X200/X201 questions

[cogitordi]

I like the x-series Thinkpads because they *do not* have a touchpad. (I will spare you my anti-touchpad rant.) I have been ogling the x200 (used) and the x201.

It is possible to buy the x201 without a touchpad, correct?

I have an x32, the ergonomics of which I think are excellent. Has anyone here used both an x31/x32 and the x200/x201 (without touchpad)? I'd like to hear some opinions...

[dvhart]

It is possible to buy the x201 without a touchpad, correct?

Correct, you can configure it without the touchpad on Lenovo's site.

[cogitordi]

Do the x200 and x201 use IDE or SATA hard disks?

[ZaZ]

SATA. Nobody's using IDE these days.

[LegendaryKA8]

I'm a little late to the party, but here's a few observations. I haven't used an X3x, but have owned an X60s(which I modded into an X61s). The form factor is similar enough to make some comparisons.

I normally didn't like the widescreen format, but it works out well for the X-series. The 1280x800 resolution is a great improvement on the 1024x768 of the 4:3 X-series. However, this definitely increases the footprint of the system. An X20x with a 9-cell battery has about the same footprint of a 4:3 14" ThinkPad, and even without the 9-cell they're only a fraction less wide. It's still a very thin, light, and portable system and definitely doesn't feel as bulky as a T-series.

the increase in footprint gives it the same sized keyboard as a T-series, which means no truncated keys. Since I use my X200 and T400 interchangeably, it's very easy to switch from system to system. I always had issues getting used from transferring fro my old T60p to my X60/1s because of the smaller keys; not so with the X200/T400 combo.

The X200 manages heat and power much better than the X60/1s. Even under moderate load or playing older games it doesn't get near as hot as the X60/1s ever did. The palmrest feels very cool to the touch as well. Performance with normal tasks is excellent, and I don't feel like the system is slow by any means whatsoever. The X200 also sips power; even on the rather degraded 6-cell I have I still get between 3-4 hours on a single charge.

If you're looking for a modern ThinkPad, this is the one I'd highly suggest. I really like my T400, but something about the X200 just feels right. Especially if you don't like touchpads(I share your sentiment on that one).

Edit: Changed a system reference that may have been confusing. The T400 and X200 share the same chipset and processor family, and are actually about identical as far as temperatures go.

[Harryc]

+1 for the X200. It is very good at what it does. Add an AFFS LCD and it is Ultra-portable heaven. I think we have another classic Thinkpad here.

[cogitordi]

Thank you for sharing your opinions, gents.

I ended up buying an X200s. I chose the "s" for the better screen. I paid a fair price -- I could have paid more, but I might have found a deal for less if I had waited. I wanted to buy directly from the Lenovo Outlet but I am in Canada and the Lenovo Outlet does not want my business. So I bought a refurbished X200s from a US Ebay seller. The purchase included a 9-cell battery and a Lenovo warranty.

As I mentioned, I own an X32. What I like about the X32 are:
= keyboard quality (and no touchpad**)
= build quality**
= Thinklight**
= small enough to be light, large enough to have a real keyboard**
= performance (Pentium M Dothan 1.8 with 2GB RAM)

I think the weaknesses of the X32 are:
= heat generation (must use the TP Fan Control utility to keep it quiet)
= the screen is nice but the resolution is only "acceptable"

I considered the X32 to be the best Thinkpad I ever owned before I bought the X200s. With 4GB RAM (maximum 8GB), a 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo CPU, the 1400x900 screen, and all the other great features** I expect from an X series Thinkpad, the X200s is now my favourite Thinkpad.

[fatpolomanjr]

Be careful not to sit on the X200s; someone in the notebookreview forums cracked his screen this way because the X200s doesn't have the magnesium cage or whatever it is that makes it possible to sit on an X200 and not crack the screen. Not that you'd want to test it out. ;p

[LegendaryKA8]

Neither the X200 nor the X200s have the magnesium display rollcage, so I'd reckon sitting on either machine would be a bad idea. If you're looking for a more durable lid, the T400/T500/W500 all have the rollcage, but I believe they're gone from the T410/T510/W510.

[cogitordi]

Be careful not to sit on the X200s

Think of me what you must, I must admit that the body-weight test is not one of my criteria. (o;

[ThinkRob]

Neither the X200 nor the X200s have the magnesium display rollcage, so I'd reckon sitting on either machine would be a bad idea. If you're looking for a more durable lid, the T400/T500/W500 all have the rollcage, but I believe they're gone from the T410/T510/W510.

It's gone from the T410, but the T510 still has it IIRC. No idea about the W510 though.

[ThinkRob]

Be careful not to sit on the X200s; someone in the notebookreview forums cracked his screen this way because the X200s doesn't have the magnesium cage or whatever it is that makes it possible to sit on an X200 and not crack the screen. Not that you'd want to test it out. ;p

I've owned both the X200 and the X200s, and honestly I'd be far more afraid of lid pressure causing damage on the X200 -- the X200s is (in my experience) much more resistant to that sort of stress. The X200 is more resistant to torsion applied to the lid when the screen is in the open position.

I guess it depends on what sort of forces you're more worried about.