Lenovo's ThinkPad X301 gets reviewed

We all know the X300 was fairly widely praised, though that price tag was mighty prohibitive. Still, if you've got the coin to play around with ultrathin ultraportables, the X301 is a welcome upgrade. According to Laptop Mag, the Centrino 2 platform and built-in DisplayPort made an "already excellent machine even better." Most of the basics from the X300 are still here, but critics couldn't help but swoon over the new inclusions. Regrettably, the battery life was said to be an hour or two short for their liking, so it sounds as if you'll want to factor in an extra pack if you're the type who strays from power outlets. Hit the read link for the full rundown, just don't expect anything out of the ordinary.

[trivex @ Sep 12th 2008 4:22PM]

It should also be mentioned that the laptop has an option for a 6 cell battery + an additional 3 cell bay battery, making for the advertised total battery life of 10 hours

[Evan @ Sep 12th 2008 4:26PM]

One thing that should also be included is how insanely light this thing feels, it's kinda scary. But then again, that's with an SSD - but still.

[trivex @ Sep 12th 2008 4:28PM]

Here's a video review of the laptop:

http://www.gottabemobile.com/CommentView,guid,3b6d350e-9244-4b9f-915c-c432bffa8886.aspx

[jak0b @ Sep 12th 2008 4:33PM]

well i'm shure it's fine and dandy, but what we all are waiting for is the x200 tablet! they should have released it in the end of august so we could have it when "the school" started! and if it's

[wickedpheonix @ Sep 12th 2008 5:02PM]

+1

I've been waiting to buy one since classes started at the end of August - rumors are to look for an announcement Sept. 23rd or 24th, around that time.

[iofthestorm @ Sep 12th 2008 7:30PM]

Yeah, I think tablets are the future and eventually everything will be a touchscreen. I've got an HP tablet for college but if I had a bit more money to spend I would have gone with an x61t because the build quality for HP is only so-so, and the screen is not that great and way too reflective, even more so than any other screen I've ever seen. I've decided that once I get enough money I'll have to upgrade to a Thinkpad in a few years. Internships please!

[Flashpoint @ Sep 12th 2008 4:37PM]

This whole "thin" armsrace was started by Macbook Air, but now, you don't hear much about them at all. That's cause nobody is racing to the apple store to buy a $2000+ laptop that doesn't even have basic ports (like ethernet).

Lenovos are EXCELLENT laptops. I have an X60. If you get em with the built in broadband wireless, you WON'T be dissapointed.

[avester @ Sep 12th 2008 4:52PM]

That's since people noticed that it's the diagonal size that counts most, making a laptop thinner only makes it hotter and less portier.

[THJ @ Sep 12th 2008 11:23PM]

MBA = >1800$, x301 = >2600$. I know its cool to hate on the fruit co, but at least try to get the basics right.

We just got a x301 in yesterday morning to set up for the CEO (trying to break his VAIO addiction, since he goes through 4-5 a year). It's Lenovo boring in the finish department (a good thing, imo), very snappy compared to the VAIO TZ (probably the SSD and lack of shitware). Footprint is much bigger though. I'm hoping he hates it and sends it back to IT, much easier to carry around the building than the lunch tray sized MBP I have.

[Hamodeh @ Sep 12th 2008 4:53PM]

the pic reminded me of COMES WITH CD-ROM magazines ads

[Y0ssar1an @ Sep 12th 2008 5:17PM]

Does anyone know if these carried in any stores? I'd like some sort of test drive before buying. I've not come across it yet (I'm in Los Angeles).

[eggothewaffle @ Sep 12th 2008 6:24PM]

Now that's one stunning example of softcore laptop pornography.

[michas_pi @ Sep 12th 2008 6:47PM]

Fuck yeah, DisplayPort!

[wow @ Sep 12th 2008 7:07PM]

wow the machine sounds very impressive according to the review there and the video. Lenovo never disappoint the masses with their new lineup, rock solid machine. I even saw a video of Lenovo crash test their machines. But the only disappointment with Lenovo is their logistics, the way they mess up their customers with all the shipping date with s10 is just disappointing,

[bidur @ Sep 12th 2008 9:16PM]

sweet . .

[Ken @ Sep 12th 2008 10:45PM]

Yeah, battery life is gonna be key with this one. Any other reports on that yet?

[jimbo flowers @ Sep 13th 2008 12:02AM]

looks like the dvd is upside down.

it won't work like that guys.

[aemond @ Sep 13th 2008 6:12AM]

This upside down DVD is not to read it but to make the laptop look good and sell it. Since it looks good (laptop porn), i can tell it's gonna work that way (sold). But nice to notice.

[Michael @ Sep 13th 2008 8:18PM]

The review said: "In hands-on testing, the X301’s 64GB solid state drive booted into Vista in a lengthy 1 minute and 37 seconds, which is 28 seconds longer than the average ultraportable, and 48 seconds longer than the X300." Does anyone know why it boots slower than the x300?