First time laptop buyer

I should start off by saying I have never owned a laptop before, or even used one for any extended period of time. I've been a die-hard desktop fan because I didn't need portability, I played games, needed a lot of storage, and I liked to build my own machines.

Personal circumstances have changed and I find I'm now traveling a lot more, I no longer play games, and I have a file server to cover my storage needs. This only left the custom-built argument left. A friend of mine pointed me to the thinkpad range. Their large number of customization options seems like a compromise I can accept

I've been considering the X230 model, specifically with these options:

Processor: Intel Core i5-3210M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz)
Display type: 12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna
System graphics: Intel HD 4000 Graphics in Intel Core i5-3210M Processor
Total memory: 2 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (1 DIMM)
Keyboard: Keyboard Backlit - US English
Fingerprint reader: UltraNav without FingerPrint Reader
Hard drive: 320GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Battery: 6 Cell ThinkPad Battery X44+
Power cord: 65W AC Adapter - ANZ
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN
Integrated mobile broadband: Integrated Mobile Broadband (Ericsson H5321)


My questions are as follows:

1. Would 12.5" be small enough to fit on a tray in an airplane (economy)? Yes - thanks tongdakfiend
2. Is the only benefit of Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN over the Advanced-N 6205 an increase in maximum speed from 300mpbs to 450mbps?
3. Does the an i5 provide greater graphics performance over an i3, or is HD4000 performance the same across all Ivy Birdge? Graphical performance differs between IVB models - thanks Kardon403
4. Would the use of a battery slice have a negative effect on the laptop's cooling? I notice there are some vents on the underside
5. Is there anything in my setup that might not be supported in Linux? Most likely the WiFi and/or mobile broadband.
6. Can I purchase the laptop without any RAM or a Hard Drive? I'd like to install my own so the included ones would be rendered moot. Hence why I haven't upgraded them in the specifications above.
7. Could I connect a 1920x1200 monitor to the display port? The product page says maximum supported is 1600x900 but I find that hard to believe. Yes - thanks tongdakfiend

 

My only caveat to the x220/x230 is that the trackpad kind of sucks. The trackpoint though is great if you are sitting in economy.

 

Thanks for the input tongdakfiend.

I notice you are an X220 owner and if I'm not mistaken it has the same body/shell as the X230. Have you used used the slice battery with yours? If so, was there any noticeable change in temperature/noise due to the blocking on the ventilation port on the underside?

Thanks for the heads up on the HD dimensions. I didn't consider an mSata drive because I thought my inclusion of the optional mobile broadband would take up the mSata port. Is this true?

I have a similar monitor, the Dell U2412M, after using an IPS I can't see myself going back to a TN. It was a major selling point on this laptop for me. Even more so then on a desktop because you are more likely to be viewing at angles with a laptop.

 

Sorry, I didn't see that you included the mobile broadband option so you are right and can't consider a mSata. I don't have a battery slice so I couldn't comment on it. The IPS on the x220 is nice for a laptop, but my Dell IPS display is much nicer. Regardless, for the size/specs, an IPS x230 is a really great laptop. Overall, I've been really pleased with the x220 as a first time ThinkPad owner.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the i3 in the x230 seems to be the i3-2370M. That's a Sandy Bridge processor. If that's the case, graphical performance would be a good deal less than the Ivy Bridge i5 processors. It's also just $30 less than the base i5 Ivy Bridge processor.

 

If you buy an X230i or the base X230 tablet, as of right now, all the base i3 are Sandy Bridge as Commander Wolf found out. Yes 50 bucks gets you the Ivy Bridge i5 and HD 4000.

 

Just to add note you can't upgrade the processor by yourself on the X Series as they're usually soldered on so in my opinion it's $50 worth paying for that extra bit of future proofing so you can gain the better graphics and processing performance.

 

When I look at the base X230 it's listed as having the i3-3110M. Under the customization the upgrade options are:

i5-3320M
i5-3360M
i7-3520M

Unless I'm mistaken all the 3xxx models are Ivy Bridge. Perhaps I've not been looking at the same product page as everyone else. Here is a link to where I've been looking:
Lenovo X230 | ThinkPad X230 12.5" Laptop | Shop | Australia


For comparison my current desktop has the i5-2400 (sandy bridge). My mentality behind going for the lower end processors on the X230 is my assumption that they'll consume less power leading to better battery life. That and the fact my desktop CPU hardly breaks a sweat so a downgrade in performance doesn't seem so bad.

 

Ah. They give you the Ivy Bridge i3 in the down under. I would stick with the i3 then as it's Ivy Bridge for you.

 

Ah sorry I didn't realise that there were such regional difference or I would have pointed out that I'm in Aussie at the start. The jump from i3 IVB to i5 IVB is $143 AUD. That's quite substantial

It only occurred to me when typing my last response that my assumption, that slower CPU models drew less power, was only an assumption. Is anyone able to clarify this? Specifically between the i3-3110M and i5-3320M.

Also my original question as to whether there is any difference in graphical performance between IVB models or not.

 

Never once has my i3 Sandy Bridge felt slow in day to day use. Obviously, if you're pushing the CPU, a faster one will do better. For typical usage, a SSD is more likely to make the system feel faster.

 

I've got an SSD in my desktop currently and like the IPS i mentioned earlier theres no way I'll go back. I plan to choose my own SSD though, hence why I have the question regarding purchasing the laptop without a hard drive at all.

 

Yes, there is a difference. This is why I opted for a higher end i5 when deciding what processor to go with. If you just google the name of the processor, such as 3320M, you can go to the intel page and read the clock speed of the gpu. You will soon see not all ivy bridge hd4000 are equal, especially those in ULV processors, which is any processors with a U in the name (after the 4 digits).

 

Is HD 4000 performance really that significant? If you've bought an X230 for 3D performance, then clearly you've bought the wrong notebook. It's still lightyears better than HD 3000, and infinitely better than gen 1 Intel HD graphics. Most average users can't tell the difference between a i3 or an i5, heck probably even a Pentium dual core vs an i5.

 

You are quite right, thank you for your input. And thank you to everyone else who has responded so quickly. I really didn't expect so many replies so fast, fantastic forum.


My question around Linux support I can probably Google. That leaves me with 3 unanswered questions:

1. Is the only benefit of Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN over the Advanced-N 6205 an increase in maximum speed from 300mpbs to 450mbps?
2. Would the use of a battery slice have a negative effect on the laptop's cooling? I notice there are some vents on the underside
3. Can I purchase the laptop without any RAM or a Hard Drive? I'd like to install my own so the included ones would be rendered moot. Hence why I haven't upgraded them in the specifications above.

 

1. AFAIK, the 6300 requires the 3x3 antenna configuration - the third antenna is how it achieves the higher throughput. On the X220 at least, this requires that you forgo the camera.
2. I dunno. I guess, theoretically. I can tell you that my X220 heats up more than it used to when I got it a year ago...mostly because I leave it on beds and similarly conductive surfaces too often. But if you don't use the slice battery all the time, then I doubt it would be a serious issue, and in any case, this seems like something Lenovo would have taken into account. I have not heard of overheating issues due to use of the slice battery, but then I haven't looked into it, and not many people go the slice route. Sorry I couldn't be of more help on that one.
3. Meh, highly doubtful, although you might be able to get them to sell you a machine without a Windows license. I would just flip the parts on eBay or Craigslist and move on. Don't forget the 'filing tabs' trick to fit 9.5mm hard disks in the x220 slot.

 

I'm not aware of this 'filing tabs' trick although I get the impression from your post that it's been discussed before. Would someone mind adding a link to a relevant post?

 

I've never seen any threads on the topic, just discussion about removal of spacers/washers/tabs from a 9mm SSD to make it fit into a 7mm slot. Some have said that it voids warranty, although this might not apply to all manufacturers, as I believe some are okay with it and may even come with user removable spacers.

I'm pretty sure the difference between the full voltage processors and ulv processors is enough to make some games playable, and some not. ulv hd 4000 is marginal over the old 3000, but the regular hd 4000 is as good as alot of entry level discrete solutions imo.

 

I mean I don't find HD 3000 to be bad at all, my X220 tablet plays SC2, TF2, MW2 just fine. In fact they run smoother than my Vostro 1500 (T7500, 4 GB, 8600M GT) that has discreet graphics. Again, if you are planning to game on an X series ThinkPad, you've already made the wrong choice in laptop.