Lenovo today updated its ThinkPad X series ultraportables to take advantage of the extra speed from Intel's 45-nanometer Penryn architecture Core 2 Duo chips. The new 12-inch system now has the option of a 2.1GHz or 2.3GHz processor (up from 1.8GHZ and 2GHz) and its accompanying larger 3MB of cache. Wi-Fi over 802.11n is also now a more common feature on these faster systems.

Like the existing X61, the revamped model continues to go without an optical drive but can be equipped with a docking bay (shown) that provides both the disc support as well extra connections. Options for 3G cellular Internet, Bluetooth, and a finger print reader also exist on the new ThinkPads. A base 2.1GHz system ships with 1GB of memory and a 120GB hard disk for $1,550, while a 2.3GHz model with a slightly larger 160GB disk is available for $1,610. Both should be available in earnest from February.