Question about mSATA and and IPS (x220 Lenovo)

[GoodEnough]

I want the IPS no glare.
How can I tell if a used one on Ebay has IPS?
Most sellers do not state this.

If I don't get IPS, will it be a glossy glare screen,
or is the non-IPS screen still a matte screen?

Also, I like the idea of running the OS off the 80GB mSATA card.
Do all x220 laptops have the 80GB card next to the wifi card?

Is this removable? Should I ask the seller to open the flap to verify the 80GB mSATA is still there? Also, can I run a x220 with no HD, and just the 80GB mSATA card for the Win7 OS ?

 

[chubbyfatazn]

Late to the game, but...

I want the IPS no glare.
How can I tell if a used one on Ebay has IPS?
Most sellers do not state this.

a) Get the serial number on the bottom. Google "thinkpad parts lookup," click the first link (should be from Lenovo), and input the serial and machine type. That gives you the configuration the machine shipped from the factory with.

b) Ask for a screenshot of Device Manager with the Monitors (iirc) tab open. It should say something like "1366x768 FlexView panel."

Your best and easiest bet is probably a).

If I don't get IPS, will it be a glossy glare screen,
or is the non-IPS screen still a matte screen?

Both panels are matte. That goes for all FRUs.

Also, I like the idea of running the OS off the 80GB mSATA card.
Do all x220 laptops have the 80GB card next to the wifi card?

Is this removable? Should I ask the seller to open the flap to verify the 80GB mSATA is still there? Also, can I run a x220 with no HD, and just the 80GB mSATA card for the Win7 OS ?

a) mSATA SSDs were a factory option. The baseline config doesn't have one.
b) If it has one, and it's mSATA form factor, then yes, it'll be in the mSATA slot, which is right next to the wifi card slot.
c) It's removable. Just pop off the keyboard and palmrest and undo the retention screw for the SSD.
d) If you want you can ask. I'd probably just take the seller's word for it, he'd be outright lying otherwise.
e) Yeah you can run the SSD by itself.

You can get the maintenance manuals from Lenovo for free, just search "x220 hmm"

 

[GoodEnough]

Thanks for this reply!

If IPS and non-IPS are both matte,
what exactly is the advantage of IPS? Better view angle?

I went to http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/find-solution
but was unable to locate where to type in a serial number.

 

[kevinsbane]

The IPS screen on the X220 has higher viewing angles, as well as much higher contrast (up to 3x better). I measured the contrast on my x220, and it was approximately 600:1, whereas the other non-IPS x220 had a contrast at around 250:1.

The IPS screen has a slightly small colour gamut - reds will appear somewhat orangey compared to the TN version.

IMO, the TN version is terribad. Avoid. You'll be constantly adjusting your laptop to get good viewing angles. The IPS is a must-have for the x220.

 

[GoodEnough]

Is there a way to demonstrate to me why higher contrast is better?

 

[GoodEnough]

So, if I get a x201, I will have a TN.
No x201 had IPS, yet it was a legendary laptop, so "terribad" might be an overstatement.
I am not a purist, and just need something good enough.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

Thanks for this reply!

If IPS and non-IPS are both matte,
what exactly is the advantage of IPS? Better view angle?

I went to http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/find-solution
but was unable to locate where to type in a serial number.

That's probably the most noticeable thing.

The TN panel on my X230 (same panels used as in the X220) was really blue compared to my X220 IPS, but I didn't bother calibrating it or anything.

So, if I get a x201, I will have a TN.
No x201 had IPS

That's because they used AFFS+ panels (in addition to TN). Lenovo sourced such panels from Boe-Hydis, who iirc owns the rights to FFS.

Not exactly the same as IPS, but for all intents and purposes the same in concept and results. At any rate, much better than TN.

I had them in my X60t and X61t and they were great compared to what was out there at the time.

 

[kevinsbane]

Is there a way to demonstrate to me why higher contrast is better?

Blacks are blacker. In pictures and movie with dark content, it is easier to see detail in dark areas. When might and dark content are on screen at the same time, it will seem more vibrant. The TN screen will look washed out.

And this is particular to the tn screen used in the x220, it's just not a good panel, period.

 

[GoodEnough]

So, you think the x201 or x220 are not a good laptop choice for basic weekend surfing and emailing? I want a good keyboard, and like the idea of a smaller laptop in the $200-$250 range.

 

[kevinsbane]

So, you think the x201 or x220 are not a good laptop choice for basic weekend surfing and emailing? I want a good keyboard, and like the idea of a smaller laptop in the $200-$250 range.

The x220 a great little laptop. But make sure to get the IPS panel is my only advice. I still use mine.

 

[holden j caufield]

x61t ips sxga+ is a lot better than x220 in viewing angles clarity etc and 1400x1050 is much better than 1366x768. 768 is bit low of vertical resolution if you read a lot of pdf etc

also there is little difference between 80gb and 128gb msata price wise and you'll probably get low on space on an 80gb msata ssd.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

x61t ips sxga+ is a lot better than x220 in viewing angles clarity etc and 1400x1050 is much better than 1366x768. 768 is bit low of vertical resolution if you read a lot of pdf etc

also there is little difference between 80gb and 128gb msata price wise and you'll probably get low on space on an 80gb msata ssd.

I'm pretty sure those were AFFS. Not that it matters. If Lenovo had updated it with Core internals and an led backlight I'd be all over that, though. I loved mine.

I recently got a 240gb m500 msata ssd for $65. Now's as good a time as any to upgrade imo.

 

[GoodEnough]

TN < AFFS+ < IPS

since x201 screens are AFFS+
So, if buying x201, I don't need to worry about checking if its got IPS.

Sounds like the x201 display is ..... wait for it..... GOOD ENOUGH !