Thinkpads Forum

Is the X200 superior to the X60s?

In what metric? Power consumption? Computing power? Physical size? Reliability? Price? I'm kind of curious to know as well since I've been playing with the X60 for about a year and have found them to be dependable, quite sufficient for video work and very affordable. I'd say that I'm now splitting my time equally between the T23 and X60. The main thing I find distracting about the X60 however, is the small screen. A 12" XGA can't measure up when one is used to a 14" SXGA+ screen. As much as I like the 4:3 format, the 16:10 ratio of the X200 could be better in some respects. There might be less side-to-side scrolling to do but the images would be slightly smaller; definitely a concern with my eyes.

I had T43 for many years, and I'd say X200s is not quite up to IBM quality standard.

fmilovanov wrote:I had T43 for many years, and I'd say X200s is not quite up to IBM quality standard.

As a counterpoint: I've had numerous IBM ThinkPads (600E, 600X, several X40s) plus a couple transition systems (a Lenovo X40 and T43p), and I would say that the X200 series absolutely is "up to IBM quality standards" (in so far as one can use such vague terms.)

ParatoOptimal wrote:Is the X200 superior to the X60s?

Yes! But the "real" comparison is between the X200s with WXGA+ (1440x900) and the X60s (1024x768) ... and it's no contest: the X200s is faster, lighter, battery life is at least 2x that of the X60s ... + misc. other features: can boot from SD card, no 3GB memory limit, 64-bit support, etc.

ThinkRob wrote:... I would say that the X200 series absolutely is "up to IBM quality standards" (in so far as one can use such vague terms.)

+1. Absolutely!

X200 runs 1080p videos from youtube, where the X60 doesn't. 9cell battery lasts 6-7hr. Also the coolness of X200 is comparable to X60s.

as much as i still have a soft spot for a 4:3 ultraportable (dream machine would be a x60s form factor with a 1280x1024 screen and great battery life), i'd agree with ThinkRob that the x200 is significantly superior in nearly very category - better battery life, brighter screen, full size keyboard, better processor, better wireless, and better power management tools. and the build quality is still excellent.

i bought a x61s to backup my beloved travel workhorse x31 and i find that my x200s & x201 have regulated my x61s to unused status.

ParatoOptimal wrote:Is the X200 superior to the X60s?

I spoke to the build quality earlier, but I never addressed the features. I've used the X200, X200s, X60, X60s, X61, and X61s, so I can comment on a couple things:

1) All of those machines will do everything that your average user needs, no sweat.

2) The X200 is the most powerful of the listed machines, but honestly unless you really need the extra power, performance isn't a terribly good reason to get an X200 over, say, an X61.

3) The screen resolution on the X200/X200s is definitely a major advantage over the X60 series *if* you do a lot of surfing or movie-watching. Personally, most of what I do is text-based (coding, e-mailing, writing in LaTeX, etc.), so the 4:3 format is actually superior despite the decreased resolution.

4) The build quality is great on all the machines. The X200s feels a lot flimsier than any of the others, but it's also a good pound lighter -- and considering its light weight it's actually astoundingly durable.

5) If battery life is your main concern, the X200 series wins, hands-down. The X200 has quite good life for its power, and the ULV-equipped X200s models can last for 10 hours of real-world use. That last fact was a godsend when I was doing regular trans-Atlantic flights...

6) If (for some reason) you need a camera built-in, the X200 series is your only option.

Hope that helps!

X200 has the same quality as the X60s. But on all other factors, the X200 represents a much better buy. Get the X200 and put in an AFFS LCD, then you will have the ultimate portable laptop.

I find the keyboard on the X200 to be much nicer as well. The X60s keyboard is without a doubt phenomenal (especially given the diminutive size of the machine), but after having used an X200 keyboard the X60s just feels a tiny bit undersized.

Atreides wrote:I find the keyboard on the X200 to be much nicer as well. The X60s keyboard is without a doubt phenomenal (especially given the diminutive size of the machine), but after having used an X200 keyboard the X60s just feels a tiny bit undersized.

The X60 keyboard is definitely better if looked from one key's point of view, as the X60 keys have a different an nicer mechanism compared to X200, much like with the T40s. As a whole the X200 keyboard is much better because of the wideness.

EOMtp wrote:Yes! But the "real" comparison is between the X200s with WXGA+ (1440x900) and the X60s (1024x768) ... and it's no contest: the X200s is faster, lighter, battery life is at least 2x that of the X60s ... + misc. other features: can boot from SD card, no 3GB memory limit, 64-bit support, etc.

Agreed. I had an x60s and then upgraded to an x200s, and I am much happier.

ThinkRob wrote:... I would say that the X200 series absolutely is "up to IBM quality standards" (in so far as one can use such vague terms.)

Although I have to say that the physical build quality of my x200s does not seem to be as solid as my x60s.

efrant wrote:Although I have to say that the physical build quality of my x200s does not seem to be as solid as my x60s.

I thought that about mine too (and, in fact, I wrote a rather vitriolic post to that effect). Upon further consideration though, I realized it was probably more psychology than anything else: the X200s is substantially lighter than the X60s, and while it feels a lot "flimsier" than the X60s, I've come to the realization that my initial impression was likely due to the decreased weight than an actual decrease in durability.

I traveled extensively with the X200s and it proved itself every bit as durable as my X61s. In fact, it actually was *more* resistant to lid pressure (when closed) than the X61s was.

I can't really compare the "fit and finish" of the two, as the chassis design is very different. I will say that the keyboard design for the X200 series is slightly inferior due to the "weight reduced" backplate: one of the FRUs is pretty decent, but the other tends to be just a bit too flexible.

ThinkRob wrote: I thought that about mine too (and, in fact, I wrote a rather vitriolic post to that effect). Upon further consideration though, I realized it was probably more psychology than anything else: the X200s is substantially lighter than the X60s, and while it feels a lot "flimsier" than the X60s, I've come to the realization that my initial impression was likely due to the decreased weight than an actual decrease in durability.
[snip]

Agreed. I'm sure it is psychological. I have no doubt that the x200s is as durable as the x60s.

Just as a little, incy-wincy nit-pick thought, when I close the lid of my x200s, it doesn't give me the same rugged, satisfying click as my x60s did...

efrant wrote: Just as a little, incy-wincy nit-pick thought, when I close the lid of my x200s, it doesn't give me the same rugged, satisfying click as my x60s did...

I actually noticed the same on my X200, but not on my X200s. I suspect it varies from machine to machine. I also suspect that it may be different due to the different designs of the lid latches (the X6x have the sliding assembly in the lid, the X20x have it in the base.)

I have x200s and x60s.

X200s:

Lighter, quieter, cooler, faster. Has a widescreen display, and an annoyingly huge bezel. Built strong. Better sound. Nice high-resolution display, brighter. Better battery life with the slim battery.

X60s:

Smaller, standard display aspect ratio, thin bezel, can be noisy, can get really warm, somewhat delicate comparatively (plastic parts only, the chassis is rock solid), slightly slower.

I'd say overall, the x200s is my preference even though I strongly prefer the 4:3 aspect ratio and the smaller size of the X60s. IF the x60s perhaps had a higher resolution display and had stronger/better designed plastic parts and better battery life I would prefer it. A hybrid of the best features of each would be an ideal laptop for me.

Thank you all for your input.
I already have an X60s.
I was contemplating and bidding on an X200 but it went for too much.

I've owned a bunch of different Thinkpads... including the all the x6 series computers and now the X200s I have now.

The X200s really is my favorite Thinkpad so far. To me, it actually feels more solid than the x61s I had, it's not as hot, and the 1440x900 screen is worlds better than the 1024x768 resolution of the x6 series.

I'm a little disappointed that the new x220 has a 16:9 screen instead of the 16:10.

Hope this helps!

I "upgraded" from X60s to X201i. I upgraded, because there was good offer on X201i and I thought I needed an upgrade. I'm generally content, but the feel is definitely not the same for me. I miss the compactness of X60s, X201i has here and there too much leeway to my liking. For example HDD door feels inferior, one of the upper mouse buttons has unnatural click release (as if the spring is not aligned correctly), screen hinges are looser etc. Also what bugs me a bit, which I didn't anticipate, is that X201i battery sits unsymmetrically which gives it uneven bulge (at least with my 6-cell), thus resulting in back left corner with less support than back right corner. Though no huge issues, there are other minor things as well (screen bezel developing discoloured spots around the base, for example) which contribute to the inferior feeling.

So, for overall feel I miss my X60s dearly. I dot not miss the palmrest heat and rather lousy screen and X201i definitely scores way better in RAM, CPU and graphics department and has a screen that is actually legible in brighter light, but lovely compact sturdy ultraportable it is not. I was going to sell X60s to regain some cash but I'm on the fence about it now. If all newer Thinkpads are like my new X201i then I'm not sure I want to part with my old workhorse that hastily anymore.

EOMtp wrote:Yes! But the "real" comparison is between the X200s with WXGA+ (1440x900) and the X60s (1024x768) ... and it's no contest: the X200s is faster, lighter, battery life is at least 2x that of the X60s ... + misc. other features: can boot from SD card, no 3GB memory limit, 64-bit support, etc.

Uhh.. do you really get 20 hours with an X200s? I get 10 hours easily with an X60s 8-cell battery with low screen brightness.