Thinkpads Forum

Currently I have a X60s, and am looking to upgrade to a X200s. I also just bought a X200t off craigslist somewhat impulsively because it was cheap and I wanted to play around with it. My plan was that if I really liked it I was going to stick with the X200t as my "upgrade", but I find myself just not using it as a tablet enough to make it really worth it. Now I'm off to sell this X200t, and pick up a X200s (I'll likely be posting it on this site before ebay, so if anyone is interested or would like to trade...). A few questions about the X200s though...

1. Is the keyboard the exact same one as is on the X200t? I didn't think I could like a keyboard more than the one on my X60s, but the keyboard on this X200t is phenomenal!
2. I seem to remember reading somewhere that is was possible to add a camera to the X200s (that despite not coming with one the connector is still there under the bezel) is this true?
3. Screen. I know the X200t is supposed to have a far better screen (IPS) than the screen in the X200 and X200s (TN). While viewing angles are certainly far better on the X200t than on my X60s (not terribly important to me), I don't find the screen to be that much nicer otherwise. Perhaps I am just blind or don't know a good screen when I see one, but honestly I hardly notice the difference switching from the X200t to my X60s. The only major difference is the X200t is much brighter. That said, are the X200(s) screens really as bad as people say? Would it at least be brighter than my non-UL X60s?
4. Physically the X200 and X200s are the same size, the X200s is just lighter, correct? And is it true that the X200s has the carbon fiber lid which is lacking on the X200?
5. How is the WXGA+ resolution? Is windows 7 able to smooth fonts out alright?

Lastly if anyone with an X200s has anything else to add I am all ears. This forum led me in the right direction purchasing my X60s, and I have faith you all will do so again.

Just got X200s, in process of "upgrading" it:

1. I did not play with X200t much, but I'm say X200s has the same keyboard. And it's a bit better than my T43 keyboard;
2. Connector is definitely down there, I've ordered a camera - will see how it plays out;
3. Go for AFFS screen!
4. X200s is thinner than X200;

I used to have both models...I ended up selling the X200s and keeping the X200.

Both units have their advantages...I will be brief:

X200s had a killer hi-res screen but the font was a little too small, the processor was slower, but the battery life was to die for...an easy eight hours.

X200 was faster, easier on the eyes, a little less battery life (more like 7 hours on a high capacity battery) and it cost a little less $$. Camera available!!!

I have upgraded the ram to 8 GB, upgraded to a Hitachi 500 GB 7200 rpm HD, installed turbo memory, Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit, and a blu-ray burner drive in the dock. Mine came with a camera!!!! When my warranty runs out I will upgrade the lcd.

If I had it to do over again I would be very happy with the standard X200...I love the camera. You might want to reconsider your camera idea in the X200s...perhaps others can add some comments about that process.

Camera and WXGA+ resolution screen are mutually exclusive. If you want the WXGA+ resolution, then it must be an X200s ... unless you piece it together yourself.

For me, WXGA+ is what makes the X200s a perfect stand-alone "usable" machine, whereas the 1024x768 resolution of the X60[/s] was a simply insufficient to use that otherwise perfect machine as a stand-alone primary computer. Absent WXGA+ on an X200s, the X200[/s] is simply an X60[/s] with a wider screen and longer battery life ... an excellent machine, to be sure, but not as perfect as one with a 1440x900 resolution screen. YMMV!

The quality of the WXGA+ screen is okay -- not great, just fine. Subjectively, it has lower contrast than the X60s UltraLight screen, but overall it is plenty good enough.

About the screen I would say to some degree it depends on what you do with the machine, as whether the standard LCD is sufficient. For Office and Internet type stuff the standard screen is probably fine unless you're picky, but anything where images are involved like Photoshop or watching movies, the limitations are of TN panels will be more readily apparent.

Keep in mind Lenovo uses multiple suppliers and some screens are better than others. I didn't think the Samsung I got in my X200 was all that bad, but I've heard the AUO LCD is particularly bad, though I've not seen it myself.

The other plus for the X200s is the LV or ULV CPUs, if you don't need a ton of power, tend to run cooler and thereby more quiet. It's one thing I really like about my X200t. The fan rarely comes, even then it's usually for a few seconds, then it shuts off. My X200 was pretty quiet in low power mode, but if I was not in low power mode and doing something that pushed the CPU a bit, it could get noisy. I think this can vary a bit. I've heard others say their machines are very quiet.

If you want a good LCD and the AFFS mod is your goal, it can be done on the X200s as well.

Thanks for all the input, was afraid for a bit my thread would be lost in the nether.

I'm definitely going to go for the X200s. Even if I have to be camera-less, the WXGA+ screen is very tempting and would be more regularly appreciated than the webcam. Also battery life is a premium for me, something where the X200s seems unbeatable.

I do plan on doing the AFFS screen mod sometime in the future, I want to use this laptop for quite some time, whereas I had only initially planned on using the X60s as a sort of temporary machine (albeit a fantastic one). Just find myself consistently needing a tad more power/screen real estate than the X60s can deliver.

Thanks again for answering my questions, I'm off to start camping ebay.

Atreides wrote:... WXGA+ screen is very tempting ... I do plan on doing the AFFS screen mod sometime in the future

Keep in mind that the AFFS mod is only for the non-LED 1280x800 screens -- the mod is not for the WXGA+ screens.

EOMtp wrote:

Atreides wrote:... WXGA+ screen is very tempting ... I do plan on doing the AFFS screen mod sometime in the future

Keep in mind that the AFFS mod is only for the non-LED 1280x800 screens -- the mod is not for the WXGA+ screens.

I thought the entire screen was replaced? Or is the whole hardware setup on the WXGA+ X200s completely different?

EOMtp wrote:Keep in mind that the AFFS mod is only for the non-LED 1280x800 screens -- the mod is not for the WXGA+ screens.

AFFS mod is for LED 1280x800 screen as well - you'll just need cable + inverter in addition to LCD panel itself.

Not sure about 1440x900 - there's definitely no AFFS panel with this resolution, but I assume if you get screen + cable + inverter, you can upgrade that screen as well. To a lower resolution though.

fmilovanov wrote:

EOMtp wrote:Keep in mind that the AFFS mod is only for the non-LED 1280x800 screens -- the mod is not for the WXGA+ screens.

AFFS mod is for LED 1280x800 screen as well - you'll just need cable + inverter in addition to LCD panel itself.

Not sure about 1440x900 - there's definitely no AFFS panel with this resolution, but I assume if you get screen + cable + inverter, you can upgrade that screen as well. To a lower resolution though.

As of now I'm going to get the WXGA+, for me higher resolution outpaces screen quality. Once I finally pick it up I will check for the connector though, and see if it would be compatible with the AFFS.

fmilovanov wrote:Not sure about 1440x900 - there's definitely no AFFS panel with this resolution, but I assume if you get screen + cable + inverter, you can upgrade that screen as well. To a lower resolution though.

don't assume.   what EOMtp said above is correct.   the WXGA+ LCD panel assembly is NOT compatible with the WXGA AFFS+ mod.   the problem is that the two panels use completely different LCD housings, bezels, hinges, cables, antennas, and inverters.

if someone plans on doing an AFFS mod, they shouldn't start with a WXGA+ panel.   they'd have to buy an entire upper assembly just to make it work, making it rather costly, time-consuming, and difficult for the average user.

I've always wondered about the AFFS mod in X200 and X201's.. Why not just get the tablet version to begin with even if you don't need that functionality? Sure the tablet costs more, but so does purchasing an AFFS screen. Plus you won't lose the brightness and power consumption benefits of the led screen.

vinuneuro - besides the price (though we're not all children of William Henry Gates III), tablet is heavies/bulkier, especially to compare with X200s. I have T43 with IPS screen - love it, but got tired carrying it, so the lighter the better for me.