Lenovo X201

Not as well prolonged ago the 12-inch ThinkPad acquired its 2010 refresh. even although the T sequence obtained a considerable update (thus getting transformed from the T400 to the T410) the X sequence was merely transformed from the X200 to the X201. That signifies inner factors experienced been updated (processor, graphics, etc.) however the chassis is quite very much exactly the very same as last generation.

Keeping modifications to some bare minimum undoubtedly is not really a worst situation scenario even although you contemplate how amazing the X200 was. The 12-inch X series’ design is time-tested and remains to be chugging along pretty well, even even although the institution has released quantities of competition from the X301 and now the X100e. The X201 is really a lightweight, sturdy, 12-inch ultraportable which has only gotten much better since the inner factors have enhanced from one technology to the next. And now it has Intel’s root processors along using the company’s HD graphics, making this an thrilling upgrade from the root two Duo generation.



For very much more particulars concerning the case, build, keyboard, and so on, confirm out our evaluation in the X200. specific it is a touch old, but small has transformed offered that then.

The specs for the ThinkPad X201 evaluation equipment are: Intel root i5 540M processor (2.53GHz), 4GB RAM, house windows 7 expert 64-bit, Intel HD integrated graphics, and 320GB of storage.

I was steering to hold out a entire review, but offered how comparable this could be to earlier X types and how the method remains to be out for just about any quantity of months, I’ll restrict myself to some thoughts:

On the element side, this was a excellent upgrade. The X201i/X201/X201s ultraportables get root i3/i5/i7, Intel HD graphics, house windows 7, and as very much as 8GB of RAM. None of those make the method unique, however it is cut-throat with HP and Dell (etc.) in every solitary respect.
They method was initially obtainable getting a WXGA+ show at the same time to the WXGA one. 1280×800 is good for just about any 12.1-inch widescreen but 1440×900 is really a noticeable upgrade. This is not obtainable any very much more for the X201, also it must acquire for the X201s (but which is not thorough on Lenovo’s website on the moment in time since it is most probably away from stock). at the same time to getting a wonderful element that is something not supplied for the X201’s principal competitor, the HP EliteBook 2540p.
For all the talk about netbooks over the previous many years the X201 is even now a quite wonderful size. At 11.6 x 9.2 x 0.8-1.4-inches and about 3.5 pounds the pc travels quite well. It feels even much better getting a more compact battery on it.
Speaking in the battery, Lenovo even now hasn’t founded am outside LED evaluate for the X201’s battery. small competencies such as this are prolonged overdue.
The port assortment is even now good. The method has three USB slots, headphone, microphone, modem, Kensington lock port, the ThinkPad’s common 20V energy connection, VGA, ethernet, and ExpressCard/54. There is really a card reader from the the front as well. one of the most noticeable element lacking right here is really a electronic film output, but probabilities are the fact that X201’s chassis and motherboard only have space to the solitary film output and VGA requires precedence for institution users.
One in the USB slots is yellow. that is really a your invariably On USB that is produced to demand your USB models even once the pc is off, sleeping, or hibernating. It could possibly be toggled on and away in BIOS and founded to Automatic, BlackBerry, iPod/iPhone, or Other mode. i have been screening it with my iPhone however it does not not appear to purpose regardless of getting the precise settings in BIOS.


The keyboard is even now pretty good. No method this sizing has however been in a location to complement the ThinkPad on this respect. The splendor in the X201 will most probably be the simple fact that it is the smallest pc feasible to create near to this keyboard.
The X sequence now a trackpad, just such as the sleep in the ThinkPads. This wasn’t the situation for the X200. it is not really a enormous change, however it is wonderful to set up dual cursor controls throughout the board. For us trackpoint consumers it is unnecessary and could possibly be disabled, or you can just not spend the additional few of bucks for it.
The show for the X201 is even now not exceptional (this is not even a disappointment at this point, it is a steady weakness). Lenovo has gotten the brightness to some acceptable place but colours are even now lacking.
The full-powered (standard voltage) root i5 processor is really a dependable option also it performs properly for this ultraportable. it could be an enough performer and equally desktop purpose and film playback are handled well. It provides a exceptional target to purchase the ThinkPad over a much less pricey (C2D or Atom-powered) computer.
In inclusion to the root i5 540M purchasers also obtain the option in the root i3 370M, the root i5 520M, along using the high-end root i7 620LM. it is a touch confusing but purchasers will should review and purchase accordingly. The root i5 processors will suck reducing very much more energy but need to provide a touch of additional performance in comparison to the low-voltage (but very much more expensive) root i7 option.
Battery existence is steering differ centered for the processor and battery you go with. standard the X201 consists of a quite amazing battery life. Most reviews i have observed says it really has the borders for the HP 2540p, so which is something to preserve in ideas should you are contemplating equally computers. using the extended nine cellular battery you must acquire amazing for 8 several hours of cellular work, if not more. There are also 4 and 6 cellular battery options as well.
While I appreciate the longevity in the 82.4WH extended battery I choose to take advantage of the more compact 57WH. This one shaves some extra extra fat in the pc (about half a pound) and cuts about an inch away the end.
After spending some time using the ThinkPad X201 there is no query that that is really a successful, although incremental, follow-up to the X200. It do not get exactly the very same chassis modifications that people saw for the T series, however the X sequence does now possess a root i5 entire energy processor option as well as root i3/i7 CPUs. The X201 also introduces the trackpad to the 12-inch X models, that is steering to acquire a massive offer for some buyers. getting a acceptable create at about $1500 (starting worth $1099) the X201 is not cheap, however it is loads of pc to the money.

The X201 does not exist within a vacuum though, so purchasers need to certainly preserve in ideas the competition. The X301 is as well much at the rear of the curve to contemplate at this point, but there will most probably be the EliteBook 2540p and, for the customer side, the Sony Z. purchasers need to preserve in ideas the fact that HP has an optical generate with some builds and is also cut-throat using the ThinkPad in almost all respects.
Lenovo X201

Verdict: The X201 is really a quite powerful providing also it is in sustaining with what we’ve observed from the ThinkPads over the last few of years. The root i-series processors marked a massive actions forward to the ultraportables, specifically contemplating the fact that availability in the full-powered root i5. The option between the ThinkPad along using the EliteBooks is getting hard though. Personally I do not treatment concerning the optical drive, but I do critically wish the ThinkPad experienced a electronic film out option. The ThinkPad consists of a much better keyboard, however the the EliteBook’s chassis design has critically grown on me. it is essentially a toss up between the two, so purchasers should choose which system’s strengths they worth more.