Lenovo ThinkPad X100e Dual Core Review Discussion

The ThinkPad X100e is an 11-inch netbook based on AMD processors and ATI graphics that promises to outperform cheaper Intel Atom-based netbooks and provide the durability and features business users demand. We weren't too impressed with the single-core version of this laptop, but we decided to take a closer look at this tiny road warrior equipped with a newer dual-core AMD processor. Is the dual-core ThinkPad X100e worth your hard-earned dollars this Fall?

Observant readers will notice many similarities between this review and our original review of the single-core ThinkPad X100e. These notebooks are technically identical except for the processor configuration. Be sure to jump ahead to page two of our review if you want to see how things changed with the newer processor.

Read the full content of this Article: Lenovo ThinkPad X100e Dual Core Review

Related Articles:

• Lenovo ThinkPad X201 Review
• Lenovo ThinkPad X100e Review

 

I have to admit the Editor's Choice was kinda unexpected, after seeing 108F and 105F at the bottom of the lappy

Also this processor is not new. It is still based on the K8 rather than the K10.5 and it uses the old ddr2 instead of ddr3.
Lenovo is yet to update their line up with the new ones.

On a side note i like the understated look of the new Editor's Choice logo
Thanks again for the review.

 

Really tempted to get this to replace my old T61. Did you measure the CPU and GPU temps at idle and under stress?

 

I can pull the internal CPU and GPU temps from our lab results when I'm in the lab tomorrow. As for the external temps that we show in the graphics of the keyboard and bottom, those are always recorded after stressing the notebook for a minimum of 30 minutes of heavy activity (usually multiple PCMark benchmarks run back-to-back to simulate heavy system stress/usage).

As for the processor, I know it's not the "newest" mobile CPU tech from AMD, but the AMD Turion Neo X2 Dual-Core L625 is "newer" than the AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 which is still for sale on the Lenovo website and various retail stores.

We redesigned our Editors' Choice logo to go along with our upcoming site redesign. We also like the smaller, simpler look of the award rather than a giant obnoxious logo.

 

I've played with one of these in the store and I can't stress enough how amazing the keyboard is for a machine this size. My expression for it just can't be repeated in polite company.

 

Thanks for the review.

But im not impressed by Lenovo at all.
They should have just replaced it with the newer AMD Athlon II / Turion II (45nm) CPUs instead.

 

Actually they should have replaced it with Intel CULV processors.

I don't get why everyone wants to use these Neo chips... they have worse performance and worse battery life than Intel CULV, and the prices of the machines seem to be about the same.

Now if this laptop cost $450 and had HDMI and better battery life, I might be impressed. The only reasons I'd consider it over the competition are better build quality, better keyboard, and matte screen. Which really is worth considering, I agree. But this Neo stuff just seems to me like a step backwards... am I missing something?

 

I never understood the fascination with backlit keyboards. Some people stress how useful they are but up until this year, we have been doing without them just fine. Learn to touch-type.

Anyways, this looks like a decent machine and I like the keyboard layout. Not often you see an 11-12" notebook with dedicated home/end/pgup/pgdn.

I agree with previous posters, this notebook would be a lot better if it were based on the Intel CULV platform . . . superior performance without a doubt.

Very nice review, Jerry.

 

Another good read

I love the design, especially the screen-thought matte screens had all but died out. I do agree with Charles though where the CPU/platform is concerned (previously owned a dv2 with the MV-40.....). Regardless, I think this will still be a fine addition to the ThinkPad line.

 

They already have a intel version. It's called Thinkpad X201

 

Yeah, if you can afford the extra $275 you will get a much more capable notebook- at teh same size and weight:

Lenovo 3249-MDU ThinkPad X201i 12.1" Notebook PC in PC Notebook Computers at JR.com

 

depends on what your definition of "increased performance" is, because this thing is nice to carry around to play some games on.

I still need to figure out how to get the fan to speed up more,it spins quite slow even when its hot.

If you dont believe me,run a BIOS update while in windows,it spins up incredibly fast during the update

 

The X201i has benchmarks for graphics that are 75% higher, and processing that are about 200% higher.

You have to decide based on your needs whether that is worth the difference in price. Because the X201i is the same size and weight and has better battery life. It is simply a superior machine- and is priced accordingly.

 

Have anyone tried undervolting the x100e to see what kind of results on can get?

 

Hey Dustin would you post a Reveiw of your studio 17

 

It spins up like that on Alienwares too, but the temps don't go up that high.

Also... "gaming"? Come on.. it has integrated graphics.

As for Intel ULV CPUs, not only the performance is superior, the they heat up way less (even overclocked).

 

AMD's Vision platform is cheaper. If the manufacturer is paying less for the components while keeping the price the same, they get a bigger profit margin.

I've had some experience with AMD's Neo processors before, started with the Neo MV-40 in the HP Dv2. I liked everything about it except the fan and heat. Even when just sitting idle, the fan seems to be running constantly, and it was always hot. I'll give the newer platform another shot, although I must admit I'm quite leery. The TDP from the older generation to the new generation seems to have dropped a bit, so hopefully this means less fan noise and less heat. Then again, it's at Dell's mercy on how they manage the fan control and heatsink design; not saying the HP is any better.

 

I love the ThinkPad line. I will pass on this one, waiting for IPS display models hopefully coming out next year.

 

I can play Modern Warfare 2 on an 11 inch notebook (that I originally payed 549 new then did some upgrades,so its like half of the price of a m11x). Granted the settings are bare minimum,but its playable at least. The Source engine games play pretty good on it as well.

So dont write up IGPS as completely ungameable.

I got a C2Q 3.6 ghz,8 gigs of RAM and Dual Radeon 5770s sitting at home for the serious business,so I dont have any issues with my 11 inch laptop playing games at bare minimum,as long as its playable

 

I just got an X100e today. Somehow we've got into the situation that a laptop not a laptop unless it has a Trackpoint, so the budget dicated an X100e.
It arrived today, so I took a few (rushed) pics of it together with my X201 and an old R30.
Initial impressions are pretty good. It's nice and small, looks great and seems to perform reasonably well - for the price. tried to see how hot I could get it - and yes it does get quite warm, much more so than my X201, but not cooking warm like some DELLs I've come across (nothing against DELLs, just saying.)

Here are the pics:
2010-12-21 X100e Arrival - a set on Flickr