So I got my X201

[aviography]

<snipped>
Now close everything, reboot, and you should be good to go.

Thanks a million!

[elray]

@ the store, ...

What store carries X201s? Lucky you!

I'm always on the hunt for retail displays of decent Thinkpads, they're hard to find.

Frys' is now carrying X100e's, though they don't maintain them.
UCLA student store usually has a T-series.
Best Buy had an Edge model for about two weeks.

[GrandMasterKhan]

Braddah I'm not aware of any stores on the Islands carrying the x201s. Other models, some have them.

[marlinspike]

I had a lot of non-intensive work to do, so I did a little experiment. I took notes which I'll scan in at some point. End result, on the 9 cell, 11hrs and 56 minutes of use and 3hrs and 8 minutes of standby over the course of 4 days on a single charge.

[GrandMasterKhan]

That's awesome Braddah. 11+ is the rated ontime right? Wonder how much the 6 cell gives. Think like 6.

[marlinspike]

Up to 11, not 11+. They say 6.6 for the 6cell. Admittedly I had wifi off and was just using a word processor for most of the time.

[GrandMasterKhan]

Up to 11, not 11+. They say 6.6 for the 6cell. Admittedly I had wifi off and was just using a word processor for most of the time.

That's still really good, especially with WI-FI on but the new Intel cards could be less power hungry than the old ones. That kind of battery life is uheard of for a TP. I have the 7 cell on my T61 with battery in excellent condition but the up time is so anemic I cant consider it portable not without the AC brick.

[marlinspike]

That's still really good, especially with WI-FI on but the new Intel cards could be less power hungry than the old ones. That kind of battery life is uheard of for a TP. I have the 7 cell on my T61 with battery in excellent condition but the up time is so anemic I cant consider it portable not without the AC brick.

Really? My T60 gets over 3hrs on battery with its 9 cell even if I don't really care to preserve the battery (screen brightness 50% or so, wifi on, web browsing, maybe some streaming video, etc), even though its down to 65.87wh out of 84.24 original (1160 cycles).

[marlinspike]

Perhaps meaningless, but an interesting datapoint nonetheless
3DMark06 score of my T60 when it had an x1400 gpu - 772
3DMark06 score of my T60 once I went to the v5200 - 1616
3DMark06 score of my X201 - 1901

Of course, the screen resolutions are different (1400x1050 vs 1280x800), which probably has a lot to do with it.

Also, am I correct in thinking that my computer doesn't have the thinkvantage password manager because I didn't get the fingerprint reader?

[gonzus]

I currently own an X61 and am shopping for what will become its successor. Since I have not found much information on the web, I would really appreciate it if members in this forum could help me with some questions:

1. I love the X61 because of its small weight, small size and great performance (in that order). What is the logical Thinkpad successor for it? Is it the 201? Anything lighter / smaller / more powerful available now or soon from Lenovo?
2. What is the difference between the 201 and the 201s? I understand the 201t is a Tablet, but the 201s?
3. I have the X61 with the base thing (including a DVD), which allows me to use it as a workstation at work with an external monitor, keyboard, mouse and power supply. I understand the 201 also has a base, right? Could I use the X61 base for the 201?
4. [More of a Windows question, apologies in advance] I have always chosen to install Windows (currently XP SP3) in its English version (easier and earlier access to patches). I understand Windows 7 Ultimate can actually switch languages "on the fly", without having to do a full reinstall (gee). Is this correct? Does it work well? Does it require paying for any "language packs"?

Thanks in advance for any hints, and best regards.

[GrandMasterKhan]

1.x201 is the sucessor to the x200. Its grandfather is the x61 and greatgrandfather is the x60.
2. Comes in two flavors the x201 and the "s." model. Yes, "t" is for tablet. "s" is a derivative "thinner and lighter" line across the x and T series TPs. Reference the manual or the Lenovo site to see weight and dimensional as well as power differences. An x201 with the 620M is the most powerful you can buy in the x line. x201i3 is probably the least powerful. The x201s uses the 620LM which is lower voltage thus longer battery life but more expensive.
3.No -- incompatible due to technological advances and redesign. But the x201 and x200 share the same x200 Ultrabase.
4.I beleive what you want is only available in W7 Ultimate. Consult the Mister Softee site for Professional.

[gonzus]

Excellent GrandMasterKhan, great answers and to the point.

After posting (as it usually happens) I found this document that helped me clarify several of my doubts:

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.a ... 01s+tablet

So, X201 it seems to be. I don't really care for the extra smallness allowed for by the X201s (and the associated loss of performance).

One other minor question: the Bluetooth support in the X201 is optional; if I choose to add it at the Lenovo site, will it stick out from the laptop, or will it be totally enclosed by it?

Thanks again.

[GrandMasterKhan]

BTW the B-tooth is difinitely and option you should choose. Can use a headset to listen to music w/o disturbing others and its great for VOIP ie Skype. It does not stick out. It's built in.

The x201s has a higher resolution screen not available in the x201. But you cannot get a camera in the x201.

Sweet spot would be the i5 520M or i5 540M as far as CPU as far ast power/price. If you need the horsepower get the 620M. Can check out CPU performance benchmarks to see what you want.

[gonzus]

BTW the B-tooth is definitely an option you should choose. Can use a headset to listen to music w/o disturbing others and its great for VOIP ie Skype. It does not stick out. It's built in.

Excellent, thanks for confirming this.

The x201s has a higher resolution screen not available in the x201. But you cannot get a camera in the x201.

Does the X201 have the camera, or the X201s? I would like to go for it.

[GrandMasterKhan]

The camera is only available on the x201. If you get it you have to account for the fact you cannot order the Intel 6300 WI-FI card. Well you can but the card takes 3 antennas but with the camera means only will be two antennas. So can get the 6200 or the 6250. 6250 is the same as the 6200 but has WI-MAX. Make sure you select the broadband upgradeable too. Should be default I think. That way you can add the GOBI 2000 card later or maybe you want it now.

Can use this to see which CPU you need:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Pro ... 436.0.html

[marlinspike]

Decided to try CoD4 given the 3dMark score. Not that I ever planned to play CoD4 on here, but wanted to see if 3DMark really told me anything. FPS only a little over HALF that of my T60...lol @ 3DMark.

[jimgard]

So I think I'm going to buy an X201t. I plan on using it in medical school, so I'd like to be able to use it to take notes. Does anyone have any experience using the stylus, and the associated software? Any reviews/opinions on the "tablet" features?

[marlinspike]

So I think I'm going to buy an X201t. I plan on using it in medical school, so I'd like to be able to use it to take notes. Does anyone have any experience using the stylus, and the associated software? Any reviews/opinions on the "tablet" features?

Probably won't find too much info in a thread about the non-tablet X201...

[gonzus]

The camera is only available on the x201. If you get it you have to account for the fact you cannot order the Intel 6300 WI-FI card. Well you can but the card takes 3 antennas but with the camera means only will be two antennas. So can get the 6200 or the 6250. 6250 is the same as the 6200 but has WI-MAX. Make sure you select the broadband upgradeable too. Should be default I think. That way you can add the GOBI 2000 card later or maybe you want it now.

Can use this to see which CPU you need:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Pro ... 436.0.html

Thanks for all the information, all my questions have been answered. Best regards.

[marlinspike]

Figured that because this was something that confused me when I was ordering, I'd post pictures that clarify. For those that wonder "how is the overall thickness dimension the same whether you have the 4 cell as the 6 cell/9 cell?", the answer is Lenovo measures the rubber feet.

Here are pictures of the 4 cell vs the 9 (note that the 6 is the same as the 9 except it doesn't stick out of the backside)
9 cell
http://davidson.smugmug.com/photos/9012 ... wDLt-M.jpg

4 cell
http://davidson.smugmug.com/photos/9012 ... hRFz-M.jpg

[Harryc]

We don't allow inline pics on the forum without a warning in the subject line, and even then only one small pic is allowed. I broke the .img tags. Please read the forum rules.

[marlinspike]

We don't allow inline pics on the forum without a warning in the subject line, and even then only one small pic is allowed. I broke the .img tags. Please read the forum rules.

Oops
Sorry

[GrandMasterKhan]

Marlinspike, so you got the 4 and the 9 cell? Is there more/less wiggle on which one on a relative basis if you have time to check? No rush Braddah. Would be interested in knowing.

[marlinspike]

I guess maybe the 4 cell has a little less wiggle, but it's hard to say because that might just be how it seems because it's smaller (you know, make an 2 degree angle and extend it out 5 feet and it's a huge gap, extend it out 0.5inch and it's a tiny gap, that kind of thing).

[GrandMasterKhan]

Alright Braddah, thanks.

[ansible212]

Figured that because this was something that confused me when I was ordering, I'd post pictures that clarify. For those that wonder "how is the overall thickness dimension the same whether you have the 4 cell as the 6 cell/9 cell?", the answer is Lenovo measures the rubber feet.

Here are pictures of the 4 cell vs the 9 (note that the 6 is the same as the 9 except it doesn't stick out of the backside)

Interesting to see that 'bump' on the bottom of the X201 to the right (as you look at it from the front) of the battery, spoils the lines somewhat with the 4 cell.

I have two 9 cell batteries and one 4 cell battery for my X200s. There is no movement with the 4 cell battery, or at least none that I notice. OTOH, the 9 cell batteries have significant movement/wobble. I suppose that's to be expected given the weight and size of the battery and the nature of the locking mechanism. Not a major problem for me, however.

Incidentally, I've not checked the dimensions on the UK site recently, but when I was looking to purchase a second battery I did some comparisons. At the time, Lenovo listed the 4 cell battery as 12.9mm high and the 6 and 9 cell batteries as 20mm. Hope that helps.

[marlinspike]

A battery that latches at the front is pretty much always going to have some wobble at the back. It's worth it to be able to change your battery without flipping over your computer if you ask me.

[Yossarian1]

The x201s has a higher resolution screen not available in the x201. But you cannot get a camera in the x201.

Sweet spot would be the i5 520M or i5 540M as far as CPU as far ast power/price. If you need the horsepower get the 620M. Can check out CPU performance benchmarks to see what you want.

I plan on ordering a X200 today taking advantage of a couple of discounts. To the OP are you still good with the i5? To GMK i5 (520 vs. 540) vs. i7 ($0/$50/$200)?.

The mostly preconfigured x200 comes with a camera, GMK you noted that this limits the # of antennas ( 2x2 UltraConnect II antenna ) and thus wifi card choice, thoughts on the OEM card vs. upgrading?

OP you were able to get yours for less than 1k, cant seem to do it, tips?

Thanks (my aging X40 needs to retire)

[marlinspike]

Still happy with the i5-520M, but this is not my CPU intensive computer. I was concerned with 1 thing and 1 thing only - long battery life. The 540M is probably worth the $50, because CPUs are the one thing that when you want to upgrade them 3 years down the road it's still not cheap to do it.

As far as the low price
1 - check logicbuy for a coupon
2 - try configuring it all ways available - for instance, I selected the bundle that came with the ultra-base, then deselected the ultrabase, which made it cheaper than just building off the base configuration.

[Yossarian1]

I didnt get around to ordering today but thanks for the info. I'll try playing with the specs to see what prices I get.