Thinkpads Forum

My trusty T43 is on it's way out (broken screen hinge, metal fatigue) and I may look for a "speedy" X220 IPS to replace it. But, what type or model X220 should I buy and what's the approx price range for a top-notch (little wear-tear) box with W7 Pro? Should be X220 as I prefer the keyboard over later models. Thanks!

Try to find one with a Core i7 CPU. These models have one USB 3.0 port (via a Renesas USB 3.0 controller chip); the more common models with Core i5 don't have it.

Thanks. Good point as I definitely want USB 3. I gather this is a good basis: i7-2640M (2.8GHz, 4MB L3 cache). What else should I look for .. as I know there are several USA versions/types of the X220 with Core i7 CPU and IPS screen?

How about X230 with an X220 keyboard?

RealBlackStuff wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 09, 2019 10:36 am

How about X230 with an X220 keyboard?

If that's a good/solid combination why not .. depending on the rest of the specs and condition. Presumably the screen size is the same as I prefer anything on the legacy 4:3 side over wide 16:9 side. Do you have a X230 with X220 keyboard in store?

I normally use my laptops for a long time .. so it's important that they are top notch up front. I would have kept my T43 had it not been for the broken screen hinge and a "darkish-dimming" screen.

------------
Postscript: a keyboard mod is only of interest if all keys work 100% (Fn keys included). I read some stuff about this here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... even_x280/
https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... board_mod/

Form-factor, the X220 and X230 are exactly the same, and they both use 16:9 screens.

dr_st wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 10, 2019 12:28 am

Form-factor, the X220 and X230 are exactly the same, and they both use 16:9 screens.

Rats! But, I had figured that as I "found" the link I was looking for: http://psref.lenovo.com/WithdrawnBook

The panel you want is the LP125WH2(SL)(T1). Get it from an S230u or new. Price maximum would be around $150 for an i7 X220/X230 without IPS, $200 with IPS

TheForgottenKing wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 19, 2019 7:57 pm

The panel you want is the LP125WH2(SL)(T1). Get it from an S230u or new. Price maximum would be around $150 for an i7 X220/X230 without IPS, $200 with IPS

Please elaborate.

I get it that that panel type is the preferred one (and hard to find...), however, not sure what you mean by "get it from a [Twist] S230u or new". As for the prices mentioned, is that the going rate for a used X220? X230 has the wrong keyboard.

CeeBee wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:43 am

Please elaborate.

I get it that that panel type is the preferred one (and hard to find...), however, not sure what you mean by "get it from a [Twist] S230u or new".

The LP125WH2(SL)(T1) is the only LCD option for the Lenovo Thinkpad Twist S230u. If you find a complete lid assembly of an S230u, it's certain to have that particular screen. IIRC you need to remove the protective glass layer, but it doesn't appear to be a difficult job.

axur-delmeria wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:50 am

The LP125WH2(SL)(T1) is the only LCD option for the Lenovo Thinkpad Twist S230u. If you find a complete lid assembly of an S230u, it's certain to have that particular screen. IIRC you need to remove the protective glass layer, but it doesn't appear to be a difficult job.

Not sure what the Twist S230u has to do with my efforts to find an X220 IPS. But, thanks for the clarification.

I think someone may have been confused, thinking you are looking just for the IPS panel, and not a complete laptop.

Basically you can get an X220 that already has an IPS panel, or get one that does not, and then replace it with an IPS.

If you go for the second option, the (SL)(T1) is the recommended panel to get.

If you got the first option, you will likely not end up with (SL)(T1), unless it was retrofitted by the previous owner. The IPS panels used in X220 where the LP125WH2(SL)(B1) - first revision, more common, more issue-prone, and LP125WH2(SL)(B3) - second revision, used mostly in X230, or late X220, or warranty replacements, fewer issues.

Some information about -SLB1 vs -SLB3:
/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=116835

-SLT1 is supposed to be even less prone to these issues and also exhibit better colors (I think?)

dr_st wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 20, 2019 3:38 am

I think someone may have been confused, thinking you are looking just for the IPS panel, and not a complete laptop.

Yes, it looks that way. But, as a result, pretty good info on the IPS panel issue nevertheless.

I'm still looking for a Grade A used/refurbished X220 i7-2640M IPS with webcam and a US keyboard. Do you have one?

dr_st wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 20, 2019 3:38 am

I think someone may have been confused, thinking you are looking just for the IPS panel, and not a complete laptop.

Seems like TheForgottenKing started it. I got confused as well.

I have an X220 i7 2620M with the stock IPS screen (SLB1). I notice the ghosting issue in the following scenario:

Show a static/still image for 10 minutes or so, preferably with high contrast like a white background with black borders. Change the image, and you'll notice a ghostly black/gray border of the previous image. After a few minutes it will fade. I've read some cases that were worse, that's why the stock IPS panel is not recommended.

CeeBee wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 20, 2019 4:15 am

dr_st wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 20, 2019 3:38 am

I think someone may have been confused, thinking you are looking just for the IPS panel, and not a complete laptop.

Yes, it looks that way. But, as a result, pretty good info on the IPS panel issue nevertheless.

I'm still looking for a Grade A used/refurbished X220 i7-2640M IPS with webcam and a US keyboard. Do you have one?

Ah sorry. You can always get an i7-2640M X220 without IPS, then add the screen if you're willing to do some work.

You can also get the motherboard separately and replace it on an i5 machine.

Third option is to get an X220t, of which the i7-2640M model exists on eBay and are IPS.

The easiest option, of course, is just to get a stock X220 IPS i7, but these may be rare and a bit pricey (might have to exercise patience to get a good deal).

Bar that, I would consider a non-IPS i7 with a screen swap way before I'd consider an IPS i5 with a motherboard swap (LCD swap is simpler + can get better screen than stock IPS).

I would not suggest the X220 Tablet route, unless tablet functionality is specifically desired; they are bigger, heavier and lack USB 3.0 (even on the i7 model). You can of course add USB 3.0 via ExpressCard, but it's not as good as having it on, and you still have the extra weight and bulk. I would go for an X220 i5 with ExpressCard USB 3.0 before I'd go for the Tablet.

dr_st wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 20, 2019 9:03 am

The easiest option, of course, is just to get a stock X220 IPS i7, but these may be rare and a bit pricey (might have to exercise patience to get a good deal).

Bar that, I would consider a non-IPS i7 with a screen swap way before I'd consider an IPS i5 with a motherboard swap (LCD swap is simpler + can get better screen than stock IPS).

I would not suggest the X220 Tablet route, unless tablet functionality is specifically desired; they are bigger, heavier and lack USB 3.0 (even on the i7 model). You can of course add USB 3.0 via ExpressCard, but it's not as good as having it on, and you still have the extra weight and bulk. I would go for an X220 i5 with ExpressCard USB 3.0 before I'd go for the Tablet.

Agreed with all of this, just the fact that checking eBay I cannot find an i7-2640M X220

Of course, he could always mod an X230 with the classic keyboard and an i7-3520M (Or even one of the taobao X330p machines)

TheForgottenKing wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 20, 2019 10:13 am

Agreed with all of this, just the fact that checking eBay I cannot find an i7-2640M X220

Of course, he could always mod an X230 with the classic keyboard and an i7-3520M (Or even one of the taobao X330p machines)

While not as rare as unicorns , being the top of the line model makes it much rarer, as few would buy it due to the price premium. Personally, I'd get any X220 i7 model-- the 100MHz clock speed increase of the i7-2640M over the i7-2620M is negligible performance-wise.

axur-delmeria wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 20, 2019 11:14 am

TheForgottenKing wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 20, 2019 10:13 am

Agreed with all of this, just the fact that checking eBay I cannot find an i7-2640M X220

Of course, he could always mod an X230 with the classic keyboard and an i7-3520M (Or even one of the taobao X330p machines)

While not as rare as unicorns , being the top of the line model makes it much rarer, as few would buy it due to the price premium. Personally, I'd get any X220 i7 model-- the 100MHz clock speed increase of the i7-2640M over the i7-2620M is negligible performance-wise.

In my opinion the X230 is a better investment, it can use the classic keyboard and the cpu & gpu combination is much better. My i7-3520M X230t flies in everything I do, and gaming is a bit better. USB 3.0 also helps.

TheForgottenKing wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:48 pm

In my opinion the X230 is a better investment, it can use the classic keyboard and the cpu & gpu combination is much better. My i7-3520M X230t flies in everything I do, and gaming is a bit better. USB 3.0 also helps.

If the OP doesn't limit himself to the X220, I agree. The temps are better too.

The OP could go either way, X220 or X230, as long as it's has i7-speedy, classic X220 keyboard, IPS, USB 3 and webcam. And it should be in Grade A shape, functionally and visually. Plus W7 Pro (not W10) installed, ready to go w/o mods on my side. Still looking!

You might spend a long time looking, so just be patient.

dr_st wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 21, 2019 3:55 am

You might spend a long time looking, so just be patient.

Probably, but that's life. In the meantime I'm chugging along on a T43 with broken hinge and dimmed screen...

By the way, did I post in the wrong forum?

Yes, and I just moved your thread. You can see how little the actual forum has to do with people finding/replying in your thread, but for the sake of keeping things organized, thanks for bringing it up.

I think I spent more than 6 months hunting for my 'special X220' back in the day (and earlier for the 'special T60'), but in the end - it only made the deals sweeter. I still have both machines and like them a lot, each for what they do.

Well, it works exactly this way after all!

I have built mine X230 piece by piece. It is far from a "nice visual shape", but gets the job done. I have even found myself happy with X230 keyboard due to superb backlight! (really!).