On 30/04/17 21:58, Daniel Pocock wrote: > > On 30/04/17 20:59, Steven R. Baker wrote: >> >> On 30/04/17 20:05, Daniel Pocock wrote: >>> On 30/04/17 17:00, Steven R. Baker wrote: >>>> I've spent a lot of time thinking about this lately. My next machine >>>> will be a Purism Librem, I think. But I've been a life-long fan of >>>> ThinkPads. I currently have a W550s, an X250, and an X1 Carbon. Cannot >>>> recommend enough. >>>> >>> I've also been on ThinkPad for more than 10 years. I'm comfortable with >>> servicing them and I'm happy with their TrackPoint. >>> >>> As long as other options such as the Purism are not 100% free, I would >>> not favor them completely over another ThinkPad. >>> >>> Even if some of the vPro stuff is hard to avoid, can ThinkPad be ordered >>> without vPro or can it be sufficiently disabled? >> I don't know about this. >> >>>>> The main reasons for replacing the X220 tablet: >>>>> >>>>> 1. weight - I'd like to get something under 1.5kg, the lower the better >>>>> and there are plenty of models between 1.0 and 1.2kg these days. >>>>> >>>>> 2. screen resolution - the 768 pixel screen height is troublesome for >>>>> some applications >>>> X270 will solve this nicely. So will the X1 Carbon. I have two machines >>>> with "HiDPI" (the W and the X1 Carbon) and it's very well supported by >>>> both GNOME and KDE. >>>> >>> What were the factors for you in choosing between X1 Carbon 2017 and the >>> X270? I noticed you preferred X270. >>> >>> The older X1 Carbons were a bit bigger but now they have made it smaller >>> by reducing the edge around the screen it is very tempting for me. >> First, the subjective: the X1 Carbon doesn't feel like a real ThinkPad. >> If you were comparing it to an Apple laptop or something, it compares >> favourably. It's beautiful, strong, comfortable, etc. It really is a >> lovely machine. But I prefer the more traditional ThinkPads. I'm sure >> I'm just old and cranky. >> > In all fairness, I think that is why they have kept the X2x0 series > going in parallel with the X1, they know it is a bit different and they > are giving people the choice. > > The fact it has a TrackPoint still makes it partially a ThinkPad though. > > >> Objectively: the removable second battery is a big winner for me, and >> the smaller footprint of the X270 means it fits better in my favourite >> bag. It's also more comfortable on the tiny tables on our local trains >> (I'm in Skåne, in southern Sweden) and on airplanes. Finally, I like the >> ultradock better than the "USB hub that's called a dock". I'm not sure >> if that's subjective, or objective: but iit does mean that the >> additional screen size doesn't matter to me. I have a 40" 4K display at >> home, and at work a 32" WQHD display and I use it "like a desktop" in >> both places. >> > The 2017 model X1 Carbon is apparently 8% smaller than the previous X1 > model, so a lot closer in size to the X270. Have you had a chance to > see one and compare it?
Ah, interesting. That certainly makes the X1 more compelling. I have only played with a Yoga, but didn't compare it, I was busy drawing with the stylus. > The marketing says they have kept the same 14" screen but reduced the > border around the screen. > > Looking at the spec sheet, it appears to be 1cm wider than my X220 > Tablet but about the same height. This is promising. >> I will reiterate about trains + planes: the 12.5" screen really shines >> here, because it's shorter than the 14" on the X1 Carbon. I can open the >> X250 comfortably, without touching the reclined seat in front of me on a >> plane. And it fits at all on the tiny tray on the local trains. The X1 >> Carbon often can't open to 90°, let alone past it, on planes, and it >> doesn't really fit on the tiny tray on the local trains. >> > Being able to fit into these spaces is an issue for me too. > >>> One particular concern I have is that there is nothing with quad core in >>> the ultraportable market but I guess I just have to live with that if I >>> want long battery life. Compiling projects like reSIProcate benefits >>> from extra cores. >> At my day job I work on a graph database, which is about a million lines >> of code in Java and Scala. That's why I opted for the W550s with 32G (I >> have the loadedest model with every option; it wasn't my bank account). >> But when I was using the X250 with only 8G of RAM before I got the W, it >> was a mild annoyance. Incremental compilation and the ability to spin up >> an AWS instance (on my employers' dime, of course) to do the build for >> me really helped. >> >> When I use the X250 for work related things, and I have to wait for a >> compile I grab a coffee and don't even think about how much faster the W >> is. When I use the W550s and pick it up to put it in my bag, my back >> aches and I wish I had just got an X260 or whatever was current when I >> ordered the W. (Or just upped the RAM in the 250, but my employer bought >> it, and the budget was unlimited.) >> >> If you're going to battery and portability, you have to sacrifice the >> speed, which you know. But my experience is that computers are "fast >> enough" now adays that going nuts really doesn't matter. Also, since >> you're moving from an X220, you won't know what you're missing anyhow. >> It'll be a welcome improvement. (Or not. I really don't notice speed >> differences anymore.) >> > I can also compile on remote servers so I can manage without the extra > cores, as much as I would like to have them. On my desk I typically > have 24 cores. > > Having something ultraportable for use on trains, planes and at > conferences is essential for me. Even with the X220 Tablet, I don't > always take it out with me because of the weight. The lighter my next > laptop, the more frequently I will take it with me. I brought the W550s with me to FOSDEM. I think I brought it one day and regretted it. -Steven > Regards, > > Daniel > _______________________________________________ > Discussion mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion _______________________________________________ Discussion mailing list [email protected] https://lists.fsfe.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion
