Thinkpad X200 came in today...

[slugg]

I plan on writing up a review after about a week of owning this machine. But for the time being, if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask! It's kind of hard to find information on the X200, so I'd be glad to help.

My configuration:

Intel WIFI a/b/g/n 5300
250 gb 5400 RPM hard drive
4 gb DDR3
9 cell battery
Ordered it with Vista Home Basic - I installed my Vista Business x64
Everything else is base spec.


I've got a bunch of unboxing pics, but I won't bother putting them up until I write my review

 

[Brainonska511]

The X200 is the 12", ultraslim notebook, right? Is it dock-compatible and does it have a built-in optical drive? How does it play with Ubuntu (and other Linux distros), if you know? The last one would probably factor into my decision when it comes time to replace my Asus W3J - I recently got Ubuntu 8.04 (and soon to be 8.10) running on my laptop with everything running perfectly, and I'd probably want to move more and more things to this environment.

 

[slugg]

Yes, 12" ultraportable. You can get a dock for it that has all sorts of goodies, including a displayport, optical drive, etc. No, no built in optical drive. As of writing this, there isn't any proper linux support because intel's chips are too new at the moment. Within the month, major linux distros will have updated and there will be straight forward, stable support. Ubuntu 8.10 will support the Centrino 2 platform.

 

[Brainonska511]

That's good to know. I sometimes wished my laptop had a dock, but I've learned to live with hooking everything I need up to a USB hub instead and just having to unplug speakers, hub, and power when I want to go somewhere.

How's the screen? LED or standard backlight LCD? Is it bright enough and is it glossy or matte?

 

[IlllI]

can it play doom?

 

[slugg]

Yea it can play Doom, lol. Actually, I was playing Quake 3 at maximum settings with AA, AF, and everything... it stayed locked at 60 FPS with vsync. CounterStrike: Source scored a 28.04 FPS at the absolute minimum settings on direct x 8.1 at the native resolution (1280x800).

The LCD is LED backlit and it's matte. It's the best looking screen I've ever seen outdoors on a laptop, actually. Indoors, 50% brightness is pretty good, although 30% is still bright enough and it'll save your battery life. The screen is definitely better than my previous two laptops, a Thinkpad T61 and Dell XPS m1330. I'll include pics when I write up a review

 

[rocadelpunk]

are you sure it's led backlit?

I'm pretty sure mine isn't...

 

[dcdomain]

LED backlit? I thought that only came with the X200S... one of the reasons I decided to just bump up to the T400. The X200S power saving CPU wasn't powerful enough and I felt I didn't have that many issues lugging my previous T-series around so why not... but every time I see an X200x series it makes me envious. They just seem so much more solid because the design is so much 'tighter'. I think it's just because of the two plain areas on either side of the keyboard that bothers me.

 

[slugg]

Hmm, good point guys. I guess I just assumed it was LED due to this review.

Well then, I guess the CCFL backlight is pretty good. Kind of a shame that it's not LED :'(

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: slugg
I plan on writing up a review after about a week of owning this machine. But for the time being, if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask! It's kind of hard to find information on the X200, so I'd be glad to help.

My configuration:

Intel WIFI a/b/g/n 5300
250 gb 5400 RPM hard drive
4 gb DDR3
9 cell battery
Ordered it with Vista Home Basic - I installed my Vista Business x64
Everything else is base spec.


I've got a bunch of unboxing pics, but I won't bother putting them up until I write my review

Greatly anticipating the review Slugg, I am looking to buy one in about a month and a half. My main concern is whether the build quality upto the Thinkpad brand or has lenovo cut any corners, I heard they screwed up the T-series keyboards a bit by a redesign. Does the x200 have a no-flex keyboard?

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: slugg
Yea it can play Doom, lol. Actually, I was playing Quake 3 at maximum settings with AA, AF, and everything... it stayed locked at 60 FPS with vsync. CounterStrike: Source scored a 28.04 FPS at the absolute minimum settings on direct x 8.1 at the native resolution (1280x800).

The LCD is LED backlit and it's matte. It's the best looking screen I've ever seen outdoors on a laptop, actually. Indoors, 50% brightness is pretty good, although 30% is still bright enough and it'll save your battery life. The screen is definitely better than my previous two laptops, a Thinkpad T61 and Dell XPS m1330. I'll include pics when I write up a review

Wow, the only ones I've seen (in Australia) are CCFL

EDIT: I guess they are CCFL after all.

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: dcdomain
LED backlit? I thought that only came with the X200S... one of the reasons I decided to just bump up to the T400. The X200S power saving CPU wasn't powerful enough and I felt I didn't have that many issues lugging my previous T-series around so why not... but every time I see an X200x series it makes me envious. They just seem so much more solid because the design is so much 'tighter'. I think it's just because of the two plain areas on either side of the keyboard that bothers me.

That's exactly how I feel! I hope Slugg can confirm top-notch build quality on the x200 because its a bit pricey if it isn't.

 

[slugg]

Well my initial thoughts on the build quality is very positive. It's better, overall, than my previous T61 and the Dells I've owned aren't even comparable.

Honestly, I think the people complaining about the flex in the keyboard are complaining for the sake of complaining. Yes there is flex IF you absolutely SMASH down a key with an insane amount of force! Under normal typing conditions, even if you're a heavy-handed typer, there is absolutely NO flex. The keyboard feels solid, feels GOOD, and is very quiet. No flex around the trackpoint, either. It's definitely better than the T61 keyboard, as the T61 keyboard had a more "clicky" sound.

When closing the lid, the laptop feels completely solid. First of all, the latch gives a nice click to let you know it's fully closed. Sure, it's not a snazzy magnetic latch, but believe me when I say that it's a snug fit. If it's closed, I can shake the machine as hard as I can and nothing is rattling, even while it's running.

Some people have been complaining about loose screen hinges. Well, I'm experiencing absolutely no screen wobble, so what does it matter? The screen has never moved from where I put it, ever. It only moves if I intentionally shake the laptop with high force, something that never happens under normal use.

I'm pretty rough on my laptops since I'm always on the move. I'm really glad that I don't have to baby this thing. So far the first impression is VERY good, however there are a couple things I don't like, so don't get the impression that I'm worshiping this laptop! I'll cover them when I write the review.

Overall, I'd say the X200 is a magnificent machine, but it's not for everyone. Give me about a week so that I've had some quality time with this thing and I'll write up a report in high detail. If there is anything you'd like to see, post here and let me know. I'll do my best to get very specific pictures and what not.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

some pictures on how to remove the original hard drive would be nice.

also a detailed review on how to remove the original partitions, and how to completely remove and reinstall another version of vista. or how to reinstall the same version of vista + only SOME of the original programs. is it still possible to use the thinkvantage button after reinstall? what does it do originally and after reinstall?

ps. mine still hasn't shipped...

 

[dcdomain]

Envious =T. I've been working on my T400 for a few days now, thought it's larger it is definitely lighter than my T42. But the extra .3" in thickness really gets to me. Can't stand anything over 1" in thickness and when I read the specs I figured I could live with it but that hasn't been the case. Nitpicking here =T.

 

[zerogear]

How long is the battery life on that 9cell?

 

[slugg]

at 30% screen brightness, roughly 9 hours under light use (documents, web surfing, communicating) while on wifi. Under higher usage (compiling large programs, mathematica, Quake Live) at the same screen brightness, about 5.5 hours. At 80% screen brightness while playing Quake Live, I got 1.5 hours from a half charged battery before windows went to sleep.

Sorry for the delay on the writeup, guys... I've been really busy!

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: slugg
Well my initial thoughts on the build quality is very positive. It's better, overall, than my previous T61 and the Dells I've owned aren't even comparable.

Honestly, I think the people complaining about the flex in the keyboard are complaining for the sake of complaining. Yes there is flex IF you absolutely SMASH down a key with an insane amount of force! Under normal typing conditions, even if you're a heavy-handed typer, there is absolutely NO flex. The keyboard feels solid, feels GOOD, and is very quiet. No flex around the trackpoint, either. It's definitely better than the T61 keyboard, as the T61 keyboard had a more "clicky" sound.

When closing the lid, the laptop feels completely solid. First of all, the latch gives a nice click to let you know it's fully closed. Sure, it's not a snazzy magnetic latch, but believe me when I say that it's a snug fit. If it's closed, I can shake the machine as hard as I can and nothing is rattling, even while it's running.

Some people have been complaining about loose screen hinges. Well, I'm experiencing absolutely no screen wobble, so what does it matter? The screen has never moved from where I put it, ever. It only moves if I intentionally shake the laptop with high force, something that never happens under normal use.

I'm pretty rough on my laptops since I'm always on the move. I'm really glad that I don't have to baby this thing. So far the first impression is VERY good, however there are a couple things I don't like, so don't get the impression that I'm worshiping this laptop! I'll cover them when I write the review.

Overall, I'd say the X200 is a magnificent machine, but it's not for everyone. Give me about a week so that I've had some quality time with this thing and I'll write up a report in high detail. If there is anything you'd like to see, post here and let me know. I'll do my best to get very specific pictures and what not.

Thanks, looking forward tot he rview

 

[JJChicken]

I ordered one a couple of days ago, should get it in 2-4 weeks

 

[slugg]

sorry for the delay on the review, for those who actually care... lol!

school has been killing me.

 

[mooseracing]

I'm getting ready to order this at the end of the month as a desktop replacement at work.

How is your wireless? I've seen good and bad reviews about 5100 and the 5300. The T400 we just got in won't connect at N speeds with the 5100 card, seems to be a common problem out there, and some have upgrade cards.

Which CPU did you get? I'm planning on the 2.4, wish they offered the 2.8 in it though, wish for more memory as well but ohwell.

I'm ordering it with the dock station as well and extra battery and also DVD burner, hoping to get dual displays out of it as well. I have seen different outcomes across the web though.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: mooseracing
I'm getting ready to order this at the end of the month as a desktop replacement at work.

How is your wireless? I've seen good and bad reviews about 5100 and the 5300. The T400 we just got in won't connect at N speeds with the 5100 card, seems to be a common problem out there, and some have upgrade cards.

Which CPU did you get? I'm planning on the 2.4, wish they offered the 2.8 in it though, wish for more memory as well but ohwell.

I'm ordering it with the dock station as well and extra battery and also DVD burner, hoping to get dual displays out of it as well. I have seen different outcomes across the web though.

i have an x200 also. here is my response to your concerns:

-not a good desktop replacement, unless your old desktop monitor was around 12 inches. Because the x200 has a 12.1in monitor
-i have the default thinkpad wireless, dont think that concerns you.
-i got the p8600, and a difference of 200 or 400mhz wont be noticeable IMO. + it will suck up more battery and produce more heat. i originally placed the order for my x200 with a t9400, but they said it was no longer available bc of heat and power consumption.
-4gb is enough memory for 99% of people on these forums. what do u plan to run on this laptop that requires more than 4gb of ram?
-i don't have the dock... but it seems like a good investment if u think u will actually use all of those ports (on top of the ones that come standard on the laptop)

 

[mooseracing]

i have an x200 also. here is my response to your concerns:

-not a good desktop replacement, unless your old desktop monitor was around 12 inches. Because the x200 has a 12.1in monitor

Thats the main reason for the dock (besides not using a USB optical drive), I can at least drive one if not two monitors, I have heard/seen different stories as far as 2 goes. Worst case I will have one for my main, and I will leave email open on the other.

-i got the p8600, and a difference of 200 or 400mhz wont be noticeable IMO. + it will suck up more battery and produce more heat. i originally placed the order for my x200 with a t9400, but they said it was no longer available bc of heat and power consumption.

The latest P series are all 25watt iirc and the T's are 35watt. So I know 200mhz isn't much but I need this thing to get me through 3 yrs at the most, same goes for the memory. I'm not sure when my work budget will allow me to upgrade.

I need a small powerful laptop as it's going to be constantly taken with me to torubleshoot/repair problems on our network/servers/phone system, not to mention coming home every night. But I also need to get off my slow ass P4 desktop I have at work. I will give up getting a new tower if I can get a laptop funded for me.

But thanks for your comments. It's hard to buy something like this ($2300) without being able to use it for a week.

 

[slugg]

^^ Google around for the EPP discount...

Anyways, I've got the Intel 5300 wireless. It's the 5100 with more/better antennas. Basically, it's yielding me the best 802.11G signal I've ever had on campus. It's also the first time I've ever used 802.11N, and it's definitely fast.

The P8600 should last for a while. Honestly, a 200 mhz bump won't make the laptop last any longer. The performance difference, in my opinion, is negligible.

Unfortunately, I can't comment on the dock.

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

i have an x200 also. here is my response to your concerns:

-not a good desktop replacement, unless your old desktop monitor was around 12 inches. Because the x200 has a 12.1in monitor

Thats the main reason for the dock (besides not using a USB optical drive), I can at least drive one if not two monitors, I have heard/seen different stories as far as 2 goes. Worst case I will have one for my main, and I will leave email open on the other.

-i got the p8600, and a difference of 200 or 400mhz wont be noticeable IMO. + it will suck up more battery and produce more heat. i originally placed the order for my x200 with a t9400, but they said it was no longer available bc of heat and power consumption.

The latest P series are all 25watt iirc and the T's are 35watt. So I know 200mhz isn't much but I need this thing to get me through 3 yrs at the most, same goes for the memory. I'm not sure when my work budget will allow me to upgrade.

I need a small powerful laptop as it's going to be constantly taken with me to torubleshoot/repair problems on our network/servers/phone system, not to mention coming home every night. But I also need to get off my slow ass P4 desktop I have at work. I will give up getting a new tower if I can get a laptop funded for me.

But thanks for your comments. It's hard to buy something like this ($2300) without being able to use it for a week.

I think you should go for a 14" laptop, that could possibly be used both as a desktop replacement and as a laptop.