About to order this X200s!

Hey guys, after much deliberation I decided to go with this X200s...

Intel Core2 Duo processor SL9400 (1.86GHz, 6MB L2, 1066MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
12.1 WXGA+ (1440x900) LED backlight with the Next Generation ThinkPad Roll Cage, 2x3 UltraConnect ll antenna, UWB
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
1 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
TrackPoint
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology
ThinkPad X200 Series 9 cell Li-Ion Battery
7465: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller

The total is $1505.18 with CPP + St. Patty's sale. I plan on upgrading the RAM myself to 4GB and freshly installing a new OS (Ultimate x64 or Windows 7 beta). How easy is it to find drivers for these laptops and can I restore the ThinkVantage software? Otherwise, how does this build look? Thanks for your help!

 

For this price I will go for x301 in outlet, the new unit is only for 1560
The build is much better what I thought.

1 the screws use in X301 are made in Japan, which looks very good(the color)looks high quality.
2 the top cover is made by carbon fiber! which feels amazing! the best I have ever had
3 the design in the hotkey, like think vantage keys looks way better than other thinkpad.
4 x301 carries SSD, you don't need to spend money upgrade it agian.
5 x301 has DVD drive

but x200s has much longer battery life. I guess it has 7 to 8 hours? ( I used x61s which had 6.5 hour)

 

Thanks for the suggestion, yun, but I think the X301 is a little wide for me. For ultraportability I'm going for width instead of thinness. I also believe that the lid to the X200s is made of carbon fiber. I don't really intend on using a dvd drive at all...on my current Macbook I've *maybe* used the dvd drive 2 times...both times it was never really a dire need. I will, however, go for the X200 if someone can sway me towards the $500 lower price tag... :/

 

i would say, you'd better to call confirm, I know there are only a few x200s have carbon fiber top cover, most of them are not

 

It says so on the product page...

"Offers longest battery life and lowest starting weight, plus the same storage options as the X200, and the super-strong carbon and glass fiber top cover offers ultimate durability."

Plus, it's the carbon fiber top + LED display that contributes to the X200's lower weight. If most X200s' used other materials I think users would have noticed from the increased weight... Where did you hear that only a few models have the carbon fiber? Please don't throw around fake rumors you can't back up...

 

On the X301 models and select X200s, Next Generation ThinkPad Roll Cage technology utilizes a carbon-fiber/ glass-fiber top cover (similar to the bodies of the latest jet airplanes and Formula 1 race cars) for added strength and even less weight.

 

I touched my friend's x200s, his is top seller, i touched it , they are totally different.

The weight is not a matter, they can use glass fiber instead of carbon fiber, there are lots of ways can reduce the cost but remain the same weight.

 

im pretty stupid so excuse this question but why is the x200 percieved better then the X60 which can be bought brand new from ebay for 600 usd. they both have 12 inch screen. both have no trackpad. other then the x60 is last years model, it doesnt seem like its worth 1000 dollar upgrade to the x200. i know there are difference. like jump from gma 950 to the x3100. but its not a gaming gpu anyway so its not like it matters. i dont see anything that makes it worth an addition 1000 usd

 

I probably don't know as much as others on these forums but the X200 (not X200s) has Centrino 2, brighter display, longer battery life, full-size keyboard, and more and better wireless connectivity options. The X200 can be had for about $300-$400 more than the X61s.

 

Really...? You could say the same thing about any notebook that is the same size from a company that is just going hardware refreshes. And they aren't even the same size. The 12inch on the x200 is now wide screen which enables the use of a full keyboard. You can look at the other qualities of the x200 in the NBR review or on the forum. But I don't know why you are so surprised that a model that is 2 refreshes old is so much cheaper.

 

Just placed the order...came up to around $1600 (including tax). x_x Now to get around to selling my Macbook...

 

I'm pretty sure that all X200s has carbon fiber roll-cage. It just may feel differently from the X301's carbon fiber lid, but they are the same.
Also, the battery life of the X200s is 13 hours with the 9-cell, which is really really nice compared to the X61s' battery life.