Lenovo rolls out ThinkPad X201, teases ThinkPad L
updated 12:00 am EST, Tue February 23, 2010
ThinkPad ultraportable gets Core i5 and i7
Lenovo this morning revamped its ThinkPads and centered much of its attention on its X series. The X201 gives the 12-inch ultraportable a major speed upgrade for both thick and thin models. The full-size X201 can run up to a dual-core 2.66GHz Core i7 and has options for 2.4GHz and 2.53GHz Core i5 chips; the slimmer X201s and the X201T convertible tablet use low-voltage 2GHz and 2.13GHz Core i7 parts.
While the outer design is similar to what came before, Lenovo claims a few new design tricks. The fingerprint reader now not only lets users sign in or take secure actions but can actually start up and login with the one gesture. They also have continuously powered USB ports that charge devices when the system is off or sleeping. Lenovo claims to have some of the lightest systems relative to performance and notes that the regular X201 weighs no more than 3.5 pounds while the X201s can weigh as little as 2.5 pounds with a 4-cell battery (up to 3.1 pounds with a 9-cell unit). The tablet is relatively heavy at 3.6 pounds with a 4-cell pack.
Every system has a 1280x800 screen, up to 8GB of RAM, Intel's integrated graphics, 802.11n Wi-Fi and a 2-megapixel webcam. Storage can start with just a 160GB rotating hard drive but scale up to a 500GB drive or a 128GB SSD. The X201s has the option of a 1440x900 screen, and the X201T's tablet can use multi-touch or go for an extra-bright outdoor screen. WiMAX and 3G remain additional checklist options.
All three should be available soon. The X201 is the least expensive of the three and will start at $1,199; the X201T tablet's low power CPU and screen will start it at $1,549, and the X201s should start at $1,599.
At the same time as it has rolled out its new PCs, Lenovo has also said it's planning a new ThinkPad line, the L series. The company didn't provide Electronista with much information but says it will replace the mainstream R series and that more will come in the future. R models are usually thicker, heavier but less expensive counterparts to the T series and should use full-size notebook processors.
