The Thinkpad 14" machines are marginally bigger than the 12.5" though, and still quite compact. Of course a 15.6" is also marginally larger than 14", and 17.3 marginally larger than 15.6...
I dont understand 12.5 display when it will be same size as a 13.3 due to keyboard unless you just love bezels
You're not wrong, but the explanation is that it's two years old... and 12.5" is actually larger than the previous screen size in that series. So, it was acceptable at the time since it was still an improvement over the previous generation.
You're not wrong, but the explanation is that it's two years old... and 12.5" is actually larger than the previous screen size in that series. So, it was acceptable at the time since it was still an improvement over the previous generation.
The Thinkpad X2 series has always had a 12.5" screen. The recent ones kept the same body size and went to the 13.3" screen. I have an x220 which is almost 9 years old that was daily driven up until recently.
You're not wrong, but the explanation is that it's two years old... and 12.5" is actually larger than the previous screen size in that series. So, it was acceptable at the time since it was still an improvement over the previous generation.
That's incorrect, I currently have the x260 with a 12.5 ips panel, last generation to have upgradable ram and decent skylake processor. I'd opt for a used x260 or x250 performance hasn't changed too much same as IO unless you really need usb-c. Makes a great hackintosh!
It's an ok deal at best considering that you're stuck with 8GB of RAM. During President's Day sale, Lenovo had the 6th Gen Carbon X1 with i5, 8GB RAM, and 256GB for $769 if I remember vividly. The Carbon is literally almost the same size, thinner, albeit with a much larger 14" screen. I have an X240 (also had a 2nd gen Carbon X1 before I sold it) and the 12.5" screen is too small - even for recreational use - I feel like I'm always squinting. 13.3" is like the perfect size IMO - balancing portability and usability. If the X280 had upgradeable RAM, then I'd consider it, because last I checked, a 16GB RAM stick direct from Crucial for a Thinkpad E490s is only $90. A Carbon X1 with 16GB RAM is ridiculously expensive.
This wouldn't have been a good deal 2 months ago, but in the current environment (lots of people buying laptops to work from home, production in China just coming back online) pricing on laptops has gone up quite a bit, and we're not seeing any great deals. Heck laptops are going out of stock even at regular price. If this one fits your need you could do worse, but if you can wait a few months supply will probably come into better balance (maybe WAY better balance) with demand.
The Thinkpad X2 series has always had a 12.5" screen. The recent ones kept the same body size and went to the 13.3" screen. I have an x220 which is almost 9 years old that was daily driven up until recently.
Fair enough. But the main point still stands that it is an old design and that's why the bezels still hadn't been minimized/screen enlarged when this model came out two years ago.
That's incorrect, I currently have the x260 with a 12.5 ips panel, last generation to have upgradable ram and decent skylake processor. I'd opt for a used x260 or x250 performance hasn't changed too much same as IO unless you really need usb-c. Makes a great hackintosh!
I'll vouch for the x260. The x250 is just the x240 with the TrackPoint buttons returned to where they belong. With the x240 Lenovo decided to ditch the buttons for pressure points on the Trackpad which went over like a lead balloon. The x280 is a solid laptop but it is one of the first ThinkPads with Thunderbolt and you have to make sure you install all the firmware updates or you'll have problems if you try to use it. Note there are 2 USB C ports on the x280 but only 1 is Thunderbolt. What makes it even crazier is the Thunderbolt C port doesn't, at first, look like a C port as it is integrated in a proprietary C/Ethernet port Lenovo came up with for their docking stations. If you look in the elongated port you can see the C port inside.
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Soldered RAM, not upgradeable, is my only hesitation.
Thanks OP!
Correct.
The ram is poor and the screen is poor and the battery life is poor and of course the processor is old but I'm in for 2 as gifts.
The Thinkpad 14" machines are marginally bigger than the 12.5" though, and still quite compact. Of course a 15.6" is also marginally larger than 14", and 17.3 marginally larger than 15.6...
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That's incorrect, I currently have the x260 with a 12.5 ips panel, last generation to have upgradable ram and decent skylake processor. I'd opt for a used x260 or x250 performance hasn't changed too much same as IO unless you really need usb-c. Makes a great hackintosh!
Some additional product details on the X280.
If it were closer to 400-500, that would be a different story.