Lenovo refers to their ThinkPad X1 as a crossover computer. Made for the business set, but with features – slim body, Gorilla Glass screen, comfy, spill-proof keyboard – that will appeal to the consumer crowd as well. This wants to go mainstream.
The X1 still looks very much like part of the Lenovo ThinkPad family, which is to say functional, but hardly beautiful. At 1.6kg and 1.7cm thick, it’s not the slimmest or lightest ultraportable out there, but this thing is for the road warrior. It will fit easily into a bag, survive coffee mishaps, and has a battery that can charge to 80 per cent in 30 minutes. Plus it comes with the option of an Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processor.
Along with the 13-inch glass screen, and dimpled, chiclet-style keyboard – the part of the laptop Lenovo considers most important – the X1 comes with Dolby Home Theater sound and maintains that recognisable red nub and above-trackpad mouse buttons so you can navigate without taking your hands off the keyboard. comes in Core i3, i5 and i7 configurations. And at $US1400, the X1 may not sell at a price that screams “crossover”, but it could be as close as any enterprise notebook has come yet.
