Having a tough time deciding between the X201 and X201s

[Rockmaninoff]

Hi all,

I've lurked for a while, and am probably going to take the plunge later on my first ThinkPad. I've long coveted the X-series, and am very excited.

That being said, I'm having a tough time deciding between the 201 and 201s, and I'd like some feedback. As background, I'll be using this computer for computer programming, compiling, electrical design, and a lot of multitasking. I'm a computer engineering student going into my senior year, and on a couple of days I'll have classes from 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM, so I also need the excellent battery life that the 9-cell provides. The only gaming I'd be doing on this would be browser-based Flash games or game development with Flash or Valve's Source engine; nothing too ridiculous.

I've configured an x201 via Lenovo's site with the following specs:

• Core i7 620M
• 12.1" 2x2 screen with camera
• 4GB 2DIMM RAM
• TrackPoint with Fingerprint Reader and Touchpad
• 320GB 7200RPM
• 9-cell battery
• Bluetooth
• Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 Wireless

Total price configured is $1624.00 with the UltraBase

And I've found the following x201s at J&R online or via some eBay sellers:

• Core i7 640LM
• 12.1" 1440x900!
• 4GB 2DIMM RAM
• TrackPoint with Fingerprint Reader and Touchpad
• 320GB 7200RPM
• 6-cell battery
• Bluetooth
• Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200

Total price at J&R is $1499.00, but eBay sellers had it for ~$1430.00-$1450.00

If I purchase the x201, I'll do a clean install of Windows 7 Pro (at least). I might leave the x201s with its native Windows 7 Pro installation, provided it's 64-bit. If SSDs become cheaper down the line, I may also swap one in. Also in the case of the x201s, I'll be purchasing an aftermarket 9-cell for better battery.

My main quandary is comparing the i7 620M and the i7 640LM. I understand the 640LM is a lower power processor, thus using less battery life. Yet it runs at a decent clock rate (2.16 GHz vs. the 2.66 of the 620M). Both have the same amount of L3 cache. I'm wondering if anyone can provide me with additional info and help me choose which processor is best suited for my needs.

Even if the 620M is significantly better, the 201s also features the WXGA+ 1440x900 screen, which I think is pretty crucial. The lighter weight is also a bonus, since I will be carrying it with me every day. I don't think that the higher weight of the 201 is that much of an addition, though. Lastly, can anyone comment on the 201 configured with the Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 card vs. the Intel Centrino 6200 in the 201s?

Thanks for any assistance you guys can provide me with.

[EOMtp]

Given what you have stated above, the decision is already "baked in" -- the X201s wins by a country mile. Here is why:

If you want and like the the WXGA+ screen resolution, then there is no substitute for the X201s. That consideration alone selects the X201s.

Further, the X201s with a 6-cell battery (one that does not "stick out") will run approximately as long on that battery as an X201 will with the 9-cell "ugly" battery -- not to mention the additional weight of the 9-cell on the X201.

If you are doing anything on an X201[s] where you can tell the speed difference between a 2.16 and 2.66 GHz processor, then you probably should not be using the X201x for that application! I could elaborate, but I am certain you get the "big picture" -- short of compute-bound applications which run for hours, one cannot tell the difference in processor speeds of 2.16 and 2.66 GHz.

Pick the 6250 card if there is any likelihood that you will use WiMax. The X201s does not have a WWAN card option, so the only WWAN possibility -- absent physical and BIOS mods -- is to use the 6250, which provides WLAN + WWAN functionality in one device.

Finally, if you are comparing the two machines you mentioned, then take the "savings" of buying the X201s and put it toward an SSD -- that alone will more than make up for any speed "deficiency" that the X201s may have compared to the X201.

[dr_st]

I second EOMtp here. Provided your eyes actually can / want to handle WXGA+ on 12.1". Not as straightforward as can seem for some...

[Rockmaninoff]

Thanks for the responses guys. Looks like I'm all set to get an x201s.

Unfortunately, since they're currently unavailable from Lenovo, it looks like I'll be stuck with the 6200. This isn't a huge deal; I wanted WiMAX more for future-proofing than anything else.

[dfumento]

I have the 5143-28U X201s and I love it. I think you can pick up a X25-M 160 GB (150 usable) SSD on ebay for about $320 and I'd do that. That is, unless you want to wait until Q3 or Q4 when the new 25 nm Gen 3 Intel SSDs come out and the prices may drop by about half.

[Rockmaninoff]

I have the 5143-28U X201s and I love it. I think you can pick up a X25-M 160 GB (150 usable) SSD on ebay for about $320 and I'd do that. That is, unless you want to wait until Q3 or Q4 when the new 25 nm Gen 3 Intel SSDs come out and the prices may drop by about half.

That's probably exactly what I'll do (wait until later in the year). Is there an easy way to transfer the OS/drive image to the SSD? I have some extra copies of Windows 7 floating around, but I'd rather just transfer over the existing stuff, since I'm sure it'll have some data and settings I'd like to keep.

PS: Does the 5143-28U definitely come with the TouchPad in addition the TrackPoint and fingerprint reader?

[raydabruce]

Is there an easy way to transfer the OS/drive image to the SSD? I have some extra copies of Windows 7 floating around, but I'd rather just transfer over the existing stuff, since I'm sure it'll have some data and settings I'd like to keep.

I use Acronis TrueImage 2010 for cloning. It works well with HDDs, I don't know about HDD > SSD. I'm assuming it would work fine, you'll just need an external enclosure for the SSD to do the cloning.

[Goetterdaemmerung]

I have the x201s bestseller that you've described. Thoughts:
1) Get an SSD asap; it improves performance/experience by an order of magnitude more than any other upgrade.
2) 6-cell battery life is pretty bad. Barely lasts 4 hours with aggressive power settings. If the 640[b]L[/b]M is helping, I can't notice.
3) The screen... The resolution is nice, but the viewing angles and contrast are easily the worst I've ever. seen. in. my. life.

Executive summary: very powerful machine that never forces me to wait for anything, slightly worse build quality than my old x40, poor battery life, horrible screen.

[raydabruce]

I have to say, my only complaint about the X201 is that the screen bezels seem a bit flimsy. Other than that, it has good "build quality". I have no creaking or flex in the usual areas and I'm okay with the display after tweaking the settings a bit.

As for the current crop of SSDs: I hear many say that over time, performance decreases to the point of being no better than the spinning platters, in real-world usage. I'm waiting for generation 3 of the SSDs, due out sometime later this year. I don't believe they've yet gotten the controller firmware right.... I'll wait and see.

[dfumento]

1. I would get about 4 to 4.5 hours with the six cell, WiFi, brightness 12 setting. I also have a nine cell if I want extra time, but usually the six cell is fine. If you lowered brightness that would extend battery life.

2. The current crop of Intel SSDs work fine: check Anandtech. Also Crucial C300's reportedly work well with the newest firmware upgrade. Again check Anandtech which has a July 13, 2010 re-review of the C300 (which uses the same memories but not controller as the Intel X25-M drives).

3. Since you can purchase X25-M 160 GB (150 usable) for about $320 on ebay unless you feel you'll need a lot more space then you might just get the SSD now instead of waiting. You can extend the amount of space a bit by purchasing a 16 GB or 32 GB SDHC memory card and leave it in the laptop for music, pictures, etc. Also, an Intel SSD warranty is transferable so if you can pick up a used Gen 2 Intel X25-M SSD for a great price that might make sense since SSDs will drop quite a bit in price the next couple of years.

4. I think the screens, etc. on my X201s are great. I *do* think that the X200 series is less durable than the X60 and X40 series and you might consider the 3 year Accidental Damage Protection (which covers USA only) for about $170 above the standard warranty coverage.