Smallest Thinkpad With Trackpoint and Intel???

[DWSpiro]

I've had Thinkpads exclusively for probably two decades and have become so used to the Trackpoint that I find it incredibly difficult to use anything else. I travel quite a bit and more often than not find myself using my computer on planes, so space is at a premium and convenience is a necessity.

I've had the x220 for about 3 years and I have to say I really wish it were smaller. For years, I had the x61s and that was a great size. After that, I remember trying the x120 and the x130 - both of which had AMD chips and were pretty sluggish.

So the question is - what do I get now? I think the 11.6 Helix is too heavy and clunky. I saw the Yoga Thinkpad this weekend and, while I appreciate it has alot of the features I want, I really would prefer something smaller.

Is there a model I've missed? I have an Asus Transformer 10.1" and it is perfect on almost every level - except no trackpoint. So I actually travel with a mouse - which kinda defeats the purpose. And, yes, it's not the most powerful computer in the world, but I think I'd give up some of that power for the right footprint.

Thought?

[RealBlackStuff]

I went from X61s with 1024x768 to X200s with 1440x900 screen.
That same screen (which is rare enough) -or rather the whole lid- can also be transplanted onto an X201 or X201s.
If you're not happy with the X220, there's no smaller alternative that I'm aware of, other than the above mentioned + the Helix and other mentioned ones.

[twistero]

A ThinkPad 701c has quite a small footprint, TrackPoint, and an Intel 486 processor. I'm pretty sure that's not what you want, though.

There seem to be some X120/130 models with Intel Atom / Celeron processors; not sure how prevalent they are, or whether they perform any better than AMD counterparts.

Have you checked out the new Helix 2? It's supposed to be thinner and lighter.

[DWSpiro]

It's not so much the weight as the footprint - the larger it is, the harder it is to negotiate on a plane. On the other hand, yes, I do end up wanting all of the bells and whistles - the faster processor, higher RAM, bigger hard drive. I'd be willing to compromise on those for a smaller footprint - and a trackpoint

I did see the Helix 2 and it does seem thinner and lighter, so it's a possibility. But I'm not sure how much of an advantage that is to an x220 or x230.

I just wish Lenovo would make a decent ultrabook with a trackpoint - but it seems like when they go smaller form, they dump the trackpoint.....

[pianowizard]

For years, I had the x61s and that was a great size.

There hasn't been a narrower Thinkpad since the X61s. Why didn't you just stick with it? If you dislike its 1024x768 resolution, you should look into the SXGA+ mod.

I have an Asus Transformer 10.1" and it is perfect on almost every level - except no trackpoint.

The touchscreen allows you to point at anything much faster than you can with any pointing device. So, why would you still need a trackpoint or external mouse?

[DWSpiro]

I do a lot of editing of things where selecting sections, moving, left clicking, right clicking is needed. Because I've used Thinkpads for so long, I can really whiz right along with a trackpoint and the mouse buttons right below the keyboard

Even just now, being on this page, it was very easy for me to be writing this note and scroll up and down on the page without my hands ever leaving the keyboard by using the trackpoint. I know some people don't really care one way or the other about that, but for me it's just a convenience thing.

[pianowizard]

I do a lot of editing of things where selecting sections, moving, left clicking, right clicking is needed. Because I've used Thinkpads for so long, I can really whiz right along with a trackpoint and the mouse buttons right below the keyboard Even just now, being on this page, it was very easy for me to be writing this note and scroll up and down on the page without my hands ever leaving the keyboard by using the trackpoint.

Highlighting text on a touchscreen can be slow, but on average, most other pointing tasks are faster through the touchscreen than all other methods. This is because you don't need to move the pointer from point A to point B, but instead jump straight to the destination. True, your hand does need to leave the keyboard, but on average you would still end up saving time. Aside from speed, the touchscreen is better from an ergonomic point of view: it's much easier to get repetitive strain injury from a trackpoint/touchpad/mouse than from touching a screen.

BTW, this isn't a debate about which pointing device is the best. I am just suggesting that you try the touchscreen a bit more to see if you would get used to it. You don't have many choices:

1) Continue to use the X220 and be unhappy about its inconveniently large footprint.

2) Continue to use the Asus Transformer with an inconvenient external mouse, which also makes you unhappy.

3) Learn to operate the Transformer through its touchscreen alone (plus keyboard shortcuts) and be happy.

4) Go back to the X61s.

I know some people don't really care one way or the other about that, but for me it's just a convenience thing.

Everyone cares about convenience.

[DWSpiro]

You are absolutely correct about it likely being something you just get used to. If I didn't ever have a trackpoint, or just forced myself to use a touch pad, I'd likely think that was just as easy. Likewise about a touch screen.

What I find when typing and scrolling around quickly is that I can do so much without ever moving my hands from the same position - it's just automatic for me at this point.

That is the reason I bought the Transformer - I figured when on planes, I'd force myself to get used to it. What I have actually accomplished is needing to travel with TWO notebooks.....which is so ridiculous But sometimes I need to edit a video, and the Transformer is just not powerful enough to do that effectively.

Of course, I guess I actually have another option - which is to buy a Helix 2 or Yoga Thinkpad , continue to be unhappy about the size, spend about $1K, but at least get a faster machine that is lighter.

That was one of the reasons I went out and physically used a Yoga Thinkpad in the Microsoft store.....I find you really need to see these notebooks, type on them, hold them, etc. to really get an idea of what it's like. While about the same size as my x220, it does in fact "feel" smaller.....

[pianowizard]

Here's an option that works for me but probably not for you:



I bought this 8.0" 1600x768 Sony Vaio P Series back in February and have since been traveling with it. It's just small enough to fit in the front pocket of most of my pants. And as you can see, it has a trackpoint (which, incidentally, I find superior to the Thinkpad trackpoint). But the CPU is an Atom processor that performs no better than Pentium M, which is why I don't think you would like it. But it's the smallest trackpoint-equipped laptop.

But sometimes I need to edit a video, and the Transformer is just not powerful enough to do that effectively.

You need a Core i Windows tablet, such as the Surface Pro and the Dell Venue 11.

[DWSpiro]

I've tried some of the other options out there. I bought a similar Vaio on eBay once to try it, and sold it about a week later.

Ditto on the HP 2170p - it had a smaller footprint than the x220, but it was MUCH heavier.

I've gotten excited when Lenovo made a few smaller notebooks even if they weren't as powerful, but disappointed when I've checked them out to see they've jetisoned the trackpoint. I know some people have transplanted old keyboards into some units, but that's seems counterproductive....oh well...

What I haven't tried is one of the x121e or x131e with an Intel i3 processor - but something tells me it will still be sluggish

[axur-delmeria]

What I haven't tried is one of the x121e or x131e with an Intel i3 processor - but something tells me it will still be sluggish

Sluggish compared to the X220 maybe, but not the X61s.

One X131e model has a Ivy Bridge Core i5-3317U, clocked at 1.7GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.4GHz. :O

[DWSpiro]

Yeah, I read that Russian review. Has anyone here actually seen an x131e with i5 Ivy Bridge? Or the oft rumored about i7 version? I've yet to find one anywhere.

[axur-delmeria]

Well, there's an X131e with an Ivy Bridge Core i3 that's clocked at 1.9GHz.
That's pretty fast IMO.

My brother has a laptop with a Sandy Bridge Core i3-2310M that's clocked at 2.1GHz, and it's pretty good.
I reckon that the performance of a 1.9GHz Ivy Bridge isn't far off.

[schiesz]

I know this is an old post now, but I have a Thinkpad Edge E120 with an Intel Core i3 2357M at 1.3ghz and i've been using it daily for several years. It is a little thick by modern standards, but it runs really well. I've had 8GB and an SSD in it for most of its life and it is really as capable as i've ever found that I need.

[Saucey]

What I haven't tried is one of the x121e or x131e with an Intel i3 processor - but something tells me it will still be sluggish

Sluggish compared to the X220 maybe, but not the X61s.

One X131e model has a Ivy Bridge Core i5-3317U, clocked at 1.7GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.4GHz. :O

Hate to bump a thread, but I must find one of these now.

An Edge E220s came by my work and it configured with a 1.5GHz i7 dual core.
Tossed a 64GB Sandisk SSD, sadly it needs a battery and I would have to go the OEM route if I want to sell it, very pricey.
I believe it is smaller than a X220, but build quality, feel and glossy screen may push you away, right now it has some dust behind the glass overlay.

[axur-delmeria]

The E220s has a 12.5" display, which means it's around the size of an X220. The X100/120/130 series is definitely smaller due to having an 11.6" display.

[Saucey]

The E220s has a 12.5" display, which means it's around the size of an X220. The X100/120/130 series is definitely smaller due to having an 11.6" display.

Shoot, I forgot we were posting about the smallest machine...

[Puppy]

ThinkPad X1 Tablet ? It has 12" 3:2 screen but it is not much smaller than X220 either.