So I got my X201

[lewdvig]

how is the heat management on this?

does it run cool plugged in?

when you ran those 3dmark06 tests did it get hot?

[marlinspike]

I didn't check when running 3dMark, but in general I'd say it's pretty good. I don't recall ever thinking the bottom is hot.

[killer]

My wife's new X201 arrived on Monday. She is delighted with it; small, light, well-built, etc. We are impressed with Windows 7 too ... so much better than Vista.

Now we are transferring or re-installing all her software from her T43p so she can use it on a daily basis.

[marlinspike]

If anybody finds themselves suffering a periodic pausing on their X201 that seems to be related to Flash, go into your flash settings and uncheck hardware acceleration.

[aviography]

First, you need some kind of monitor calibration device. I used an i1 Display 2. Then you have to disable that intel graphics media software - by typing msconfig into the run command, go to the start up tab, and uncheck the one that is C:\Windows\system32\igfxtray.exe. Reboot your computer, then run the i1 software and calibrate your monitor (or whatever device youre using)

<snip>

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

Finally got hold of a Spyder2Pro, attempted to use on my T60 last night, got into the Catalyst Control Center software but for the life of me could not figure out how to actually make changes to the R/G/B colors, plus I then realize I could not calibrate the T60 LCD and an external ViewSonic LCD with separate profiles since they both came from the same video card, so I decided to give up since the ViewSonic color looks pretty decent and I use it for any color sensitive work such as photo editing.

So, before I start this on the X201, could someone be kind enough to point me to the right software module where I need to make the color adjustment? I have been looking a bit and could not find it...........

As well, there was a warning when I attempted this process on the T61 that Adobe Gama was active and I need to get rid of it (can't remember the exact wordings now), should I actually do that on the X201? Can I not rename this to something else in case I want to revert back to the original settings? (I'm using Photoshop CS2 if it makes any difference)

Thanks in advance for any comments or tips or suggestions.

[marlinspike]

You don't make the color adjustments. In fact, anything controlling color on your comptuer you want to disable. The calibration device makes the profile, and it handles the color adjustments. Win XP is hamstrung in that only Photoshop will be a color managed environment, but with Vista and 7 the whole computer will be color managed.

[Maryland, USA]

Good news: You can now get an X201 with BOTH the webcam AND the 6300. My wife's X201 arrived yesterday and has both.

When ordering the X201, I had been concerned that I'd be stuck with a 2x2 antenna when choosing the 6300 didn't cause the webcam selection to go away. Still odder was that both features appeared in my order confirmation.

10 days later, when the computer arrived, my heart sank when I saw the webcam window. As if to confirm my fears, "webcam" shows up under devices; it's not dimmed out. But my fear gave way to delight when I continued checking the Devices and discovered, to my amazement, that the antenna is, indeed, a 6300.

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

[bacciagalupe]

I was under the impression that you lose one of the antenna's when adding the cam. Just because you have a 6300 doesn't mean your utilizing it to its fullest (3 antenna) potential. Or so I thought. That's why I went without the camera and the 6300. Is that not right?

[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...

Well, I had to put this on hold and only now I can reactivate it. I just wanted a quick check with you guys, whether the X201 is still the "right" way to upgrade my X61. I just took a quick look on shop.lenovo.com and configured the specs I include at the end. My only doubt was related to the WiFi adapter; I didn't really know the differences between the "basic" adapter (which I chose) and the other offers on the site. To my untrained eyes (I don't buy new laptops that often), this looks like a monster of a computer, with a reasonable price of $2,164.50 (USD).

So, thanks in advance for any warnings or hints.

Code: Select all

ThinkPad X201
1 Year Depot Warranty
Intel Core i7-620M Processor (2.66GHz, 4MB L3, 1066MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
12.1" WXGA (1280x800) LED Panel, 2x2 UltraConnect II antenna; with Camera and Wireless Broadband Upgradeable
Intel HD Graphics
8 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
TrackPoint with Fingerprint Reader and Touchpad
500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
ThinkPad X200 Series 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Bluetooth w/ antenna
ThinkPad bgn Wireless
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
Intel Core i7-620M Processor (2.66GHz, 4MB L3, 1066MHz FSB)
Windows XP Mode 		Microsoft Windows 7 XP Mode - English
Display type 		12.1" WXGA (1280x800) LED Panel, 2x2 UltraConnect II antenna; with Camera and Wireless Broadband Upgradeable
Total memory8 		8 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard 		Keyboard US English
Pointing Device 		TrackPoint with Fingerprint Reader and Touchpad
Hard Drive 		500 GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Mobile media base 		ThinkPad X200 UltraBase
Media base bay devices 		DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)
System expansion slots 		5-1 Media Card Reader and Modem
Battery 		ThinkPad X200 Series 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Power cord 		Country Pack North America with Line cord & 65W AC adapter
Bluetooth 		Bluetooth w/ antenna
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters 		ThinkPad bgn Wireless
Integrated mobile broadband 		Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
Language Pack 		Win7 Language Pack US English
ThinkPad 65W AC Adapter with USB Hub - US 		
ThinkPad X200 UltraBase
ThinkPad Business Backpack

[jdrou]

At this point you might consider waiting 6 more weeks to get the new X220 (if you don't mind the 16x9 display).

X220 has a faster CPU and GPU plus an IPS screen option and USB 3.0 (only for the fastest CPU).

I normally only get the minimum hard drive and memory available from the laptop vendor; usually you can buy a new disk and memory for less than the upgrade cost and still have the original parts as spares (or to sell).

[gonzus]

At this point you might consider waiting 6 more weeks to get the new X220 (if you don't mind the 16x9 display).

Do you know how the 220 will compare to the 201 in size / weight?

If the 220 will have a 16x9 display, what kind of display does the 201 have?

I don't mind waiting, but small size / weight is one of my key decision points.

[ZaZ]

They're pretty close. According to the tabook the X201 starts at 2.89 pounds with the 4 cell battery while the X220 is 2.97 pounds. It also looks like the X220 is slightly wider, but slimmer.

The aspect ratio of the X201 is 16:10, which gives you a 1280x800 resolution unless you go with one the "s" modes with WXGA+(1440x900). The X220 however has the IPS option, which will give you a much better screen.

[penartur]

Just a notice, lenovo online system builder allows you to pay $200 extra to upgrade from i5-560M to i7-620M; but actually the only difference between these is only 1MB of extra L2 cache and 133MHz of extra Turbo frequency. Considering that on its release in January 2010 i7-620M was priced at $332, and on its release in September 2010 i5-560M was priced at $225, the price difference between those is not larger than $107 and probably much less than $107 (maybe even $50 or less), so lenovo is just trying to get some money from those who think "i7 is cooler than i5 because 7 > 5".
Also i see you upgraded RAM to 8GB which is extra $240. Again, you could purchase 2*4GB kit on newegg for less than $100, and have that stock 2GB stick left just in case, so again lenovo is trying to make money on reselling RAM for a ridiculous price.
Paying $110 for an upgrade to 500GB HDD is also probably don't worth it. 500GB HDDs are priced $55 to $70 on newegg now, if we won't count lenovo-branded ($100), hybrid ($100) and retail-packed ones. You will save $40 to $55 when compared to lenovo upgrade price and then you will have a stock 250GB HDD left, which you could use for backups or as an external HDD with a $10 case.

[gonzus]

All good points. However, I am "trapped" in corporate provisioning. Last time I tried "going solo" (which could have saved several hundred dollars, as you correctly point out), I was mildly scolded because I was "out of spec", "out of corporate-negotiated guarantees", etc. So nowadays I just tell the IT guys what I need and let them worry about prices.

Awfully bourgeois, I know, but there you have it.

[penartur]

All good points. However, I am "trapped" in corporate provisioning. Last time I tried "going solo" (which could have saved several hundred dollars, as you correctly point out), I was mildly scolded because I was "out of spec", "out of corporate-negotiated guarantees", etc. So nowadays I just tell the IT guys what I need and let them worry about prices.

Awfully bourgeois, I know, but there you have it.

That makes sense in what about RAM and HDD.
However, paying $200 extra just to get i7 instead of the same-spec'd i5 is certainly too much, i doubt you will ever notice whether there was such an upgrade or not.

[gonzus]

That makes sense in what about RAM and HDD. However, paying $200 extra just to get i7 instead of the same-spec'd i5 is certainly too much, i doubt you will ever notice whether there was such an upgrade or not.

OK, I will keep that in mind when placing the final order. Thanks for all the insight; now all I have to decide is whether I will wait for the 220 or order a 201 right away.

[marlinspike]

All good points. However, I am "trapped" in corporate provisioning. Last time I tried "going solo" (which could have saved several hundred dollars, as you correctly point out), I was mildly scolded because I was "out of spec", "out of corporate-negotiated guarantees", etc. So nowadays I just tell the IT guys what I need and let them worry about prices.

Awfully bourgeois, I know, but there you have it.

My job refuses to put more ram in my computer, even though I would probably get 1 hour of work more done each day if I had another 1gb (that's how short on ram and slow it is). They won't even let me buy it myself. I feel your pain.

[Harryc]

How would they know? Just install it and go about your business. That would drive me insane waiting for a slow machine at work.

[sarbin]

^^^
at a previous job, the it hardware group used to send manifest-gathering jobs down-wire regularly. any variance from deployed configuration was investigated and reversed. at one point, they were putting anti-tamper seals on ram access panels. pretty fanatic.

[gonzus]

at a previous job, the it hardware group used to send manifest-gathering jobs down-wire regularly. any variance from deployed configuration was investigated and reversed. at one point, they were putting anti-tamper seals on ram access panels. pretty fanatic.

I can relate to this. It is the usual way in the corporate world, where uniformity and predictability are highly valued. I can even understand the CIO's concern, although it pisses me off royally.

[jdrou]

Fortunately at my office they're relatively laid-back. As long as you don't violate security or legal policies and you aren't needing help from the IT people all the time you are pretty free with what you can do on your company machine.

[m509272]

^^^
at a previous job, the it hardware group used to send manifest-gathering jobs down-wire regularly. any variance from deployed configuration was investigated and reversed. at one point, they were putting anti-tamper seals on ram access panels. pretty fanatic.

That's just crazy. I just saw an 8GB SODIMM kit for $55 AR. Granted they aren't going the rebate route but $80 is a no-brainer. That cost can be recouped in a couple of hours of productivity gain. Anything less than 4GB should automatically get a $40 upgrade. The difference between 4GB and 1 or 2 can easily delay a computer replacement for at least a year. I just put 2GB more in a friends not so old laptop and things that were taking 5-10 minutes are in the 30 seconds or less range now.

[sarbin]

a bit draconian, yes, but the stories i could tell of user-initiated 'upgrades' and the mess they created for the desk-side support folks... oy!