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Lenovo ThinkPad X200

Starting at $1,170

Reviewed May 2009
Lenovo ThinkPad X200

Best ultraportable laptop overall

pros
  • Powerful performance
  • Thin case
  • Light weight
  • Great battery life
cons
  • No optical drive
  • No touchpad
  • So-so graphics performance
 
 
Where to Buy
  • PC Connection

    for $1,099.00

  • pcRUSH.com

    for $1,085.17

  • eCOST.com

    for $959.99

 
 
 

Critics love the 12.1-inch Lenovo ThinkPad X200. Though not the thinnest or lightest ultraportable laptop available, it is still thin and lightweight enough to make for a good traveling companion. Even more important, the X200 is a serious performer -- comparing favorably with full-sized laptops (let alone the rest of the thin and light laptop pack). Run time between charges is good even with the standard six-cell battery, and if you opt for the optional nine-cell battery, you'll get enough juice to complete a coast-to-coast flight and then some -- though the bigger battery also adds a smidgen to the X200's size and weight.

There are tons of customization available for the Lenovo ThinkPad X200 -- including a bevy of processor and storage options. Unfortunately, all the money in the world won't buy an optical drive -- such as a DVD burner -- or a touchpad pointing device. Graphics performance is surprisingly good considering the lack of a discrete graphics card, but playing a graphics-intensive game still won't be an enjoyable experience. Though the HP Pavilion dv3510nr (*est. $900) is not as widely hailed, and its performance is not quite as good, it is still more than decent in that regard, packed with features -- including an optical drive, a graphics card and a touchpad -- and blessed with an attractive price.

Almost everyone has reviewed the Lenovo ThinkPad X200, and the reviews are nearly unanimously glowing. The ultraportable laptop earns Editors' Choice recognition at CNET and Laptop Magazine, while PC World bestows it with a Best Buy designation. You can also read informative, highly detailed reviews at NotebookReview.com and PCMag.com. Lenovo's own site is the best destination for user reviews.

Where To Buy
 
 
Featured StoresStore RatingNotesTotal Price
PC ConnectionPC Connection rated 4.50 (5658 reviews)5658 store reviewsIn Stock. Usually Ships Monday$1,099.00
pcRUSH.compcRUSH.com rated 4.50 (445 reviews)445 store reviewsIn Stock. $1,085.17
eCOST.comeCOST.com rated 3.50 (2129 reviews)2129 store reviewsIn Stock. $959.99
 
 
 

Our Sources

1. PCMag.com

While Cisco Cheng complains that the Lenovo ThinkPad X200 lacks an optical drive and could be lighter, he hails it as a "terrific" business ultraportable. Performance is first rate in the site's benchmark testing, and battery life is impressive.

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X200, Cisco Cheng, July 15, 2008

2. Laptop Magazine

Laptop Magazine recognizes the Lenovo ThinkPad X200 with its Editors' Choice award. Reviewer Jeffery L. Wilson finds few complaints, saying that graphics performance -- though not up to handling the most demanding games -- is still solid compared to other ultraportables.

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X200, Jeffrey L. Wilson, July 14, 2008

3. CNET

CNET is impressed with the Lenovo ThinkPad X200, granting it an Editors' Choice award despite the fact that it lacks some features, such as an optical drive. "Record-breaking" battery life and top-shelf performance are some of the reasons why.

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X200, Michelle Thatcher, Aug. 14, 2008

4. PC World

PC World's reviews aren't as detailed as others, but they are backed with solid testing. The Lenovo ThinkPad X200 secures the site's highest rating among ultraportable laptops and a Best Buy designation. Carla Thornton calls it "a surefire winner for on-the-run execs."

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Ultraportable Laptop Review, Carla Thornton, Aug. 5, 2008

5. Notebook Review.com

The reviews at NotebookReview.com are highly detailed and expertly done. Benchmark testing against competing machines is well documented. Though the site recommend specific laptops over others, the reviewer finds few faults and is clearly impressed with the Lenovo ThinkPad X200.

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Review, Andrew Baxter, July 15, 2008

6. Lenovo.com

Though there's not a ton of user reviews available, no Lenovo ThinkPad X200 owner rates the ultraportable laptop at less than three stars. The vast majority of users say they would recommend the notebook to a friend.

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Reviews, Contributors to Lenovo.com

Ultraportable Laptops Runners Up:

Toshiba Portege R600 Starting at $2,100

2 picks by top review sites.

Sony Vaio Z Starting at $1,740

2 picks by top review sites.

Samsung X360 Starting at $1,700

2 picks by top review sites.

HP TouchSmart tx2z Starting at $900

2 picks by top review sites.

Acer Aspire 3935 *Est. $900

2 picks by top review sites.

     
   
 
 
 
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