Send a Tip
RSS Feed
Follow us on Twitter
Beginning today, you can purchase Lenovo’s ThinkPad X201i, where the ‘i’ denotes the less costly Core i3 processor option.
With two identical configurations, the X201i with Core i3-370M (2.4GHz) is $200 cheaper than the X201 with Core i5-520M (2.4-2.93GHz). While the Core i3 chips do lack the Turbo Boost feature that increases individual core speeds as possible, they are still based on the same processor architecture and are quite fast. That makes the ‘i’ model ThinkPads quite the bargain, as the only thing you’re losing out on is a relatively tiny bit of speed.
This is an especially good deal right now with the 15% off ThinkPad X201 coupon that is running through August 4th. With the coupon, you can get a Core i3 X201i starting at $849 or a Core i5 version for $934.
Click here to configure your X201 and apply coupon code: USPTHINKBTS
The rule of thumb when building out a computer is to include everything else you need, particularly generous amounts of RAM, and then spend the rest of your budget on CPU. Since most modern CPU’s have the same features and capabilities, it is just a matter of how long it takes different chips to complete the same operation. How much is your time worth? 
We knew back in February that Lenovo was going to use the ‘i’ moniker to reference systems that specifically used the lower cost Core i3 CPU. To date, you can purchase only the T410i with Core i3, though a T410si and T510i are expected at some point as well.
Source: [Lenovo]
Loading ...
Max out the RAM? Nice way for you guys to make more money from referrals. You get the best CPU you can afford as you cannot upgrade it. RAM can be upgraded for much less from third party vendors.
If you are running a fansite at least try and help your readers rather than shaft them. Hopefully you will bother to read this before you hit delete.
Paul – nowhere do I say to max out the RAM. My little pontification was meant to stress that the CPU is generally the less important choice for most users when building a computer, that most would benefit more from greater RAM than a greater CPU.
I also never said you had to buy the RAM from Lenovo. I said that one should allocate funds in their computer budget towards other components, like RAM, then spend the balance on the CPU.
I apologize if the entirely unintentional subliminal suggestion offended you.
For most people’s needs, browsing, Word, … probably i3 will be good enough. I don’t see the $200 price difference mentioned in the prices in the article.
“With the coupon, you can get a Core i3 X201i starting at $849 or a Core i5 version for $934.”
For this little bit of difference might as well go with the i5. As for RAM, get the 2 GB single SODIMM and then buy an additional 2 GB SODIMM on Newegg, unless there isn’t much markeup on the Lenovo site. Might as well order 64-bit Windows 7 as mentioned in previous blog posting that nearly half of Windows 7 is 64-bit and lets you use 4 GB and not 3 GB of RAM.
No trackpad with the i-Version?
It’s there for me. $20 option