Lenovo's ThinkPad X41 Tablet arrives

This one was hardly a secret, but Lenovo formally took the wraps off the ThinkPad X41 Tablet today (it's also the first ThinkPad to be introduced after Lenovo's purchase of IBM's PC computing division). The official specs: the convertible-style X41 Tablet weights 3.5 pounds, is 1.14 inches thick, and has a 12.1-inch display, a Pentium M processor, up to 1.5GB of DDR2 RAM, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, and an optional integrated biometric fingerprint scanner. Goes on sale June 14th with a starting price of $1,899.

[BP @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Looks really nice. I'm kind of upset that the price is so high.

[Tesla @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Droooool.....

BP, you must not have looked at Thinkpads... ever... because they've always been expensive. Actually, I'm very surprised the X41 Tablet is under $2,000. This is definitely raised my interest in looking at a new laptop.

[joe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

IBM should be ashamed for putting out this computer with only 1024x768 resolution.. particularly at this stage in the game. I'd rather get the toshiba which has much higher resolution.

while the thinkpad looks nice... the webcast does not show any other real specs and there is no touchpad either... which is not necessary, but it is nice to have. most important... the screen... and this resolution just is not efficient for most applications these days.

[tata @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

well, that's 12 inch display so 1024x768 is just ok

[joe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

a 12" display is all the MORE reason it should have a higher resolution. even the toshiba portege which has been out for a year and a half, at 12", has 1400x1200. this is the most disappointing aspect of the new IBM and a bad decision i believe.

[sheek @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Higher resolution would just make it harder to play games at the native res. That's the same res as a 15" desktop panel.

[Patrick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

My 12" ibook with a 1024x768 screen works just dandy for just about any app (sorry, I don't use photosshop), especially when using virtual desktops.

-p-

[Malfoy Roark @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Please reword that sheek.

And I'm planning to order a Toshiba Tecra M4 in the next few days. Yummy.

[joe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

the Toshiba tablet has a NATIVE resolution of 1400... on a 12" screen. 1024 is just too 'big' these days and not as comfortable to view web pages, etc.

[Paul @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

interesting how the IBM logo is on the casing.

[Tuig @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I agree with the XGA comments - it should have been 1280x1024 (SXGA, my 770X had that) or 1400x1050 (SXGA+), if only as options for those with good eyesight and an appreciation for screen real estate. Heck, if I could get 1600x1200 I coud take it - you can always scale it up pixel perfect to 800x600 if you want to. My Sony U50 tablet PC with it 7" 800x600 screen or Sharp 902 phone with 3" 320x240 screen have about the same dpi and I love those screens...

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

the starting price is a tad high, but thats about where I figured it would be.
I do wish the resolution was higher, but keep in mind a tablet screen is not just any screen. It must be able to convert the pen motion to pixels on the screen and that would become more complex at higher resolutions, not to mention possibily difficult for the user to write within the correct areas.
I have a T41 myself, but I would certainly consider getting the tablet at some point.

[joe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

If the Toshiba Portege tablet has been out for a year and a half already... with a 12" (and 14" model) screen both at 1400 x 1200 resolution... AND winning editors choice from most reviews... I am SURE that IBM could have produced a 12" screen at AT LEAST 1280 resolution. This is ridiculous and they should be ashamed to be behind the curve.

[rich @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Of course higher screen resolution would have been higher. But, in choosing XGA, IBM is pretty much in line with the tablet mainstream. Motion's new LE1600, HP's new tc4200, and fujitsu's lifebook 4010 all have XGA displays. Toshiba is the only company that makes SXGA tablets to my knowledge.

More importantly, the IBM tablet looks great. A tablet with the durability and quality design that the Thinkpads are known for? There are more important things than screen resolution.

[dave @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

While I would rather have higher res, the viewing angles on Toshiba's SXGA+ screens is soo bad I'd rather have 1024x768 that's bright and readable when I show others (esp. in a meeting).

99% of the time I need the extra res I have it, cuz I'm docked.

[Al @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I've always wondered about screen res. Does it have something to do with the digitizer? Like they have to keep the SCREEN res low because they can't make the digitzer res that high?

[Joshua Blake @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Regarding the resolution of the tablet digitizers, as you know, Microsoft places stringent requirements for hardware to qualify as a TabletPC. For the digitizer requirement, as listed here (a.iii.), http://msdn.microsoft.com/mobility/tabletpc/hardware/default.aspx
it must have a resolution of FIVE times HIGHER than the screen display. This is so that the OS can properly render and anti-alias ink and make your handwriting look more natural. Wacom is the most common digitizer manufacturer, used for sure in the Toshibas with the higher resolution. I suspect that IBM's decision to support XGA only was to keep the price low, although SXGA+ would have been the killer feature.

[pl804 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

IBM is in fact putting out an XGA+ version w/ 1280 x 1024.

[Samson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Lenovo sure advertises their IBM Tablet nicely however the ordering process needs to be streamlined with more information/ there are too many (...on some models comments) what i would like to know is what about this particular model I am spending 2.5k for/ which integrated WiFi will I have on my system? Also the accessories are shipping but not the actual tablet. The battery, case, and DVD drive do me no good until I receive the tablet which apparently will not arrive until August. I should charge Lenovo interest on the $2,600 i've given them with no merchandise to show for it. Gee thanks Lenovo
ibm tablet pc disappointed consumer

[Samson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Lenovo sure advertises their IBM Tablet nicely however the ordering process needs to be streamlined with more information/ there are too many (...on some models comments) what i would like to know is what about this particular model I am spending 2.5k for/ which integrated WiFi will I have on my system? Also the accessories are shipping but not the actual tablet. The battery, case, and DVD drive do me no good until I receive the tablet which apparently will not arrive until August. I should charge Lenovo interest on the $2,600 i've given them with no merchandise to show for it. Gee thanks Lenovo
ibm tablet pc disappointed consumer

[zed @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I will not get an IBM laptop again, esp a tablet. Why? Blotches supposedly from pressure against screen. I never even touch my screen. IBM is bs junk.

[G-man @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Keep in mind that cost, weight and battery life were the primary considerations for the X41 Tablet. The higher the screen resolution, the more expensive the screen, especially a pen input one. Then you have to consider that the higher res screens also weigh more and draw more power. So, the reason that most people now standardize on 12" XGA is the cost, battery and weight savings. I use an X31 and will be buying an X41 right away. Keep in mind that a precise, bright and accurate 12" screen at XGA is better than a cheaper quality solution at higher res. Also, like posted before, there will be more high end units to come, but not until a little later and then only at a much higher price.

[David Landner @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Biggest Issue with the X40 and X41 series laptops are the Hard Drive Speed -- 1.8 Inch drives do not fair faster than 4200 RPM. I've been using the X40 for approximately one year, and my biggest complaint BY FAR is the Hard Drive performance which affects almost every aspect of the machine's usability from application launching to data transfer, boot time and resume time. It takes close to 5 minutes to get this puppy booted and fully loaded. I've had to disable many of the startup applications as well as IBM's Recover application to try and bring this down on the X40 and its made me want to chuck the laptop many times. No faster 1.8 Inch drives yet ...