Thinkpads Forum

Just got rid of my X220i. Reasons:
1. Didn't like the non IPS screen and while I was wondering whether to replace it or not because I've seen many cracked lids as a result of the disassembling/assembling proces, a friend on mine liked it very much and I gave it to him. Beside this, recently I read this thread and now I am a bit confused - what is that image retention problem?!
2. I was annoyed by the dimensions of the screen or more precisely by the big plastic surrounds - there is enough place to fit some higher 16:10 LCD. But somehow I adapted to 16:9 format placing windows' taskbar to the left of the screen.
3. It was x220i with i3 2350m, not x220 with some i5/i7 CPU

What I need - a decent windows-7-pro-based ultraportable system with IPS/PVA screen with LED backlight, if possible with higher nits backlight for occasional outdoor use; and preferably not to require too much modifications!

So here are the options, wich comes to my mind:

1. X220 with IPS screen and i5 or i7 CPU - I still find these very comfortable when using them, although if they were narrower they would be more convenient to carry. Plus they are SATA 6gb/s.

2. Some x230 with IPS screen - although I don't like their keyboards, I am sure that I will get used to it plus it's a bit more newer system. By the way - how do these keyboards feel when using them?

3. Some x200/x201 - probably tablet version because as far as I understood only the tablets are factory equipped with IPS/PVA screen. And I don't mind the touch screen, but I need some additional info about which ones can be used only with pen and wich can be used with fingers. Beside this, looking at the dimensions these are a bit narrow compared to x220/x230. But how are their LCDs compared to the x220's LCDs - they are 16:10 which means more pixels but the diagonal is smaller? And how do they feel when using and carrying them? Anyone who has used both x220 and x201?

4. x300/x301 - I would really like to have one of these, but..... is there an IPS upgrade for them? Beside this, I am sure that I will not like the performance of their CPU. Any options for upgrades - I now that it's soldered to the board, bit the biggest question is about their voltage regulators? Or is there some frankenpading option for these - may be using T400s motherboard !? Or it's better to get Thinkpad x1 instead of x301?

5. X61 - the reason that I place this model on last place is that it's not that easy to find a good model with Penryn CPU; they have too much problems which requires too much modifications; and I have the feeling that it will be another project waiting for time or money to do this or do that..... . I am sure that I will like it, but as I said I don't want my next ultraportable notebook to require too much work for upgrades.

I will appreciate any opinion regarding these models.

I've used the X230, T430 and 1st gen X1 Carbon with the chiclet keyboard. I thought the typing experience was pretty good, firm with good travel, though the X1C was a bit shallow, but if you're used to the old style keyboard and have the classic layout ingrained in your brain, the new one will never make you happy.

I'd probably rule out four and five as too old. I think that either the X200 or X201 tablets, or maybe both, can't remember now, had a 400 nit outdoor display, but as always with tablet and glass touch surface, you'll be fighting reflections outdoors. My X220 with 300 nit screen, I thought did pretty well outdoors in all but direct sunlight. That probably leaves X220 or X230 as the best options of the ones you've listed unless you want to consider the newer L450, T450 or T450s that come from the factory with IPS screens.

I'd second what ZaZ said about the last two being too old, but I'd actually expand it to include #3 as well. If you're going to upgrade, I'd highly encourage you to go for either the X220 or X230. They will last you longer.

Make sure you get the IPS variant of course, but otherwise the two systems are very similar. The primary difference (and the source of much debate in the community) is the keyboard. All I can offer is my 2c, having used both.

Unless you're one of a relatively small (sorry!) group of people who need the 7th row, in terms of usability and comfort Lenovo really did a fantastic job with their chiclet. I love the keyboard on my X1C, but I daresay the keyboard on my old X230 might have been the best chiclet keyboard I ever used. It's a bit of an adjustment, sure, but IMO the new keyboard (especially the one on the X230) really is fantastic. Truthfully I preferred it over the X220, but that might just be me...

The X300/301 is not an option for you, because:
1. the screen has poor viewing angles. and there's no IPS replacement
2. the CPUs are slow-- the X301 has a 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo in the highest model, the X300 is worse as it's stuck at 1.2GHz.

The X61 is also probably not for you, because:
1. The IPS mod is difficult to do, because your need to modify the LCD's mounting bracket and the flex cable.
2. Battery life is worse than an X220 (3-4 hours on the 8-cell battery)
3. Upgrading to more than 4GB RAM is expensive
4. No Expresscard slot --> no easy way to have USB 3.0 ports

I used to have an X61, and these are the reasons I let go of it.

My recommendation would be - X230, if you are OK with the new keyboard layout, and X220 i7 otherwise. Reason it's important (IMO) to get the i7 X220 is because of built-in USB3 support (including USB3 mini-docks). X220 is also notoriously finicky with USB3 ExpressCards. I would avoid that route if possible.

IPS for either of course. You can read more about the image retention issue here. The newer model panels used on the X230 are less likely to experience this problem. But you may also find an X230 with an older panel or an X220 with a newer panel, or a newer panel with retention, or an older panel without retention. It's a lottery.

Honestly, a better way may be trying to get a unit without IPS (hopefully saving some money this way), and then ordering the specific panel you want yourself, for about $50-70. This way you can get a newer, probably even better, revision like the SL-T1 or SL-T2 mentioned by gator in the thread you linked to.

ZaZ wrote:I've used the X230, T430 and 1st gen X1 Carbon with the chiclet keyboard. I thought the typing experience was pretty good unless you want to consider the newer L450, T450 or T450s that come from the factory with IPS screens.

Thanks for the response. These T450, L450, etc. are 14" and I find them too wide and uncomfortable for carrying.

X1 carbon is not an opition as I also need a gigabit ethernet port, wich AFAIK these doesn't offer.

As for the chiclet keyboards - I may try them if I decide to and if I don't like it I can always sell it. After all it's not like a marriage, rigt !

Atreides wrote:I'd second what ZaZ said about the last two being too old, but I'd actually expand it to include #3 as well.

OK, but I really wonder for x200/x201 because of their 16:10 LCDs. Exept the few more pixels in height, how is their height compared to 12.5" 16:9 screen? And is there any IPS upgrade option for them preferably with more brighter LCD?

axur-delmeria wrote:The X300/301 is not an option for you, because:1. the screen has poor viewing angles. and there's no IPS replacement2. the CPUs are slow-- the X301 has a 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo in the highest model, the X300 is worse as it's stuck at 1.2GHz. The X61 is also probably not for you, because:1. The IPS mod is difficult to do, because your need to modify the LCD's mounting bracket and the flex cable. 2. Battery life is worse than an X220 (3-4 hours on the 8-cell battery)3. Upgrading to more than 4GB RAM is expensive4. No Expresscard slot --> no easy way to have USB 3.0 portsI used to have an X61, and these are the reasons I let go of it.

Thanks, I've been interested of these two models for a while and I'm sure that I will like them very much, especially the x61 with so many things to upgrade, but not now, not for my purposes right now. I must have time to play with it which I don't have now.

dr_st wrote:IPS for either of course. You can read more about the image retention issue here. The newer model panels used on the X230 are less likely to experience this problem. But you may also find an X230 with an older panel or an X220 with a newer panel, or a newer panel with retention, or an older panel without retention. It's a lottery.

Really! I will mind that if buying some. The good think is that they have warranty from authorized resellers, so I can always return it.

kkk wrote:X1 carbon is not an option as I also need a gigabit ethernet port, which AFAIK these don't offer.

Don't know if these are Gigabit or not.
But you can get a special extension cable 4X90F84315

as further detailed here: http://shop.lenovo.com/ae/en/itemdetail ... 9AD7C986A5

OR you can get a USB2.0-Ethernet adapters, such as the Lenovo 04X3784


Apparently you should NOT buy any generic USB-ethernet adapter, but instead get one from (oh dare I say it...) Apple (P/N MB442Z/A)


OR go for a real Gigabit USB2.0 adapter from Monoprice: http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=1 ... 1&format=2

USB2.0 by specification cannot reach Gigabit speeds. USB3.0 can and such adapters exist.

The other extension cable seems to be a proprietary X1 Carbon adapter, and will indeed deliver Gigabit Ethernet via the built-in Intel LAN.

Regarding your question about the screens, I didn't notice a serious hit in usability going from 16:10 to 16:9. It's a small screen regardless of its proportions, the change wasn't nearly as noticeable for me as it was on my 23" monitor.

There aren't any other screens AFAIK, but again, unless you have a special use case I never found myself wanting for brightness.

I will have in mind that extension cable, but I feel it like just another thing to carry and eventually to get it lost somewhere

I have a question about X230 - do they use the old type of power jack (like the ones found from z60m to x220) or some new type?

kkk wrote:
I have a question about X230 - do they use the old type of power jack (like the ones found from z60m to x220) or some new type?

Old type.

Used X220 prices are such that I would not go for anything older, it's not worth the decrease in performance and battery life. Secondly while the X200T or X201T tablet models have the IPS/PVA type screens they're significantly heavier. I've personally done the TN to IPS screen upgrade on the X220, anybody who can use a screwdriver and be patient for a couple of minutes could do it. So I'd go X220 or X230. Whether USB3 is significant is up to you, as my regular USB use is only incremental backups and file transfers, and the USB devices I have probably can't go much above 40 MB/s sequential limit of USB2 anyway, USB3 isn't a concern for me (i.e. not having it in the common i5 X220).