My favourite laptop is 10 years old (ThinkPad X230 review)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2024
- In this video I am taking a look at one of the most popular ThinkPad models of all time, namely - the legendary X230.
=== Table of contents ===
00:00 Intro
00:43 First look
01:42 Ports
03:52 Battery
04:56 Input devices
06:25 Display
08:02 Upgradability
09:48 Specs & performance
11:45 Is it worth it?
===
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Kinda surprised this review there was nothing about the slice battery which basically doubles the battery life while using the docking port. Anyway got an X220T with both the 9 cell and the slice pack, also installed an 1866 kit to help boost the performance a little.
1866 kit? What is that?
@@erwintan4746 DDR3 1866.....
Had this laptop for years. Upgraded the keyboard to backlit, ram to 16gb, new wifi/bt chip supporting 5ghz and bt 4.1 and installed ips lcd. It was a beast
How'd you install an IPS LCD? You ordered from xyte?
@@hucklejoko4838 You can install it the same with the original lcd, Only the 1080p to 4K ips requires soldering skills
Why "had"? What do you run today?
Great video! Thank you for the comprehensive tour of my X230. I added maximum RAM, large SSD boot drive and the docking port with both optical drive and auxiliary 2TB HD spindle drive for downloading SD/XC cards in the field during video shoots. Then, back at the hotel, plugging in the display port to HDMI, I play back the day's video on the hotel's large screen TV for quality checks. Having a second screen for video viewing and using the internal screen for file navigation is a convenient use of this flexible machine. Thanks also, for the explanation of the yellow USB port; I didn't know that it was always powered. Love the build quality of this machine. Please keep up the good work.
Watching this on my X230 😄 Still my only computer after all these years. I've got the backlit keyboard, IPS screen, and I upgraded the RAM to 16GB. I'm running an external monitor through DisplayPort. It's a Dell U2518 which has the same pixel density as the built-in screen 😉
It's amazing how these old machines hold up even after 10 years of use. I also use mine with an external monitor connected to the docking station.
How well does it function after you upgraded it to 16GB RAM? Do you think it would be able to work on Adobe software like Photoshop?
@@K_MZL7 As far as I know, hardware acceleration in Photoshop requires a DX12-compatible GPU, so it would not work on this laptop. Otherwise, it should be fine for basic things.
@@K_MZL7 I run PS CS6 and sometimes work with 18MP jpegs. Haven't had any problems so far.
did 16gb ram make any difference in performance for you? I am tempted to do this on my i5 x230 but I have yet to run into a scenario where I actually need 16gb ram. Might do an x220 keyboard mod as well.
subbed for my favourite the x230, presentation is great and the audio is very clear and nicely bassy, cheers, good luck on your youtube journey!
Thank you!
@@yeoldestuff my pleasure, keep up the good work! 👍
Thank you for the video! I also have a second hand i5 X220. It is upgraded to 16 GB RAM (also second hand) and with an 2.5" 250GB Crucial MX500 SATA SSD (on an offer). So I have given about 150 EUR (in 2017) for the Laptop and about 80 EURO for the upgrade this year. I also like the x220 keyboard more but of course x230 is (a bit) more modern one. The upgrade is super easy. After the upgrade I think it has a lot of life as a Linux home pc. I am pretty happy with it :)
Great video! I can see these laptops still being useful for tasks like programming, web development and-indeed-for its Linux compatibility! Didn't know these support CoreBoot, but that's pretty neat too. Also love its expansion options, a thing that laptops often lack nowadays.
Thank you! Yes, these laptops are fantastic for text-based tasks, especially given their great keyboards.
Overall nicely done. I have a X220, still use it.
My X230 is still in using too. Yes, 10 years.
I enjoy your palpable enthusiasm for the product you share. Personally, I favor the classic-style ThinkPad keyboard, as well as some other features of models older than yours. But, as I say, your fondness is apparent, and is entirely appreciable.
Thank you.
I agree with everything you've said ! I'm very happy with my X220 + docking station 👍
Nice machine, great video! I've a T430 myself, love it.
Watching this from a 7-rows swapped X230T.
Great machines. I went with the tablet one because I like the pen, multitouch and IPS screen.
I loved my x230t. When it died I replaced it with an X230 and took the IPS from the tablet model and put it in the regular. So much better.
Great video man, thanks
I have one of these since 10 years, it is running perfecly whithout any physical maintenance, so nice option😍😍
really like your content and your accent! keep it up!
I am still using an x200s. I love it, it has a hard life and still works faultlessly (with Linux). I also have an i7 x250, with the highest resolution and brightest screen, which is more capable, but not as nice to use.
Amazing. Thank you. I have a X230. It's 10 years old. It's great! I am so happy to hear similar opinions. Can you please show how to access the CPU to apply new thermal paste? 🙂
Looks very nice man, I'm looking to get a better ThinkPad and upgrade it at some point, but for now my e460 works fine. Keep the lovely work sir
My T430 with miles behind it is still working now as a home/lab server 24/7. I still take it with me from time to time. It's a rock. Not a failure or error in all these years. Linux fits like a glove. And yes, I still play sometimes turn on the light.
Is it capable of doing graphics work? Or can it be use for architecture purpose?
I have always enjoyed the build quality of those old laptops and the upgrade ability was amazing
I completely agree with you. I really dislike modern laptops where everything is soldered to the motherboard. I like being able to upgrade my computer further down the road...
Lenovo needs to go back to these, I would rather have a laptop that's a bit bulky if it means the CPU isn't choked.
I have the X220 and its still my daily driver for everyday use and my home theater computer
This is a great review. Would you tell me how do you record your voice? it sounds deep and cool.
Thank you. I use a USB microphone, the model number is Audio-Technica ATR2100x.
still waiting for 51nb to create a 11th gen mobo for x230 just like what they did on x200 to x2100 and it has a modern motherboard with 10th gen intel cpu on it.
If you buy a used one, is there any way to see if it`s eqiupped with the ips display?
Was my "Go To" Jobsite laptop for 10 years as a Site Engineer for 10 years!
5:10 Yup, crazy that is. Like 380XD etc. have by far the superior keyboards. I actually have one old Thinkpad I used as typewriter for school essays back in the days 🙂
Got a used X270 last month as a "new" laptop - so small and light :).
Love my T480!
Does your laptop feature hardware accelerated h264 decode? There's a browser plugin for Chrome and Firefox that reject VP9 and AV1 called h265ify
I currently have the X220T, but I'm considering swapping it for the X230..
If i do, the first job will be to replace the awful keyboard. Lol
Kudos on the Jethro Tull reference, btw. 😁👍
I have been given one of them, it has a broken screen and I am waiting now for my sister in USA to send me a a screen. I have had Think pads before and of all the laptops I have used only 2 types shine above all the others one is the Thinkpads and the other is some of the Dell laptops(got 2 loved ones). I cant wait to get that x230 up and running. I will install Linux Mint on it. The size and the strength of it will serve me well during the Zombie Apacalypse lol :)
Two thumbs up from a hardcore ThinkPad fan. Plunked down EUR300 to pump up this X230 to the max - you must really love that machine. I used to have one before X230, an X201i bought in year 2011 and that is a real warrior. The helideck crew (yes, I work offshore in oil rigs) dropped my bag halfway down the staircase - no problem! Survived....
Thank you! Yes, these old ThinkPads are amazing in terms of durability.
IBM X230 was my GO TO for 10 years of Site Engineering Rep all over New York City..still have 2 sitting in my closet as I have to maintan records for 7 years. Never bought new, used off eBay but it ALWAYS had my back and because it was light, portable and STRONG!!!!
I have one. It has got a bit slow for Windows 11, but I corebooted it and works perfectly with 8GB with MX Linux. I am planning to upgrade its wifi card to include also bluetooth. Also I am going to add a mSATA card to run OpenBSD on it.
Really, really fun laptop, confortable to use. The only thing I find useless in it is the Express Card bay.
I had an early X200 and used a bluetooth mouse/keypad, the most comfortable laptop i've ever had 🥰
It came with a early Intel SSD, when they where made as SLC (Single Layer Cell) in Micro SATA 1.8", not to be confused with mSATA pci slot or M.2. I STILL use the drive for my PFsense firewall, in the last 10 years it hasn't failed me yet 😁SLC SSD have a far longer data retention life than MLC/TLC and the worst QLC that i still see data rot if left unpowered for just half a year. SSD's have to scrub data for both performance(TRIM) and refreshing/catching dead cells, and to do that they have to be powered on at idle.
aw what happened to it? x200 is legendary man
@@escapetherace1943 my car got broken into, stole my laptop bag with it in it. Womp Womp
@@MrHeHim same but I'm poor so they just took my registration and my gloves. Hate thieves.
I just bought one with i7, 8GB, 256 SSD. I have several Thinkpads: X1C2018, T480,T450S, X201, X250, want to try this legend, plan to mode it with ips screen and x220 keyboard.
You should expand on the 'it depends' if you should buy a used x230 or not? I faced the same choices a few years ago: do I get an old thinkpad or a new netbook? Office performance and features wise favours the thinkpad a little. The biggest difference is that the thinkpad is more upgradable(replaceable parts) whilst the netbook has significantly better mobility. In the end I chose the netbook as the difference in price was small, and I would rather have the big advantage in mobility. Due to it's simplicity, my netbook(Acer aspire 1) is actually quite robust due to it's low power consumption. Once you are able to upgrade to 8GB RAM and a sata SSD, the netbook is specced well enough for office tasks.
I would say applying grease to the CPU is crucial. My X230 was experiencing frequent thermal throttling, leading to blackouts. However, after reapplying the grease, the issue was completely resolved. It might have been beneficial to mention maintenance, including the internal battery.
Видео топ! Акцент у вас очень милый) У меня тоже x230 но версия tablet, уже 10 лет со мной, купил ему большую батарею, и заменил 3g модем, на ssd m-sata, так как 3g у нас почти не работает уже. Наверно лучший из всех компактных нотбуков
I have a refurbished think pad x131e with windows 10 and 128gb SSD, I only paid $99 Australian dollars for it on ebay, I also got a think pad edge 11 but that one has a HDD
This vs hp pav dm4, which would be better?
ihave the t 460. it works great and has removable batteries. i picked upthe dockfor it too.
Grazie. Il più bello video sul x230 che ho visto su TH-cam. complimenti molto obiettivo e neutrale
Grazie!
The X220 models with i7 CPU also have USB 3. The i5 versions do not. 3:35. Anyways, great review.
I just bought a 230x for 85 € i5 whit 8 gb ram ordered 16 gb ram now I just need to find a batteri. I run OpenBSD on it and it runs great i absolutely love it!😊
Thinkpad are, in my opinion, what computers should be : durable & upgradable.
Having a X240 - T430, my sons having a T460 and a T590, these machines are great : double batteries is another reason for their greatness. Found both of the X240 and T430 for €150 each of one (both with SSD, the T430 with a 1Tb one inside !!), adding or changing a bit of memory to upgrade at least to 8 (12gb for the T430). With Linux in it, these are fabulous machine.
Unfortunately, newer ThinkPads are not nearly as good, which is a shame.
Hello! Im planning to buy that unit (I believe the unit is second-hand lol). Is the laptop still good to use nowadays? I need some insights because this is my first time buying a laptop and its currently on sale. Thank you.
Still good for basic tasks (such as word processing), but I would recommend something newer for day-to-day use, e.g. ThinkPad T480
Seems that your left hinge moves to hard, because screw and plastic are "collapsed" i had similar issue in new-buyed (refusbished) x230. Oiled , released spring and set proper screw/spring strenght in hinge.
I had also problem with random shuttdown, in idle, when cpu was cold ect. Problem was propably poor thermopad contact in N.B. I replaced to new chinese 21W/mK 0,5mm thermal pad, and new CPU thermal paste . Interesting stuf is that , that propably my CPU has now too much paste and run warmer. But now it works stable without problems... So i will replace paste once again , but will not change thermopad.
Thick = Strong!
I just buy x230 few days ago, it's configure i5-3320m, 8GB ddr3 1600MHZ, 128GB msata, IPS display, just cost $300 RMB( about $42 US Dollar), I install Windows 10 lstc 2019, Firefox v115 internet is ok, youtube is good, play local 4K video ok using mpc-hc, ultra-lowest effect Genshin Impact have 24 FPS using old GPU driver. It's work fine in 2024 of today, I'm very satisfied.
In my Family there are several Thinkpads (X2xx and T4xx) mainly x30 series some x20 and x00. If you want to use a dock keep in mind that the docks for the T/W Series also work for the X series (just no bay for DVDS drive but USB3-support). yes despite the fact of better efficiency of "modern" laptops there is NO NEED to choose a more modern laptop.
8-16 GB, SSD and you are good to go. Spareparts, repair guide everything at your fingertips. My company Dell Notebook was NOT faster than my T430 (both 4C/8T) The SSD had a quarter of capacity (and slightly faster in synthetic benchmarks due to NVME), and yes it was more power efficient. but i costs triple to quadruple of mine (included ALL upgrades made like CPU, RAM, Display, SSD, Keyboard, chargers, batteries)
What generation is Lenovo x230
I love this laptop ❤️
my dream laptop
Overall awesome laptop but for me the 3 big downsides are the terrible screen and the keyboard (because it gets dirty really easily) and that it's so hard to replace thermal paste.
Also my model has no bluetooth for some reason
awesome. I replaced my dead x230 tablet with an x230 and ripped the ips screen from the old one and put it into the new one. Its awesome! Yeah it runs hot (i5 model) and the battery life isn't great but its good enough. I never need more than a couple hours of battery life anyway. I have an ssd, new 9 cell battery, 16gb ram, ips display, and its running Linux. I intend to get a palm rest with fingerprint reader and backlit keyboard at some point. Id rather "upgrade" an old thinkpad than buy a new one.
It will be good to put new thermal paste, Im also using TP Fan control, and Throttle Stop to disable turbo and set max multiplier to 29 (max). Fan 1 speed at around 50C in idle/internet mode.
Yes, ThinkPad is the best notebook model. From the 570 to X230, I never regret of its price tag. Still has a Thinkpad P51S as my spare. No other brand can give me the wonderful feeling on blind typing.
Wow. I'm wondering to using that's but with modern hardware. Like ryzen 5 or high CPU ))
I was able to get one without any wear, had docking station and chargers on ebay for only £40. I sure got lucky.
Lucky you! Enjoy your ThinkPad :)
i have the same lenovo thinkpad x230 with max out specs and its beast
i paid 1200 mxn for the base laptop (ips version) i5 3320m 4gb 128gb and for the upgrade i buy a 16gb 512gb ssd for only 1000mxn
That laptop still looks clean. Mine was suppose to be my carry laptop for typing on the go but unfortunately, I dropped it and cracked the screen. I still use it with the lid closed and two monitors on portrait connected. It has an i5, 8Gb RAM and 500Gb SSD. I use it to read web comics, and documents like Word, PDFs, ePubs, Google Docs, etc. I recently installed Linux on an old dual core PC with only 4Gb RAM and I couldn't believe how fast it is compared to Windows. Web browsing is quick. I want to install Linux on it but I'm a little scared that it won't be able to run the two monitors.
P.S. I can actually try booting it on a USB drive and try connecting the two monitors while the lid is closed.
Hi, thanks for the comment. You can definitely use two monitors on Linux - my main laptop runs Linux and I often use it with three screens (one built-in and two external).
@@yeoldestuff Thanks for the reply. I just scored an i5-4570S CPU, 8Gb RAM with 128Gb SSD for A$30 (Around $19) so I'm using that to run my two monitors for the time being. I'll just put in a HDD from another PC to install Linux for dual boot. I'll have to put the Lenovo laptop as I don't have a spare monitor. I have another laptop that I use for work where I replaced the HDD to SSD. I'm getting a CD caddy and use the old HDD to install Linux. Fun times
preferring chiclet keys to the older keypad is a really bad opinion, but I like the video. Haha.
Hi please he power start with no battery ?
Thank you
hi, yes, you can turn it on without the battery
@Mr Guru I agree wholeheartedly
Guys it really works, I checked
the only thing i don't like about it is the screen . you can't install a 1600x900 or higher ...
"Today, there are no thin and light ThinkPads that have user upgradable RAM"
Now, that is not really true, or it least it depends on the definition of thin and light. The ThinkPad T14 still has user upgradable RAM and by some measures, it is more portable than the X230. It is certainly thinner and lighter, despite the bigger screen.
Well, I said it myself in the video: today the X230 is not really thin and light, but it definitely was in 2012. Today its equivalent (in terms of target audience and market segment) would be the X13.
@@yeoldestuff Yes, the X13 is technically the successor. However, I disagree for target audience and market segment. Back in 2011 when the X220 entered the market, this was before the dawn of the ultrabook. At the time, the X220 was the only option if you wanted a ThinkPad that really offered mobility. The T420(s) were big, thick and as heavy as today 16 inch models. The reason why the X220/X230 was popular was not the small screen, it was the fact that it was pretty low weight compared to all other options.
What has happend with the ultrabook revolution is that small, thick laptops with small screens were replaced by bigger, thinner laptops with big screens. People who bought a X220/X230 back in the day would end up with a T14 now, the target audience has shifted to bigger screens. The X13 in comparison is a niche option. It is only the successor in terms of lineage, but not in terms of target audience and market segment.
I think the biggest lesson of the last 10 years of laptop development is that people prefer bigger screens. It is why 12 inch basically died, 13 inch is now becoming a niche, being replaced by 14 inch, and we moved from 15 inch to 16 inch.
@@ithinkabout4369 maybe I'm in the minority, but I definitely don't want to carry around a paddleboard no matter how thin and light it is. I often feel that the T480s is a touch too large for me, I'd prefer a 12 or 13-inch model. Unfortunately, the T480s was the smallest mainstream ThinkPad with a full complement of ports, and the last 14-inch ThinkPad with both the Ethernet port and the full-size SD card slot.
@@yeoldestuff Yeah, I think you are probably the minority on this. At least as far as more Western markets go, I hear 13 inch laptops are more popular in Asia. Even there though, I think generally, if people buy a small laptop for the mobility, they probably don't need things like SD card readers and Ethernet nowadays. WiFi is ubiquitous and Ethernet only needed in a few scenarios, and SD card readers are much less important for most users since Smartphones have replaced dedicated cameras, so SD card is generally a feature reserved for large creator-type machines.
Here at 1,400 views. :]
Thank you for support Ukraine
I have 2 of this laptop and the problem is the plastic on the hand palm.
What exactly is the problem? In any case, new palm rests are available very cheaply on eBay/AliExpress etc.
@@yeoldestuff it breaks very easily on the edge
I use pci-e card USB 3.0 to fill hole, but problem with breaking edges are propably caused by plastic pins/nails from screen . I used rubber or sand paper to get smooth surface (not nailing points damaging plastic's ) to prevent this phenomena.
First of all, you say chicken keyboard! And I don't know what each Lenovo keyboard would be called and I would like to know if there is a related article.
2- You say that the t430 is the older brother of the x230. I'm quite frustrated because I have an x220 but I've never known what line/series it comes next or what its Lenovo flagship is. Something similar to what Samsung does, it is easy to know which device is its high-end or the one that follows or its previous one.
If you know how to know which is Lenovo 1, Lenovo 2 etc. You tell me!. Since I bought the t480 and I don't know which one I beat.
3- I don't understand that hardware decoding on TH-cam, so is it decoded by graphic video or what?
1) Chiclet keyboard. This means that there is some space between the keys.
2) Basically, in Lenovo's world, X series are ultraportable, X1 series are their top models, T series are business mainstream, L series are business affordable and E series are low cost machines. T430 is the same generation as X230 but it has a larger screen (14 inches).
3) Yes, decoded by the GPU. This is much quicker and uses less energy than CPU decoding.
Does it work with an external monitor/TV???
I installed W10 on X220 but dos not recognize the external monito/TV (The plan was to use it as a multimedia station based on small dimension and dock station) Microsoft drived me around with edge making me loosing time and getting crazy. No one word on compatibility ... that is the issue: in a group I discovered that W10 video drivers aren't compatible with X220 and suggest to install (not MS !!!) Lenovo W7 driver. Done, and at 3/4 of process the external video appeared but... the process to end requires reboot. Done, it doesn't work any more. I must reinstall W7 driver without reboot every time a start the machine. MS is pure shit!!!
By the way... with Linux MX it works flawlessly!
Yes, it does support external monitors in Windows 10, because Ivy Bridge is fully supported in W10 (unlike Sandy Bridge)
The ethernet is at the front because there's not enough thickness for ethernet and keyboard to overlap
I have an x260 :c
i like your accent
Этот акцент "лайк шунгар он май иарс"
9:36 framework laptop though
Oh yes, I completely forgot about it. Thanks for correcting me!
Говоришь неплохо, но акцент даёт о себе знать
x200 is best
better aspect ratio 16:10
better keyboard
the only problem with the old machines is their battery 😢 all the third party batteries out there are somehow crappy ass chinese made...
I heard that 2-Power batteries are quite good
You can refurbish your original battery with high quality battery cells maybe asking for specific high-quality one
Isn't is sad that Lenovo has built nothing but utter CRAP for the past 10 years? :( When the T440 came out... and they basically bastardized the once great thinkpad flagship into a generic and I/O reduced consumer laptop, with non-socketed CPUs... and abysmal chiclet keyboard, they really cemented their "We won't give a f*ck" attitude towards the ThinkPad customer base. And it keeps going on. There's absolutely no current-year Lenovo hardware that makes me wanna rush out to buy it. Their Legacy Hardware from 2012/2013 is basically where my love and support for their hardware ends.
While I agree with some of your comments, non-socketed CPUs are not Lenovo's fault. Neither Intel nor AMD even make socketed mobile chips anymore.
Ёмаё русская раскладка
Bottom left key i fn, not ctrl. Instant trash.
Just switch them around in the BIOS.
If it has not dedicated GPU , it is really a waste of money ...
There are many, many tasks that don't require a discrete GPU. In fact, I would argue that for an ultraportable laptop a dedicated GPU is a downside because of issues with reliability, heat and battery drain.
It's good......but the X220 is better. And it has the greatest keyboard ever made - not one of those crap chiclet keyboards.
I made keyboard mod swap.