user, the new setup is less appealing, though touch padders should be more happy.

I am a touchpad fan but no, I am not more happy. I think the T440s' touchpad is way too big, and I wish it had mechanical buttons. Huge touchpads are for people who don't know how to use touchpads properly.

[ssd_thinkpad]

I have 12 GB on the only available T440s I could buy but I have no idea how I would even need more than 4GB. I always use my mouse on my thinkpad whenever possible, I am much more productive with it. FHD on the smaller 14 inch display works surprisingly well, I did not change DPI, everything looks very sharp. And yes, if it would be a Panasonic Let's Note, then it would be like 1,1 kg. It was build not to flex, you can not flex the keyboard, and you have a hard time flexing anything like the palm rest - if you really force your fingers at the display backcover: nothing will happen, too. The display will not change its colors etc. The base might be so sturdy as it has the new way of build, and it's done with the new latches - not that easy to open the first time, but for the average user it provides a great feel.

"I currently have a very old T with 1400x1050. This is enough to be useful, for me 1024x768 is not."

It is difficult to consider anything from the X - series. You would be more happy with the T - Series offering this kind of resolution.

[ZaZ]

I do text-intensive work on my computers.

Good for you, but all I'm saying is it's worth considering, as are other notebooks, for the reasons I already stated. Maybe you don't care about having a SSD or more memory, but others do. Whatever they buy there's going to be some compromise somewhere because there's no perfect notebook, at least I've not found it. Also going from a SXGA+ ThinkPad with a 125 pixel density to a notebook that's 157 or 160 doesn't change the fact that text will much smaller. While some do like it, most won't in my experience. I would advise the that they at least try to check it out, if possible, before spending their hard earned cash.

[pianowizard]

Maybe you don't care about having a SSD or more memory, but others do.

Understood. However, I don't recall seeing the OP mention requiring two hard drives or >12GB RAM. BTW, I do care about having an SSD (3 of my laptops have SSDs) and on a useful laptop I sometimes do want to have two hard drives (i.e. my Inspiron 8600 and Latitude D810). But I don't care about having two hard drives in a laptop that's not so useful to me, e.g. a 1366x768 laptop.

Also going from a SXGA+ ThinkPad with a 125 pixel density to a notebook that's 157 or 160 doesn't change the fact that text will much smaller. While some do like it, most won't in my experience.

Good point. Going from 124 DPI (for 14.1" 1400x1050) to 157 DPI is as much a gamble as going from 1400x1050 to 1366x768. In this case, I would change my recommendation to the X1 Carbon, whose 1600x900 panel gives 131.13 DPI. While it's not IPS, it's one of the better TN screens available, and it's 300 nits just like both the X230 and the T440s. In terms of weight, it's even better than the T440s and matches exactly the X230: 3.00 lbs. This reminds me that I misspoke earlier: The T440s is the most interesting Thinkpad since the X1 Carbon, not the X201s.

We have had these discussions so many times that I know you would say that you can hardly tell the difference between 768 and 900 pixels. However, the OP did state that 1024x768 is not enough for him/her and that width isn't very helpful, i.e. 1366x768 would be just as insufficient as 1024x768.

I would advise the that they at least try to check it out, if possible, before spending their hard earned cash.

Unfortunately, in most parts of the world, people need to actually buy the laptop in order to check it out. That's why I think these recommendation discussions that we have engaged in so many times are important. Let the laptop shoppers hear different viewpoints, before shelling out so much money just to "check out" a laptop.

[ZaZ]

I know it's difficult to see a ThinkPad in a store, especially one that hasn't been released, but there may be other notebooks available in stores that would approximate what a FHD T440s would offer. They could give some insight as to whether the OP would likes it or not.

The 4GB soldered stick in the new ThinkPads is a somewhat regular complaint over at NBR. I'd agree more than 4GB is a waste for most users, though some do care about it. I'd be more bummed about losing the mSATA option than the memory.

I would just say one shouldn't limit themselves based on one criteria. You may give up something you really like by being parochial. The T440, X1 and X230 all merit examination based on what they offer and the OP will have to decide which best fits their needs, but none is perfect.

[atanasoff]

Thanks for all the input.

A few thoughts after reading the various posts:

Smaller text with 160 vs 124dpi:
While my eyes have gotten less sharp recently I find the 124 is still no problem, that is with everything at default. If 157 dpi turns out to be too much, hopefully one of the text resizing options will fix that. Or reading glasses.
I remember seeing an X with high res - I think it was an X201s at a Starbucks. IIRC the owner was 50+ and was quite happy with the machine. I'm willing to test drive 160 dpi, first I have to find one.

14" screen:
Ten pounds o rocks in a five pound bag; it's hard for a thing to be large and small at the same time. A 14" screen can't be fit into less than a 14" space.
Thus, for work needing screen space I'll use either a different machine or an external monitor.

SSD -- whatever I get I will change to SSD. If it is made to have SSD for boot, 2nd HD for storage, even better.

An X201s, if I find one, seems like a good compromise. Maybe an X61t hi-res, but this is thicker and heavier, possibly better built but no touchpad.
Fortunately these are three not four digit items.

[ZaZ]

If you're set on avoiding the HD resolution of the X220/X230, then the X1 Carbon might be your best option.

The X1C nets you a good, not great, HD+ LCD. I would describe it as MacBook Air like without the gloss. It goes about six hours when the battery is new. It has the best ultrabook keyboard I've used and a nice large touch pad if that floats you boat. Like all Ultrabooks, the X1C has compromises too. There's no upgrades of any kind - not the memory, hard drive or battery. If you can be patient, I think you can get a base model 4GB/128GB SSD for $800 and change plus tax in the Lenovo Outlet.

The X201s is a rare bird, Lenovo dumped the CTO option for the X201s a few weeks after its release due to a shortage of screens, and expensive if you can find it. You might be better off looking for a X200s if you want a 12" with a WXGA+ LCD. The WXGA+ LCDs are bright, 250 nits, and you get some extra pixels, but the PQ is average with limited angles and contrast.

The SXGA+ on the X61t is appealing, but the screens are known to bubble and the X61t is getting long in the tooth, though can be an excellent performer if you're not asking too much of it. A SSD will help too.

Even if you can't find a 14" FHD model, a 13" or 15" model would get you in the ballpark in terms of text size.

[atanasoff]

If you're set on avoiding the HD resolution of the X220/X230, then the X1 Carbon might be your best option.

The X1C nets you a good, not great, HD+ LCD. I would describe it as MacBook Air like without the gloss. It goes about six hours when the battery is new. It has the best ultrabook keyboard I've used and a nice large touch pad if that floats you boat. Like all Ultrabooks, the X1C has compromises too. There's no upgrades of any kind - not the memory, hard drive or battery. If you can be patient, I think you can get a base model 4GB/128GB SSD for $800 and change plus tax in the Lenovo Outlet.

The X201s is a rare bird, Lenovo dumped the CTO option for the X201s a few weeks after its release due to a shortage of screens, and expensive if you can find it. You might be better off looking for a X200s if you want a 12" with a WXGA+ LCD. The WXGA+ LCDs are bright, 250 nits, and you get some extra pixels, but the PQ is average with limited angles and contrast.

.....

What is the difference between X200s and X201s? Same screen?
X1C -- light but large, nearly T size. But I'll check it out, that's about the price of a full size 128GB ipad.

[ajkula66]

What is the difference between X200s and X201s? Same screen?

The screen is the same, but the CPUs are different - Core 2 Duo vs. Core i...

[pianowizard]

I would just say one shouldn't limit themselves based on one criteria. You may give up something you really like by being parochial.

When shopping for myself, I am very flexible. Both weight and screen resolution are extremely important to me, but I can compromise if necessary: I was willing to buy the Sony X Series, which has a lousy 1366x768 resolution but is the lightest laptop ever made (1.41 lbs), and I was also willing to buy a Dell Latitude D810 which weighs 6.98 lbs but is 1920x1200 and has strong speakers for playing music. However, when I make recommendations for other people, especially those who intend to have just one laptop, I adhere to their requirements fairly strictly. If that person says s/he must have 16GB of RAM, I would certainly not recommend the X1 Carbon or even the T440s.

X1C -- light but large, nearly T size. But I'll check it out, that's about the price of a full size 128GB ipad.

The footprint dimensions of the X1 Carbon are 331mm by 226mm (13.03" x 8.9"). Have you used a ruler to check whether that would be too large for your carrying case? I saw one in person just a couple weeks ago and it looked smaller than expected.

A 13.3" 1600x900 laptop would probably be ideal for you. Too bad there aren't Thinkpads with this form factor, but there are numerous ultrabooks of this size and resolution, and you can try some of them at local stores to see if any of them might work for you.

[ssd_thinkpad]

The footprint dimensions of the X1 Carbon are 331mm by 226mm (13.03" x 8.9").

The T440s has exactly the same footprint.