EmailBest Reviewed
Ultraportable Laptops
- Best ultraportable laptop overall Lenovo ThinkPad X200 *Est. $1170
- Best for under $1,000 HP Pavilion dv3510nr *Est. $900
- Budget ultraportable laptop Dell XPS M1330 *Est. $750
- Stylish but expensive Windows laptop Lenovo ThinkPad X301 *Est. $1875
- Best tablet PC Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet *Est. $1410
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Stylish but expensive Windows laptop
- Light weight
- Thin
- Great display
- Great performance (except for games)
- Expensive
- Poor gaming performance
- So-so battery life
The 13.3-inch Lenovo ThinkPad X301 is among the more expensive ultraportable laptops you can buy. Still, just about every expert says that this is the ultraportable laptop to that mobile executives will love to carry about and use -- as long as price is no object. Though not as flashy as the MacBook Air (starting at $1,800), it is nearly as thin and light, and experts say it delivers better performance and more functionality. Benefits include an optional DVD burner -- a rarity in an ultraportable this thin. Battery life is also excellent, and an optional three-cell add-on battery provides even longer run times. Connectivity -- including wireless connectivity -- is very good.
Because the ThinkPad X301 relies on integrated graphics, it wouldn't be anyone's first choice for gaming. However, the biggest negative is the price. If you can tolerate a little more -- but not much more -- thickness and weight, the Lenovo ThinkPad X200 (starting at $1,170) is also a great performer at a lower price.
We found lots of reviews for the Lenovo ThinkPad X301. The most detailed and credible come from NotebookReview.com, Laptop Magazine and PCMag.com. The shorter but still well done reviews at LaptopLogic.com and PC World (Australia) are worthwhile reads as well, while the reports at Pocket-lint and About.com offer some additional insights.
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Our Sources
NotebookReview.com reviews the Lenovo ThinkPad X301 in a detailed and testing-backed report. While no specific recommendations are made, the ultraportable laptop is benchmarked against the competition. Despite the cost, Andrew Baxter says that the expense of the X301 can be justified for traveling executives who rely on the laptop for business.
Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X301 Review, Andrew Baxter, Sept. 18, 2008
Cisco Cheng puts the Lenovo ThinkPad though its paces in this thorough review. He calls it the " most impressive ultraportable in its class," but adds that the price means that it is only affordable for a highly paid executive.
Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X301, Cisco Cheng, Sept. 18, 2009
3. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Jeffery L. Wilson says that the Lenovo ThinkPad X301 provides tons of business capabilities in laptop with all the sleekness of the MacBook Air. Battery life is criticized.
Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X301, Jeffery L. Wilson, Sept. 11, 2008
Daniel Shain calls the Lenovo ThinkPad X301 a "fully featured and fully portable unit, all for a fully painful price." The result of benchmark testing is published. The X301 is named an Editors' Choice.
Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X301 Review, Daniel Shain, Oct. 23, 2008
This review in the Australian edition of PC World isn't the most detailed, but covers the basics more than adequately. Opinions are backed by reasonable testing. Price, below-average battery life and a problematic latch are the only negatives to what's called "a fantastic and well-engineered notebook."
Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X301 Review, David Ramli, Nov. 12, 2008
Britain's Pocket-lint reports on the Lenovo ThinkPad X301 in a short report that seems balanced but lacks the detail of those we rate higher. Stephen Patrick says that the Lenovo ThinkPad X301 is "far more useable than the MacBook Air."
Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X301, Stephen Patrick, March 2, 2009
7. About.com
The Lenovo ThinkPad X301 is named the best business ultraportable by About.com's Mark Kyrnin. Discussion is solid, but not very detailed, and no mention of testing is made. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X301 Review, Mark Kyrnin, March 18, 2009
Ultraportable Laptops Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
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2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
Samsung X360-34G 13.3-Inch Laptop (1.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 Centrino 2 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, Vista Business)
 from Amazon.com New: $829.00
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