Thinkpads Forum

I'm looking to get the most of an x200/x200s system. The order of priorities is:
1. Screen. I'm torn here. I would prefer WXGA+, since WXGA panels have smaller desktop space. On the other hand, WXGA are available in IPS/AFFS variant, which I would also love. Definitely matte.
2. Performance:
2a. SSD. This shouldn't be a problem, since all recent SSDs are SATA3, and x200 has SATA2 interface, so they will saturate the bus easily. The only thing I don't get is why max SSD size mentioned with x200 anywhere on the internet is 256Gb. Is there some limit or something?
2b. RAM. Looks like many 2x4 kits will work. 8Gb should be enough for my purposes. I would go for 16, if it was possible, but it seems not. (Again, not clear why exactly)
2c. CPU. This is the most aged part, and basically the only reason I consider x200 as the base, since x200s' low voltage CPUs are inferior.
3. Portability/Battery life. These two compete with each other directly, so putting them together. At least 6 hours of life are needed. Preferably up to 8-9, but not necessarily.
4. Webcam. Apparently x200s doesn't have one, I would prefer to have it, but it's not a big deal.

With this in mind, after some research, I've narrowed down 2 options:
1) Find an x200s with SL9600: 2.13Ghz CPU (which should exist according to the specs). Add ram and ssd, buy a 6-cell or 9-cell battery for it.
2) Find an x200 with T9600: 2.8Ghz CPU. Add ram, ssd, and 9 or 12 cell battery. (I'm leaning towards this, because of the CPU speed issue)

Preferably, the selected option will already have the chosen display, but if not, it will have to be purchased and replaced, too.
I'm aware that I can have better hardware for lower price and much less hassle. I'm willing to put reasonable effort into this system, though.

So, looking for comments and advice on this. Do these options make sense? Did I get wrong/miss something?
I'm mainly bothered by CPU and screen dilemmas, but any other input is welcome.

I have a few X200s... I do like them but I think the P8600/8700/8800 whatever cpu has its limits.

My main one had very high quality LED matte almost daylight quality 1,280 x 800 screen, its workable but 800p is restricting in 2016.

I would avoid the SL low power series. I never found a need for more than 4Gb.

Any SSD would do really, I beleive the platform is Sata2 not 3.

I do like 12" but 13.3 or even 14" isnt that much worse off in portability especially if you drive.

Only the models with WXGA+ (1440x900) screen don't have the webcam due to a lack of space inside the lid. The 1280x800 models can fit a webcam.

There is no limit on the SSD size. It's just that 240-256GB is the sweet spot (lowest price per gigabyte)-- of course, this may change in the future.

I don't know if the 12 cell is still available. It's an aftermarket battery after all.

Undervolting can help reduce power consumption and extend battery life.

P8800 (2.66GHz) is the fastest Core 2 Duo that was available for the X200. Since the CPU is soldered to the board, you'd need a BGA rework station to replace/upgrade it.

axur-delmeria wrote: P8800 (2.66GHz) is the fastest Core 2 Duo that was available for the X200.

Lenovo docs seem to indicate otherwise, or is it bogus?

Fastest CPU seems to be the T9600. I have never seen any T cpu X200, lots of P series on though.

Even so his point (and my point) is still valid... dual Core cpus will limit you unless you control your expectations... I do see ok Win7/Win10 performance though... I beleive the basic X200 platform works well with Win10.

I got an X201 with an X200s WXGA+ LED screen.
Until I get my X230 upgraded to FHD and X220 keyboard, that X201 will remain my favorite travel laptop.
Although my X1C-1 comes close.

TonyJZX wrote:Even so his point (and my point) is still valid... dual Core cpus will limit you unless you control your expectations... I do see ok Win7/Win10 performance though... I beleive the basic X200 platform works well with Win10.

Of course. I understand that the CPU is limiting, that's why I'm looking for the best available.
Anyway, I wouldn't endeavour on this quest to run Windows on the laptop in the end.

I think I'll go with 1280x800 screen - should be enough for 12". And use an external monitor when I need it. The best panel of that size would be HV121WX4-120, correct?

I'm glad to be proven wrong, but just as important is whether the T9xxx CPU's upsides (greater performance) outweigh their downsides (higher power consumption and consequently shorter battery life).

If you want a matte screen the 120 is it. I'd also vote for the X200 over the S. The slower performing CPU is going to chug on some applications like flash and they can dampen SSD performance.

axur-delmeria wrote:I'm glad to be proven wrong, but just as important is whether the T9xxx CPU's upsides (greater performance) outweigh their downsides (higher power consumption and consequently shorter battery life).

Well, it's easier to throttle a higher-end CPU than overclock a lower-end one.
Anyway, I don't see those being sold, too, so this point might be moot, and I'll just have to settle for what's on the market.

ZaZ wrote:If you want a matte screen the 120 is it. I'd also vote for the X200 over the S. The slower performing CPU is going to chug on some applications like flash and they can dampen SSD performance.

All right, thanks.


I'm still puzzled about RAM. I've seen numerous reports that 16Gb won't work, but I can't find out the reason. As far as I can tell, it's not CPU (core2duo) and not the chipset (gm45). As far as I understand, that leaves 2 possible cultprits: BIOS and the physical number of address lines on the motherboard.
It's more of a theoretical question, but still, I'd like to find out.

If you want a more powerful CPU, find an X201 instead and put a WXGA+ lid on it from the X200s.
I have one like it (as mentioned earlier) with the i5-540M.
Size- and weight-wise they are almost identical.
X201 speed and performance are faster than the X200/X200s.
Some of them do run hotter though, but still very acceptable.

Available X201 processors are:

Intel® Core™ I7 processor I7-620LM, I7-640LM
Intel Turbo Boost, Direct Media Interface, Hyper-Threading technology, 1066MHz system bus, and 4MB L2 cache
Intel® Core™ I5 processor I5-430M, I5-520M, I5-540M, I5-560M
Intel Turbo Boost, Direct Media Interface, Hyper-Threading technology, 1066MHz system bus, and 3MB L2 cache
Intel® Core™ I3 processor I3-330M
Direct Media Interface, Hyper-Threading technology, 1066MHz system bus, and 3MB L2 cache

RealBlackStuff wrote:If you want a more powerful CPU, find an X201 instead and put a WXGA+ lid on it from the X200s.
I have one like it (as mentioned earlier) with the i5-540M.
Size- and weight-wise they are almost identical.
X201 speed and performance are faster than the X200/X200s.
Some of them do run hotter though, but still very acceptable.

Available X201 processors are:

Intel® Core™ I7 processor I7-620LM, I7-640LM
Intel Turbo Boost, Direct Media Interface, Hyper-Threading technology, 1066MHz system bus, and 4MB L2 cache
Intel® Core™ I5 processor I5-430M, I5-520M, I5-540M, I5-560M
Intel Turbo Boost, Direct Media Interface, Hyper-Threading technology, 1066MHz system bus, and 3MB L2 cache
Intel® Core™ I3 processor I3-330M
Direct Media Interface, Hyper-Threading technology, 1066MHz system bus, and 3MB L2 cache

Covered that in the initial post. No can do.

bonus wrote: I'm still puzzled about RAM. I've seen numerous reports that 16Gb won't work, but I can't find out the reason. As far as I can tell, it's not CPU (core2duo) and not the chipset (gm45).

http://ark.intel.com/products/35134/Int ... roller-Hub
"Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type) 8 GB"

No, you didn't!
There was no mention of any X201, nor that you were limited only to X200/s.
You don't have an X200/X200s yet, so why not look into this?

jaspen-meyer wrote: http://ark.intel.com/products/35134/Int ... roller-Hub
"Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type) 8 GB"

Yes, I saw that. On the other hand, if you go for the pdf at that link, you'll see "36-bit interface to addressing, allowing the CPU to access the entire 64 GB of the GMCH’s memory address space".

RealBlackStuff wrote:No, you didn't!
There was no mention of any X201, nor that you were limited only to X200/s.
You don't have an X200/X200s yet, so why not look into this?

I'll repeat it, then. I'm aware that I can have better hardware for lower price and much less hassle (I already do, in fact). I'm willing to put reasonable effort into this system, though.
The reasons are... of tinfoil nature.

I think the 8GB limit is due to the memory controller not being able to support later DRAM chips with higher memory density.