Thinkpads Forum

I need a new, highly portable business laptop. I’ve narrowed to the X200, X200s, or ____ that I haven't considered. I’m a bit concerned about working on a 12” screen all day, so I want to ensure I choose the best screen to mitigate the negatives of a 12”. A 13” seems ideal, but I can't afford the X301. I nearly bought a t400s, but the lower battery life and bigger footprint hurts especially since it’s more $$. I'll have regular use of a T500 too (wife's) and figure I can use that for certain apps. But is is foolish to think 12" is big enough when you've used 14" for 10 years?

Uses: On the computer 8hrs/day on average, almost entirely on Outlook and the internet. Other than Acrobat and Office, my main programs for work are internet based. I often work from coffee shops so long battery life is key.

Processor: I’m ignorant as to how fast/good a processor I’ll make use of for the things I do so I need some advice on that. I do place value on a system that runs cool and doesn’t set my lap on fire as the T60 did. Also, I don’t want to underpay or overpay for a processor (based on my needs). How expensive/difficult is to upgrade in the future—reasonable or prohibitive?

Screens: This is the biggest dilemma because of complaints, differing opinions, and back-orders already discussed on this site. I want the one that’s easiest to work on all day. I’d love to be able to see it in bright sunlight but not if that’s a major tradeoff in other areas.

My options:
1) X200s w/Celeron M processor & WXGA (1280X 800)--This is the cheapest option, but is the processor crap and how’s the battery life and heat in this configuration?
2) X200s w/ SU9400 (1.4GHz or 1.86Ghz) & WSXGA (1440 X 900), w/ Backlight—have a good quote for this one, but now the led screen’s not available and won’t be for who knows how long. Might need to roll the dice with the outlet store to buy this configuration rather than wait weeks and weeks.
3) X200 w/ P8600 (2.40GHz) & WXGA—Slightly cheaper (and faster?) than X200s when configured w/ Core 2 Duo SU9400 (1.4GHz). But heavier and shorter battery…any real advantage here?
4) X61: I don’t know much about these, but if I’m willing to buy from the outlet store or ebay is it a better option for me?
5) A different X series or other brand laptop with an on keyboard mouse (I know some dells used to have them) that’s 13” and suits my needs at +/- $1,000 that you can recommend to me.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

Personally I think option 1 covers your needs.

I feel like on a 12" screen 1280x800 is plenty of real estate for most things you would need. The only issue is that this screen will consume a bit more energy than the WXGA+ LED one.

In terms of processing, you really do not need that much power to do what you're doing, and I don't think you will have any problem with the Celeron M. It's a decent chunk of change cheaper too. My only recommendation performance-wise is go with XP instead of Vista.

Other than the lack of LED display option, I think the celeron M X200s should be a very good deal for anyone who doesn't do anything too processor intensive.

Thanks for the feedback about the processor. In terms of everyday, all day use is the led screen easier on the eyes?

Also, what about the X61 since it's not a widescreen? Is this worth any other tradeoffs I might make with an older system. I gather it runs hotter, for one.

Finally, if I need to swap out the processor for something stronger later is that difficult to do and/or much more costly than paying the $200-300 for a nicer one up front?

Don't forget to check out www.logicbuy.com for coupons -- you can save 10 to 15 percent.

X200 would fit your needs except for battery life might not get to 8 hours. I use an X200s and I get about 8 hours with my 9-cell.

just some thoughts:

- do not buy the celeron, it saving money, but is not good for battery live. As far as i know the celereons lack speedstep technology, thus they do not throttle down when only partially used.
- for screen size and key-board: the current x200 are bigger than the old 4:3 laptops as the x6x but it is wide screen

I would recommend either a x200s, or a used old x60s with the L2400 ( coreduo 2*1.6 Ghz), the later runs colder and quiter than newr x6x machines. Consensus in the forum seems to be that the x200s is quiter and cooler than the x61s, and at least teh core2duo x60s, but the x200(s) has also a quite a bit bigger footprint.

I use a x60s ( with l2400) for similar work as you describe.

cheers

r.

i used to have a 12inch ibook and i had to write a lot of papers back in the day. i have to say that I never got used to 12inch screen and I eventually sold the laptop and got myself 14inch thinkpad. so before you buy your x200 make sure you are comfortable with the screen. 13inch is a sweet spot between portability and usablity but that can also depend on a user.

Me, I've been using 12-inch notebooks since Toshiba introduced the Portege 7020CT (first small one with XGA!) in 1999. Since that one, I've had one Dell and four ThinkPads with 12-inch displays. While more display would always be nice, the weight of the bigger machines is just brutal (in my opinion): I now have a T61 from work, with a nice 1400x1050 display, but it feels like it weighs twice as much as my little X.

With the X200s, you get a lot of pixels, making for a very sharp display, and a bright backlight that's readable even outside, but it can be tough to read the small text, depending on the dpi settings and font sizes you choose. I'm at 120 dpi and quite happy with my choices.