Thinkpads Forum

Hi, I'm selling my T400 and buying an X220 instead. There are two configurations, which will cost about the same so I need a bit of advice.

Config 1:
* X220- Core i5 (don't know which model), Crucial BX100 256GB SSD, 16GB Corsair Vengeance RAM (exact model here).
* 6-cell battery
* This battery bank from eBay.

Config 2:
* X220- Core i5 (don't know which model), Crucial BX100 256GB SSD, 4GB of RAM.
* 6-cell battery
* 9-cell battery
* External battery charger.

Figure out which exact models these are. If one of them has an IPS screen - it would be a crucial factor in my book.

The condition of the batteries is also important, but you probably can't know that in advance. 4GB of RAM is very borderline these days, so that's a plus for the 16GB model.

dr_st wrote:Figure out which exact models these are. If one of them has an IPS screen - it would be a crucial factor in my book.

The condition of the batteries is also important, but you probably can't know that in advance. 4GB of RAM is very borderline these days, so that's a plus for the 16GB model.

They're both the same model. I'm buying from a store that specialises in refurbished Thinkpads, so the batteries will be new. When I talked to them on the phone, they couldn't tell me if the X220 they have in stock has an IPS screen.

Then get the one with more RAM imo.

Temetka wrote:Then get the one with more RAM imo.

Is that battery bank reliable? I mean, spec-wise it seems fine (19V, 3.5A)...

Batteries: if it's a new 9 cell original Lenovo battery versus a generic battery bank, I would take the original battery, the original battery would be about GBP 70 versus GBP 20 for a battery bank.

RAM: if its 1x 4 GB versus 2x 8 GB, I would be fine to add another 4 GB module myself as these are readily available for GBP 15, provided 8 GB total is enough for your use. If you need the RAM, 2x 8GB would cost around GBP 70 to buy yourself I think.

Screen: an IPS screen is around GBP 35 and if you can use a screwdriver and are moderately patient it's a straightforward 15 minute job (I did it myself last week for the first time, now it would be a 5 minute job). An IPS screen is definitely worth it over the standard TN, the TN has decent brightness but I was surprised how bad the viewing angles were (I knew they wouldn't be great but I at least thought an X220 TN would be slightly better than my X200s TN, given a couple of years between them).

rjwilmsi wrote:Batteries: if it's a new 9 cell original Lenovo battery versus a generic battery bank, I would take the original battery, the original battery would be about GBP 70 versus GBP 20 for a battery bank.

RAM: if its 1x 4 GB versus 2x 8 GB, I would be fine to add another 4 GB module myself as these are readily available for GBP 15, provided 8 GB total is enough for your use. If you need the RAM, 2x 8GB would cost around GBP 70 to buy yourself I think.

Screen: an IPS screen is around GBP 35 and if you can use a screwdriver and are moderately patient it's a straightforward 15 minute job (I did it myself last week for the first time, now it would be a 5 minute job). An IPS screen is definitely worth it over the standard TN, the TN has decent brightness but I was surprised how bad the viewing angles were (I knew they wouldn't be great but I at least thought an X220 TN would be slightly better than my X200s TN, given a couple of years between them).

So the config is:
- X220 w/ i5, 4GB RAM.
- 9-cell battery
- IPS screen (is this good?)
- Another 4GB RAM

The screen you linked to appears to be the right one for the X220.

Here's a little comparison of IPS vs TN in the X220 I like to share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8MO-XaCZ_8

theterminator93 wrote:The screen you linked to appears to be the right one for the X220.

Here's a little comparison of IPS vs TN in the X220 I like to share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8MO-XaCZ_8

Thanks a lot! My god, that IPS is gorgeous!