Lenovo ThinkPad X201 Tablet Review

Lenovo ThinkPad X201 Tablet
  • Intel Core i7 640LM (2.13 GHz)

  • Intel HD Graphics

  • 2 GB RAM Size

  • 250 GB HDD Capacity

2

Our summary of all reviews

  • Performance

    11 /100

    This low level of performance allows some multitasking. Word processing and similar applications work at an acceptable speed, as well as online games like “FarmVille”. At this level, gaming or HD videos are impossible, office work is suitable though.

    • 3DMark 06 1024 x 768

      1828.33 #

    • PCMark 05

      5701 #

    • PCMark Vantage

      6106 #

    • Cinebench xCPU 64Bit

      7375 #

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  • Design

    3.0/5

    The reviewers’ opinions tended predominantly towards moderate satisfaction concerning the laptop design. The notebook’s appearance was decently received and should prove to be at the taste of many users.

  • Build Quality

    5.0/5

    The extremely solid build quality provides for absolute protection of the inner components of this laptop. All the outer components -hinge, display panel, and chassis- are highly stable, with no gaps or cracking sounds ever experienced. This computer is ideal for people with very active lifestyles, requiring absolute endurance and solidity of their laptops.

    • Base Unit Flex

       : 

      5.0/5

      Active people with lifestyles requiring traveling, and who place a high value on perfection will be very satisfied with this laptop.

    • Hinge Stability

       : 

      4.0/5

      The screen hinge, connecting the monitor and the laptop body, is characterized by good tightness and flexibility. The display might slightly wiggle after opening the laptop or when moving around, but it does not cause any real annoyances.

    • Display Panel

       : 

      4.0/5

      Colour distortions barely visible to the naked eye occur when pressing the back of the monitor, or when moving it back and forth. The user can expect that no gaps will exist between the different parts of the display panel.

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  • Display

    3.0/5

    Generally the reviewers deemed this laptop to be above average. Users could expect this display to provide for average satisfaction with office work as well as multimedia use. Gamers and professional designers might however not find this display to their taste. To get a more comprehensive review of this display, users should check the ratings of the different attributes of this screen.

    • Display Resolution

      1280 x 800

      This resolution does not allow for much multitasking. Opening two windows next to one another is quite annoying as much scrolling is needed to view the content of both. The users might get lost between their windows, as a continuous expanding and minimizing is required. Viewing highly detailed pictures demands quite a lot of zooming, and only low resolution picture and video editing is possible. Gamers could be satisfied with this resolution as many graphic cards support the native resolution of this display and run very smoothly. The gaming will not however be experienced to its full potential, as viewing graphic details is limited. The majority of movies will be viewed with black bars at the top and the bottom of the display.

    • Color Reproduction

       : 

      2.7/5

      Though it would be manageable to watch movies with this color reproduction, the experience might not be enjoyable for visually acute users. The coverage of color spectrum is below average, making colors look far from authentic and incomparable to real life experience. High resolution gaming and HD movies viewing will not be pleasant.

    • Contrast

       : 

      2.5/5

      The contrast between the darkest color -black- and the brightest color -white- is below average in this computer. This results in having the darkest areas being washed out resembling a dark shade of gray, while the brightest areas appear to be of a light grayish color. Movies can be enjoyed provided that the room is completely darkened. Most office workers will find the readability to be sufficient, while some might be annoyed by the close shades of gray characterizing both the dark text and the bright background. The needs of professional designers will surely not be met with this notebook.

    • Brightness

       : 

      4.0/5

      Setting the computer to its maximum brightness will allow you to see the screen even when a strong light is shining on it. Outdoor usability is enhanced with this level of display brightness. Under most indoor light settings however, the screen would be too bright and should be dimmed for comfortable use. Making the display darker has the additional benefit of greatly increasing the battery life. The laptop brightness is evenly distributed over the whole screen, meaning the brightness is not concentrated on one spot of the monitor.

    • Average Brightness

      250 cd/m²

    • Reflections

       : 

      5.0/5

      Display reflection? What display reflection!? There is no display reflection! Even a bright light directed straight at the screen, will not bother the users both indoors and outdoors. This computer thus provides for ideal viewing in both an office/home context, and when lying at the beach while watching your favourite movie.

    • Viewing Angle

       : 

      2.7/5

      Looking at the screen from the side causes color distortions. Two people watching a movie have to sit close together for both of them to get a good picture. Even when you move in your chair color deviations will be noticeable. On the plus side, this display provides for some privacy in public spaces.

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  • Sound

    2.0/5

    The internal speakers of this laptop provided for a below average sound quality. Low sounds are still recognizable. Music can still listened to although the users should account for the necessity of external speakers when planning to watch a movie with a group. Musicians should not even stop to consider this laptop for their work, and gamers will be disappointed as the sound will be convincing. Even maximum volume will not make the sound experience enjoyable.

    • Maximum Volume

       : 

      2.0/5

      This laptop provides for a great opportunity to test your hearing abilities. At maximum volume, users can expect the sound to be loud enough to partially cover the space in one room. It would be difficult to enjoy a movie with a group of people if you are not all sitting close to the laptop. Headphones or external speakers should prove to be a good back up for action/thriller movies to be enjoyed.

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  • Keyboard

    5.0/5

    This keyboard has been rated to be among the best in the market. The reviewers were impressed by the comfort and the speed provided for when typing. It is ideal for users whose profession demands long typing hours such as for journalists or academicians, without suffering from the slightest pain or frustration in the process. It is as well impressively comfortable and enduring for gaming, as one of the many activities requiring frequent and long usage, all of which this keyboard is perfectly fitted for.

    • Layout

       : 

      4.5/5

      This keyboard is presented to the user with a layout easy on the eye requiring practically no time to get used to it. Typing feels accurate and the standard layout of the keyboard greatly contributes to increasing speed and comfort. The users will not at all be bothered with inconveniences such as a smaller than usual “Enter” key or swapped key positions. All in all, an agreeable layout for very smooth use.

    • Keyboard Size

       : 

      4.0/5

      The size of this keyboard allows for a good typing experience, as the keys are large enough to reduce typos. The palm rest is as well a quality of this keyboard, deep enough for easy and comfortable usage. The gaps between the keys make the keyboard quite proportionate, and to the linking of most users.

    • Key Responsiveness

       : 

      5.0/5

      This keyboard is made for enjoying long typing hours. The keys do not need that much applied pressure for accurate feedback, and you might even be quite amazed by the improvement in your typing accuracy -no typos- and your speed. The keyboard feels very smooth and comfortable, as the keys go just deep enough when typing. All in all: Guaranteed satisfaction no matter you expectations and your demands.

    • Keyboard Flex

       : 

      4.5/5

      The users will be happy to find that this keyboard is sturdy and very reliable. The keyboard does not bend at all even under heavy typing or when forcefully pressed. The flex thus is practically non-existent, making the typing experience not only enjoyable, but as well fast and comfortable.

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  • Touchpad

    4.0/5

    This touchpad will be considered by most users to be very much suited for some quite complex tasks. Be it for office work, browsing online, or for designing, reviewers thought this trackpad to be convincing. For gaming however, an external mouse is needed. The touchpad button comes nothing short of what the rest of the trackpad provides for: The feedback is accurate, the feel is smooth, and the size is well suited for medium to large displays. This trackpad helps you in quickly adjusting to your new computer

    • Sensitivity

       : 

      4.5/5

      This touchpad has proved to provided for excellent feedback with impressive accuracy. There was no lag or jumpiness, which greatly contributes to increasing your working speed. Your mouse pointer’s precision will be nothing short of an arrow splitting the stem of a flower. All in all, this touchpad is perfectly reliable concerning precision and reaction.

    • Touchpad Size

       : 

      1.8/5

      The size of this touchpad will be a source of inconvenience most times it is used. It is too small for covering an average sized displays, with one stroke. This means you will have to constantly move your finger back and forth in order to reach the other side of the screen. You might think of improving your sensitivity settings, but this will sacrifice the precision of your cursor.

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  • Battery Surfing

    3:30 h

    This battery life should be enough for users planning to spend just a bit over a couple of hours away from a power source. If you want, for example, to check your emails in the garden, or during a short train ride, you should make sure that your display is set on low brightness. You should as well turn on your energy saving mode, and avoid running any other parallel programs other than the one you are using. With all these precautions, this battery might still not be enough for you, in this case you should have a second battery to secure longer working hours away from a power socket.

    • Battery DVD/Video

      2:52 h

      This battery will only provide for 2 to 3 hours of work with energy demanding applications. You will probably be able to watch one movie or stream a couple of videos. Gaming will consume much more energy compared to watching videos, thus the battery will not last as long. For mobile use, an external battery is a good idea as it will double the time you are independent from power sockets.

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  • Weight

    1.60 kg

    This laptop is comfortable to carry around during a busy day, with all your information within reach. Though there are lighter notebooks available and the extra weight in your bag will be noticeable, it will yet not be exhausting, even when you pack the charger. The weight of this laptop will not be a problem for most users, even those not used to carry around heavy weights.

  • Noise

    4.0/5

    This laptop stays pleasantly silent most of the time. It is well fitted for use in public places when one does not want to annoy others. Most users will hardly ever notice any noise coming from the laptop fan, hard-drive, or any other parts.

    • Noise Idle

       : 

      5.0/5

      You will not notice any noise when the laptop is idle.

    • Noise Normal Use

       : 

      4.0/5

      While doing office work or browsing the web, the noise emitted by this computer is barely noticeable. In a quite room, you can rest assured, the low noise of the fan will not hinder with your concentration.

    • Noise Full Load

       : 

      3.0/5

      When you are watching a movie, editing a video, or playing games, the noise emitted by this laptop will not be of much disturbance according to most reviewers. The degree to which you will be annoyed depends on your sensitivity and on how quiet your surroundings are.

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  • Temperature

    4.5/5

    The laptops stays always cool. All reviewers found, the heat from the notebook will not be a problem for your fingers or legs. You can watch movies, even play games on a hot summer day without the laptop emitting any heat.

    • Heat Top: Full Use

       : 

      5.0/5

      The laptop keeps quite cool at normal use. That’s very convenient.

    • Heat Top: Normal Use

       : 

      4.0/5

      The laptop only gets a little warm on top.

    • Heat Bottom: Normal Use

       : 

      4.0/5

      The temperature on the bottom of the notebook is fine. It never gets to warm.

    • Heat Bottom: Full Load

       : 

      3.5/5

      There can be some spot where the laptop gets warm.

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A

All external reviews  Lenovo  ThinkPad X201 Tablet

Language Source URL Review Date Author

English

reviews.cnet.com 4/30/10 Dan Ackerman

English

www.laptopmag.com 3/19/10 Avram Piltch

English

computershopper.com 3/1/10 Catharine Smith and Jamie Bsales

English

www.pcmag.com 2/23/10 Cisco Cheng

English

www.notebookreview.com 2/22/10 Kevin O'Brien

日本語

pc.watch.impress.co.jp 4/12/10 石井 英男
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Total number of reviews: 6