Super Thin Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Has Sandy Bridge

Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 laptop caught our eye even before it was officially announced due to its very slim form factor. Today Lenovo is selling this new Thinkpad starting at $1,399.

As the thinnest ThinkPad, the ThinkPad X1 laptop measures less than 17 mm at its smallest point, approximately the width of a U.S. penny. Like other ultra-thin laptops, however, the shape is tapered so there is definitely a fatter rear-end.

What the Thinkpad X1 does better than the other thin laptops is that it packs a decent CPU punch with choices of second generation Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors. The graphics come from the integrated part in the processor, which can output to an HDMI port or Intel Wireless Display technology for streaming 1080p wirelessly.

Starting at 3.7 pounds, the ThinkPad X1 still features design trademarks such as the interior roll cage and magnesium chassis. Making it even sturdier is a Corning Gorilla Glass over the 13-inch IPS LCD for extra durability, rigidity and scratch resistance. Lenovo claims that the ThinkPad X1 passes eight military specifications.

The ThinkPad X1 laptop debuts Lenovo's new RapidCharge battery technology that charges up to 80 percent in just 30 minutes, making it charge 2.5 times faster than a typical ThinkPad battery. RapidCharge combines fast charge cells with a 1,000 cycle battery designed to last three years. Users can also opt to purchase a RapidCharge external slice battery for the ThinkPad X1 laptop to double their battery life to 10 hours.

Lenovo changed the keyboard by eliminating some legacy keys like SysRq while adding dedicated multimedia and voice calling controls. Instead of the old Thinkpad keyboard light, the X1's keys are backlit while also being spill resistant.

It's also girlfriend-proof.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
  • nebun
    i want :)
    Reply
  • molo9000
    Great piece of kit. (kind of what u expect from Lenovo)

    More battery life from the internal battery would be nice. "up to 5.2hours" isn't all that much for a 3.7pound ultra portable...

    btw: a buttonless touchpad just like on MacBooks? Awesome!!
    Want it. NOW!
    Reply
  • eddieroolz
    When I saw Sandy Bridge, I immediately resigned to the fact that this will also be crippled by what Intel calls "graphics".
    Reply
  • High use, on the road, rugged machine, this fits the bill perfectly, with tons of ooh and wow!

    Its not for Gaming, but work!
    Reply
  • macewrox
    This notebook is the sex. I can't wait to get my three year bonus from the military to buy one.
    Reply
  • burnley14
    eddieroolzWhen I saw Sandy Bridge, I immediately resigned to the fact that this will also be crippled by what Intel calls "graphics".You really expect to grind out some decent framerates from an ultra-slim factor notebook? I think you have a very skewed perspective of this machine's target demographic.
    Reply
  • zzz_b
    Starting at 3.7 lbs.??? That is very heavy.

    17mm the height of a penny??? Maybe the diameter.
    Reply
  • reggieray
    Would love to have one with Ubuntu on it.
    Reply
  • crisan_tiberiu
    Liano will crush the laptop/notebook market. Radeon 6k series on the same die with the CPU?? i think it will crush the "graphics" from Intel
    Reply
  • Marcus Yam
    zzz_bStarting at 3.7 lbs.??? That is very heavy.17mm the height of a penny??? Maybe the diameter.Whoops! Fixed.
    Reply