About to buy, need your input!

Hello All,

College Senior headed to law school next year. Definitely decided on Lenovo.

I need a laptop that will work for both my school and any interships or work that I might have during my law school summers. Additionally, I would like it to at least be serviceable three years down the road for my first job. I want decent battery life (5 hours would be fine), want it to be very quick for normal tasks, don't care about gaming, need durability, and want it to be atleast moderately priced (~1000$). It needs to be somewhat mobile. I am thinking either T400 or X200. I would prefer an optical drive and a SSD without breaking the bank, so I am leaning toward the T400. What do you think of the following config? Should I drop or add anything? I know the solid state is a little small, but my current laptop has a 64GB 5400, so I will be fine.

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W1
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 6412
14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ LED Backlight
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
128 GB High-Performance Solid State Drive, Serial ATA4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)5
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Intel WiFi Link 5100 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology10
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60

$1,039.58*
Total savings $700.42

Additionally, I read the *read before you post thread* and saw the blurb about pricematching... so if I can config this cheaper in the next 21 days online, I will get refunded the amount... EVEN IF it is using different coupons? (I am currently using the uspholiday and american express daily wish). I am curious about this because I know the new T401 or whatever is coming out and if there are massive discounts (beyond what the current ones offer) in the next month I don't want to be left out cold.

Finally, I can get windows 7 professional for free through my current undergrad, should I just do a clean install of 7 pro when I get the laptop, or just stick with home premium? I'm not sure of the differences/advantages, but I did notice that it costs money to upgrade. Currently using windows 7 pro on my Dell E1705 and would like them to network/be friends.

 

Also, this post from houhou or someone on the 9th worries me.

Due to those delays I ended up getting a pre-built T400 (model no. 2765-PAU) two weeks ago and found out that Lenovo had actually used a 2005 Samsung CCFL as my 'WXGA+ LCD screen' and one of the old flexy keyboards. Thank you Lenovo for depleting your stock of crappy unpopular parts on (what you hope would be) unsuspecting customers.

Now I know why Lenovo systematically doesn't list the type of backlight used in its 2765-PAU model...

 

You probably won't get 5 hours out of 6-cell, so it may be better to get 9-cell.

Getting SSD for the sake of speed increase likely is not worth it for "normal tasks", pointing that out just in case.

On the case of clean install: I am holding an X200 with similar specs right now (except it uses 320gb 5400rpm HDD), about 2 days old, with stock Windows 7 installation from Lenovo. While on Vista days bloatware was painful, here I am not even feeling it -while the provided features are rather convenient.
Also, if you check difference between Pro and Home Premium versions of Win7 on Microsoft website, you will realize the differences are bordering "silly". My T61 laptop uses Win7 pro, while on this x200 my friend has Home Premium, and there is no difference for a "regular" user - Office work, browsing/communication, media. (And Microsoft says the difference is mainly in backwards compatibility, which I don't think is relevant for a law student).

Here is something of a personal note, from having recently been in similar situation: from mid junior-year in Uni to this day (first year Graduate in Math), I used T61 14", previous model to T400 (they are hardly different). My constant grudge was that it is heavier than preferable for taking it everywhere, unless you travel exclusively by car and don't walk over 5 minutes at a time. Also it takes up a bit too much deskspace, making it difficult to use in lectures. This x200 I am holding offers me just about everything just as well - but it is MUCH lighter. The desktop real estate is just fine - especially if you are used to the features Aero provides you with.
Effectively, this is easier to use in school (or at work if you'll have to).

What I am trying to say: it may be worth it to give more emphasis to the weight/size differences, especially noting that features such as optical drives are slowly losing their usefulness (and at home you can just use an external optical) - while being able to fit your laptop inside a notebook is surprisingly nice.

 

Win 7 pro allows you to join domains and has an XP virtual machine to allow you to run problematic software that doesn't run in 7. I would go pro with the serious work you are doing.

 

Why exactly does that worry you? A lot has been said in that thread, and I will just repeat the highlights:

1. LCD is not food. It does not go bad due to prolonged storage.
2. Newer LCD panels are not any better than older ones with the same spec.
3. The spec you listed specifically says LED backlight, so that is what you will be getting.

If you get a machine that does not work as advertised, ask Lenovo to fix the problem under warranty. If it does work as advertised, what could be the problem?

 

Thanks for the feedback. Right now it is between an x200 with the 7200 and 9 cell and the t400 with a six cell and the SSD.

Main concern is no wxga+ with the x200... and x200s it is a 145$ option, no thanks. Does your x200 have the wxga+?

 

Paying for a 2005 LCD does not sound too hot to me, and the keyboard issues seem troublesome... I'd rather not have to spent a couple weeks monkeying around with lenovo customer support to fix a product I just bought. Time is money.

 

Some people on this forum (me included) consider the WXGA+ resolution too high for a 12.1" screen. How important is the WXGA+ screen resolution to you?

I think 1280x800 is enough for normal use. If you must have 1440x900, I think you should get the T400 (and accept the extra weight that comes with it).

 

Thanks for the helpful comments all... I have one more question. If I am going with the 7200RPM, would I see increased performance with the 50$ 2GB of Intel Turbo Memory? Or is that just a waste of money?

 

Of course, nobody likes dealing with customer service. However, I don't think any company can guarantee that your product will arrive 100% perfect. Every purchase has some risks involved.

I don't know why an LCD from 2005 is a problem that require fixing. Besides, no company lists the manufacturing dates of computer components that go into a laptop. If you want to be 100% sure that your LCD panel is manufactured (relatively) recently, the only way I can think of is to buy a laptop with a 16:9 screen.

 

Waste of money.

 

the platter hdd is not that bad, while the ssd is better, you have weigh up whether that couple of seconds faster startup time does warrant the extra cost. In addition, you are getting lot less capacity with the SSD. But the system spec looks fine.

 

My T61 has WXGA+. This x200 does not. To be honest - not missing it, as on the smaller screen 1440x900 would introduce an array of issues (that are solveable by tuning the OS I guess), but does not offer obvious benefits for productivity. 1280x800 looks great.

 

The increase in the performance from SSD or Turbo Memory should not be relevant to you. It pertains to loading times, the former especially interesting for people that play MMOs where loading is done in the background - meaning faster load translates to less lag. But, I am sure anyone can spare 5-10 seconds extra to wait for a program to load when they are not at risk of being killed in the process =). Turbo Memory just gives you faster boot up time...which is not important: the sleep function on Thinkpads works really well, so you'll be using that most of the time, and it takes 5-10 seconds to wake up and be ready to go.

 

You guys have provided me a ton of valuable feedback and will be saving me some dough since I will avoid the SSD. Now I am stuck though. X200, or X200s?

X200- $872 after american express and usp holiday discount
Intel Core 2 Duo processor P8600 (2.40GHz, 3MB L2, 1066MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 6412
12.1 WXGA, 2x2 UltraConnect II antenna; with Camera and Wireless Broadband Upgradeable
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
TrackPoint
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm4
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Intel WiFi Link 5100 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology10
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable65
ThinkPad X200 Series 9 cell Li-Ion Battery60
7454: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller7

OR

x200s for $879 with
Intel Core 2 Duo processor SU9400 (1.4GHz, 3MB L2, 800MHz FSB)1
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64
12.1" WXGA LED Panel, 3x3 UltraConnect II antenna
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)8
TrackPoint
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
ThinkPad WiFi (BGN)
ThinkPad X200 Series 9 cell Li-Ion Battery
7465: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller

Three questions: Will the X200 processor be that much quicker, or should I go for the lighter/newer system? Should I upgrade the x200s wireless card to the intel 5100 if I decide to get it? Finally, the X200 does NOT say if it is LED or not... I would prefer to have an LED, which the x200s clearly states it has.

 

At this point, it comes down to how important battery life and weight (versus performance) are to you - if battery life is a large concern, then go with the X200s (but go with the Intel WiFi 5100, which uses slightly less power than the Realtek Thinkpad BGN card). If not, then go with the cheaper X200.

Seeing as one of the main reasons for choosing the X200s over the X200 is the WXGA+ panel, which you are not getting, I would probably recommend the X200 for you (depending on your answers to the above).

 

Thanks MS. It's pretty much a hat toss atm. Any known issues that should sway me one way or the other... and do you think durability is about the same?

 

Durability should be virtually identical.

Your difference is like this:
x200 will be quicker, x200s will have longer battery life. Unless you need that extra juice - go with x200. Battery life is already 5+ (~7 if you just do word processing/browsing). x200s can go into 11 hour range, but I don't think humans can go into 11 hour range (on daily basis).

If you are into music, probably want to up the HD a bit...

 

Since you are going to law school (as opposed to an engineering program that requires running statistical analysis and simulation programs), I would expect that the X200s CPU is more than fast enough for your needs. The difference would be something like Word responding to your keystrokes in (I made these numbers up) 0.03 seconds vs 0.02 seconds... Go with X200s (but upgrade to the 5100 wireless card).

X200s is noticeably lighter. And if you need only 5 hours of battery life, you may need only the 6-cell battery for the X200s, which reduces weight even further.

X200 with 9-cell: rated 9.4 hours, 3.58 lbs
X200s with 6-cell: rated 8.3 hours, 2.71 lbs
X200s with 9-cell: rated 12.5 hours, 3.05 lbs

Edit: my recommendation happens to be the opposite of MaloS'. LOL.

 

dang.

Any one have experience with the price match? I see that the x200/x200s have been cheaper in the past, and might be cheaper in the near future...

 

I think you have two weeks after the purchase. I would wait a bit longer and buy it on the 14th.

 

I have a T400 with WXGA+ LED Display and a 64GB SSD. At max screen brightness and internet on I get around 4.25 hours on the 6 cell.

Main benefit of SSD's I have seen is increased battery life.

No Keyboard flex issues.

 

I began law school about 5 years ago and purchased a thinkpad T40. I would go with the T400 because of keyboard size for law school exams and the bar. I doubt you will need your laptop for any summer jobs. My mom has an X200 and likes it but the keyboard size is smaller it seems to me. The extra portability probably won't matter much considering the size of the books you will be carrying. Probably can't go wrong either way.

 

I thought T400 and X200 use the exactly the same keyboard. Was I wrong?

 

buy it now if you need it now
wait for a lower price if you can afford to wait
its just that simple

 

Having owned several versions of the X200 and X200s I would recommend you to go for the X200 P8600 based on the following:

- Heat/fan noise. The SL9400 (1.86GHz) and the P8600 (2.4GHz) both runs equally cool at most loads. So don't be afraid of choosing a non-lov voltage CPU. The SU9400 (1.4GHz) cannot be much cooler than any of the aforementioned as I am getting idle temps as low as 26-28 degrees on my P8600. Typical idle temp is around 32 degrees with ambient temps of 22 degrees celcius.

- Usually if the coin toss was between the SL9400 and the P8600 I would be more in doubt. But between the SU9400 and the P8600 I would easily pick the latter. Albeit the SU9400 would be sufficient for your needs, I would recommend the P8600 as it is more future proof due to being significantly faster in crunching power (you might not need it now, but perhaps in the future).

As for battery life, I typically get around 4-4.5 hours with the 6-cell on my current X200 P8600 with SSD. This is at 1/3 brightness, Energy Saver mode and surfing Internet via WLAN and using Office Apps.

 

Keyboards are identical on the models. That's one of the points of the x200 design =). (It may seem different because there is no space on the right/left side of the keyboard, but neither do you need it there).

Also, I don't think you will experience significant discounts since you are already getting AmEx mark-down, which is the cheapest I've seen of everything available to public (it makes the student discounts I got through UC Davis seem weak).

Personal suggestion: when you go through the specs, you will notice that there are some upgrades that cost very little: like doubling the HD can be around 50 bucks, wireless options, fingerprint reader is good if you want to have a 20-character impossible to type password, but be able to log in with your left big toe if need be.. It may not seem necessary now, since you are used to less, but once you have those little things, you learn to love them very quickly. Also keep in mind that all upgrades get further discounted with your AmEx.

I am not trying to suggest going overboard, but give more though to things that provide convenience =).