If you were to check the closet (or drawer or garage) of an early adopter currently using a tablet, you'll probably find some sort of older Intel Atom-based netbook in there, tossed aside like a disco-era jumpsuit. Tablets have seemingly eliminated netbooks as a viable market segment. Fortunately, true notebooks continue getting smaller, packing nearly desktop-class performance into nearly netbook-sized enclosures.
The newest Ivy Bridge-based models, most specifically, are mounting a formidable challenge by hitting tablets where they are (currently) weakest: compatibility with mainstream applications written for Microsoft Windows.
We commonly pack tablets and notebooks into our luggage when we hit the road. However, it's a pain in the butt to carry them both around. If we're forced to choose between them, the tablet always gets left behind, if only because it lacks the productivity potential of a business-class notebook. Although they're great for Web browsing and email, tablets are still insufficient when it comes to doing serious work.
Despite their limitations, tablets continue to interest us. Instant-on availability, one-handed operation, touch screen user interfaces, and comprehensive connectivity make them ideal travel companions. In contrast, notebooks are nearly impossible to operate unless you're sitting still. And they're overkill for reading articles and e-books.
The tablet PC turns out to be a really cool compromise, serving as a compact notebook and convenient tablet in one device. Tablet PCs have been around for years, but the lack of a true touch screen-enabled Windows operating system limited their popularity. As tablets come down in price (and size), opportunities for tablet PCs to really take off seem to continue drying up.

Unfortunately, we'll need to wait until Windows 8 launches before realizing the full potential of next-gen tablet PCs combining notebook and tablet functionality. The good news is that Lenovo is one of a handful of vendors still willing to carry the torch, even ahead of Windows 8. Its newest Ivy Bridge-based X230T is a convertible tablet in the company's ThinkPad X series, nearly identical to the Sandy Bridge-based X220T that came before.
The X230T employs a rugged magnesium alloy shell that will please professionals, though the palm rests and keyboard frame made of matte black plastic may be more susceptible to damage from rough handling.


Converting the X230T from its notebook configuration to a more tablet-like setup is easy. Twist the display clockwise (it only moves in one direction) to turn the screen around, and then close the lid. The screen orientation automatically switches from landscape to portrait, and you're ready to go. Lenovo also enables three hotkeys on the screen: orientation (to switch between landscape and portrait), Ctrl+Alt+Del, and sleep.
It's easiest to use the X230T in tablet mode with a digitizer pen that Lenovo bundles. It's stored internally, and easily ejected by pressing down on its red top from the right side of the chassis. Though the X230T is touch screen-enabled, the digitizer pen helps enable more accurate control of the tablet PC-specific features in Windows 7. If you're not already familiar with how Windows 7 works on a tablet PC, check out Windows 7: Tablet PC Features.
Our only concern about the X230T's body involves left-handed users. If you are a southpaw, holding the X230T in tablet mode points the internal exhaust vent toward your body. Naturally, as the thing heats up, you end up taking the brunt of the thermal output.
| Specifications | Lenovo ThinkPad X230T |
|---|---|
| CPU | Core i5-3320M (Ivy Bridge), 2.6 GHz, 3 MB Shared L3 Cache, 2C/4T, 35 W TDP, 22 nm |
| Screen | 12.5" IPS LED WXGA (1366x768) |
| Memory | 4 GB DDR3-800 SO-DIMM |
| System Drive | Hitachi 320 GB (HTS723232A7A364) |
| Graphics | Intel HD 4000 Graphics, 650 MHz Base Frequency, 1.2 MHz Max. Dynamic Frequency |
| Operating System | Windows 7 Professional |
| Wireless | 802.11b/g/n |

Mobile Ivy Bridge-based CPUs are only slightly faster than their Sandy Bridge-based predecessors. Covered last month in Second-Generation Ultrabooks: Faster And Cheaper With Ivy Bridge, we realize similar results in our synthetic GeekBench chart. But more interesting than comparing two evolutionary architectures from Intel is how the power-hungry, performance-oriented x86 hardware in tablet PCs differs from the ARM-based SoCs installed in tablets.
Just take the apples-to-oranges match-up between the X230T and iPad 3. The performance gap between the Cortex-A9-based tablet and Core i5 processor is vast. According to Geekbench, there is a ~8x performance advantage favoring the Core i5-3320M. Naturally, that makes tablets look pretty homely. But it's also important to remember that devices like the iPad use operating systems with much lighter resource requirements than Windows. The trade-off, of course, is that multi-tasking isn't handled as elegantly, and the applications are generally much leaner (read: endowed with fewer features).
In contrast, tablet PCs wield operating environments that make it easy to run multiple heavy-duty apps at the same time. This really isn't something that benchmarks can tell you. But it has to be a consideration when you weigh both form factors against each other.



| Specifications (Architecture) | Lenovo ThinkPad X230T (Ivy Bridge) | Asus Eee Slate (Arrandale) | Samsung Series 7 11.6" Slate (Sandy Bridge) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCMark Overall | 2773 PCMarks | 1508 PCMarks | 2566 PCMarks |
| Lightweight Score | 1318 PCMarks | 1287 PCMarks | 1994 PCMarks |
| Productivity Score | 941 PCMarks | 1100 PCMarks | 1409 PCMarks |
| Video Playback and Transcoding | 23.05 FPS | 18.58 FPS | 23.14 FPS |
| Video Playback and Transcoding: Downscaling | 43.79059 MB/s | 1.23366 MB/s | 6.64269 MB/s |
| System Storage: Gaming | 3.71 MB/s | 10.62 MB/s | 13.44 MB/s |
| Graphics: DX 9 | 14.99 FPS | 3.44 FPS | 5.67 FPS |
| Image Manipulation | 9.56 Mpx/s | 4.87 Mpx/s | 4.51 Mpx/s |
| System Storage: Importing Pictures | 5.38 MB/s | 4.69 MB/s | 22.52 MB/s |
| Web Browsing and Decrypting / Web Browsing | 9.62 pages/s | 5.44 pages/s | 5.58 pages/s |
| Web Browsing and Decrypting / Data Decrypting | 86.10 MB/s | 28.77 MB/s | 30.89 MB/s |
| System Storage: Windows Defender | 1.27 MB/s | 4.20 MB/s | 5.03 MB/s |
| Web Browsing With 3 Tabs | 11.38 pages/s | 6.13 pages/s | 6.43 pages/s |
| System Storage: Adding Music | 1.18 MB/s | 1.22 MB/s | 1.38 MB/s |
| System Storage: Starting Applications | 2.06 MB/s | 12.16 MB/s | 30.98 MB/s |
| Text Editing | 0.95 operations/s | 0.56 operations/s | 0.57 operations/s |
Lenovo's X230T is the performance leader among the tablet PCs we've reviewed. It employs a much faster processor with a 35 W TDP, compared to the 17 W part in Samsung's Series 7 11.6" Slate. In truth, the CPU is only one factor in the PCMark 7 results, though. In our review of the Samsung system, it was able to outperform a faster Sandy Bridge-based notebook, also with a 35 W CPU, specifically because the Series 7 included an SSD.
And thus, storage becomes the real story here. Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture certainly delivers a performance benefit, evidenced by CPU-bound subtests like "Web Browsing with 3 Tabs" and "Text Editing." However, the X230T suffers due to its conventional 7200 RPM hard drive, falling behind in the storage-based tests. Even Asus' Eee Slate, equipped with a low-quality SanDisk P4 SSD, outdoes the X230T.

SSD prices are now falling well below $1/GB, providing ample incentive to upgrade any prospective system purchase. Unfortunately, ordering an SSD-equipped Lenovo X230T is quite costly. You'd be better off performing the upgrade yourself and cloning the tablet PC's disk using a utility like Acronis True Image. At the very least, it wouldn't be difficult to propel the X230T's storage performance to match faster storage subsystems.
Quick Sync remains one of the most useful and innovative features to come from Intel in recent memory. Using optimized software, the features comprising Quick Sync accelerate video decode and encode, making it possible to reformat content in a fraction of the time that would have been required by x86 cores operating on their own. Its utility on the X230T, however, is debatable.
Most folks maintain media libraries on large local or networked disk drives. They're far more likely to transcode video on a potent desktop and then move it over to a mobile device like the X230T. Of course, that might not be an option for a professional perpetually on the road. Quick Sync does make it possible to transcode video quickly (and with little power cost), and then move it over to a smartphone, for example. We've also used it at trade shows to get video YouTube-ready.

With the exception of Lenovo's X230T, all of the systems we benchmarked benefit from Crucial's m4 SSD. As a result, it's no surprise to see the X230T fall behind in our Quick Sync test. Its storage subsystem simply isn't fast enough to keep up, creating a bottleneck. However, upgrading to a SATA 6Gb/s-class SSD allows the X230T's Core i5-3320M to fall right between the beefier 45 W Core i7-3720QM and 17 W Core i5-3427U.
Intel made significant enhancements to its HD Graphics 4000 engine, including to anisotropic filtering quality. But it'd be hard to see those gains during real-world game play. In fact, simply generating playable frame rates from the integrated GPU requires turning down resolutions and detail settings so low that it doesn't really matter.
That fact aside, HD Graphics 4000 is a substantial step up from its predecessor, so long as you're willing to accept very conservative combinations of settings.


It's a challenge to draw a direct comparison to the reference Ultrabook platform that Intel sent in for last month's review. Because it wasn't intended to serve as a retail product, certain power profiles behave unexpectedly, turning back numbers reflecting maximum performance mode all of the time.
What remains certain is that the reference Ultrabook delivers very fluid performance in mainstream titles like World of Warcraft: Cataclysm low quality settings. Playing a more taxing title, such as Battlefield 3, necessitates an even lower resolution for playable frame rates.
Rather than employing a flush-mounted display, most notebook vendors instead use a bezel above their screens to hide wiring, creating a small gap where dirt accumulates. On a tablet PC, this is even more problematic, given constant interaction with the touch screen. The X230T is a multi-touch tablet PC, meaning you can use the digitizer pen or touch screen gestures. Previous encounters with such systems were generally poor because of the accumulated dirt that negatively affects accuracy over time.
This is not a problem for the X230T, however. Lenovo’s designers opted for a completely flush display, which makes considerable sense. The screen trim on previously-reviewed tablet PCs prevented interaction with the 5-10 pixels around the panel's edge. The X230T lets you use everything on the screen; the black trim does not actually register multi-touch actions.
Lenovo does employ an IPS panel. However, the glass that it uses to minimize glare reduces image quality, adversely affecting the sRGB and Adobe RGB (1998) gamut profile.

Rendering only 43.6% of the Adobe RGB (1998) gamut, the X230T falls short of other tablets PCs like Samsung's Series 7 11.6" Slate. The X230T is primarily a business-oriented system, though, not necessarily intended for multimedia applications. Lenovo instead chose to focus on other beneficial traits, including anti-glare properties, wider viewing angles, and a lower price.

Our chief complaint about the X230T's display is its relatively low maximum brightness setting. At best, we are only able to squeeze out 245 cd/m2 out of the IPS panel, which is quite low. Though not dim, per se, the panel certainly is not what we consider to be bright, as 300 cd/m2 is a generally-accepted norm. This maximum brightness setting is sufficient for providing more contrast to the screen in well-lit environments, but the X230T is best-suited to rooms with moderate ambient lighting.



Battery Options

When you configure the X230T, you're able to choose between three- and six-cell batteries. The three-cell option installs flush with the chassis, while the six-cell battery protrudes from the rear. This configuration is less attractive-looking, but it nearly doubles battery life and also provides a nice edge to grip when you use the X230T in tablet mode. Paying an extra $10 for the larger battery seems like a no-brainer to us.
Battery Life: Real-World Use
It's been a while since we last used our in-house RLUMark benchmark, but it remains an excellent tool for highlighting real-world battery life. RLUMark is a “Real Life Use” benchmark that models real-world usage to measure battery life. In this case, the battery life metric is programmed to simulate a user typing at ~45 WPM and reading at ~200 WPM.
As IE8 is a multi-threaded application (one thread for each tab), this multi-threaded RLUMark benchmark includes website navigation and scrolling calculated to a reading speed of ~200 WPM. On Amazon.com, we shop for GPS units and school biology textbooks.
This session consists of the following, run sequentially in the order listed:
- 24 minutes of Wikipedia reading (four entries): one tab per entry
- 4 minutes of Amazon.com: two tabs
- 3 minutes of CNN.com: two tabs
- 2 minutes of Google Finance: one tab
- 2 minutes of Accuweather: one tab
- 25 minutes of Flash 10.1 video (YouTube 360p, H.264, hardware acceleration enabled): one tab

The X230T's dimensions suggest that it competes directly against Ultrabooks. However, flexibility in battery and processor options set it apart. Many Ultrabooks achieve their thin and light profiles using smaller batteries. It's common to see three-cell batteries built into those diminutive machines (part of the reason why 17 W CPUs are the most you'll find in them). However, Lenovo equips its tablet PC with a more potent 35 W Ivy Bridge-based chip, necessitating a larger battery as well. That's why it makes sense to upgrade to the six-cell power source.
Armed with a six-cell battery, the X230T almost matches the battery life of an Ultrabook with a three-cell battery. Run time scales linearly with our results, so expect about ~1:15 of battery life if you choose the three-cell option instead.


Charging a battery quickly is more convenient, but it's harder on the power source itself, cutting into its service life. Vendors generally slow the charge rate in the 80% to 95% capacity range to slow this effect. That's why charging from 0% to 10% is faster than 90% to 100%.
Incidentally, it takes about as long to recharge the X230T's six-cell battery as it does to discharge it. You can expect to be constantly looking for a wall wart when you're traveling with the X230T. True road warriors might even want to look into an external battery.
Although they're both useful and entertaining, tablets like Apple's newest iPad fail to make our lives any simpler. As much as we'd like to travel with only the weight of a tablet in our bags, there's simply no way to get around our need for content creation, even if that's as simple as banging away at a Word document. And content creation is what separates tablet PCs like Lenovo's X230T from tablets.
Tablets are good enough for what they're designed to do: read a book, browse the Web, watch a video. But they're difficult to type on quickly. And multi-tasking is nearly impossible. Forget about using powerful Windows-based applications. Really, to get the best of that world and what tablets offer, you have to pack multiple devices.
That's a real bummer, though. Our bags are already loaded with cameras, phones, and batteries. Adding a tablet and notebook only serves to make us realize that we're slaves to technology. Often times, it's just as easy to leave the tablet at home in favor of the more useful gadgets.
Tablet PCs attempt to conjoin the worlds of tablets and notebooks. Granted, the battery life of a tablet PC can't come anywhere near what you expect from an iOS- or Android-based device, and we're a long ways away from a tablet PC with such a compact form factor. But then again, products like Lenovo's ThinkPad X230T level copious processing power at Windows, allowing you to run heavy-duty applications in Windows without delay.
Nevertheless, for their benefits, tablet PCs continue to merely fill a niche. Samsung's Series 7 Slate was the last tablet PC to pass through our labs, and that was almost a year ago. The X230T is the first Ivy Bridge-based tablet PC, and we'd absolutely recommend it to the business professional on the go. A built-in keyboard makes this convertible better-suited to offices and classrooms than standalone slates that rely on external connectivity for keyboard functionality.
Though tablet PCs are rare, we may see more variety once Microsoft's Surface emerges later this year. Initially, the Surface is expected to be limited to ARM-based hardware and a more tightly-controlled software ecosystem. However, we expect a more flexible model centering on Intel's x86 platform in 2013. Until then, power users looking for a Windows 7-based tablet will have to be content with the X230T. Lenovo deserves a lot of credit for keeping alive this endangered form factor—but one is a very lonely number.





