Differences in build quality between the X200s and the X200?

[domi]

My X60s will soon be 4 years old and I will be replacing it during the forthcoming months. I was thinking of the X200s (or rather the X210s, as it appears to be just around the corner) as a natural replacement, but ThinkRob's post about the X200s' flimsy screen & case/keyboard flex made me think twice. I especially found the two video clips he posted very worrying: there is no way my X60s (or, before it, my X31) would have exhibited the same behaviour.

Looking at the specs in tabook.pdf, the materials used in the X200s and in the X200 appear to be different:

X200s:
Display cover: Carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (top), glass-fiber reinforced plastic (side walls); Base: Magnesium alloy

X200:
Case material: magnesium alloy

Does this mean the X200 screen would be more rigid and wouldn't flex as in ThinkRob's video clip? Although I'm not interested in the X200's faster processor, I would definitely go for the X200 (or the X210) if it were sturdier than the X200s/210s.

ltwbook.pdf also reports "Case material: magnesium alloy" for the X60/60s/61/61s, which means there was no difference between the "s" and the "non-s" models in the X6x line.

How about the X301? Would it feel as rigid/sturdy as the X6x?

-Dominique

[EOMtp]

You are operating from a false premise, i.e., that the X200s is anything like what you saw in that video. I saw that video also, and I do not know if the hinge screws were loose or what ... but the X200s is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- like that. The X200s is as rigid as any X6x/s, and in no way inferior in construction, rigidity, or overall quality.

Make your decision on which machine to get based on any parameter(s) that matter to you, but you will make a mistake if you factor in the pathological condition of the machine shown in that video.

There are plenty of other people on this forum who can comment on this matter, so look at all the feedback you receive. [I should mention that my observations are based on multiple X200/s units, not just a particularly "rigid" one I happen to have received by luck.]

Good luck!

[ThinkRob]

You are operating from a false premise, i.e., that the X200s is anything like what you saw in that video. I saw that video also, and I do not know if the hinge screws were loose or what ... but the X200s is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- like that. The X200s is as rigid as any X6x/s, and in no way inferior in construction, rigidity, or overall quality.

Sigh.

Thanks. That's nice.

Hinge screws don't cause plastic to flex. Thin plastic causes plastic to flex. Now it's true I applied forces to my machine that it's unlikely that the average user would apply during use -- but I didn't apply force to any area the rigidity of which would be affected by hinge screws. Torsion of the screen wouldn't be affected by hinge screws anyways. If anything, the screen would be less susceptible to torsion if the hinge screws were tight, as bottom two corners wouldn't be anchored in place as firmly. As for the palmrest: having done complete tear-downs of all my machines, I can say without hesitation that the X200s uses slightly more pliable plastics for the palmrest than the X61s. It's not a question of case screws or anything like that -- the materials are just different.

I've compared my machine to multiple X200 units, BTW, and have found that they *do* seem to be a bit sturdier. That said, I'd get the X200s if you want a light machine with incredibly battery life. It's still a solidly built computer -- even at its worst it's a hell of a lot sturdier than most consumer laptops -- and at the prices that it tends to be available it's really not a bad deal.

One more thing about the screen: while it's true that it's far more susceptible to torsion than the X61s, it's actually far more resistant to downward pressure when the lid is closed. I actually have more faith that my X200s would survive being stepped on whilst close than I do my X61s. The X200s appears very rigid when closed; it's just when it's open that I think it feels "cheaper" than the X61s.

[EOMtp]

Good clarification. Thank you.

[domi]

I've compared my machine to multiple X200 units, BTW, and have found that they *do* seem to be a bit sturdier. That said, I'd get the X200s if you want a light machine with incredibly battery life. It's still a solidly built computer -- even at its worst it's a hell of a lot sturdier than most consumer laptops -- and at the prices that it tends to be available it's really not a bad deal.

One more thing about the screen: while it's true that it's far more susceptible to torsion than the X61s, it's actually far more resistant to downward pressure when the lid is closed. I actually have more faith that my X200s would survive being stepped on whilst close than I do my X61s. The X200s appears very rigid when closed; it's just when it's open that I think it feels "cheaper" than the X61s.

Thanks, you're reassuring me that the X200s isn't such a bad machine after all! I'm still waiting for the X210/X210s to show up, and I'm not sure whether I'll go for the "s" or the "non s" model.

[ThinkRob]

Thanks, you're reassuring me that the X200s isn't such a bad machine after all! I'm still waiting for the X210/X210s to show up, and I'm not sure whether I'll go for the "s" or the "non s" model.

Personally, I'd go for the non-s... at least if I were buying an X200(s) again that's what I'd do. The X200 still gets amazing battery life, the build and materials seem much sturdier, and you get far better CPU performance. You won't get the crazy 12 hours that the X200s can hit, but with the exception of long trans-Atlantic, how often do you need 12 hours on a single battery?