Lenovo ThinkPad X60 Core Duo laptop reviewed

Well that was fast. No sooner did we get word that Samsung was boasting that their new Q35 is the "world's smallest" Core Duo laptop than we were reminded of Lenovo's X60, which weighs in at just 2.7 pounds, compared to the Q35's 4.1. Like the Samsung, the X60 has a 12-inch display, and also includes an 80GB drive. The main reason for its more slim profile: no optical drive; you need either a USB drive or an optical docking station. Ars Technica took a look at the X60, and found some differences between the X60 and earlier IBM-designed ThinkPads, including a redesigned keyboard (which now actually includes a Windows key) and a new dock connector. In the end, Ars found that the new model benefits from the Core Duo's speed and battery life, and still has many of the ThinkPad qualities, such as an ergonomic keyboard and sturdy design, that the model was known for under IBM, making it one of the "best ultraportable machines on the market." And it looks like Samsung may be forced to start referring to its offering as the "world's smallest  Core Duo laptop with an internal optical drive."

[b @ Mar 22nd 2006 1:33PM]

I haven't even read the review and I want one already

talk about blind loyalty

[PodMonkeys @ Mar 22nd 2006 1:42PM]

It's about time that we get a Thinkpad with a Windows key! I'd really like one of these. Sounds like a nice little machine.

[Alex @ Mar 22nd 2006 1:51PM]

wouldn't a laptop that has no built-in optical drive run into trouble when one needs to format the hard drive, or upgrade the OS? correct me if i'm wrong, but don't computers always try to boot from internal hard/optical drives instead of external devices? or are there easy ways to make computers boot from external devices?

[Eddie @ Mar 22nd 2006 1:56PM]

1.2kg! bilmey that's light mate!

[Gowtham Mahalingam @ Mar 22nd 2006 1:57PM]

This laptop looks beautiful, but I'd like to point out that the 2.7 lb claim for the X60 is incorrect. The only X-series laptop that hits the 2.7 lb mark is the X40 series. The X60's are all 3.0 lB + with most configurations at ~3.5 lB, which is alot considering it doesn't have an internal optical drive.
And in answer to the previous post internal optical drives are not neccesary by any means, one can always boot from LAN, USB, sometimes even PCMCIA, and if need be you can connect an optical device to the USB port and boot from there. Most laptops not having internal removable media, have bios's which allow alot of other external device booting options.

[YoYoPa @ Mar 22nd 2006 1:59PM]

The author is confusing the word "smallest" with "lightest".

[Poopmaster @ Mar 22nd 2006 2:01PM]

"Engage, number two."

Bingo. I can't imagine trying to upgrade a Windoze laptop and having to hope that the USB or Firewire connections would work all throughout the process. Geez! Talk about dumb, Lenovo. Or what if your USB goes nuts? Well, there goes your CD drive. *shaking head*

[Jeff @ Mar 22nd 2006 2:02PM]

"or are there easy ways to make computers boot from external devices?"

Yes, there are. It's just a BIOS setting.

I'm curious about this apparent contradiction:

"found some differences between the X60 and earlier IBM-designed ThinkPads, including a redesigned keyboard"

and

"Ars found that the new model benefits from the Core Duo's speed and battery life, and still has many of the ThinkPad qualities, such as an ergonomic keyboard"

That's not strictly contradictory but it is a little confusing to me. It says the keyboard has been redesigned, but still feels the same as the old keyboards. So what's been redesigned? Is it *only* the Windows key? (That sounds less like a "redesign" and more like a simple addition.)

ThinkPad guys love their keyboards so this is an important question for repeat buyers.

Too bad about the Windows key, though; some of us still hate the Windows key. (And we're the kind of people that buy ThinkPads.)

[Russ Johnson @ Mar 22nd 2006 2:12PM]

Having purchased and sold about 750 Thinkpads over the last 5 years (Almost all T-Series) I'm still dedicated to the brand and think it's the best business laptop you can buy. (of course at a premium) There are still a couple beefs I have with them:

Displays - Come on seriously, the guy in the plane seat next to me needs to wear sunglasses his Latitude screen is so bright. And he's above 1600x1200.

Power Adapters - They've had the same ones for eons so it isn't a huge beef, but I pretty much have one for every outlet of the house and then some; so it will be grumbling migration

Maybe I'm paranoid but since the official Lenovo models started coming out they seem...cheaper. In some small ways. Like te buttons, the speakers on top...(referring to the Z Series)

[jalapeno @ Mar 22nd 2006 2:17PM]

I'm writing this from and X60 core Duo, it's the second X series Thinkpad I have owned, and this is by far the best one to date. I was a bit skeptical of the windows key but this keyboard is excellent.

Poopmaster: Although USB drives work fine with these laptops (you can even boot from a USB device), an optional ultrabase can be docked to the X60, for those who fear USB and really want "internal" drives. The ultrabase is small, light and portable.

[Ego @ Mar 22nd 2006 2:20PM]

Not bad, but if I want an ultraportable computer, I may prefer Microsoft's ultra mobile PC.

[Ed @ Mar 22nd 2006 2:27PM]

The Sony VAIO SZ Premium laptops are lighter than the Samsungs too -- and they have an optical drive...

[ike @ Mar 22nd 2006 2:30PM]

a touchpad would make it complete. the button thing is annoying.

[Tapani @ Mar 22nd 2006 2:38PM]

Why isn't X60 WideXGA? XGA resolution sucks.

[beppe @ Mar 22nd 2006 2:42PM]

I have just ourchased an ACER 3013 a duak core full-optional. X60 disapears if you compare both.
100GB HDD, core duo, 1 GB RAM DDR2, bluetooth, wifi 11a/b/g, 12,1" screen 1280x800, grear audio and webcam 1,3 mpxs integrated.
what more? and chaper than X60.....
enjoy....

[James Rice @ Mar 22nd 2006 3:41PM]

I've had a T41 for about 2 1/4 years now, and it looks like it might be time to upgrade to a T60 or X60...

[jimbo jones @ Mar 22nd 2006 4:00PM]

I do not want to see a Windows key on an IBM/Lenovo laptop! VIVA OS/2!

[Toneroo @ Mar 22nd 2006 4:50PM]

As someone who would never give up his T41, I have just switched to a Z60t and love it every bit as much.
We also have a number of X-series notebooks around here and no one gets one without also getting the "optional" Ultra-base dock. Even with the Ultra-base the whole thing weighs less than 4.5 lbs.
And beppe; all you have to do is use a Thinkpad for a few days and your Acer will feel like a cheap kids laptop.

[Edward @ Mar 22nd 2006 5:47PM]

@15 ... Acer isn't even in the same league. It's like comparing a Creative or Samsung DAP to the iPod. It's not just about bells and whistles or how much money you saved -- it's about the R&D and design that justify the premium for the Apple/IBM product. Not to mention that IBM's warranties and service are consistently at the top of the PC industry (yes, IBM still does warranty & service for IBM-branded Lenovo PCs).

[Eric @ Mar 22nd 2006 6:12PM]

go lenovo, those previous two laptops u put on were failing in my eyes. But this ones is one helluva pimped IBM!!! 12" as well, makes me wanna put mac on it now...

[Jeff @ Mar 22nd 2006 9:02PM]

A Windows key? The addition of that single feature is enough to make me seriously consider a non-Thinkpad for my next notebook purchase. I'm sure the X60 is a sweet machine, but that key has always ticked me off.

None of my three keyboards have a Windows key.

[mike @ Mar 22nd 2006 9:44PM]

WHOAH - could osx run on it? apple hardware includes the core duo

[sims @ Mar 23rd 2006 9:06AM]

If you use windows, you can't deny the utility of the windows key. And if you don't...tough, 90% of the world uses it (and for the target corporate marget of the X60, it's probably even higher), and doesn't care about the small minority that doesn't. Anyway, you won't find any laptops these days that don't have windows keys...so have fun sticking with laptops from last year.

I have a thinkpad ight now and it dual-boots WinXP and Linux. I hate not having the Windows key. Windows-E, Windows-R, Windows-D, so many useful shortcuts.

[E71 @ Mar 23rd 2006 11:23AM]

Nice to see IBM still hasn't developed a skill for designing laptops. Ugly as hell.

[mike @ Mar 25th 2006 7:28PM]

its not IBM - it's 'LENOVO'

[Jon brewer @ Mar 25th 2006 11:28PM]

@22 - I'm typing from a new laptop that doesn't have a Windows key. It has this funny open-apple-shaped picture on it...I wonder what it is..

[AJ @ Mar 26th 2006 2:01AM]

UGLY, are you serious?! I think you are confusing it with the word SLEEK, E71..

[brokenarrow @ Mar 26th 2006 5:55PM]

i love thinkpads... i think i'll airbrush my ms keyboard's enter button blue....

[Dij @ Mar 27th 2006 5:36AM]

i dint think he is.. ibm have allways made very good but FUGLY laptops

[Genti Hila @ Jun 30th 2006 7:43PM]

I have a Thinkpad X60 and it is very good. Very very light but I need to use a dockpad to access a cd. And a dockpad is about 2.5 pounds itself so all in all the X60 weights about 5 pounds. I do use the CD a lot so my suposed light computer it is not anymore light

I have come to conclusion that a light notebook that has no incorporated CD drive is the most stupid design that can exists. It misses the whole point.

[Adam @ Jul 18th 2006 2:28AM]

Genti Hila, what the hell do you need a CD drive for?!? Rip CDs to your computer for the go.

[Barry @ Jul 25th 2006 3:12PM]

I work for IBM and I think it's great that there's a Windows key on this Thinkpad now.

[Olli @ Jul 28th 2006 4:11PM]

I see some of the people here think it's dumb to not include an internal CD/DVD drive. I currently use an X31 ThinkPad and love it, and it does not have an internal CD drive. Why do you guys think it's so important? When I need one, I can use an external USB drive, or when I'm back at the office I can use the ultrabase with drive in it. When I travel, which I do a lot, I want something as light as possible, and carrying around a useless CD drive only adds weight. You can rip installation CD's to a virtual CD drive and take them with you, no weight added. You can rip music CD's and take them with you, no weight added. You can rip DVD's and take them with you, no weight added. On all my trips (I travel half my time), I've not yet needed a CD or DVD drive. Make my machine small and light, I don't see any need to have an internal drive, thank goodness they left it out, I don't want to carry it.

Genti Hila - no internal drive is the most stupid design that can exist???? This computer is an ultraportable, small and light. If the CD is that important to you, maybe an ultraportable isn't the right pick for you. For me, I think it's one of the smartest designs on the market, because I want it small and light... and any discs CD or DVD can go to my HD and I won't have to carry the dumb optical drive, or the dumb optical media, but I'll still have all the data with me.

As for the Windows Key, what's the big deal? I have one on my desktop keyboard, and never us it. The only thing I can see that it does is open up the start menu... I need a key for that? I have inadvertantly pressed it by mistake, at which point it hindered my work for a second, but other than that... I can live without it.

[Kevin Jones @ Aug 28th 2006 8:52PM]

Not wanting a windows key is super limiting. There are many shortcut keys builtin to windows like windows+ b d e f l m r u (break) keys, plus I have a little utility so i can attach other windows shortcuts and assign them to applications I use all the time. I've been using an x40 for 2.5 years and immediately reassigned the totally useless forward and backward keys to windows and application keys. I admit having to reinstall windows when not having a cdrom drive could be annoying, but with cd images and much more hard drive space on the new 60 models, an internal drive is less important most of the time. As for asthetics, I care much more about how my computer performs, not how it looks; maybe being blind has something to do with it, but still, it's just squarish and the color is dull who cares. I wish you could completely turn of the screen without closing the laptop.