fan is silent and I've never noticed it spinning up. I get about 3.0-4.5 hrs of normal usage depending on how bright I keep the screen/what I'm doing. 6cell.
here's my quick writeup from a month-two ago
I've been using one for a couple weeks now.
p8600, 2gig ram, 2gig intel turbo, 160gig 5400rpm, 5300agn wifi link, 6cell battery
Indoors the screen is usable even at lowest setting.
I've only tried using it once outside, but it was in the shade...I don't know if that counts? If you'd like me to do some tests outdoors I can.
It gets great battery life (the 6 cell is flush with the laptop). I haven't actually measured, but 70% battery life lasted me all day yesterday. It is PERFECT for the tasks I use it for (internet/powerpoint/word/watching some t.v. shows).
My last laptop was a toshiba monster from many years ago, 15in power user laptop...the things I remember most were how hot it got and the fan noise.
This laptop does not get hot, it does not make noise. I have to put the fan exhaust to my ear to hear anything.
I like the all black design. I have to get something to clean the lid though, fingerprints show up on it, kinda makes it look dirty.
I just got a 13in neoprene sleeve from frys, works fine and I put it in my messenger bag.
On a clean install of vista ultimate it is quite snappy even in battery conserve mode.
I had never owned a lenovo/ibm thinkpad keyboard before. Every good thing you heard about it is true.
The intel turbo memory supposedly provides for faster bootups/program starts, it's used as like a 2gig cache. Maybe this is why performance seems so snappy even in battery conserve mode? I haven't measured startup time b/c I just perpetually have the laptop in sleep mode if I'm not using it. Just a note though, if you use/want xp there's no turbo memory driver.
I don't know all the differences between the wifi options, but I believe the difference between 5100/5300 is the number of antennas (3 to 2 I believe).
I don't know the difference between the media card readers, I'm sure you could find that out in a review. I know one option (the option I have) comes with a modem port and the other one doesn't. I don't use a media card reader so it hasn't come up for me...
The no dvd drive hasn't come up except when I wanted to do a clean install (and you WILL want to do a clean install, night/day difference in my opinion). I ended up buying a refurb external dvdrw online...only place I could find it for cheap. I tried doing the usb key method, but it didn't work for me.
I loved the trackpoint right away. I'm a righty, and I use my ring finger to control movement and then my thumb can press the scroll button. It's much more seamless in my opinion to go from using the trackpoint to typing and vice versa than using a pad.
The computer is light, of course my last one again was a desktop replacement, so anything will seem light and small. It's smaller than you expect. Personally, I would rather have the x200 than the x200s. The performance for an ultra portable is awesome and unless you really really need that extra battery life/lower weight...meh. I'd rather just get the 9cell battery. Again though, this is coming from someone who used to lug around a 7-8 lbs laptop.
Sound isn't bad for a 1 speaker on the bottom of the laptop haha. Get headphones if you want to make noises.
I'm trying to think of anything else...I dunno if it's a common feature these days, but there's a keyboard light that you can use in dark rooms...comes in handy. I think that's all I got. I honestly could not be happier with this laptop. I would also find someone from Ohio State or another university who has a deal with lenovo b/c I got 35% off mine.
There seems to be several thinkpad/lenovo forums as well, in case you need support.