X201s Review

[dfumento]

I have had this X201s running Windows 7 Ultimate x64 for about a week and I find that it seems about twice as fast as my previous X200s. This I attribute to the Turbo Mode of the i7 processor but installs, reboots, and compression for ITunes seems at least twice as fast as the X200s. I have the standard Topseller Model 5143-28U which came with Win7 Pro x86 replacing the HD with my Intel X25-M 160 GB (150 usable) SSD with the fresh Win7 Ultimate x64. While I don't use the touchpad it is nice when I hand the laptop over to others to use. I run SQL Server database and Visual Studio development software on the unit. I also run Ubuntu 9.10 under VMWare virtual machine and it runs well. The unit comes with the mid-size 6-cell battery and I have a 9-cell for the longer days, long plane trips.

CPU Info:
http://www.cpu-world.com/sspec/SL/SLBMK.html
The max turbo boost for single core will be 2.93 GHz, for dual core it is 2.66 GHz. Graphics can go turbo to 566 MHz. It also has additional instructions over the previous model. That makes this a huge step for some processing needs.

Battery time is about the same as in the X200s. If the higher resolution screen of the X201s over the X201 does not bother you then I'd suggest getting the higher resolution screen X201s which is useful for side-by-side Word document editing, larger Excel spreadsheets on the screen, and computer programming if you do that.

I do not use an X200 base but rather the very small USB to DVI adapter to run my 24" 1920 x 1200 displays at home and at work.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 72682.html

The next mobile processors, Sandy Bridge, is due out end of 2010 or beginning of 2011 using the same 32 nm fab process as the CPU in the X201s. The GPU is Sandy Bridge is planned to be on the same die as the CPU making it 32 nm instead of the current 45 nm GPU in the X201s.

Lenovo has some sort of shortages for the X201s but some were available on ebay last I looked.

[GrandMasterKhan]

Congrats, nice system. I'm pondering the X201 or X201s along with the X100e. Tilt goes to the X201 or X201s. Any heat issues? Also, do you mind posting a pic of IE at 125% zoom along with one at 100% zoom if possible (recognizing your time is valuable). I have a T61 WXGA+ and run IE that way sometimes at 125% and sometimes at 100% zoom. The X201 screen at WXGA bothers me as don't know what to expect given the 12.1" display versus current 14.1"

Wait for SandyBridge? 32nm GPU sounds enticing but know I need portability and the power of a quad CPU.

Also, which factors made you decide on the s versus the base X201 other than screen resolution when the regular voltage i7 is an option on the X201?

[Initial D]

Thanks for that tip. Sweet review, makes me want to go with a SSD when they lower in price.

The only reason why I went with the 's' is the screen resolution. I remember when comparing my T43's screen resolution (1400x1050) to a friend's T42 (1024x768), it "felt" to me like I was looking at a 640x480 screen because everything was so big. From then on I decided to go for the highest resolution (if ever possible). It's also a plus that the 's' has more battery life and weighs less. The touchpad is nice (had no choice as it's included in the TopSeller) and to me it makes the X201s feel more of a "complete" laptop, but I disabled it the moment I got it.

If Lenovo included a discrete graphics card in the X201 and I wanted to play some games, it would have been a really tough choice b/c a regular voltage i7 would have be SWEET. But since we didn't get that option, I'm really happy with my 's' purchase. The only thing I really want to see is how the NMB keyboard differs from the Chicony for the X series, but supposedly the Chicony keyboard has better reviews.

[GrandMasterKhan]

Thanks for that tip. Sweet review, makes me want to go with a SSD when they lower in price.

The only reason why I went with the 's' is the screen resolution. I remember when comparing my T43's screen resolution (1400x1050) to a friend's T42 (1280x1024), it "felt" to me like I was looking at a 640x480 screen because everything was so big. From then on I decided to go for the highest resolution (if ever possible). It's also a plus that the 's' has more battery life and weighs less. The touchpad is nice (had no choice as it's included in the TopSeller) and to me it makes the X201s feel more of a "complete" laptop, but I disabled it the moment I got it.

If Lenovo included a discrete graphics card in the X201 and I wanted to play some games, it would have been a really tough choice b/c a regular voltage i7 would have be SWEET. But since we didn't get that option, I'm really happy with my 's' purchase. The only thing I really want to see is how the NMB keyboard differs from the Chicony for the X series, but supposedly the Chicony keyboard has better reviews.

Yes, I have the same concerns over the "goofy" 640x480 like appearance. I recall debating a lot on whether to get WGXA or + for my T61 and someone said to get the better resolution and just zoom. Can't do that effectively with the WXGA. I'm not so much concerned about weight as either one is lighter than a T61. I am debating this as a factor though in timing.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/displa ... _Ramp.html

[stylinexpat]

You got yours with Windows 7 64bit if you had the choice again of getting 32bit would you get it with the 32bit or 64bit? I ordered my X201s with Windows 7 32bit.

[Initial D]

@GrandMasterKhan: That's very true.

From the FAQ #24:

Don't base your decision on what MAY come SOMETIME. There will always be a better/faster/cheaper option after you place your order.

If you don't need it now, wait. If you do, don't wait.

I needed my notebook now and now that it is temporarily discontinued I'm glad that I was able to get my hands on one. The next X series are surely to have those new processors, so you might as well wait if you can.

@stylinexpat: My 5143-28U came with Windows 7 32-bit. IIRC, Windows 7 32-bit had 2.9GB usable RAM. Now, with 64-bit it has 3.8GB usable RAM. I would have gotten 64-bit from the start. Hope this helps.

[stylinexpat]

Is the maximum RAM on the X201S with 64-bit 4GB or 8GB?

[Initial D]

@stylinexpat: X201s can have maximum of 8GB RAM.
Here are the upper RAM limits for the different editions of Windows 7 64-bit:
* Starter: 2GB
* Home Basic: 8GB
* Home Premium: 16GB
* Professional: 192GB
* Enterprise: 192GB
* Ultimate: 192GB

Source: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library ... S.85).aspx

[Pelikan3]

@dfumento

How do you like the overall keyboard quality of your new ThinkPad X201s machine, especially by comparison with the previous X200s?

Thanks.

[stylinexpat]

Did you find a huge difference in boot times with the SSD? Mine will come with the 7200 RPM HDD. Will be considering upgrading to a SSD

[GrandMasterKhan]

Can't comment on the X201 i7 but for a Core2Duo T7500 I can say 64bit W7 with 4GB or RAM and ReadyBoost using eFAT makes my machine fly (versus only 3GB previously). I would actually never use a 32-bit OS again.

I think I'm going to wait awhile and see what Intel offers later this year or until the i7 reappears.

There are plenty of boot time videos on YouTube if you want to compare a spindle drive to an SSD. Not sure why everey feels compelled to put up a video. It's faster but not instant on. lol.

InitialD, have you tried VirtualPC running XP on your machine? Wondering how smooth it is because on my old T61 seems like a slouch. Maybe need to allocate memory specifically for it but I haven't tried. Just curious how the i7 handles it.

[dfumento]

My Topseller Type 5143-28U does come with Win7 Pro 32 bit. When I put in the SSD I did a fresh install of my own copy of Win7 Ultimate x64. I much prefer the x64 but then again I use apps that need the extra RAM. I have the option of expanding to 6 GB or 8 GB RAM by replacing the 2 GB SODIMMs with a single or two 4 GB SODIMMs.

There are no heat issues the way I use it including some video streaming which takes about 0 CPU possibly because of the better GPU. If you think screen resolution is going to be a problem then go with the X201 over the X201s.

If your only concern is boot times I would wait awhile for prices to drop before buying a SSD.

Overall the unit is great. Just be concerned about the screen resolution issues.

Unless you have a compelling reason I would not wait for Sandy Bridge as this unit works really, really well (with the SSD).