Is the X100 Series durable?

[Original Godfather]

Hi, I'm planning on buying my first Thinkpad (I've used them in the past, just never owned one personally.)


I plan on buying the new X120e when it releases. Are these Thinkpads as durable as their "big brothers"?

[Original Godfather]

Anyone?

[billp117]

Mine has been trouble free and seems very durable to me.

Enjoy the new model...

[control]

Well, the paint has been chipping off the hinges.

[underclocker]

I'd say my X100e feels quite solid and it does seem durable.

In the last five years in general, ThinkPad plastics and batteries seem to be one step below the prior years, meaning that the plastics show shine from wear much more quickly and the batteries either loose capacity or fail sooner. However, I'd say this is true with most or all major laptop manufacturers and that ThinkPads are still a cut above.

Operationally, as long as there are no rare design flaws, like the T61 NVIDIA chip failure issue, ThinkPads last a long time.

My only concern prior to buying an X100e was heat, but with the L335 dual core, that hasn't been an issue at all.

[Original Godfather]

Thanks for the input.


In terms of durability, I was looking for input more along the lines of how well it stands up to drops, spills, etc.

I guess the keyword I should have used "ruggedness".

[danieldavid]

Well, I've had my X100e for almost two months now. Although it feels quite solid for a plastic cased notebook, I'd be very careful not to drop it, etc. In contrast, my old T42 not only feels much more solid, but in fact survived two falls without damage.

[jvarszegi]

I would say it's more rugged than the T4x and T6x series, actually. This is because its smaller size makes it less likely to break at the hinge, less likely to suffer case damage (for instance, my T60's case plastic broke in several places where it is thin, such as above the PCMCIA card slot), and less likely to be damaged in a fall. FWIW I have now dropped my x100e twice, once in its sleeve and once without, and it was completely fine without a scratch. I have an SSD in mine, but I have to assume that the drive head would have parked fine during each fall same as with any Thinkpad with a spinning-platter drive. It is sturdy enough that I never worry about stuffing it into a work bag under fairly extreme pressure from papers etc. pushing on it from both side.

Another poster mentioned paint chipping/wearing off the hinges, and that's happened slightly on mine. The only other thing that makes it look less than new, after about a year of use, is a gouge on the outside of the lid that have scarred an X201 as well.

I can't say that it really is any less rugged than the X201, from my personal experience, although it certainly doesn't feel as nice and although it might not survive some things that the X201 would.

[random]

I've knocked mine off the bed a couple of times, it's still going, no visible damage. YMMV

[Colonel O'Neill]

I have a few scratches on the lid of mine, but that's just due to general mishaps. It's a platter drive with no known issues (according to SMART) and has endured occasional drops. I've also forgotten to turn it off before putting it in my backpack a few times while walking around on school campus.

I've stood on it once, but I'm fairly light.

[Original Godfather]

Thanks for the input guys!

If it is strong enough to survive falling off of a bed (onto hardwood or carpet?) and survive being stood on (I'm pretty light myself at 135lbs) then it's pretty darn durable.

[Tony Chan]

..I've stood on it once ...

Did that leaving any mark(s) on the screen ( typically from the eraser head )??

[Colonel O'Neill]

Heh, not really; the Trackpoint tends to leave a mark anyway.

I am starting to suffer from this issue though:
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/X-Series-Th ... 013#M22785

[bravo3]

I've thrown mine in anger once onto a hard wood floor(had a quarrel with significant other). Good thing it was wood as it would have had some scratches on it otherwise. Did not chip off any paint and I am typing on it right now while posting this.....Happy as I can be!

[azX32]

I've thrown mine in anger once onto a hard wood floor(had a quarrel with significant other). ...Did not chip off any paint and I am typing on it right now while posting this.....Happy as I can be!

With the X100e, or with the significant other?

[Colonel O'Neill]

With the X100e, or with the significant other?

[bravo3]

You got me there. Never had a quarrel with my x100e. It just so happens that it was the nearest thing to vent on.... Poor lappy. But it took it in good stride.