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    Can you help me configure a x220?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by csj0952, Feb 19, 2012.

  1. csj0952

    csj0952 Notebook Consultant

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    What components are must haves and what are over the top?

    I'm thinking I5 processor though not sure which one?
    1 Memory Dimm of 4Gb (allows me to upgrade to 2 DImm later)
    Fingerprint reader overrated?
    320Gb HD 7200rpm
    6cell battery? Looking to keep thin and light? Assuming 9 cell is bigger.

    I'm assuming IPS screen is needed.

    I'm assuming I don't want a SSD cause I can do the mSata thing? Where do I buy the mSata drive?

    In addition is there any coupons I should be aware of or anything I can do to reduce the cost? I wanted to wait for ivy bridge but now I hear they are delayed till June.... :(

    I can probably wait 1 or 2 months at most for a new laptop. X220 looks like a good machine or I could go with the x130 to tide me over till the ivybridge comes out...
     
  2. kpresler

    kpresler Notebook Consultant

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    Unless you plan on doing any particularly CPU-intensive tasks, the base Core i5 will be plenty. It's still very fast.
    Definitely only get 4GB of RAM by default, you can then get another 4GB for $20 from Newegg and install it yourself.
    IMO the fingerprint reader is over-rated; unless you have a long password and have UAC set to frequently prompt you for a password I don't see that it's much trouble just to type it in.
    The 9-cell battery is thicker, heavier, and deeper. You should still be able to get ~5 hours (maybe more) out of the 6-cell, so if portability is important I'd just go with that.
    At only an extra $50 more, the IPS is an incredible deal and I strongly suggest you get it.
    If you want a fast but spacious storage configuration, just get the default platter-based hard drive and get a mSATA drive separately. It's not hard to install and you can get an Intel 40GB model for $93 or an Intel 80GB model for $180.

    You can get your X220 cheaper through the Barnes & Noble discounted site here. The latest report is that Ivy Bridge is delayed until June; it's up to you to decide if the wait is worth it.
     
  3. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    I think you can go with the i3 unless you're doing CPU intensive tasks. I've certainly had no complaints about mine.

    If I were going to get a mSATA drive, I think I'd get this. Kingston is a well known brand.

    If you are getting the mSATA drive, I'd stick with the 5400RPM drive in the main bay as you don't need speed for storage.
     
  4. csj0952

    csj0952 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the help. I'm so annoyed that ivy bridge isn't out till then. Do you guys think the x130e is any good? I'm tempted to pick one up for cheap and then splurge on ivy later.
     
  5. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    It's nothing like the X220. The X130e is a netbook. It's got cheaper construction (although supposedly quite durable) and a decidedly non-ThinkPad design.

    Personally I wouldn't buy any new laptop until the IB ThinkPads are released if you can avoid it. If you still want an X220 then there will be tons of them available on the cheap, or you can go for the IB-equipped successor to get the best bang for your buck.
     
  6. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    I doubt Ivy Bridge is worth getting that excited about.
     
  7. csj0952

    csj0952 Notebook Consultant

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    Rob, I'm thinking I just buy a new battery for my T61p and just pray it doesn't explode by the time the Ivy Bridge Thinkpads come out. So i have to wait till June, ugh
     
  8. sniper_sung

    sniper_sung Notebook Evangelist

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    I would wait until Ivy Bridge.
     
  9. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    I agree. But if I was going to drop a grand on a new machine, I'd want to maximize that -- and buying a few months before a new CPU generation isn't exactly optimal. (Unless you need the machine right now, in which case... well... do what you gotta do.)
     
  10. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    Ivy bridge's integrated graphics card maybe something people would get excited about.
     
  11. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    In terms of what? Office work: it makes no difference. Serious graphics/video/gaming: people don't even look at it.

    The current HD 2000/3000 is a joke. Ivy Bridge integrated HD will be a bit less of a joke, but nothing to be excited about.

    Intel is releasing certain Sandy Bridge i5 and i7 models without integrated graphics and will be doing the same for Ivy Bridge. About time. (Pricing is a different issue altogether!)
     
  12. lenardg

    lenardg Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    USB3 support natively in the chipset might be something to get excited about.

    Also, probably/hopefully the IB ThinkPads will have thunderbolt. For people looking for an external video card solution, that would be good news. X230 + eGPU could be a very nice combo.
     
  13. vinuneuro

    vinuneuro Notebook Virtuoso

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    Unless Ivy Bridge brings significant power consumption reduction I doubt it's a big deal. If you can wait a few months it might be worth waiting to see what Lenovo does with the X220 and X1 replacement with regards to the screen. With the Ideapad Yoga getting a 1600x900 IPS screen there's something to be hopeful for Thinkpad users.

    Having said that the X220 is the most wholesome machine I've ever used and I don't think it would be a mistake to buy one. The combination of a fantastic quality screen, fantastic battery life, tremendous storage options and great power in such a small and lightweight package is unbeatable if mobility is important to you. There's truly only one thing I'd improve and that's the resolution. I won't sacrifice this screen quality for it though. Very rarely do products in any industry come this close to perfection.
     
  14. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    Well, it's about time.

    Hah, just like rumors of USB 3.0 support last year: well... yes.. no... maybe... maybe not... Official statement: While Thunderbolt will be featured on Ivy Bridge it will not be integrated into its 7-series chipsets. (???)

    THIS.
     
  15. Pseudorandom

    Pseudorandom Notebook Evangelist

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    IB is a shrink on SB. Think Nehalem -> Westmere. I wouldn't get too excited until Haswell.
     
  16. jcf

    jcf Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm in europe and I'm not sure what 3G option I should use:

    Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable
    Integrated Mobile Broadband (Sierra Wireless MC8355 – Gobi 3000 (TM))

    Any hint ?

    Thx in advance,
     
  17. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    The first option means "not selected" in the CTO (you can "upgrade" later by installing a compatible device yourself). The second option means "the Sierra device will be installed in the factory."

    Some WiFi users use the empty WWAN slot to install a mSATA SSD.
     
  18. jcf

    jcf Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have already a 3G sim card on my Vaio Z. With the first option, I would have the slot to install that sim ?

    Or only on the second option that slot is available ?
     
  19. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    I can't speak about the 3G SIMM that you're having. You'd better check with Lenovo on compatible devices.

    In the second option, how can the slot be "available"? The customer selects the Sierra Gobi 3000, and this SIMM will "occupy" the slot.

    In the first option, the slot is left empty, but the electrical connector and mechanical elements are all there (just like when you order one 4GB stick of RAM, the other RAM slot is left empty, but ready for use).

    That is, the slot is occupied by either a 3G SIMM is installed by the factory (option 2) or it is not (option 1).

    If you want to install something in that slot yourself, make sure you select option 1.

    Read this document, page 69, for details.
     
  20. vinuneuro

    vinuneuro Notebook Virtuoso

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    Just to be clear he'd need to use a whitelist-free BIOS to use his Sony WWAN card.
     
  21. JWBlue

    JWBlue Notebook Deity

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  22. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    You have to understand, they always say that.
     
  23. JWBlue

    JWBlue Notebook Deity

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    True.

    Even the article hints at that.

    Based on the article, my guess battery life will improve 10-15 percent.

    So on a x220 if someone was getting 5 hours on a 6-cell. you are getting 5.5 hours. with the new processor.

    Along with better graphics. Although going back on what I was saying before, not sure how much an improvement, even if significant, in an integrated graphics card matters.
     
  24. niko2021

    niko2021 Notebook Evangelist

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    Well, if I'm not mistaken, the sandy bridge processors, (i have two comps with them, a dual and quad core mobile cpu's) run very hot. If ivy bridge fixes that, it could mean not only lower temps, but slightly better battery life. x220's are great, i was going to get one, i settled on a macbook air tho. The x220 is already a great machine, i don't think it'll be significantly better with the ivy bridge. it may get slight better battery life, maybe not. CPU/GPU improvements would be negligible.
     
  25. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    I don't know about the quad core, but the SB dual-cores that I've used have run much cooler than their first-gen Core i and Core 2 Duo series counterparts.