Prospective x300 buyer

[Chad S]

To my fellow ‘Thinkers’
To begin with, I am a fulltime student looking for a new computer. I use my current notebook between 18-24 hours a day. (I fall asleep to movies) Nevertheless, I need a computer that is durable. I also study long hours and need a computer with great battery life. While I don’t want to have to spend an excessive amount of money, I am willing to put that money towards something that equates the same value. I have been looking at both the X-61, and the X-300. I currently own an LG (T1 express dual) which has been a great computer, aside from the fact that it is becoming worn out due to fairly poor construction. To be quite honest I want a computer that I can have for quite some time and am willing to pay for that durability. I feel that, through planned obsolescence, components begin to fail which ultimately requires one to buy another laptop. I have read a plethora of reviews concerning both models. I have been disappointed in the customer support offered by Lenovo, and am concerned of this because I would be ordering this computer without ever testing it out. Grievances have arisen surrounding the keypad. My fear is that I am left in the dark.
I suppose at this point it would be easiest to provide a series of questions:
1. What is the legitimate battery time that I can expect to get out of an x300 with the additional battery bay, and a 6 cell battery? I would be in a library on the internet, with a word document open, and the screen fairly bright.

2. Should I opt for the three year warranty considering the fact that customer support has been heavily criticized?

3. Are the X61 and x300 good decisions based on what I use a laptop for?

4. Is it truly a case of you get what you pay for?

My thanks to anyone who replies to this post
C-

[csv96]

A couple suggestions. I think the X301 is a significant improvement over the X300 in terms of display quality and options if you can afford it. The X300 only comes with a 64GB SSD which is fine if all you're going to work with is word documents. As you know, the display is pretty bad. The X301 has a much better screen and offers 64GB, 80GB, and 128GB SSD options, as well as the new budget friendly (or at least friendlier) 120GB HDD. If you were planning to use the bay battery for extra battery time, that must mean you don't need the optical drive. If that's the case, consider getting the X200s instead. It's cheaper, lighter, faster, and has more options than the X301. For example, a preconfigured X200s unit such as the 7466-3GU runs for $1800 or less at most authorized sellers. That's right around what you would pay for a new X300. (Specs: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... ry=74663GU)

1. 6 cell battery + 3 cell bay battery = 9 cells. Divide by 2 gives you about 4.5 hours actual time. The X200s config mentioned above comes with a 9 cell extended battery which also gives about 4.5 hours of actual use.
2. 3 year warranty is worth the extra in my opinion. At the least, it will add to the resale value if you ever want to sell it. As with any laptop, there's always a chance the motherboard might die and that would be a difficult and expensive repair without a warranty.
3. I enjoyed using my X300 when I had it, but I'm really glad I traded up to the X301. My wife has the X200s and that is an amazing computer too.

[Chad S]

Ok so it would appear that I should be looking at both the x301 and the x200. In my day to day I can't honestly say I ever use an optical drive. It would appear that the x200 is better for my situation. It would appear that the x200 is much faster than the x300 and x61, yet it appears to be less expensive. I am wondering what these additional costs entail in order to raise the price of the product. I would have initially assumed that it was in order to conserve power, but correct me if I am wrong, the battery consumption is similar for all of the products? I don't mind weight as much as I worry about size... With this in mind I do carry around 30 pounds of texts throughout the day so the one pound difference isn't significant. I can't say how much I appreciate this quick response. In terms of when I should purchase it. I would like it for the new year, but am willing to wait for a couple months. When would be the best time to purchase this computer?

[Chad S]

I am also wondering about the option of 'Intel® Turbo Memory hard drive cache' which for the x200 is offered in both 2 and 4 gig versions. I understand this to function much like Readyboost. While I have readyboost on my laptop through the use of an external usb I have noticed slight differences. If in fact I am getting 2 gigs of Ram what would be the best option for the turbo memory? Or is this simply a gimic?

[sparta.rising]

I've had nothing but good experiences with IBM support. Ditto for family members. And ditto when I worked in tech support. I once had them put the wrong palmrest on a machine when they replaced the fan, but the fixed it right away. I think the complaints are just coming from the vocal minority.

[csv96]

Sorry to make your decision even more confusing, but there are actually two types of X200 notebooks, the regular X200 and the X200s which was the one I was referring to. The X200s is thinner and lighter than the X200, uses lower voltage processors, and has the LED backlit high-res 1440x900 display. I would not recommend the X200 unless you're on an extremly tight budget.

As for why the X200s and X301 are more expensive, it's mostly because of the LED screens, low-voltage (X200s) and ultra-low-voltage (X301) processors, and SSD (X301). And especially for the X301, there's a large premium for having one of the thinnest and lightest notebooks on the block.

Regarding Turbo Memory, I don't really know what to think of it. The X200s model mentioned in my earlier post comes with 4GB RAM and 2GB Turbo Memory and a 7200rpm HDD. I think that's as good as it gets short of an SSD.

When to buy? The longer you wait, the cheaper they get. But I think right now is a good time to buy. We're far enough away from the original product launch but not too close to the release of the next models (i.e. X201/s and X302 or whatever they're going to name them).

Ok so it would appear that I should be looking at both the x301 and the x200. In my day to day I can't honestly say I ever use an optical drive. It would appear that the x200 is better for my situation. It would appear that the x200 is much faster than the x300 and x61, yet it appears to be less expensive. I am wondering what these additional costs entail in order to raise the price of the product. I would have initially assumed that it was in order to conserve power, but correct me if I am wrong, the battery consumption is similar for all of the products? I don't mind weight as much as I worry about size... With this in mind I do carry around 30 pounds of texts throughout the day so the one pound difference isn't significant. I can't say how much I appreciate this quick response. In terms of when I should purchase it. I would like it for the new year, but am willing to wait for a couple months. When would be the best time to purchase this computer?

[Chad S]

Well the warranty information feels much better to me. I would of course be opting for the 3 year warranty, as that is the length in time I would projecting the use for this computer.
I am running into yet another problem of course. Because I am looking at the x200 there is yet another option the x200s... This is simply perplexing. So many options so many different configurations. I must admit that at this point I am way over my head in this situation, hence looking for support through this forum.
I suppose its best to reiterate my position.
I am a student, who studies all day, 10-12 hours. Next year I will be performing research which shouldn't change the degree to which I depend on this computer.
I "HATE" (to use the word strongly) having to search out power outlets and would prefer having a computer that could run for a majority of the day.
Aside from research I watch movies and websurf at night. I tend to leave the computer on after I fall asleep during the movie of course.

While I want a computer that will last three years I dislike waiting for programs to load, websites to open, etc etc.

At this point I began researching the x61, and the x300
since then I have been moved into the x200
There is now the x200s which appears to be the upgraded version.

I would now like to know is:what is the best value, considering what I do? I find it quite difficult to ascertain what I need, as opposed to what marketing seems to dictate what I need.

Beyond comprehension
C-

[csv96]

I'll make it simple for you. Get this Thinkpad X200s model (the one I described above):

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... ry=74663GU

Here's a link to google product search:

http://www.google.com/products?q=74663G ... &scoring=p

[Chad S]

Ok through the Lenovo website, with the visa perks discount I have selected the same upgrades to make these products as similar as possible.

The price difference is quite significant.

For the x200 the listed price is:
1759.40
The x200s is:
2457.69

The price difference at this point would appear to be quite significant. Is the 'S' worth the 700.oo increase?

[csv96]

Not sure I understand your reasoning. Why would you order the X200s through Lenovo website for $2457.69 when you can buy a preconfigured unit from authorized retailers for $1800?

[Chad S]

I had no idea that there was that much to be saved through third party sites. My apologies for being such a newbie when it comes to this stuff. is the warranty then through Lenovo? or is it through these third party companies?
The price difference really is quite astounding

[csv96]

Warranty is through Lenovo same as if you ordered from Lenovo.com. For some models including this X200s, it's cheaper to buy preconfigured from an authorized retailer than to custom configure a unit at Lenovo.com. The downside of preconfigured is of course, it's preconfigured. There aren't many configuration options to choose from.

[sparta.rising]

1) Is optical drive important?
If yes, go with the X300
If no, go with the X200 or X200s

2) Is weight critical?
If yes, go with the X200s or X300
If no go with X200

3) Is budget important?
If yes, go with X200
If no go with X200s or X300

4) Is having a bright, hi-resolution screen important?
If yes, go with X200s or X300
If no go with X200

5) Is performance important?
If yes, go with X200
If maybe, go with X200s
If no, go with X300

6) Is thickness important?
If yes, go with X300
If maybe, go with X200s
If no, go with X200

7) Which do you like better, 12" or 13"?
If 12, go with X200 or X200s
If 13, go with X300

Is battery life important?
If yes, you can purchase the X200 or X200s with a 9-cell battery
If maybe, you can purchase the X300 with a 6-cell

Edit: I'm not sure how an X300 with bay and 6-cell battery compares to X200s with 9-cell. But the X200s should get better battery life than the X200 because its low voltage processor and LED display. The X300 has an ultralow voltage processor. SSD will marginally improve battery life.

[edelrc]

When you buy from third party retailers can you extend the Thinkpad warranty through Lenovo?

I guess the Protection Plan is not posible, but not sure if i can purchase warranty extensions.

[ricerocket]

A couple suggestions. I think the X301 is a significant improvement over the X300 in terms of display quality and options if you can afford it.

That's interesting, I always assumed they used the same panel. Since the x300 is still being manufactured, I wonder if they both switched to a new panel.

[Chad S]

I'll make it simple for you. Get this Thinkpad X200s model (the one I described above):

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... ry=74663GU

Here's a link to google product search:

http://www.google.com/products?q=74663G ... &scoring=p

For myself, this would appear to be the best decision. Thank you very much for your time, patience, and participation into this matter.

C-