Going From X200 to X200s - am I mad?!

I've had my X200 for three years now. It came out of the box with a number of minor faults that I should really have sent it straight back for replacement but couldn't as I needed to use it for work straight away. Those minor faults include WLAN switch very sensitive/broken (doesn't need sliding to switch on/off), WLAN switching off at random (not related to the mechanical switch and appears to be software - ie WLAN doesn't even appear on Fn+F5 list, and flipping mechanical switch on/off makes no difference), ThinkLight stopped working, webcam stopped working, clickety-click hard drive, WWAN stopped working. Other than these and the dismal quality of the factory screen, which I replaced with a Boe Hydis HW121WX4-110, the x200 has been a good workhorse, especially after I swapped in a 128Gb OCZ Vertex II and got rid of Lenovo's bloatware-ridden factory install of Vista.

However,human nature being what it is, I want a lighter machine. Now that the batteries have done many cycles and are coming up for replacement I've been considering my options. The problem is that there aren't many! I would have thought that three years after the first x200 first appeared that perhaps the 12.1" ultraportable market would be quite an exciting place - what a disappointment! When I travel I pack a backpack that just fits within the general airline regulation hand baggage size. If I'm feeling lucky then I'll also grab my shoulder bag and take my chances at getting through airport security with more than one piece of hand luggage. Either way, when the X200 goes in, the extra 1.5kg (6cell) really feels like the straw that breaks the proverbial camel's back. On top of that, the charger, mains cable and relevant adapter simply seem so bulky and become extra annoying additonal luggage! You have to hand it to Apple for designing and making small, travel friendly mains adapters!

Therefore, I've been looking for any alternatives that can eschew as much weight as possible without sacrificing too much in computing power - not that I cane the X200 near its limits (LOL - once you have power it's difficult to give it up). I had considered Toshiba R600 (the R700 is too heavy IMO - not as a machine but for my requirements) and Dell 4200. However, both have their associated issues (durability, or lack of, and fan noise). My research leaves me with the X200s. I'm not considering the updated X201(s) simply due to cost issues - I am not averse to buying used and, like I said, I don't mind giving up a bit of CPU. Netbooks are out of the question WXGA is the min I will put up with.

The X200s seems to fit the bill. The WXGA+ screen is a bonus and the circa 300g lighter package is enough to make a difference. The svelt 1kg Tosh R600 would be nice but it probably wouldn't survive being mashed into my backpack.

My question really is: would a change from the x200 to x200s be worthwhile if I take into consideration the quality of the screen (Boe Hydis/Flexview AFFS) that I'm now accustomed to? Anybody got an x200s and, if so, what sort of quirks and potential faulty/semi-faulty things should I be wary of? Is the factory WXGA+ any good (I've read the review on the main site) and compared to the Flexview for brightness etc?

I'm fairly convinced that the weight saving will be worthwhile. I just wanted to find out any other quirks I may expect, depsite having already owned an x200 for years. I know the x200 and x200s are almost identical - I have no idea where the weight saving actually comes from - given that they both use the same batteries and chassis. Any comments from x200s owners would be welcome!

 

I don't see the half a pound weight difference making a big difference. I like the LV voltage CPU in my tablet because it runs cooler. I can run it adaptive mode to get better performance from my SSD without the associated fan noise the X200 seemed to offer.

I thought about the X200s too, but like the tablet form factor better. I'd say while the resolution is nice, careful what you wish for. The pixel density density is quite high and can be tiresome during extended usage. If you're used to the AFFS LCD, the X200s with the WXGA+ screen is going to be a step down quality wise. You certainly can do the AFFS on the X200s, but you'll lose the extra resolution.

 

Yes, I've been keeping my eye on tablets as well but they represent a slight step up in wieght. Indeed the 300 grams weight difference would appear nominal but it does seem that we're well into the realms of diminishing returns when working toward the 1kg mark.

My x200 has always had fan noise issues as far as I can remember - makes an irritating low pitched whine when the fan is on low. In contrast to your experience tho, installing an SSD didn't attract any more fan activity. The latest Lenovo power management facility actually seems to have improved the fan behaviour (surprised me as all previous Lenovo utils either didn't work or were worse than Microsoft's own generic equivalents!).

I think I'd still go for the x200s. I can live with a slight step down in picture quality and if the WXGA+ panel dies on me, or if I find the pixel density unacceptable, then I could do a swap out as and when.

 

As an FYI update...
I was actually mad enough to go get an x200s! I simply had to satisfy my curiosity and there wasn't any way of physically getting my hands on an x200s without buying one! On the plus side it was fairly cheap off eBay and practically brand new. With the 4 cell battery (which, incidentally, because it's new provides as much time as my old 6 cell), the machine is tangibly lighter than my old x200. Even with like for like battery, it is (or was) slightly lighter as expected (but not as much as I'd imagined).

I say that it WAS lighter because the unit came with the lowly WXGA CCF LCD which I swapped out straight away for the AFFS in my x200. Swapped in the SSD at the same time. Once reassembled, I put the two units back on the scales - and what a shock I had! The x200s has ended up being only about 150g lighter than the x200! Logic dictates that the AFFS panel must be significantly heavier than the Toshiba OEM panel! It didn't occur to me to weigh them when they were removed.

Nonetheless, I am still very happy with the x200s. First and foremost, it actually runs silent now. My old battleaxe made a very slight fan whine, not to mention the constant LCD backlight inverter ringing! Ok, so it doesn't have a webcam but that only ever worked ONCE in my x200 anyway!

Looks like it'll keep me going for another few years, hopefully! My only gripe is that I missed out on the Lenovo outlet mega sale!

 

I had the x200s for a few days I decided to sell it as I wanted the wxga+ version. X200t makes sense for use as an hand writing input device or for a wacom tablet alternative.

 

Trust me, there'll be another sale.

 

I had the same problem as you said you had with the Wi-Fi sliding switch, but not in my thinkpad , but in dell xps m1330.
the switch makes no difference, the ON-OFF happens as the laptop wishes (and not as I wish.)
I am also looking for something ultra-portable with a matte (anti-glare) screen and a long battery life.
please post if you find something like that.

 

The x200 and X201 is ultra portable with a matte screen and has long battery life. I went from a Dell M1330 to a Thinkpad X201 and like my thinkpad a lot more. Its lighter, better keyboard, way faster and does not have GPU problems like the M1330 did.

Btw OP which power adapter do you have? Mine is actually pretty small but I saw that they offer a few different ones.

 

the poer adaptor for thinkpad x201 is pretty slim from what I saw on the x201 brochure.
how is the X201 battery life ? and screen brightness ?
any cons you would like to mention in x201 ?

 

I get like 3 hours on the 4 cell battery which is the smallest one. I hear the battery life is really good with the 9 cell though.

Screen is very bright to me, brighter then the M1330 for sure.

Biggest con is the fact that there is no dedicated video so you cant really game on it, but I was not interested in gaming on it anyway so that was a non issue for me.

 

Depends on which battery you get. My nine cell got about seven hours when new, but I did the AFFS mod, which uses more power and a lot will depend on the settings. You'll probably do better the the regular screen. I think the X20x machines are the best ultraportables on the market. Some complain about the screen quality, but there's nothing outside the tablets that'll be significantly better. Lenovo uses multiple screen suppliers, some better than others. I didn't think my Samsung was all that bad, but I've heard the AUO is rough. It's sort of a lottery as to which you'll get.

 

i heard the screen brightness on x201 is very low !!
but its good on x201t (tablet)

 

Bit late tho - already bought one lol! Curiosity over the WXGA+ might come back to tempt me tho. I simply couldn't find a WXGA+ locally (as I wanted to physically see it). However, like you said originally, I don't think I could live with an inferior screen.

It's just like Zaz says, it's very much a lottery. Lenovo uses multiple screen suppliers. I can tell you for sure that the Toshiba sourced WXGA matte screen in the x200 is simply poo! Only the tablet comes with a decent screen by default.

I have the standard 65W power brick. To me this was small compared to some others (read Dell lol!). I, therefore, went and bought two more so I could dot them around the house - yes, I'm lazy However, I've never understood the ridiculous need to still use a super chunky C5/cloverleaf cable. Many other makers have been using a much slimmer/lighter telefunken/figure8 mains leads for years. The earth conductor isn't used so why use a three core cable?!

Of late, I've been quite obssessed with reducing my travelling weight (yeah, I might need to lose a lbs myself!) no matter how little a difference. Hence why I originally got interested in x200s variant. There is a 90W "ultra slim" travel adapter that certainly looks small - at least a part of it anyway - but there seems to be two parts to it. Therefore, I'm not convinced that it'd make any difference in overall bulk and weight. I'll let you know if I find a properly small and light power brick. Bear in mind, however, that a lower powered brick will take longer to charge a battery. Hence, if you have a 9 cell it'll take forever! Now that I've discovered the 4 cell (I didn't even know they made them!), I'll be taking one of these when travelling.

 

Lenovo also have the figure 8 version of the power adapters for North America. In some countries it is an industry standard practice to use the C5 cable for electrical equipments, so that is why they are used.

 

Forget about "hearing" - it just IS !! There's an abundance of information on the x200/1/s/i on here. It can be a bit of hard work to trawl through it all but it is certainly worthwhile. Most members post with first hand experience. Don't get so hung up on the brightness of a screen. There are a number of other factors affecting it's usability. The contrast ratio and angles of view are equally as important.

 

My X201 is very bright, I don't know if it is because of the type of screen I got or what but it is brighter then my Dell M1330 was and a lot brighter then my parents Studio 15.

 

Flyersfan, which country did you buy your THINKPAD X201 from ?
any issues with noise and heating ?
I have a lot of issue with my DELL XPS M1330 overheating and turning OFF on its own !! without any warning !!

Anand

 

I also had a lot of problems with my M1330. The X201 does not get near as hot as the M1330 did, the back left gets a bit hot where the fan is blowing out the air but nothing serious.

Fans are very quiet you can barely hear them unless you are in a dead quiet room. The i3 processor would probably run even cooler then mine does.

 

You are not mad. You are a Lenotic.

 

I have AUO screen on X200. It's OK. The color saturation could be better and of course, as on almost all screens, blacks aren't really black. If you want a laptop with a good screen get RGB LED, imo.

Ha, I have EXACTLY the same problem on my Dell XPS (or rather, my sister has it...). Crap laptop.

I have X200 and it's really quiet and has no overheating problems even if you let it do some CPU processing which is what I use it for in the office.