IdeaPad S12 vs. X200s

Hi,

There's a bunch of sales going on and I need to decide between these two models. Basically, I'm looking for a lightweight + quiet + cool PC to lug around to word process / office-app and surf the web for 4-8 hours at a time. The S12 is almost perfect, but it's slightly heavier than the X200s (crazy) and has a worse battery life(under 6). Price-wise it's $500CDN for the S12(w/ ION) and about $1300CDN for the X200s. I already have two (older) laptops that are pretty heavy and not pleasant to carry around.

I'm tempted to buy the S12 and a spare battery for the cost of the X200s. I doubt I'll be carrying around the AC adapter in either case.

I'm worried about the S12 screen. It's glossy, right? How does it compare to the X200s? How does the S12 keyboard compare? I heard the X200s has one of the best keyboards.

 

Do you want a netbook or a laptop...

The x200s is more than twice the cost. Is having a real laptop worth more than double the cost of the netbook?

 

I want a laptop-like experience (okay with slower processors) without the laptop weight + heat + bulk. My other laptops have decent CPUs + graphics cards and one of them is a tablet... so I'm looking for something LIGHT with a great keyboard + screen. I'm pretty sick of lugging a 15" laptop with AC adaptor around just to do word processing + e-mail/surfing tasks.

I've looked at the MacBook Air (too hot), Sony Z (too expensive), ASUS UL30 (uncertain build quality). I'm siding towards the S12 as reviews talk about how mediocre the X200s LCD is. If I'm buying another laptop, it better have an above-average screen (i.e the X200 Tablet).

 

Well no thinkpad aside from the tablet have really any screens to talk about...

If your usage is light just get the S12 since it won't be your main machine. I just don't know how good the keyboard is in comparison to a thinkpad.

Need to compromise if you consider the cost.

 

Well, if your configuration of the S12 is going to cost as much as the X200s (is that really possible?) there shouldn't be any question, get an X200s. Ion or not, the performance of a proper dual core, out of order processor will be much better. With a 9 cell battery, you really won't have to worry about battery life. The build quality on any Thinkpad will be worlds better, but especially on their X series.

Another option would be that Tiger Direct has an HP 2530p for $670 right now. If they ship to Canada, it will give you what you want once you buy a bigger battery. Otherwise, both HP and Lenovo have outlets full of refurbs that are typically in very good condition.

 

Voxel are you from the US or Canada?

If you're in the US there is a special discount for today. Use USPSAVE25X to drop the price to $719.

This is a no brainer if you were concerned about the money.

 

I have a X200 with a 9-cell battery. Totally replaced my EEE PC and I would never go back.

 

OP gave prices in CAD so he is probably in Canada.

 

Thanks all. I've decided against the IdeaPad S12.

I'm siding towards the X200s or T400s... I can get both for $1200-ish CDN but the T400s seems to have crap battery life and no 9-cell option.

 

If your choices are between the x200s and t400s Id go for the x200s personally.

 

I don't know about the S12, but I just replaced an S10 with an X200s, and so far, so good! Ordered mine through the outlet store, so it was in stock in Lenovo's North Carolina facilities, though still took a bit longer than expected to arrive. Seasonal discounts make the refurbs less of a bargain.

AC brick looked like it had been unpacked before, but computer itself looked new, and I got a 6-cell battery and finger print reader, which I hadn't recalled ordering, and though it hadn't been specified, I got the top-of-the-line Intel 5300 wifi card. Came with Vista 32, but qualifies for W7 Pro 32.

Keyboard is great!

ThinkLight is a handy, if rather low-tech alternative to a backlit keyboard. It has a certain charm.

Battery life looks like about 5.5-6 hours with wifi turned on.

1440x900 screen looks kind of dim and blue in bright ambient light, but very good elsewhere. I think you have to order the 1440x900 screen in order to get the carbon fiber "Next Generation Rollcage" lid. Really does feel super light.

AC brick (2-prong!) actually seems a bit smaller than the S10's, though larger than MacBook Air's. The one for my former HP Mini 2133 was clumsiest of all. Only quibble about the X200s brick is that the velcro cable wrap is awkwardly oversized and should be replaced.

I have not yet tried anything which taxes the CPU power or graphics, but for general web surfing, the optional SL9400 processor runs super cool.

At first I wasn't pleased to see my 4-cell battery replaced with a 6-cell due to added bulk and weight, but the larger battery does not stick out the back, adds less than a centimeter of thickness, and is actually very comfy to live with.