Lenovo x120e vs x220 durability

[mfeller2]

I know the x120e is a step back from the x220 on a couple of other fronts, but how about durability? I am looking at Thinkpad because of 1) past good experience with Thinkpads, 2) I want the laptop to last, and 3) this will end up in a backpack for a lot of hiking and travel, where it will be bounced around a lot (even if the laptop is in a padded part of the pack, I will still worry about it).

I am debating a few of the other points of x120e vs x220, but if the x120e is a step back on the mechanical front, that might make the decision for me.

Thanks!

 

[frostedflakes]

I don't have an X220 or experience with other ThinkPad laptops to use as a point of reference, but I've been very pleased with the build quality of my X120e. After about six months of use it seems to be holding up pretty well, the keyboard keys, touch pad, and buttons have started to shine a bit, but lettering and stuff hasn't started to wear off. I throw mine around a bit (toss it onto a couch, bed, or some other soft surface) and it doesn't seem to mind, so I'd think it would be fine getting jostled around a bit inside a padded backpack.

 

[ssm0002]

I prefer HP Elitebooks. Milspec build, very durable.

 

[corkyg]

That's nice. So are Panasonic Toughbooks - but those are beside the point of OP's question.

 

[wsaenotsock]

Does the x220 have that nice rubberized coating on the exterior? Although its just a cosmetic issue, it just makes the whole thing feel more robust.

 

[firewolfsm]

It does have the rubberized coating, and just about every feature I wanted. It fell off a table once and hit hardwood, the case did crack a bit and the pci doesnt close completely yet, the frame did hold together perfectly though. I've never had a laptop as solid.

It's just barely light enough for comfort but its fast and has good battery, 5-10 hours.

 

[Neutralman]

I have had the 220 for a year now. Bring it to university 5 times a week, gets tossed around at home. Dropped it many times onto hard carpet from 4 feet. The thing still works like its brand new, very solid. Mine has a 9 cell battery, so 8 hours on a full charge at medium settings.

 

[sgtrobo]

x220 with me here in Afghanistan. Not sure I'll ever buy another laptop. It's so much better in build, design, and battery life, and the screen is just ridiculous. Used it as a light in the open bay when the power went out. Can't say enough good about it.

 

[hans007]

i love thinkpads, and had a x120e for a bit. the 120e is probably one of the nicest netbooks type machines i've used. its better feeling than a dm1z (dad has one) or the acer 722 i had for a while.

that said i wouldn't consider it a "real" thinkpad. its more like those thinkpad edge models as far as build quality which is still probably better than most. i've had a t42 and w510 for work and my parents both had x31s, and the x220 is supposedly a "real" thinkpad and if it sbuilt like any of those then its probably goign to be more durable. the x120e has just a normal plastic case, i think the other thinkpads are carbon fiber reinforced or magnesnium alloy.

i just ordered a t420 myself, and well looking forward to their super solid build and great keyboards (the 120e has a chicklet keyboard, which is nicer than say an acer / hp, but the x220 has a normal keyboard... might be another factor to look at)

 

[Hellmark]

Sorry for grave digging a bit, but really interested in this and the build quality is an important point for me.

I have used Thinkpads for years, my 14 year old 380XD (January '98 build date) is still kicking around. After my last laptop (a fujitsu lifebook) started acting up, and a previous bad experience with a Vaio (overheated and cooked hard drive within a week, and the plasticsgot super brittle and everything supporting the display crumbled within a year), I decided to go back to Lenovo. Well, at the time I couldn't afford a Thinkpad, plus I wanted something small (the 12" on the 380XD just got me to liking smaller laptops), so I went with the Ideapad since it was still Lenovo. Well, two years later, and I'm not happy. Battery lasts about 20 minutes, the keyboard died under a year, the left mouse button doesn't respond half the time, plus the lid has bad stress cracks at the hinges (apparently now a common issue on the S10s), to where I'm worried about the LCD not being connected by anything other than wires anymore (much like my Vaio). Plus to top it off, I think the ethernet port is going out (which considering I use it a lot for work, kind of important). To top it off, the plastic rub smooth so easily. Despite the keyboard being just about a year old, the lettering is rubbing off and has no texture. The trackpad has a mirror finish. I'm starting to think I want another computer soon, and I see they have Thinkpads starting at $370 (a full hundred less than the ideapads to boot).

Given that the only issue I can really say about the S10e is the build quality, I am willing to give Lenovo another shot, as long as I can get something better made. At this point, I'm half tempted to get a used Macbook Pro (I use Linux, so, I will be yanking out the stock software anyway) so I can get the aluminum construction.

Back to the question, being that the x120e is a bit older now, are they still holding up?

 

[Darknite39]

The x130 is supposed to be out in Dec. I believe it's supposed to be a but more rugged, if you can wait.

(also, ideapad<<ThinkPad, imo)

 

[86waterpumper]

I am trying to decide between a dm1z and 120e myself...They are very close in price within 10 or 15 bucks of each other. 320gb drives, 4gb ram, The differences are, that the lenovo comes with a e-350 and 7200 rpm drive, and the dm1z has the newer e-450 cpu but yet a 5400 rpm drive. Is the e450 enough of a upgrade to be worth getting, or should the lenovo still run faster?

 

[max347]

I have an x201, and have played with a few x120e netbooks. While the x120 is pretty solid, I don't think I would consider it a competitor to something in the x2xx series, durability wise. It's a plastic laptop, build better than average- as another poster has mentioned.

I grabbed my x201 used, with warranty, for what the x120e models sell for on the forums. IMO, there is no contest. Real keyboard, more durable, and mine has the i5 cpu. I am an AMD fan, but even I can't say I would prefer an e350 over the i5.

 

[halw]

The x130 is supposed to be out in Dec. I believe it's supposed to be a but more rugged, if you can wait.

(also, ideapad<<ThinkPad, imo)

Release date 20 December.