Considering a T4x0 series, have some questions...

[Bibin]

I have an X200 right now (2.4GHz C2Duo, 320GB 7200RPM, 4GB DDR3, AFFS LCD Mod which originally was an LED panel) and really like the small size. I came from having a T500 (and previously, an X41, X41 Tablet, X40, T40, T30, and T40 again, in reverse order) and had found the size to be too big. I did enjoy the performance and screen space, though.

The only in-between models I would really consider are the X300 and T400 series. The X300 seems to be mostly show, though - it's not particularly fast nor particularly small.

The T400 looks like a good contender. I was thinking of pulling one off of eBay after selling my X200, but have a few concerns.

Namely, the LCD - how bad is it? The one the T500 had was alright, not too much to complain about, but the stock X200 LED-lit LCD was beyond awful and that quality would not be tolerable.

Secondly, I'd need the model with the switchable ATI graphics, just like my T500 had (which is the other reason the X200 won't do for college starting next year). Is there any easy way to identify this without having to directly ask the seller or look up the model (such as some physical difference)?

My X200 has been running Ubuntu 10.10 64-bit very well as its primary system. I would expect similar performance and compatibility, but if anyone has had any quarrels between the two it would be great to know.

I think I'll put my X200 up for sale, but if anyone could share good or bad news about their experience owning a T4x0 series that'd be great.

[ZaZ]

The X300 seems to be mostly show, though - it's not particularly fast nor particularly small.

For general usage the perceived speed of the system is much more related to the hard drive than the CPU. A SSD works just as well in a X30x machine as a T400.

The LCD is going to be a significant step down from your AFFS X200. I guess it would depend on your needs. I think for Internet and Office type stuff it'll be fine, but for any mulitimedia type stuff like movies or photos is where the limited contrast and thin viewing angles will be most pronounced. I had a 14" SXGA+ R60. I personally find a 14" SXGA+ LCD to the perfect blend of size, performance and screen real estate, but the screen was poor so I eventually moved onto the AFFS modded X200.

If you want an ATI switchable model, I'd suggest getting another T500. There's no ATI Thinkpad right now.

[Bibin]

Maybe I should consider the X201 for performance, namely graphics... the new Intel HD graphics isn't anything spectacular but it's better than the 4500 I have now.

It's not the ATI itself that's better; I'm more of an Nvidia person really and just some form of dedicated graphics would be an improvement.

The main thing about the X300 is the GMA X3100 graphics, very far down from the already awful X4500MHD in the X200.