Lenovo ThinkPad X200

Lenovo ThinkPad X200 is an update and evolution of the ThinkPad X61 12.1" screen ultraportable and, as the name suggests, borrows a bit from the design cue of the much praised ThinkPad X300 ultra-slim laptop. To be sure, the X200 is not as expensive nor as cutting edge as the X300, the high-end features and supermodel thin X300 outdo what you'll get design-wise with the X200. With that said, the ultraportable X200 certainly has a lot to like about it, offers better performance than the X300 and has a more reasonable price. This review will delve into the features and updates the X200 has to the previous X61.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X200 is an ultraportable business laptop, but certainly some consumers that want a portable and durable laptop might also be interested in this notebook. Like its larger brothers from the ThinkPad line, the X200 shares all of the same rugged features, and now even has the comfort of a keyboard that matches the size of the larger ThinkPad T400 and T500 series. Thanks to the new widescreen design the X200 is now wide enough to support larger sized keys.

Although the X200 is indeed smaller than its ThinkPad counterparts, it still packs the same power. Our review unit comes with a new Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 2.40GHz processor from the Intel Montevina family, and it's definitely no slouch. The option for speedy SSD storage, 4GB of RAM and Intel Turbo memory can all contribute to a powerhouse in a small package.

With all this newly found power under the hood you might be wondering if the X200 is a power monger that will drain the battery like it's its job and generate so much heat you can warm your nearby coffee. This is not the case, incredibly battery life capability has increased over the X61 and the laptop remains very cool, indeed cooler than the X61.

Specifications of the X200 being reviewed are as follows:

* CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 2.40 GHz (3MB L2 cache, 1066MHz FSB) (Montevina)
* Chipset: Intel GM45/ICH9-ME
* Memory: 2GB DDR2 667MHz (1x 2048MB) (can support up to 4GB of DDR3 Memory @ 800/1067MHz)
* Hard Drive: 7200RPM 160GB SeaGate Momentus (ST9160823AS) SATA
* Screen: 12.1" widescreen 1280x800 LCD, 200 nits of brightness
* No built-in Optical Drive (need X200 UltraBase for this capability)
* GPU: Intel X4500 Integrated Graphics
* Network/Wireless: Intel Wi-Fi Link 5300 (802.11 a/b/g/n) 1Gb Ethernet Card, built-in Verizon WWAN and Bluetooth (56 Kbps modem optional, not installed)
* Inputs: 95 Key Keyboard with Three Button Touchpoint
* Buttons: Power, ThinkVantage, Volume Up and Down, Mute, and WiFi/Bluetooth On/Off Switch.
* Slots:ExpressCard/54mm, SD card reader (5-in-1 media card reader optional, not installed)
* Battery: Nine Cell Cylindrical (4-cell, 6-cell and 9-cell options)
* Dimensions (with large 9-cell battery in):
o Width: 11.61 inches
o Depth: 9.2 inches
o Thickness: 0.8-in - 1.4 inches
* Dimensions (with small 4-cell battery in):
o Width: 11.6 inches
o Depth: 8.3 inches
o Thickness: 0.8 - 1.4"
* Weight:
o 4-cell battery starting at 1.34 kg / 2.95 lbs
o 6-cell battery starting at 1.47 kg / 3.24 lbs
o 9-cell battery starting at 1.63 kg / 3.58 lbs
* Operating System: Windows Vista Business
* Extra Options: Web-cam, fingerprint reader, 56Kbps modem, 5-in-1 card reader

Environment

Lenovo has been working on making their products more friendly to the environment. The ThinkPad X200 is the first PC to be certified by GreenGuard, it meets a Silver EPEAT rating and is Energy Star 4.0 compliant -- Lenovo is claiming a 25% lower power consumption than the previous generation of ThinkPads. Less power in but more power out -- not bad.

Conclusion

The ThinkPad X200 is a very worthy successor to the ThinkPad X61. The amazing battery life capabilities and cool and quiet running performance are real highlights. Having so much power in a small package while still maintaining a cool and quiet computing experience further adds to the impressiveness there. The ThinkPad X200 is also durable enough to last a very long time even with the most abusive of owners, shoving the X200 in a tightly packed bag and then physically forcing it under seat 21A on the plane won't cause this laptop harm.

The downsides are that there's no optical drive like you get with the ThinkPad X300 and no touchpad for those that prefer that style of input. The removal of FireWire and then no built-in DisplayPort, HDMI or DVI port could be a deterrent for some. The all black and professional look has stood the test of time and looks both clean and professional, we like it, but those business people demanding their IT department to support the Apple iPhone might just care about how cool their laptop looks too. And let's face it, the X200 won't cause anyone to do a double take for its looks.

Overall though the X200 is yet another step forward for the ThinkPad X-series line and another check in the column for a job well done by ThinkPad designers and engineers.

Pros

* Powerful performance with the new Intel Montevina platform, regular clock speed processor of up to 2.40GHz
* Runs very cool and quiet thanks to unique fan design
* New widescreen display and extra width means more keyboard space and easier for dual-window viewing
* Incredible battery life, close to 10-hours potential on the 9-cell cylindrical battery
* Great wireless options such as BlueTooth, WiMax, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, WWAN
* Cool features available such as integrated GPS and integrated web-camera
* Very sturdy notebook built to last with mag-alloy case and magnesium internal roll-cage

Cons

* No built-in high-definition video output port such as HDMI, DVI or Display Port
* No touchpad available, just TouchPoint
* No built-in optical drive
* Can't fit it inside a manila envelope for inter-office mail like with the ThinkPad X300 and MacBook Air