Lenovo ThinkPad X1 review

The second-generation Intel 2.5GHz Core i5-2520MCPU in our configuration is a slightly faster variation than we've seen in recent Core i5 laptops such as the HP ProBook 6360b, which used a 2.3GHz Core i5-2410M. While the X1 comes with other CPU options overseas, this is the only CPU model currently offered in the U.S. That's fine by us; it's excellent for everyday multitasking and HD video streaming, and feels like the best middle-of-the-road option among second-gen Intel Core i-series processors.

The ThinkPad X1's Core i5 CPU is a vPro processor, which comes with Intel's own baked-in IT-oriented business hardware for encryption/decryption, antitheft, and software patch deployment. That's not important for the average consumer, but comes in handy on the business side and is a big part of what makes business laptops IT department-friendly.

The lack of a dedicated GPU means the X1 relies on Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics. Especially for the average business user, this is sufficient for most everyday needs, amounting in performance terms to an entry-level 2010 GPU. Unreal Tournament III, for instance, played at 49.9 frames per second at native 1,366x768-pixel resolution, with graphics settings set to medium.

Juice box
Lenovo ThinkPad X1	Average watts per hour
Off (60 percent)	0.50
Sleep (10 percent)	0.84
Idle (25 percent)	7.82
Load (5 percent)	47.49
Raw kWh	41.29
Annual energy cost	$4.69

With its included, nonremovable six-cell battery, the ThinkPad X1 averaged 3 hours and 25 minutes of battery life in our video-playback battery drain test. Our battery test is especially rigorous, and you may see better results through screen-dimming and normal office use, but the X1's battery is still considerably worse than low-voltage thin laptops such as the MacBook Air, and gives less than half the battery life that the Portege R835 achieved.

A "slice" battery, which covers the entire bottom surface of the system, is available in a bundle for a total of $1,549 (in other words, $150 for the extra battery). It increased the battery life in our tests to 5 hours and 44 minutes, but the added heft practically turns the X1 into a normal-thickness laptop. On the positive side, the X1's battery uses a technology called RapidCharge, which promises much faster charging of up to 80 percent of the battery in about 30 minutes. In office use, we found that the charging was pretty fast indeed--but then again, with the way the integrated battery depletes, you'll need it.

The X1 comes with a three-year standard warranty, which is better than we've seen for other ThinkPads. Many business laptops offer three-year plans, which helps mitigate the added cost of the X1. Lenovo's customer service and business support Web site and software tools are well-known and better than average. According to Lenovo's Web site when we typed in the serial number, adding Priority Support to the three-year warranty costs an additional $160, and adding accidental damage protection over that same three-year span would cost an extra $100 or $140, depending on whether you select Depot or Onsite service. In addition to the onboard ThinkVantage troubleshooting and driver update applications, the Lenovo Web site offers the same information, but an actual tech-support contact number can be hard to find (although chances are your company IT team would handle any problems with the system). If you do need to call Lenovo, try this 24-7 support line: 1-800-426-7378.

System configurations
Lenovo ThinkPad X1
Windows 7 Professional (64-bit) w/ SP1; 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-2520M; 4,096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1,333MHz; 64MB (Dedicated) / 1,696MB (Total) Intel HD 3000; 320GB Hitachi 7,200rpm

Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch
OS X 10.6.6 Snow Leopard; 1.86GHz Intel Core 2 Duo; 2,048MB DDR3 SDRAM 1,066MHz; 256MB Nvidia GeForce GT 320M; 128GB Apple SSD

Lenovo IdeaPad U260
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit); 1.33GHz Intel Core i5 U470; 4,096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1,066MHz; 64MB (Dedicated)/1,696MB (Total) Intel GMA HD; 320GB Hitachi 5,400rpm

Toshiba Portege R835-P56X
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit); 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-2410M; 4,096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1,333MHz; 64MB (Dedicated)/1,696MB (Total) Intel GMA HD; 640GB Hitachi 5,400rpm

Samsung 9 Series
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit); 1.4GHz Intel Core i5-2537M; 4,096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1,333MHz; 64MB (Dedicated) Intel GMA HD; 128GB Samsung SSD

Dell Vostro 3350
Windows 7 Professional (64-bit) w/ SP1; 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-2410M; 4,096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1,333MHz; 512MB AMD Mobility Radeon HD 6470M / 64MB (Dedicated) Intel GMA HD; 320GB Western Digital 7,200rpm