Still the ThinkPad X220 is not perfect. The hand-rest regions above the ExpressCard slot can be bent inwards slightly under medium pressure. The ThinkVantage bar is a bit wobbly and the bottom display border is (put in a nice way) quite 'flexible'. These are minor critiques but they can prove to be annoying on a long-term basis. By far the coolest feature of the ThinkPad X220 is the mSATA/WWAN slot located underneath the keyboard. Our review unit came equipped with the 80GB Intel SSD 310 working as the boot drive, keeping the 2.5-inch storage bay open for additional storage or scratch space. Learn how to install a mSATA SSD drive in a laptop. Kevin MacLeod, incompetech.com.

ThinkPad X220 Resources

The Lenovo ThinkPad X220 is an ultraportable notebook computer built on the Intel Sandy Bridge platform. Configured with a Core i3, i5 or i7 processor, 12.5-inch WXGA (1366×768) IPS or TN LED backlit display, optional integrated camera and multiple wireless options, the ThinkPad X220 provides an excellent balance of mobility, performance and connectivity.

The resources assembled here are intended to help owners get the most out of their ThinkPad X220. Please use our contact form to suggest any additions or changes.

MACOS INSTALLATION

Installation guide for macOS High Sierra 10.13 on the ThinkPad X220 is available here

IPS DISPLAY PANELS

Non-tablet models of the X220 and X230 shipped with either a standard 12.5-inch “TN” TFT display or a 12.5-inch extra bright wide-viewing “IPS” TFT display. Both varieties have a native resolution of 1366 x 768.

The IPS display is generally considered the far superior option providing a brighter image, higher contrast and much better viewing angles than the TN display. Video demonstration

Five versions of the 1366 x 768 IPS display panel are available:

1. LP125WH2(SL)(B1) – the B1 IPS panels sometimes have issues with image retention or “ghosting” after a static image has been on the display. Some users have also reported a backlight bleeding issue with these panels.
   Manufacturer part number: 0A66673
   FRU: 04W3462, 93P5674, 93P5675
2. LP125WH2(SL)(B2) – the B2 IPS panels are less likely to have issues with ghosting or backlight bleeding however they do not have the mounting rails on the sides needed to install properly in an X220.
3. LP125WH2(SL)(B3) – the B3 IPS panels are less likely to have issues with ghosting or backlight bleeding and include the necessary side mounting rails for installation in the X220. (Recommended)
   Manufacturer part number: 0A66702
   FRU: 04W3919
4. LP125WH2(SL)(T1) – the T1 IPS panels were not originally installed in the ThinkPad X220 but are completely compatible and include the necessary side mounting rails. (Recommended)
   Manufacturer part number: 0A66690
   FRU: NA
   Note: LP125WH2(SL)(T1) panels can be found in the screen assemblies of the ThinkPad Twist S230u. The process to remove the panel from the screen assembly is explained here.
5. LP125WH2(SL)(T2) – the T2 IPS panels do not have mounting rails that align properly with the X220.

Note: When purchasing a LCD panel we recommend contacting the seller first to verify the part number of the unit they will be sending. Many merchants will advertise a particular part number but send a “compatible part” instead.

A method to repair a common malfunction with IPS panels is described here.

source 1 source 2 source 3

FHD (1920 x 1080) DISPLAY MODIFICATION

FHD (1920 x 1080) panel installation kit is available here

RAM SUPPORT

• The ThinkPad X220 supports up to 16GB of 204-pin DDR3 1866MHz PC3-14900 non-ECC RAM
• Install two modules of any capacity to enable Dual Channel memory support
• See discussion below regarding different BIOS versions and RAM speed
• Recommended RAM: Crucial DDR3 1866MHz PC3-14900 – available in 8GB and 16GB kits
  source 1 source 2

BIOS / FIRMWARE

• OFFICIAL LENOVO BIOS
  • The latest official BIOS (version 1.46) as well as previous versions can be downloaded from Lenovo here
  • Note that updating the BIOS beyond version 1.40 will prevent rolling back to an earlier version when using an official Lenovo installer.
  • If you encounter trouble installing the official BIOS through Windows, a method to install this from a bootable USB is explained here
• WHITELIST REMOVED + ADVANCED MENU BIOS
  • BIOS versions 1.29 and above limit RAM speed to 1333MHz.
  • BIOS versions up to 1.28 allowed RAM speeds up to 1866MHz (PC3 14900) providing marginal improvements in performance.
  • A modified version of BIOS 1.46 that unlocks these faster RAM speeds, removes the whitelist check and provides the ability to adjust numerous other advanced settings is available for download here.
    • MD5: 4a769c4f17e8aa0dc0e6927ebe75635d
    • If you are not using Windows, or if you encounter a blue screen error when running the installer, you can install this modified BIOS from a bootable USB drive by following the instructions here
    • It is not uncommon for the flash verification process to fail and the process to restart – just let it run until the reflashing process is complete.
    • A discussion thread related to this modified version of BIOS 1.46 is here
    • A video demonstrating the installation of the modified BIOS is here
    • Please note the warning on the Advanced menu in the BIOS: Setting items on this screen to incorrect values may cause the system to malfunction! The default values will work fine but the wrong settings can prevent your X220 from booting.
• INTEL MANAGEMENT ENGINE FIRMWARE 7.1
  • On May 24, 2017, Lenovo released a firmware update for the X220 to address an escalation of privilege vulnerability in Intel Active Management Technology (AMT), Intel Standard Manageability (ISM), and Intel Small Business Technology
  • The firmware update can be downloaded from Lenovo here
  • Additional information about the security issues this update addresses is available here

WINDOWS 10 INSTALLATION

• Windows 10 runs well on the ThinkPad X220.
• A clean installation of Windows 10 rather than an upgrade from Windows 7 or 8 is recommended.
• If upgrading from Windows 7 or 8, uninstall any Lenovo drivers and software (preferably before upgrading) to avoid numerous incompatibility issues.
• Install and run ThinkVantage System Update to search for the latest Lenovo drivers and utilities
• For full function key support and On Screen Display, install the Lenovo Hotkey Features Integration package available here
• For Sierra Wireless MC8355 WWAN, install the drivers available here and see the instructions in the post here about using the following commands:

• It may also be necessary to manually install the Intel Management Engine Interface 7.1 / Serial Over LAN (SOL) driver here and the Ricoh Media Card Reader driver here.
• To improve Touchpad performance:
  1. Open Control Panel > Mouse > ThinkPad tab > Settings… > Synaptics Control Panel > Advanced > Smart Check
  2. Uncheck Edge Tap Filtering and Gesture Filtering
  3. Adjust other Synaptics settings as desired
• To enable right click with two finger tap:
  1. Open Registry Editor (Windows + R, type regedit then hit Enter)
  2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWARESynapticsSynTPTouchPadPS2
  3. Change the value of 2FingerTapAction to 2
  4. Restart computer to make changes active
     source
• For custom monitor INF (information file for the maximum resolution and monitor naming) and Windows ICM (Image Color Management file for ICC Color Profile) install the package available here.

The following adjustments can help resolve specific issues with Windows 10:

1. Function brightness keys do not work
   • Follow the steps here to resolve this issue
2. CPU usage too high / idle temperatures high
   • Go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions > Disable “Show me tips about Windows”
   • CPU usage should now return to normal and idle temperatures will decrease
     source
3. Touchpad not working / pointer not showing
   • Uninstall the Lenovo Synaptics ThinkPad UltraNav Driver
   • Go to Device Manager > Mice and other Pointing Devices > Synaptics Pointing Device > Driver and click the Update Driver… button to install updated drivers directly from Microsoft

WINDOWS 7 PROFESSIONAL RECOVERY DVD SET

• Images of the three DVD set to recover Windows 7 Professional to your ThinkPad X220 can be downloaded here (alternate source here)
• The installation process will also create a fully-functional recovery partition that can be booted by pressing F11 at startup
• Instructions for use of these images are in the included Read Me file

BATTERY ISSUES

• Check here to see if your battery is subject to the Lenovo battery recall
• Reset the battery gauge by launching Power Manager (click the battery icon), select Advanced > Battery > Battery maintenance > Perform Reset
  • To perform the reset if Power Manager is not installed: fully charge the battery, unplug the AC adapter and let the battery completely discharge, then fully recharge the battery
• Batteries available for the ThinkPad X220:
  • ThinkPad Battery 44 (4 cell)
    44Watts/Hr
    Part number 0A36305
  • ThinkPad Battery 44+ (6 cell)
    63Watts/Hr
    Part number 0A36306
  • ThinkPad Battery 44++ (9 cell)
    94Watts/Hr
    Part number 0A36307
  • ThinkPad Battery 19+ (6 cell Slice)
    64Watts/Hr
    Part number 0A36280

CPU SPEED THROTTLING

• The maximum CPU clock speed may be limited when the system is operated on the 65W AC adapter and no battery is installed
• To prevent automatic CPU throttling, leave the battery in place while running on AC power or use a 90W AC adapter
  source

STORAGE

• The primary drive bay accommodates 2.5-inch, 7mm drives and supports SATA III (6Gb/s) speeds
  Recommended SSD: Samsung 860 EVO 250GB
• An mSATA SSD can be installed in the second MiniPCI Express slot that provides a SATA II (3Gb/s) interface
  Recommended mSATA SSD: Samsung 860 EVO 250GB mSATA

WIRELESS NETWORKING

• The ThinkPad X220 was originally configured with one of the following WLAN adapters:
  • ThinkPad b/g/n Wireless (1×1 BGN) – FRU 60Y3247 or 60Y3249
  • Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 (1×2 BGN) – FRU 60Y3241
  • Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2×2 AGN) – FRU 60Y3253
  • Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3×3 AGN) – FRU 60Y3233
  • Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 (2×2 AGN) – FRU 60Y3195 or 60Y3209
• The Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 Plus Bluetooth 4.0 can be installed to enable 802.11 AC speeds up to 867 Mbps as well as Bluetooth 4.0
  • It will be necessary to install the whitelist-removed BIOS to install this card in the X220
  • It will be necessary to cut or tape over pin 51 on this card to allow Bluetooth to operate correctly
    • A photograph showing pin 51 on the Intel 7260 is here
  • Discussion of the Intel 7260 in the X220 is here
  • To enable aptX audio over Bluetooth see the instructions here
  • A video demonstrating the installation of the Intel 7260 in the X220 is here
• The Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 with Bluetooth 4.2 is also available with a Mini PCI Express interface here
  • It will be necessary to install the whitelist-removed BIOS to install this card in the X220
  • It will be necessary to cut or tape over pin 51 on this card to allow Bluetooth to operate correctly
• The SparkLAN WPEQ-261ACNI(BT) is an 802.11 AC card with Bluetooth 4.2 with a Qualcomm Atheros chipset available here
  • It will be necessary to install the whitelist-removed BIOS to install this card in the X220
  • It will be necessary to cut or tape over pin 51 on this card to allow Bluetooth to operate correctly

BLUETOOTH

• The ThinkPad X220 includes Bluetooth 3.0 (FRU 60Y3271 or 60Y3275)
• Bluetooth can be upgraded to Bluetooth 4.0 by simply swapping out the daughter card located under the palm rest
• It is not necessary to install the whitelist-removed BIOS to install a different Bluetooth daughter card – there is no whitelist check on this socket
• Lenovo Bluetooth 4.0 daughter cards:
  • FRU 60Y3303 (Foxconn)
  • FRU 60Y3305 (Liteon)

TOUCHPAD

• A firmware update for the X220 touchpad is available here that addresses erratic touchpad performance when the system is connected to an AC adapter.
• Alternate download source here
  CAUTION: This firmware update may result in poor touchpad performance under macOS. There is currently no known way to roll back this update.

OTHER MODIFICATIONS

• IPS LCD panel repair – A method to repair a common problem with IPS LCD panels is described here
• Fan speeds can be controlled with TPFanControl in Windows and with thinkfan in Linux
• Internal USB port – add an internal USB port using the Bluetooth daughtercard connection
• Re-paste CPU – if operating temperatures are too high, try removing the keyboard and cleaning the fan. If that isn’t enough, replacing the thermal paste on the CPU can bring temperatures down.
• Speaker upgrade – swap stock speakers with those from the Nexus 6P for improved audio quality
• Prevent or repair lid separation – a spot of J-B Weld will fix the common problem shown here
• Enable scaled resolutions – add additional scaled resolutions in Linux on the stock 1366×768 panel
• DisplayProfile – easily apply alternative ICC profiles for better LCD color management
• OEM Brander – add a custom logo and information to the Windows Systems Properties screen

DRIVERS

• Ricoh Media Card Reader driver for Windows 7 – install this patched driver if your card reader does not recognize inserted media. It may also be necessary to manually assign a drive letter to the SD card in Disk Management.

SUPPORT and DOCUMENTATION

LENOVO PARTS LOOKUP

LENOVO WARRANTY STATUS LOOKUP

REVIEWS

• TechRadar – March 23, 2012
• StorageReview – November 21, 2011
• NotebookCheck – June 23, 2011
• Engadget – March 18, 2011
• CNET.com – March 14, 2011
• Notebook Review – March 8, 2011
• PC Magazine – March 8, 2011
• Laptop Magazine – March 8, 2011

DISCUSSION FORUMS / OTHER SITES

DESKTOP WALLPAPER COLLECTION

• 26 ThinkPad wallpapers in 1366×768 resolution are available here
• Download the entire collection here
• ThinkPad X220 “exploded” wallpaper in 1920×1080 resolution is here

Lenovo has updated the ThinkPad X Series of notebooks and convertible tablets to include the new Lenovo X220 and Lenovo X220t. The Lenovo ThinkPad X220 is an ultraportable notebook that weighs in at less than 3 pounds and has a claimed battery life of up to 23 hours with the optional slice battery. The 12.5″ notebook is powered by the latest Intel 2nd Generation Core i Family of processors including Core i5 and Core i7 options, and includes a number of improvements to the overall ThinkPad X Series experience.

Check out our Full ThinkPad X220 Review – Editor’s Choice Award.

ThinkPad X220 Quick Specs:

The Lenovo ThinkPad X220 notebook has a 12.5″ anti-glare display with a 1366×768 resolution and is available with the new Sandy Bridge processor options including Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 2nd Gen Intel Core i processors. This notebook can handle up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM, but most configurations will ship with the 4GB. There are numerous hard drive and SSD storage configurations and all of the expected ports for a business notebook. It is worth noting that there is no optical drive in this small notebook.

ThinkPad X220 Hands On and Unboxing Video:

ThinkPad X220 First Impressions – Mini review:

We have had the opportunity to use the ThinkPad X220 for a full workday and have been impressed with the ability of the small machine to deliver a mobile work experience that is hard to match. While we do appreciate the power inside, coming from a 2nd Gen Core i5 processor and 4GB RAM, we have been most impressed with the usability of the mouse and keyboard on such as small and lightweight machine.

We typed most of this X220 review and overview using the keyboard without experiencing the fatigue or mis-typing that normally occurs on small notebooks. The mousepad also performed well with good responsiveness. The touchpad is noticeably larger than the other ultraportable business notebooks we have tested and we appreciate the effort that Lenovo put into delivering a stellar mousing experience.

It’s still early, and we will be putting this ultraportable through a full battery of tests and usage scenarios, but it looks like Lenovo has delivered an impressive and noticeable upgrade to the ThinkPad X series.

Thinkad X220 Processor Options:

While ultraportable notebook have typically been tied to lower voltage processors, the ThinkPad X220 comes with full voltage Sandy Bridge processors so that you don’t need to sacrifice speed with portability. This 12.5″ notebook can be configured with anywhere from a 2.1GHz Intel Core i3 processor up to the high-end with a 2.7GHz Intel Core i7-2620M processor. The inclusion of full voltage mobile processors is important to business users who need to rely on the full speed of their notebook while on the go.

The new Sandy Bridge processors are able to enter TurboBoost mode which can deliver enhanced performance for a limited amount of time as well as delivering 20% faster processing and 2x the graphics performance of the previous generation processors. The Notebook also comes with the Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 which provides a boot time of 20 seconds faster than the average Windows notebook.

ThinkPad X220 First Look Video:

ThinkPad X220 Storage Options:

Another area where ultraportable have traditionally made sacrifices is in the area of storage, opting for slower or small hard drive options to deliver longer battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad x220 can be configured numerous hard drive options, in a variety of sizes and speeds, and SSD options. The hard drive options include either a 250GB or 320GB 5400RPM hard drives or 160GB or 250GB 7200 RPM hard drives. Alternatively, you can choose a 4GB SSD that can be added to select configurations to improve boot times. There are also 80GB, 128GB and 160GB SSD options which can improve the overall speed of the notebook.

ThinkPad X220 Display Options:

The X220 can be configured with two display options. By default, this notebook comes with a 12.5″ antiglare LED backlit display with a 1366×768 resolution. There is an upgrade which delivers an extra bright wide angle IPS display which can be configured at checkout. The display is a change from the previous generation ThinkPad X201 which had a 12.1″ display that was limited to a lower 1280×800 resolution. The larger resolution delivers more space to work on documents and can be used to compare to documents side to side in a pinch.

The display is attached with two metal hinges that allow the notebook to open up past 180 degrees so that you are assured of the ability to find an angle that works for your current work environment; whether it’s the back of a car, a picnic table or a tray on an airplane.

ThinkPad X220 Keyboard:

The x220 has traditional ThinkPad keyboard, and despite the small size of the notebook, it is able to deliver a very nice typing experience. The keys have a great amount of travel and the beveled edges which drop away at the edges of the keys make it easy to find the keys you are looking for without mis-keying. The keyboard includes a full number row as well as a full row of F-keys and Function keys.

Lenovo has done a great job at moving the lesser used keys to the top of the keyboard so that you don’t need to deal with smaller tab, shift or enter keys. We especially enjoy the inclusion of large Esc and Delete keys which are at the top of the keyboard.

On the left side, you’ll find controls to handle the volume, mute and other options.

ThinkPad X220 Mouse:

One of the most noticeable changes to the X line is the mouse on the ThinkPad X220 which is 45% larger than on the previous ThinkPad X201. This increase is possible thanks to the new buttonless multitouch design which allows the touchpad to extend to the edge of the notebook. Comparing this touchpad against the other small touchpads typically fond on notebooks of this size we were impressed, and hope that it signals a trend in ultraportable business notebook space.

One of the things that really makes the new, larger, touchpad on the X220 is the ability to push to click anywhere on the pad. While other mousepads like this allow you to tap to touch, we really like having the ability to push and perform a left click almost anywhere on the touchpad. The lower third of the mousepad can be depressed on the left or right to perform the corresponding mouseclick. Overall this is a very intuitive and responsive mousepad and one of the best we have used on a business ultraportable.

The X220 keeps the traditional pointer nub and mouse buttons that ThinkPads are known for. The nub and buttons work as advertised, which will delight users that rely on the pointing stick to navigate while typing.

ThinkPad X220 Ports and Connections:

There are a full complement of ports that you would expect on a business notebook. Select models will be available with USB 3.0 technology.

Starting along the left side of the device there is a USB 2.0, VGA, DisplayPort, USB 2.0, ExpressCard 54 and a Wireless switch.

On the right, we have an SD card slot, USB 2.0 (charging), Ethernet and combo microphone and headphone port as well as a kensington lock slot.

ThinkPad X220 Video Conferencing Options:

The X220 has a 720P HD webcam built into the bezel and a microphone that has been tuned to deliver a superior video conferencing solution. The X220 has noise suppression technology which is designed to cancel the noise that comes with typing on the keyboard during a conference call. You won’t notice the difference, but the person on the other end of the call will thank you.

Thinkpad X220 Slots App

The ThinkPad X220 also provides users with the ability to switch between private and conference mode when video chatting. When in Private mode the microphone is able to tune out the surrounding noise and focus in one the one person in front of the notebook. In Conference mode the microphone listens to the entire room, acting like a speakerphone.

ThinkPad X220 Battery Options:

The ThinkPad X220 comes with two battery options that can deliver up to 23 hours of battery life. The standard 9 cell battery is rated for 15 hours of battery life and the optional Slice battery can connect to the bottom of the X220 to stretch the battery life to the 24 hour mark. These ratings require that you take advantage of the adaptive power options and use the Lenovo Power manager to scale back the performance of the processor and graphics.

The adaptive technology works by figuring out what you are working on and reducing the power used by components that aren’t needed. One example of the adaptive technology is that while watching a movie, listening to MP3s or streaming web content the battery should last 30% longer than on a notebook without this technology.

The optional Slice battery costs $179 and adds weight and bulk, but the extra battery life will be worth it for travelers who need to be away from an outlet for extended periods.

Users can enable Battery Stretch mode and make use of the Lenovo Power Center to really take control of battery usage. Whether you are trying to be green or just trying to get the longest battery life possible, the Power Center will help you get there.

Lenovo ThinkPad X220 and X220t Extended Battery Video:

ThinkPad X220 Durability:

The Lenovo ThinkPad X220 is mil-spec tested to endure in harsh conditions. This notebook has been tested to meet military specifications for exposure to physical shock, thermal shock, altitude, dust, vibration, humidity, heat and cold.

ThinkPad X220 Pricing and Availability:

The ThinkPad X220 will be available in April with starting prices around $899. The optional slice battery will cost an additional $179.

ThinkPad X220 Accessories and Docking Compatibility:

The ThinkPad X220 is compatible with the T, L and W Series docks and has numerous accessories available for purchase including;

• Lenovo 90W Ultraslim ThinkPad Ultrabase™ Series 3 AC/DC Combo Adapter (0A33932)
• Lenovo Power Hub (57Y4600)
• ThinkPad Battery 29 3-cell (0A36281)
• ThinkPad Battery 29+ 6-cell (0A36282)
• ThinkPad Battery 29++ 8-cell (0A36283)
• ThinkPad Ultrabase™ Series 3 (0A33932)
• ThinkPad Ultrabase™ Series 3 (6-10W)
• ThinkPad Mini Dock Series 3 (4337-10U)
• ThinkPad Mini Dock Plus Series 3 (4338-10U)
• ThinkPad Battery 19+ 6-cell Slim External (0A36280)
• Kensington MicroSaver Cable Lock from Lenovo (73P2582)
• ThinkPad Ultraportable Case (41U5062)
• ThinkPad Executive Leather Case (43R2480)

ThinkPad X220 Gallery:

ThinkPad X220 Specifications:

Thinkpad X220 Upgrade Guide

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