Lenovo ThinkPad X201 Review

The ThinkPad X201 sees Lenovo bucking the trend toward smaller, lighter, and lower-priced tablets in favor of greater processing power, aided by an Intel Core i7 CPU. The result is a unique entry in the tablet marketplace, as the ThinkPad X201 is one of the fastest laptops of its size currently available. This type of performance comes at a premium, and the X201’s price, currently around $1600, is nothing to scoff at. Is the X201 strong enough to support that large figure, or does it buckle under the weight of expectations?  How does it stack up with the Lenovo Thinkpad x100e we reviewed last month?
Positives
The ThinkPad X201’s 12-inch frame is packed with some very impressive hardware. In addition to the aforementioned Core i7 CPU, the X201 also boasts 4GB of RAM. The X201’s speed advantage relative to other ultraportables is noticeable immediately: it takes about 20 seconds to start up, which in a sense makes it even easier to use on the go than other tablets and netbooks.
With the X201, Lenovo has done a good job of combining traditional, solid ThinkPad design with some advanced user interface features. The X201 isn’t quite as slim as some of the less muscular 12-inch laptops, but users who appreciate a spacious keyboard will likely forgive the extra heft, as the X201’s keyboard is one of the better ones to be found on a small laptop. The X201 adds to this a convertible touchscreen with Wacom stylus, a touchpad, and a pointing stick, so no matter how you want to input data, you’re covered.
Negatives
Overall, the ThinkPad X201 is a very solid machine, but there are a couple of minor issues that might bother some users. The touchpad is a bit on the small side, so even touchpad fans may find themselves using the touchscreen functionality more over time. Also, compared to that of most ultra low-voltage laptops, the X201’s battery life is a bit on the short side. At the same time, this is probably to be expected, due to the X201’s superior performance.
The Bottom Line
The ThinkPad X201 is significantly more expensive than the average laptop in its class. However, if budget isn’t a concern, and you think you can benefit from the boost in performance that it offers in comparison to other 12-inch notebooks, the X201 has the features and design to justify the investment.

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