x301 replacement

[smullen]

Hi,

I love my x301 - it has been great, but I an now looking at updating with another tp

Then I stumbled across the Sony VPCZ117GGX - Anything that insanely impressive around the corner from Lenovo?

Thanks guys.

Sean

[ZaZ]

Lenovo has just updated most of their notebooks with the Core CPUs. Certainly nothing with a 13.3" WUXGA LCD seems real likely. The pixel density on that sucker is getting close to the QXGA offered on the R50p. I hope you're eating your carrots.

[Growly]

I too have been holding out for the x301 replacement. I have seen talk of it over the last few weeks, but as yet in New Zealand at least there is no sign. The x301 wasn't listed on the Lenovo website here for about a month too - I took that as a sign that a newer model was coming - but it reappeared in its plain original form just this last weekend, much to my disappointment.

I really wanted an x301 for its build quality, battery life, and ultra-portability (while maintaining functionality). Then Lenovo put up a ~45% sale on the T410... so I grabbed one of those instead. I figured that while the T410 is bigger, heavier, and bulkier, it's still far more portable than my T61p (15.4") and W500, and can vastly outperform the x301 with its now outdated low-voltage Core 2. That and the fact that despite the x301's age it still cost NZD$1000 more. I really wish they'd release an update, with the new i7 low-voltage mobile chips, so that again at least the ultra portability could justify the premium you pay.

Too late now... or is it?

[sanjuro]

Probably not. There seems to be no impending replacement for x301.

X301 likely is not a big moneymaker so a low power i7 CPU upgrade probably is not enough to generate an uptick in sales. It may be a while before any replacement appears.

[ImSeeker]

I have a client who wants an x301 and doesn't understand the difference between core 2 duo and i5/i7 chips.

Should I just do what they want, or point out the issues for the x301 at this point?

Anyone still think the x301 would be a decent purchase?

[sanjuro]

I have a client who wants an x301 and doesn't understand the difference between core 2 duo and i5/i7 chips.

Should I just do what they want, or point out the issues for the x301 at this point?

Anyone still think the x301 would be a decent purchase?

If your client still insists upon x301 after the price/value relation is explained, then all is fair.

For now t410s seems to be a better buy until a replacement to x301 is released.

x301 price had done down to about $1000 right after holidays from some internet vendors at one point. Some of these vendors are still cheaper than Lenovo though they are not cto.

[ImSeeker]

it's not about money. it's about getting something they want, but over time, that they will be satisfied with.

[sanjuro]

ok, x301 is a serviceable computer even if it stuck using ulv cd2. ssd makes it feel zippier than it really is.

it would help to know what your client's uses are, but here it goes:

if your customer plans to use it for photoshop or processing movies, x301 is not the right computer. for other uses e-mail, web, word processing, and light computation tasks, it is quite usable.

its best feature is the portability for a nearly fully featured notebook. it is light and compact enough that it can be taken pretty much everywhere without breaking the back. it is a tweener of a notebook but at equal or slightly heavier weight than a netbook. just don't expect too much from the lcd.

[ImSeeker]

yeah - that suggests the 301 even if it is long in the tooth -

this is a c-level exec, who loves being "computer literate", but uses the computer for email, powerpoint, word processing etc.

Travels almost 7 days a week. At home - plugs the computer into the slice (currently has an x41), turns on the big monitor, and bluetooths in with the mouse and keyboard.

Might like the 13 inch screen as an improvement.

[ImSeeker]

i'm also thinking of getting a bezel vs. the ultra thin dvd - makes it even lighter.

Then maybe getting an external dvd for "at home" if there is ever a need to actually install something from a cd/dvd.

[sanjuro]

It sounds as if your client fits into the mold of customers for whom Lenovo intended x30x series.

I don't think that x301 will be upgraded any time soon. Not until Sandy Bridge is released until late 2010.

If he is using x41 now, then x301 will do just fine.

[gaia]

X301 is a great machine for a road warrior who basically wants MS Office (typically CEO level). The reason that they're slow to be replaced might be that they're expensive & a niche market. I've bought a dozen (X300 & X301) for my company & the executives love them.

[sanjuro]

It's a shame that Lenovo pitched X30x series too high. They should have lowered the price and gone for a volume. A better LCD would be a big plus if they ever release an i7 update.

[Subliming]

It's a shame that Lenovo pitched X30x series too high. They should have lowered the price and gone for a volume. A better LCD would be a big plus if they ever release an i7 update.

Indeed, there is an AFFS screen that would easily fit if Lenovo was so inclined...

[sanjuro]

Indeed, there is an AFFS screen that would easily fit if Lenovo was so inclined...

Where? I'd seriously consider swapping out my current LCD with an AFFS display if a compatible one is available.

[Subliming]

What I meant was that there exists a 13.3" AFFS screen, the HV133WX1, that Lenovo could easily equip the next iteration of the X300 with. I am not sure if it could be installed into an X301. No one has had the opportunity to check I think.

[AvalonXIII]

Where? I'd seriously consider swapping out my current LCD with an AFFS display if a compatible one is available.

Here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-Screen-13-3-LED ... 4146e7c41b
Should be compatible with X300 and X301, but no guarantee. Have fun. Let us know the result.

[sanjuro]

Here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-Screen-13-3-LED ... 4146e7c41b
Should be compatible with X300 and X301, but no guarantee. Have fun. Let us know the result.

Don't know whether it's compatible and there is no spec either. Awfully expensive... almost better to get a second hand x200 and an AFFS LCD.

[sanjuro]

Found this site with BOE-Hydis HV133WX1 AFFS LCD panel:

http://www.yallstore.com/boehydis-hv133 ... 40330.html

Does anyone else have experience with either the panel or the vendor? Aside from compatibility issue with the LCD connector, are there any potential issues which would derail swap-out of LCD panel in a X300?

[treefort]

Your boss is going to love the x301. Especially with a ssd.

I've had the x30, x41, and now the x200s. I just bought my sister the x301 for Christmas. In my opinion(and a ton of others), there is no better laptop. I don't care about the latest processor.. it is plenty fast enough to do everything I do. I

I am going to buy an x301 soon and just use the x200s for personal. I need the second hard drive bay for vmware. I still have the x30(even ran it over once..that and a vaio s. The x30 only needed a new screen..the vaio was finished) and x41. They make good backup computers for work because of the serial port on the ultrabase. That and they are rocks.

Sure a nicer screen is easier to look at, but that and the performance don't cancel out the weight, size, and battery life factor.

[treefort]

D'oh! Sorry!

Just seen your last post was in May!

How does your boss like it?