How I made a rare X240s into a one of a kind laptop - Meet the X240sx!

[Atreides]

A little backstory before I get to the exciting part:

Last summer looking to upgrade my X230, I began a needlessly thorough evaluation of Lenovo's ever expanding product line. After comparing all manner of models I settled on the more traditional X240, but after purchasing one was a bit disappointed that it still felt so thick compared with the X1C or even the Yoga. Poking around I found DoubleDown's post on Reddit about the X240s, and fell in love. He wasn't exaggerating about it being rare however, for two months the only options on ebay were poorly spec'd $1500 Korean imports. At last ebay's saved search emails came through, and I quickly jumped on a slightly used but much more reasonably priced X240s that had found its way to America.

The original specs:
i5-4200U
500GB HDD
4GB
1366X768 IPS
Japanese Keyboard

I recognize it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but immediately upon opening it felt considerably nice than my X240. Appreciably thinner, with the all carbon fiber body giving it a smoother, slightly grayer body that I really would argue felt more "premium".

Of course I had to do some upgrades, so first for the "easy" stuff:

- A new US keyboard (replacing the keyboard on the X240/s is a monstrous process compared with the X230...)
- Another 4GB of RAM to put it at 8GB
- A Samsung 256GB SSD
- A non-touch FHD display (this part number, 00HM111, really is a colossal pain to source... I looked everywhere for a month before getting lucky with a random Amazon listing)
- ***Next in line was a new X250 clickpad, have been waiting for the prices to drop
- The slightly higher clock i5-4300U (see below)

Now, for the interesting bit:

For a time I was thrilled, but before long the lack of any docking options (arguably the biggest drawback with this model) began to drag on me. I still had my X240, so out of curiosity one day I opened up both to see if there were any other differences between the two besides the docking connector. To my surprise, that was all I could find. Taking it a step further and removing each motherboard, the docking connector and single screw below it were literally the only differences that existed between the two. Placing the X240 board in my X240s I found, lo and behold, everyone worked perfectly.

Of course the obvious problem presented itself, there was no opening in the X240s body for the docking connector and accompanying bits. After a considerable amount of deliberation I began a weekend long mission to actually modify the body and cut all the necessary holes in the bottom of the X240s for the X240 motherboard to dock. It took lots of careful measurement, deliberate Dremel usage, and an obsessive amount of filing - but at last, I had created my masterpiece. It looked as close to factory made as I could get, and behold - it actually docked!

Pictures:
http://imgur.com/a/cVJeQ

Part of the reason I'm posting this (besides wanting to share my creation with the community!) is because I have decided sadly to part with it. I have a work computer I am required to use now, and the X240sx has been sitting on a shelf. For a ThinkPad I've worked harder on than other this seems a tragedy, so I've decided I would rather pass it on to someone else to enjoy. Keep an eye out in the marketplace forum - and thanks for reading!

[Ibthink]

Very nice! Great modding work with the docking port.

Too bad the X240s wasn´t on sale in Western markets, and that there is no X250s.

[Atreides]

Very nice! Great modding work with the docking port.

Too bad the X240s wasn´t on sale in Western markets, and that there is no X250s.

Thanks! And I agree, unfortunately it looks like what X240s' remained have disappeared as well...

[Khipata]

Nice!
By the way I am from DC area too

[Atreides]

Nice!
By the way I am from DC area too

Ah very cool! I only just moved here for school, still feeling a bit lost. Admiring your collection!