Computers
Lenovo Unveils ThinkPad X301 With Centrino 2 and 128 GB SSD
Posted by Adrian Covert at 8:17 AM on August 16, 2008
Lenovo is following up on their solid X300 notebook with the Thinkpad X301, which will have the Centrino 2 chipset and the option for a 64 or 128 GB SSD. Set for official announcement next week, the notebook will support DisplayPort, Ultra-Wideband and models with integrated mobile broadband will have GPS navigation capability. The notebook will be available for order on August 26, and pricing starts at US$2600. No word on how expensive the SSD upgrade will be. [Lenovo]
Lenovo Expands Ultra-Thin, Ultra-Light ThinkPad X300 Notebook PC Family
Delivers Next-Generation Processing, Greater SSD Storage and Enhanced
Multimedia ExperienceRESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC - August 18, 2008 - Lenovo today announced the
ThinkPad X301 notebook PC, taking the thinnest and lightest full-function
notebook in its class1, to new heights in performance. Like its predecessor,
the industry-acclaimed ThinkPad X300 notebook, the ThinkPad X301 notebook
offers cutting-edge features and technologies in a thin and light form
starting at less than three pounds and one-inch thin. The notebook offers
even greater storage capacity with choices of either 64 GB or new 128 GB
solid state drive storage available in September. The ThinkPad X301 notebook
provides on average nearly 20 percent better performance over the ThinkPad
X300 notebook due to the latest DDR3 memory and the latest Intel(R) Core 2 Duo
ultra low volt processor2."Lenovo continues to push the technology envelope by giving road warriors
the latest enhancements in solid state drive storage and digital display
technologies with the new ThinkPad X301 notebook PC," said Sam Dusi, vice
president, worldwide notebook product marketing, Lenovo. "This announcement
extends our commitment to blending ultraportability and functionality, and
equipping today's business users with the most advanced, highest-performing
computing tools."New support for DisplayPort makes viewing high definition content easy and
ideal for models with the ultra-thin DVD burner. With support for both
DisplayPort and VGA, users can even watch high definition content on
multiple displays. Designed for maximum options for wireless connectivity,
the ThinkPad X301 notebook offers models with high-speed mobile broadband3
and WiFi3 to connect wirelessly to the Internet, and also with Bluetooth and
Ultra-Wideband technology to connect wirelessly to other devices. Lenovo
offers improved uplink performance by up to 250 percent for models with AT&T
mobile broadband over previous ThinkPad notebooks with AT&T mobile
broadband4. Models supporting WiMAX will be available later this year.
Additionally, GPS on notebook models with high speed mobile broadband5 allow
travelers to more easily navigate to the office or airport.The notebook also includes Lenovo's ThinkVantage Technologies, unique
hardware-software tools designed to maximize user productivity. With
Lenovo's improved Access Connections tool, users can navigate a
user-friendly interface to easily find and access Internet and network
connections. Also, Lenovo's improved Power Manager gives users more control
over notebook functions to enable longer battery life.The ThinkPad X301 notebook also continues Lenovo's focus on
environmentally-responsible design. Its 13.3-inch LED backlit display, solid
state drive storage and other energy-efficient technologies help make it
rated Gold by the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool. This
designation adds to Lenovo's portfolio of Gold-rated ThinkPad notebook and
ThinkCentre desktop PCs.Pricing and Availability6
Pricing for models of the ThinkPad X301 notebook starts at approximately
$2,599. The notebook will be available on August 26 through Lenovo Business
Partners and www.lenovo.com.

Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
videoCWK
Posted 8:54 AM 16/8/08
No widescreen? Meh.
videoCWK
duffyanneal killed WALL-E
Posted 9:17 AM 16/8/08
It has a 16:9 ratio screen. Speaking of which I had one of these and the display is absolutely abysmal. Great chassis and performance..terrible display.
duffyanneal killed WALL-E
meefer
Posted 9:50 AM 16/8/08
+1 on the horrid screens most lenovos have. Seriously $2600 for a screen that is so dim to make mood lighting jealous? Only downfall and enough to make me reconsider a lenovo ever again after my x60.
meefer
BetoQuito
Posted 12:01 PM 16/8/08
Besides the display issues, how reliable are Lenovo's? My wife has had a nightmarish experience with her latest Sony Vaio. She is no longer a fan after this last one...
BetoQuito
wizzledizzle
Posted 2:42 PM 16/8/08
Widscreens SUCK! Unless it is primarily for watching dvd movies. Other applications are not really made for widescreen use, plus I really think widescreens are a marketing scam. If you have a widescreen your cool .... not, ur a poser.
wizzledizzle
design330
Posted 3:37 PM 16/8/08
I actually love the Lenovo screens. I've had three or four Thinkpads over the years and have loved each and every one of them. To the poster that asked about their reliability, second to none in the laptop market in my eyes. I've dumped an entire can of Diet Coke on my keyboard, no issues. I've dropped it onto a tile floor while standing, no issues. I even dropped it down a flight of concrete steps in a laptop SLEEVE and watched it bounce to the bottom. Again, no issues. Support is awesome, service is awesome, I have no complaints at all.
design330
JD
Posted 12:30 AM 18/8/08
I've gone through at least five Thinkpads, dating back to 1992-era Thinkpad 300 with a 25Mhz 386 processor. For reliability every one has been rock-solid, and each was replaced when it got outdated rather than because it died. But the displays *are* one of the Thinkpads' weak points, both brightness and resolution tend to suck.
JD
dman0586
Posted 12:02 AM 19/8/08
@wizzledizzle: I don't know about that. With a widescreen monitor I tend to be more productive because I can view multiple application windows at the same time very easily. I am much less productive on a non-widescreen monitor.
dman0586
Kosko
Posted 6:20 AM 19/8/08
I've got a T61 and think its incredible. Its a little heavy but it can handle the Adobe Suite, Office, Visual Studio, Reason rewired to Reason. And sure the wide screen makes viewing movies pretty nice too :-)
Kosko
Kosko
Posted 6:54 AM 19/8/08
Oh, logitech's laptop mouse with the nearly flush bluetooth transmitter is pretty great as well.
Get a Targus Bag.
Don't forget headphones, midi keyboard and tablet.
Dominate Starbucks!
Kosko