X301 or X220s to replace my X60s?

[John H]

I've got 2 X60s laptops that I use frequently, in fact always while my T520 is in the shop, so I'm becoming annoyed at their poor screen visibility while sitting outside under a tree in ambient daylight. The T520 is fine.

So I'm considering getting something like the X301 or X220s on the used/refurb market (ca $200-300) to use instead. Of course, the X60s would still get casual use, as before.

Any comments? Is screen visibility good in diffused daylight? Battery life? Anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks.

[ajkula66]

There's no such thing as X220s. There's X220i which is a standard X220 but with an i3 CPU.

My vote would go to X220 which is a far more modern machine than X301, and can be had with an IPS LCD. The only obvious downfall is the screen resolution.

Happy shopping.

[axur-delmeria]

Having owned an X61, an X220 is a nice upgrade.

If you need to maximize battery life, set the max CPU speed below 50% when on battery. A 9-cell battery will also help a lot.
My X220's 6-cell battery has around 71% left of its original capacity. I charge it to 85%, so ( 0.71 x 0.85 = 0.61) that's 61% percent of original capacity. It lasts more than 2 hours while browsing with wifi on.

The LED-backlit screen on the X220 is much brighter than the X60's--I know this because my aunt has an X60, and the X61 uses the same screen.

[dr_st]

He's possibly talking about the X200s (which is a contemporary of the X301).

[axur-delmeria]

The X200s has an amazing battery runtime right? 7+ hours on the 9-cell, correct?

[Temetka]

The X301 is a nice computer. I find myself really wanting one.

They aren't as powerful as Thinkpad's with i-series CPU's, but they can still handle the modern very nicely.

[600X]

I used to have a X220 IPS for the longest time. I also still own a X301. In terms of outdoor readability, the X220 IPS is horrid. You can't see a thing, no matter if it's diffused or specular light. The X301 is better in that discipline, but the panel itself is so crappy that you won't enjoy using it most of the time. Either of them is essentially a lost cause for viewing things outside or in bright light.

To ensure outdoor readability, you need a low resolution TN panel with a bright backlight. If the dpi is low enough, you can even use the sun to light up your display content.

A suitable ThinkPad in your price range is the T400 with outdoor display. However, it's not as mobile as a X220 or X301. X series ThinkPads with bright displays (not counting convertibles) include the X1 (350 nits) and X240/X250 (400 nits with FHD IPS), although these may be slightly above your budget.

[Thinkpaddict]

I upgraded from an X61 to an X200. It's a really nice upgrade. You can put up to 8GB on the X200. Add a fast HD, and it will be nice and fast, much faster than an X60.

I got my like-new X200 last year for $150 shipped, and I have it running a triple boot (Windows XP, Windows 7, and Ubuntu).

These are very nice machines. The one thing I dislike is the rubberized finish in the cover, which is much less sturdy than what IBM used to employ in their Thinkpads. After carrying it once in a laptop bag well protected, the corners are already worn out.

Another great advantage of the X200 over the X61 is that the X61 used to heat up very uncomfortably over the right wrist area. The X200 doesn't get even close to that warm. Not sure if your X60s has that same problem though.

[brchan]

X301 has the best combination of build quality, thinness, strength, screen resolution + brightness, keyboard/features, speakers, and portability IMO. The only real weaknesses are battery life, screen contrast/colors/viewing angles, and the machine is slower. However, the cpu is much snappier than you would think and can still handle pretty much all web content (60fps 720p youtube videos included) very well.

Having used my X301 for a couple months, it is probably now my favourite.

[ajkula66]

I used to have a X220 IPS for the longest time. I also still own a X301. In terms of outdoor readability, the X220 IPS is horrid. You can't see a thing, no matter if it's diffused or specular light. The X301 is better in that discipline, but the panel itself is so crappy that you won't enjoy using it most of the time. Either of them is essentially a lost cause for viewing things outside or in bright light.

QFT. Neither of these machines was meant to be used outdoors on regular basis.

To ensure outdoor readability, you need a low resolution TN panel with a bright backlight. If the dpi is low enough, you can even use the sun to light up your display content.

I'm not quite sure why you'd say "low resolution"...my CF-52 (LED-backlit WUXGA) was fine for outdoors use, although it didn't sport one of the monstrous low-res/hi-nit panels that its "fully rugged" cousins are known for.

A suitable ThinkPad in your price range is the T400 with outdoor display. However, it's not as mobile as a X220 or X301. X series ThinkPads with bright displays (not counting convertibles) include the X1 (350 nits) and X240/X250 (400 nits with FHD IPS), although these may be slightly above your budget.

Actually, some convertibles may very well be worth looking into. I owned a X220T with an "outdoor" display - pen only, no finger touch - and it was a very good system for use outside, presuming one is not working in direct sunlight. I did find the screen just a bit too reflective for regular indoors use, though.

My $0.02 only...

[600X]

I'm not quite sure why you'd say "low resolution"...my CF-52 (LED-backlit WUXGA) was fine for outdoors use, although it didn't sport one of the monstrous low-res/hi-nit panels that its "fully rugged" cousins are known for.

Yes, high res panels may certainly be suitable for outdoor usage as well. I am sure your CF-52 WUXGA is an excellent example. I just wanted to point out that a low resolution usually means a low dpi, and a low dpi display (something with big pixels) is more likely to let light shine through. Combined with the TN technology (which also lets more light pass through than IPS), you usually get quite good results, even with a weak backlight. A strong backlight would of course allow for IPS and high resolution, no doubt about that. (as the X240/X250 FHD display demonstrates, although 400 nits is still borderline for outdoor)

As for the tablets, I haven't used any apart from a X200t with Hydis display (so nothing special), but I have heard that the outdoor display models are quite good in terms of sunlight readability. The X201t should have a 400 nits option. However, the tablets are slightly bulkier than regular X series models, which is why I didn't mention them at first. I guess they are a good option though, now that you have brought them up.

[shawross]

X301 has the best combination of build quality, thinness, strength, screen resolution + brightness, keyboard/features, speakers, and portability IMO. The only real weaknesses are battery life, screen contrast/colors/viewing angles, and the machine is slower. However, the cpu is much snappier than you would think and can still handle pretty much all web content (60fps 720p youtube videos included) very well.

I have to agree with brchan and his quote is my exact perception of the X301. The riders are that I never use my laptop in direct sunlight, I always seem to be able to plug my machine into mains power and maybe my eyes haven't been spoiled by the very best of displays.
I initially was concerned with the display but after screen calibrations and clear type settings in win 7 I am now very happy with the display and 13.3 inches is the sweet spot IMO.
I have now been overseas for 5 months so I have left all my other X series Thinkpads at home and I am loving the X301. Mine has only the 64 GB SSD but I have a 500 GB HD in the Ultrabay and recently I have fitted the 5300 WIFI card. If you can get one for the right price I think they are a great collectible from a dying breed of laptops.