Thinkpads Forum

At a begin I would like to say sorry for my poor english because this is not my native language. I'm x200 owner since a couple of years. Last time I got oportunity to buy x201 without LCD panel, Ram, HDD, battery, ac adapter and bottom covers. Is this possible to replace everything it from x200 to x201 and get a better computer for really small price ( about 50$)?

Welcome to the forum!

Yes -- all the items you mention will transfer fine from X200 to X201. The only item that will not transfer is the fingerprint reader -- the palmrest is okay, but the connector of the X200 fingerprint reader is different than the fingerprint connector on the X201 motherboard.

Also, instead of transferring parts from X200 to X201, you can replace the motherboard of your X200 machine with the X201 motherboard.

Thanks for reply. This x201 is with palmrest as well so will be no problem with fingerprint reader. I don't have any experience with this kind of works, so little affraid to replace motherboard. Another story is compatibility. I have in my x200 Intel Link 5300 WLAN, and Ericsson F3507g WWAN cards. Will this work without any problems in x201? My LCD panel has a camera which is used from time to time. Will this work with x201 motherboard?

The camera will work. The wireless cards will require that you replace the standard X201 BIOS with a modified BIOS which does not reject "unauthorized" wireless cards. That procedure is a simple BIOS update, and a modified BIOS for the X201 does exist -- let me know if you would like more information on that.

Note: For what you are doing, depending on the CPUs involved, there might not be sufficient difference between an X200 and X201 for you to embark on this adventure. I suspect that you will not notice any performance difference between the motherboards, so perhaps best to leave a working machine alone if you are not perfectly comfortable with the project.

As I understood, it may be almost no difference between the C2D P8600 with the X200 and X201 i5-520M from. Well.. Is there any sens to do something?

Main difference: the X200 has no touchpad, while the X201 does have a touchpad, or a touchpad option.
And the X201 has a newer generation CPU with better battery life.

poliocertes wrote:it may be almost no difference between the C2D P8600 with the X200 and X201 i5-520M

Your dilemma is very interesting. Both CPUs are clocked at 2.4GHz, but
- C2D is a MV (medium voltage) and have less TDP (25),
- Ci5 is a NV (normal voltage) and have bigger TDP (35). But it can boost up to 2.9GHz and it can HT... and it can help you if it needed in your scenarios.
And Ci5 Have better graphics too.

PS
And watch this: http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core2-Duo ... re-i5-520M

PPS
If i were you i'll prefer Ci7 640LM - it can compete P8600 but it is rare especially for non tablet X201.

I'm confused. I was hoping for improved performance but looks like those two CPU's are almost the same. Am I right? Suggested i7 CPU is really nice but it's quite expensive...

poliocertes wrote:Suggested i7 CPU [Ci7 640LM] is really nice but it's quite expensive...

A non-issue, since the CPUs on those motherboards are not exchangeable/replaceable, and there is almost zero chance you can find a motherboard with that CPU.