Thinkpad X250

[nuclearblast]

Anyone have any thoughts, opinions on the X250? I have a T430 thats my main laptop and stays on my desk, but I want to get a smaller Thinkpad to travel with. I like the X250 but Im still curious about it. I think the dual batteries might come in handy for some, but imo, I would of rather them use that space for a bigger fan and another usb than an internal battery. I wonder how the fan noise is, I really do not like annoying fans, or ones that run all the time. They have the three button touchpad back, which I think you can buy that three button touchpad and install it on the X240, not positive though, and the they have good choices for screens too. Pretty expensive machine, I priced mine at around $1200-1300. I do love Thinkpads and really like that X250, just not sure to go for it not.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

I'm gonna be making comparisons to the X220/X230/X240, I own the former two.

I think the dual batteries might come in handy for some, but imo, I would of rather them use that space for a bigger fan and another usb than an internal battery.

Considering only # USB ports, the X220/X230 have 3 ports standard. You only get one USB 3 port on the X220 iff you get an i7 model. USB 3 standard across all X230s. I added another 3 ports to my X220 via an ExpressCard adapter to get 6 total.

Both the X220 and X230 are available with a (single form factor) 9-cell battery. And 6-cell, if you want. I could usually make it through a business day with the 9-cell on my X220, so expect better for the newer generation.

They have the three button touchpad back, which I think you can buy that three button touchpad and install it on the X240, not positive though

Yeah, you can do that.

Biggest advantage imo of the X240/X250 over the X220/X230 is finally including a FHD IPS panel option. The X220 and X230 had an IPS option, but it was only at 1366x768. Whatever you do, get something with an IPS panel. The TN one on my X230 flat-out sucks.

Disadvantages of the X240/X250: only 2 USB ports; max 8GB of memory (it was 16GB on the X220/X230)

Other: X220/X230/X240 have an mSATA slot. X250 has an M.2 slot. I'll leave the aesthetics/keyboard/port layout/CPU+iGPU up to you.

If you have the money to burn and want a new toy to play with, go for it. However, if you're happy with your T430's performance and don't mind being hampered by 1366x768, I suspect a good used X220/X230 should satisfy you at a significantly cheaper cost. Just throw in an SSD for good measure.

 

[Valantar]

My X201 is a few generations behind these models, but if it's anything to go by then fan noise is not going to be an issue. Mine is very quiet, even with a 35W CPU. The new chassis is thinner and the fan is probably smaller, but then again the cpu is now 15W. For an ultraportable, battery life is everything. The need for USB ports today is drastically reduced compared to previously. I'd get the X250, and a stick a USB hub in your bag if you really need it. It looks expensive, but you're paying for quality, and you get what you pay for. Nothing beats the ThinkPad X series.

 

[nuclearblast]

Good points. Ill never let this T430 go for various reasons, its a great machine. The fan noise is great, I never hear it unless Im watching videos. I really like the looks of the x250 and the size is just right for my liking. I have thought about getting a x230 instead, but I figure if Im going to spend the money on a smaller machine, I would like to get one that I prefer aesthetically, and the x250 just has a better look, imo. Thought about saving some cash and getting an x240 and then throwing the three button touchpad in it, but then again I would rather have a brand new machine. Ill probably go for it and get one, the only thing I cant decide on is the 1366x768 IPS display, or the FHD 1920x1080 IPS display. I would rather have the better screen, sure, but I just wonder if the font will be to little on the 1920x1080 and after hours of use will cause eye strain. What do you guys thinks about that 1920x1080 FHD IPS display?

 

[nuclearblast]

Think its possible to upgrade a x230 with a TN display to a IPS display? Ive been seeing x230's at decent prices but mostly come with the TN display. I could probably get a IPS panel from laptopscreens though I was just wondering if it could be easily swapped or not. Any cables need replaced also?

 

[chubbyfatazn]

Ill probably go for it and get one, the only thing I cant decide on is the 1366x768 IPS display, or the FHD 1920x1080 IPS display. I would rather have the better screen, sure, but I just wonder if the font will be to little on the 1920x1080 and after hours of use will cause eye strain. What do you guys thinks about that 1920x1080 FHD IPS display?

I'd rather go for FHD and deal with scaling than have just 1366x768 and realise I wanted more later.

Think its possible to upgrade a x230 with a TN display to a IPS display? I could probably get a IPS panel from laptopscreens though I was just wondering if it could be easily swapped or not. Any cables need replaced also?

Yes, maybe, no. If you have absolutely no experience mucking around inside a laptop, I'd find someone else to do it. Or buy the entire LCD assembly (panel + bezel + lid + hinges). Otherwise, comparatively easy to replace, the hard part imo is separating the top lid from the bezel; all you have to do is take out the keyboard/keyboard bezel/palmrest and undo two screws to separate the LCD assembly from the body.

If wherever you buy it from mentions eDP (the connector type), skip it. Those definitely won't work - you want one with an LVDS connector. Use the HMM/find the right FRU and search using that.

 

[Valantar]

There's a lot of X series display upgrade talk on the ThinkPad forums (or at least there was when I bought my X201 with its horrendous TN display). As there was a third party VA display available for that, I doubt you'd have any issues upgrading as they even have that option to begin with. You can even find the official Hardware Maintenance Manuals online to see how to do it.

As with the resolution question, I'd definitely go for FHD. 1366*768 just isn't enough for anything, even on a 12" notebook. And Windows scaling is OK these days, and getting better all the time.

 

[KompuKare]

If wherever you buy it from mentions eDP (the connector type), skip it. Those definitely won't work - you want one with an LVDS connector. Use the HMM/find the right FRU and search using that.

I remember looking into a while ago when looking at X220 and there is one caveat to this approach: many internet vendors simply list all compatible models FRUs in their listings.
So if they are selling a TN panel they will often then list all FRUs which have the same fittings. In the case of the X220, a the Hardware Manual lists 93P5669, 93P5671, 93P5673 and some vendors will just list all of those to get search hits. So that's something to be aware of when looking to replace a screen.

According to
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/X-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/IPS-LCD-Panel-04w3462-vs-04w3919/td-p/1241435
there are even more panel FRUs as I guess the hardware manual was written before they were around. So my advice is to be careful or find a trustworthy vendor who actually states IPS in their listing.