Not exactly the same model, but I really like the X280.
I've bought a couple of refurbished X280s to give to friends and family whenever they need a working laptop for light office/internet/email use.
Really nice laptops, super lightweight and durable, yet incredible affordable.
Likes it
That's what I do and did through college. I didn't have a lot of money to spend so Thinkpad X series tablets from ebay were my go-to. First one I had to stop using when Altera Quartus II dropped 32bit support and the second one I used until it was basically falling apart. I bought a used max spec X280 a few years ago and it's held up very nicely, I can even play my old games on it. I don't see myself replacing it for a long time because it's mostly just used for web browsing and writing code for microcontrollers so my personal laptop needs are very minimal. It also just sits next to my bed so it's not like it's getting smacked around all day like my work laptop.
Likes it
My T420 absolutely cooks my lap. It was retired a couple years ago (alongside my X60 tablet and X200 tablet) and I bought a maxed out X280 used to replace it. I bought it brand new for school but switched over to the lightweight X60 tablet so I could quickly do homework on the go. I upgraded to the X200 when Quartus II stopped supporting 32bit processors. Both were bought for $100 on eBay back when that's all the money I had from slinging pizza after school. I grabbed the X280 for $200 when I realized how chunky, hot, and slow the T420. That x280 is going to last me a long time. It's a perfectly capable home laptop with an i7 and 16gb of memory. I recently dropped in a new 1TB nvme drive so other than the integrated graphics, it's the best. I'm still able to play games on it, I recently got through Splinter Cell: Blacklist with the specs set at like medium. It's not going to play a modern AAA but anything at least 5 years older than the laptop runs fine enough.
Recommends it
I have seen the recommendation of X1, I can second that, with addition of x280. The serviceability is great, Google “thinkpad x280 hardware service manual” gives excellent doc, from the vendor ! (In fairness the same true for most thinkpads I think). I got a used X280 - very happy running Ubuntu on it. But the exact model I got had a bit bleak LCD screen and 8GB ram - via AliExpress I first upgraded the screen to bright IPS FHD screen (replacement part cost ~60 euro, half an hour and no tools needed to replace); Then I got brave and got a 16GB RAM motherboard (vs the 8GB that it had). Was about 400 euro, and also relatively easy, though required a bit of gentle disassembly. And then I wondered “rather than throwing away the old parts, how hard would it be to get all the missing bits and build yet another x280 laptop from scratch ?” - I grabbed the hardware manual and went shopping… I think the overall list turned out about 250-300 euro. Still awaiting for some bits, but based on my motherboard replacement experience the assembly shouldn’t be a big deal of a project.
Likes it
Thinkpad X280, i7 quad w/ 16G memory and 500G SSD. It was on clearance since the model is a couple years old, but holy crap this thing is fast. And so much lighter than the last system I owned with a fast quad core (4-5 KG). My last computer lasted me almost a decade, so with the rate technological progress has slowed (barring M1), this system should last me 15 years or so. Other than that it would have to be my Unicomp model M repro, or the plants I've filled my home office with. All together it has made the experience of being a technical human so much better.
Recommends it
I managed to get my hands on a Lenovo X280 before they were discontinued. I think it's fantastic and really hits the sweet spot between weight and performance - it's my main driver and weightwise I have a hard time telling it apart from my iPad Pro 11 with a keyboard case.
Likes it
I used a ThinkPad x230, now I use a ThinkPad x280. Both machines work nicely with Linux. If you are a programmer and use the keyboard a lot, the poiting stick is simply the best poiting device you can get. With it, you never have to leave the home row. I find the keyboards of both machines quite nice as well.
Likes itHasn’t owned it
I wouldn't spend more than £100 on throwaway laptop. X280 is quite decent, cheap and perfect if you need a resource quickly and you don't want to use your Mac. I see no point in these new laptops. Not sure what they are trying to solve.