Lenovo ThinkPad X120e Review Discussion

The ThinkPad X120e is the latest "netbook alternative" for business from the team at Lenovo. This 11-inch laptop is packed with the latest AMD "Fusion" processor technology as well as plenty of RAM and a fast hard drive to keep your business running smooth while on the go. Keep reading to find out more.

Read the full content of this Article: Lenovo ThinkPad X120e Review

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• Lenovo IdeaPad V460 Review
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• Lenovo IdeaPad Z560 Review

 

Great review.

BTW, I thought the temperature (peak) was somewhat higher reported elsewhere. Could you measure temp under "heavy" stress?

 

Our external temp readings are taken after the system has been running for a minimum of 30 minutes in an air-conditioned room and then we run PCMark or 3DMark and take our readings near the end of the benchmark test. Our experience is that this is a relatively accurate measure of the peak temps for average users.

Sometimes people complain that our temperature readings are higher than "real world" temps, but most of the time our readings aren't too far off.

I'm sure we could get higher external temperature readings if we ran back-to-back-to-back benchmarks to get the components as hot as they can possibly get, but it's unlikely that this would be an accurate representation of average peak temps for a notebook ... unless you're running it as a gaming machine with the settings maxed.

And before you ask, yes, we do take separate temperature readings on gaming notebooks during intense gameplay to see if the temperatures are hotter than what we recorded during benchmarking.

In any case, tomorrow we'll max the CPU, GPU and hard drive as much as possible for an hour and see if the temps are significantly higher. Even if the resulting temperatures are higher I doubt most users would ever experience that, but we try to give our readers as much info as we can whenever possible.

EDIT:

After even more extensive back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back benchmarking in our lab to stress all of the components as much as possible we barely managed to see any temperature increase using a Fluke 561 IR Thermometer.

We saw a maximum temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit on the touchpad (compared to 83 in our standard test) and 84 degrees on the right palm rest (compared to 79 in our standard test). The rest of the temps remained the same or were one degree cooler in one spot. We were unable to get any spot on the x120e to exceed 89.2 degrees in our lab. The ambient room temperature is between 70 and 74, so that might help keep it cooler than it would be in a room with a higher ambient temperature.

We also make sure that the heat exhaust vent is always clear of any obstructions in our lab before we do tests like this. If you block the vent you will get higher temperatures on ANY notebook that has a vent.

All we can report is what we're seeing in our lab. I don't feel comfortable changing the temperature charts in the review since there is barely any change and our standard testing procedures don't usually stress notebooks in five back-to-back benchmarks and take temperature readings during the fifth benchmark.

 

Thanks for the great review.

Nice laptop, hope it phases out the Atom netbooks soon.

 

@Jerry Jackson

Will an SD card fit flush in the x120e? or will it stick out like in the x100e?

 

Nice review!

The only thing that's really bad is that Lenovo isn't going to sell this in western EU for some reason. Let's hope they change their mind about that.

 

Even with the reported temps from notebookreview, the temps are around 7 degrees hotter on the top and at least 5 degrees hotter on the bottom from notebookreviews own review of the HP dm1 awhile back. This is a pretty big deal IMO. And yeah, I remember one review awhile back taxing this new X120E and hitting over a hundred on top and hitting a whopping 108 degrees on the bottom.

I think its important to note that Lenovo did basically nothing in redesigning the chassis for the X120E from the prior X100 which had thermal issues whereas HP did a top to bottom redesign for the DM1 and improved the thermals from the prior generation which was not really that bad in the thermals to begin with.

I think the matte screen is not as big a deal next to the dm1 being the HP did a really good job using a panel that is not too reflective and has very good viewing angles. I think its a great balance with better color/contrast then the lenovo and personally feel its overall as good or better then the matte. The HP speakers are better then just average that is given this X120E and the touch pad is large and well designed instead of the cramped one used on the lenovo.

Jerry says that when price is not a factor, the lenovo would make the editors award. Its hard for me not to think that other factors are in play for Jerry to make that statement. Because after buying a dm1 for myself, I can't see the lenovo being the better machine at any price. The build quality on the dm1 is outstanding. Keyboard/trackpad are one of the best I have ever used with speakers that are insanely good for something this size. Battery design is smooth and flows with the case with a screen that defies the base price. And the thermals shows how lazy lenovo was since they did absolutely nothing in trying to improve things in that department from the prior release. Even by notebookreviews own scores, the dm1 destroys the lenovo in the heat department and this fact alone, should make the dm1 the editors choice regardless of price.

The lenovo is thick from back to front unlike the thinner wedge of the dm1. Yet the thinner dm1 manages to still blow the X120E out of the water in the heat management department. Engineering wise HP did their homework and it paid off. Engineering wise, Lenovo keep a design that looks similar to IMB thnkpads from over a decade ago. Its more about business look and matte with the X120E then about function.

 

^ Fanboy alert.

I don't mean offend with that comment or troll. It's obvious you really like your machine and want to validate your purchase in the eyes of others. I appreciate your opinion. However, many people will find that the features offered on the x120e will convince them to purchase it over the dm1z.

 

The SD card does not fit flush. Roughly half the card sticks out when it's in the slot.

This type of design used to bother me more when netbooks had limited storage and you needed to use an SDHC card as "permanent" storage. However, now that most of these netbooks and netbook alternatives use standard hard drives and SSDs I only use the SD card slot to transfer photos from my digital cameras and then remove the cards.

My Alienware M11x has a similar card slot and it doesn't bother me.

 

Does the x120e have HD/Caps Lock/Num Lock Lights? I only see a Power/Charge LED on the front.

 

@HI DesertNM

According to the update from Jerry Jackson, the x120e's temps stay the same after Five back-to-back benchmarks and take temperature readings during the fifth benchmark. That's pretty remarkable, while still hotter than the dm1z. The HP Dm1z is able to achieve lower temps with a very fast and loud fan which has been noted in many reviews. Some customers would prefer a quieter computer over a 5-7 degree temperature difference.

Note: The 7200 RPM HD is the culprit for majority of the Heat on either computer. An ssd will solve this.

Lenovo did nothing to the redesign (with the exception of HDMI) because everyone loved the 100e chassis. For that low price, its a pretty well build computer. The screen quality is all subjective, some prefer matte, others glossy. Same with the trackpad, its really hard to say which one is "better" than the other. That's why companies make different products, for a wide range of consumer interests.

Price is a big factor, that's why I went with the x120e for ~375. I was one of the lucky ones that got DOS. But you can still configure the x120e for under $500 with an E-350. The build quality of the x100e/x120e is outstanding aswell. I'm sorry, but I believe the keyboard on the x120e is superior to all other notebooks at this price/size. Plus it has dedicated pgup/pgdown buttons, massive plus in my opinion. Some actually prefer the battery sticking out to have as a grip. The dm1z also has better speakers but I use fantastic headphones most of the time, I have rarely used my speakers. Thus, I don't see them as an important factor in my purchase.

Bottom Line:

Understand that others have different needs. You statements scream fanboy. I agree, the dm1z beats the x120e for batter life and temps. But the x120e has a great keyboard, matte screen, and in my opinion looks great, a serious work horse that looks professional. They stuck with their roots because that what their customers want. If you don't want it, stick with the HP.

PS: To me, the dm1z looks like a kids toy or a college student's computer that he/she takes to class/dorm. I'm done with that look, I want a serious looking machine. I went lenovo, I'm glad you are happy with your purchase of the DM1z.

 

Any news on Canadian availability?

 

Performance between the dm1z and x120e is pretty much equal. All that's left to debate is subjective.

 

It has on-screen icons that pop up for Caps lock. No HD light or num lock indicator since it doesn't have a dedicated numeric keypad or a hidden numeric keypad (just the standard number keys beneath the function keys.

 

Ok, Sorry I came on a bit strong on here. But isn't heat and battery life pretty major issues with notebooks? And in all honestly, if you drop into the 100 plus page dm1 thread you will hear that the dm1 is not a loud machine as you state. Out of the box, yes. But once you turn the coolsense software to quiet mode, noise is a non issue. Even when gaming or running 1080P videos the dm1 barely gets warm using the quiet mode.

Personally, I wanted to buy the lenovo and agree it looks nice. But everyone here did not hear what I said.. I said the dm1 is more functional, and it is. Runs cooler and achieves longer battery life.. these are very important traits in notebooks in general. This is not fanboyism as much as pure fact.. the numbers are all there now. I stated that it has the business look and a nice matte screen. I've read just about every review on the sony YB, DM1 and X120E and most reviewers say the same thing as I did.. nothing new here.

Lastly, the real deal killer for me was the down firing speakers on the 120E. I'm sure I don't need to explain that mid and high frequency sound waves are VERY directional in nature. I'll admit I am very biased when it comes to speakers. They have to be better then average or I will not consider a notebook. All of my laptops have good speaker systems.

Again, I'm sorry if some were put off from my post. I take power management and heat issues very seriously with notebooks. Heat as we all know is enemy number one for any notebook and is the root of most MB failures. Power management is also a critical issue. HP obviously took note to these issues very seriously when they engineered the dm1.

As a final note, my dm1 also has a 7200 rpm seagate HD.. heat is a non issue.. Machine barely gets warm. Its my belief that the only thing that saved the day for lenovo was AMD's new zagate APU running cooler. The X100 did run hot. the new X120E is cooler.. and like you say, it the same chassis.. only real difference here is a cooler running APU from AMD.

 

No worries, heat and battery life are big issues. For my personal computer, I believe an SSD will fix both issues in the x120e. I also got the x120e for a steal, even less than the dm1z.

A SSD in the DM1z would further the great battery life even more and reduce temperatures to lower levels. HP did a wonderful job building a great entertainment netbook. It has all the bells and whistles at a great price. Plus, its performing better than any other Zacate netbook out there(including the x120e).

The x120e fulfills three things that I want: matte screen, great keyboard(dedicated pgup/pgdown), great build quality. The heat is acceptable and the battery life is acceptable.

 

Like I said, one thing killed it for me, the down firing speakers There is no question that the 120e and dm1 are the best of the zagate currently offered. Both serve different needs so I guess neither are better then the other.

 

I'm really interested to get an X120e, would be nice to get a new Thinkpad rather than a used one.

 

@Jerry Jackson. Thanks for the new updated info.

 

It sure would be great if one of those mini-pcie slots was msata compatible. I know lenovo is teaming up with intel to bring the 310 to some of its coming thinkpads. It sure would be great if the x120e got the same treatment.

 

Hmm ... wonder what some of the factors were for such a difference in battery life between this model and the hp dm1?

 

Thanks for the review.

For me, at this prices, it is hard not to look at the Portege R705-P35, $700 at BestBuy -vs what I understand is $689 for this machine.

With the i3, that machine would have 4-threads, 13 inches and 3.2 pounds including a DVD tray...

Isn't this 120e too expensive? What am I missing?

 

Yeah its too expensive for a zagate based system. If you read on the dm1 thread many are getting that machine for under 400 dollars with coupon's etc.. I paid 425 for mine and it comes with 320GB HD, BT, 3 gigs of ram and six cell standard. That is the base configuration. Like the Sony YB, your paying allot for the name i guess. But for hundreds more the X120E is not any better IMO. As stated before, it runs hotter and the power management is not as good as the dm1. Speakers are not even in the same league as the HP. So is it worth hundreds more for a little better keyboard and a matte screen? IMO, no. Once you start hitting that 700 dollar number you are in a whole different ballpark for faster i3/i5 systems.

Too bad indeed that lenovo does not still offer the dos system. I've got a couple of W7 premium licenses from a family pack that I could have used. But like I said, the speakers killed it for me anyway. I think Lenovo is making a huge mistake by only offering W7 Pro on the X120E. That license is plenty expensive even on a oem machine.. they are pricing it too high by doing that. The Sony YB is even worse with a smaller battery and offering only the 32 bit version of windows. For what the Zagate was targeted for, as a cheap alternative to netbooks with more power.. HP did it right by maxing out the specs and to still keep it in price range under i3/i5 systems..

So you are right, that system at best buy for around the same money with a i3 is a better value. I don't think Lenovo is even targeting the X120E for individuals. Its a business machine for sure with a business machine price tag.

 

You're paying for the better build quality and more useful software compared to like systems. With coupons and sales you'll be able to push the price well under $500. I agree with you though; $700 for notebook like this is a rip-off. (IMO)

 

Personally, I feel like even $500 is too high for the semi-netbook (which is really what it is), but when the price gets under $400, it's worth considering as a great portable secondary machine. I'm pretty disappointed I missed the DOS opportunity, although I did snag the latest "deal" (which Lenovo will more than likely end up canceling).

The base X120e comes with Windows 7 Home Premium, either 32-bit or 64-bit. You can add $70 for the Professional version if you choose to do so.

Also, it's Zacate, not Zagate

 

Ok, thats good to know. I priced one out on lenovo site and it only showed the pro version when I was building it. Must be other configurations I missed. I wonder why Lenovo backed out of the dos configuration? Perhaps MS was putting the heat on them?

I priced it again to the same specs as the dm1 and its still over 600. Are you saying there are ways to get 200 dollars worth of discounts to match HP's base configuration? Thats a ton of discounts.

 

FYI In case you have not seen it (as complement of the review here)

Lenovo ThinkPad X120e review -- Engadget

 

Agreed ... I would like it if the fusion notebooks could "take over" the "netbook slot" in terms of prices, variety (i.e. many manufacturers making them so we could have more choices), and the rest....

At the moment it still seems the hp offering is the "package to beat"?

 

People with the DOS discount got X120e models with similar/same specs as the dm1 for around $350 before tax. Add $120 or so to that, and that's the lowest normal price you can get it for--$470 or so. That's most definitely below $600, which is not surprising, since Lenovo is infamous for ridiculous base prices, but tons and tons of coupons available all the time.

The X120e and dm1 are still more netbook than full notebook, so it is reasonable that they should have more netbook-like prices. Personally, I think a good range would be:
Atom-based netbooks: $200-300
AMD Fusion-based "netbooks": $300-500
Intel CULV-based thin-and-lights: $400-600

Especially since you can get a budget, but full-powered, notebook for $400-500, I don't think it would make much sense for these segments to be much over that price range.

As for the dm1, it definitely offers a compelling package for a compelling price. There are things I dislike about it, and I don't think I could survive without a trackpoint and matte screen, but for AMD Fusion Zacate-generation machines, it is definitely the package to beat.

 

x120e seems like a good deal but its price is way to high if configured with the best cpu for it + ram because you can grab a base brand new m11x for $550 ($200 discount $50 coupon).

Only advantage the x120e has over the m11x is probably the weight and the matte screen.

The GT 335m, Customizable Lighting and even the ulv su7300 core2duo is way way faster than the E-350.

I would say if the x120 is price around $450 with the e350 and at least 2gb ram then it is a good deal, but opting for the x120 when it reaches the price point of the base m11x r1 around $550-650 is just being a sucker unless you really want something lighter and the matte screen for outdoor usage.

 

Here's a x120e I just configured for $465, I got mine for $370 with the bluetooth:

AMD Fusion Processor E-350 (1.6Ghz, 1MB L2, 1.0GHz FSB) 2.0GT/s
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 6412
11.6 HD AntiGlare - Midnight Black(w/WWAN)
AMD Radeon HD 6310 Graphics, AMD Fusion Processor E-350 (1.6Ghz, 1MB L2, 1.0GHz FSB) 2.0GT/s
2 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM) at 1066MHz8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
250 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
6 cell Li-Ion Battery 56 W/h60
No Bluetooth
ThinkPad b/g/n10
Integrated Mobile Broadband - Upgradable65
0596: 1 Year Transactional Mail-in Depot7

Extra 2 GB of ram is 20 bucks online. Not a bad deal. With the m11x, you might get more power but you also have a bulkier machine with a crappier keyboard. But considering the raw power of the m11x, 599 is a hard deal to pass up, depending on your needs.

If you configure the x120e, you can get a lower price.

 

Remove the chicklet for a normal thinkpad keyboard, remove the touch pad, add a 9 cell and its near perfect! Huge step in the right direction from the last one though.

 

I'm still waiting for Fusion laptops to come to Russia, so I keep reading the reviews. One major issue appears in all of them.

AMD has been trying so hard to avoid labeling its chips as netbook-class (starting with Neo) so they basically don't have a clear niche. All reviews perceive HP dm1z and Lenovo X120e differently. Some call them ultraportable ( think CULV), some call them netbooks (aka atom-killer). The latter POV is more popular, so you don't get many direct comparisons with Intel CULV chips.

However, if you just take Notebookcheck's benchmarks, it looks like E-350 falls only 15-20% short (at most) from i3-330UM and Pentium U5400. Is that right? Are these chips really comparable? I could live with 15% slower CPU, considering that I actually get a much more capable GPU and many extra functions (e-350 supports virtualization, etc).

 

Oh, and I actually would love to see HP or Lenovo to make a 13-incher with e-350. That could be my main machine (since I don't need all that much horsepower).

Funny thing is, there are 11.6-inchers with Zacate, and there are 14-15 inchers with the same specs (Acer, Toshiba). Nothing in the middle.

 

I would say yes. Since the newer browsers are offloading more to the GPU and html 5 will be the next push for IE 9, FF 4 and Chrome. ATI released new drivers for the e-350 earlier this month and that along with the new adobe flash 10.2, you can easily do 1080P flash videos at full 30 fps without dropping frames. Currently, I can confirm that the E-350 cannot handle netflix HD streaming (SD works fine) which uses MS silverlight. However, MS has announced silverlight 5 which will offload more to the GPU sometime before the second quarter this year. I also noticed that the e-350 will play choppy with quicktime mov 1080P files in quicktime player. However, when I save those files with quicktime pro to my HD, they play perfect with media player... at which point hardware acceleration is in action via the CCCP codecs. The point is moving forward, the strong gpu in the E-350 will only make this more efficient in 2011. Again, at this moment in time, netflix silverlight is the Achilles heal of the E-350 and that probably won't be a issue for much longer. I got one of the very first zacate dm1's back in January and could not be happier with its performance so far.. It just gets better with newer drivers, and browsers etc..

 

I'm dying to get this notebook. Care to share how you received that discount?

 

I too am curious where you got that discount.

 

Unless I'm mistaken, cstavro2 got in on the no-OS (DOS only) price mistake a while back, which Lenovo is honoring. It was a $117 discount in addition to the other discounts at the time.

 

Can someone tell me if the battery is easily removable and replaceable? I would really like to not have the "butt" of the 6 cell but sometimes may need the enhanced battery life. Can I get both? Or is it a disassemble/reassemble like my m11x?

 

Click a button and it pops right out. You may have to order it separate from the notebook. (As an accessory.)

 

I just looked on the review at a picture, when I call in the order I'll have to check into cost and availability.

 

from what I've read online, and my personal experience with my dm1z (which I am going to return)... the dual core amd fusion runs a bit loud and the fan almost never turns off. Does anyone know if this holds true with the single core? If not... I'm ordering myself an x120e

 

I'm sure you already know this. But if you go to the coolsense software on the dm1 and turn it to quiet mode.. then its really not loud.. at least for me and the majority of users that use the dm1 on quiet mode in the dm1 thread. Even on quiet mode, the dm1 barely gets warm.

I'm not sure why HP set it on optimized out of the box. Because out of the box, I agree its too loud.

Also, if its still too loud check your task manager and see if there is some application going nuts on the system resources. There was a gal a while back that tested a dm1 and had some gadgets installed that made the cpu's idle at 50 percent. Normally mine idles around 6 percent. Well she complained that the fan was loud too.. well yeah.. if some stupid gadget runs wild like that.. and also she probably had it on high fan in the coolsense to boot.

So before you send it back, I would check the task manager and sort out bad applications and end task them so you can get your idle down to around 6 percent. Then turn the coolsense to quiet mode. Wait a few minutes and see if it quiets down.. If its still too loud.. then you are very sensitive to fan noise, and the x120e may be a better fit.. Its does run a bit quieter, but also runs about 7 degrees warmer. Personally, I'd rather have a machine that stays at room temperature like the dm1 and a tad more fan noise.

I would also stay away from the single core.. its still has the exact same gpu and the single core will run harder being its the only core. Your multitasking abilities will go down as well. I'd rather doubt the single core would have any difference in thermals. But nevetheless, the x120e dual core is a quieter machine from the reports I hear. Beware that your battery life will be a bit less with the lenovo and the speakers are not even in the same level as the dm1. The x120e has down-firing speakers (underneath).

I can see somebody switching to the x120e for a nicer keyboard or maybe the matte screen. But fan noise makes me question whether you configured coolsense. Thus this reply.

 

This post is in regards to the review.. which was great, thanks! (my 120 should be here in a little under 2 weeks ) I really don't understand why people complain about small laptops not having backlit keys though. I mean, yeah, it's nice & it's a feature I feel a requirement for my better desktop rigs, but they stay plugged into the wall. While I understand lighting technology's come a long ways, backlit keys would have to both add a tiny bit of weight & burn more juice than without, among other things. (like added expense) Now, if we're talking about my 17" portable gamer, that's a different story.. but she's never been on a diet, nor does she spend much time without her umbilical cord. Also, if a "business travelers" hands don't already know their way around a keyboard, without looking, they need to go back to keyboarding class/highschool!

 

I think a think light would have been a very nice, useful feature, and I would gladly deal with the miniscule weight and power usage while on. I know my way around a keyboard but it helps to see a single key to line my hands up, I miss in the dark pretty frequently, especially when trying to use function keys to change screen brightness or change the volume while watching a movie in the dark.


Driverfinder... What are you posting that in here for? And why is your name driverfinder if you need us to find it haha, ever tried a google search?

 

Get an m11x r1 to solve your problem. Otherwise be happy with x120e for what its got

 

I sold my m11x to buy an x120e, yes, I did do that.

 

Just got my x120e today. I thought it should boot into DOS, but the HDD was completely empty. LOL. It had WD scorpio blue 250GB. I replaced it with intel SSD g2. Then replaced ram with two crucial 4GB 1333 mhz speed sticks.

The netbook feels heavy, and very sturdy. The build quality seems really good, I mean I own a thinkpad x61s and x61t. I know well built machines. While replacing parts, I saw that the bottom is made of magnesium. I'm not sure about the lid, feels kind of like magnesium, but may be abs plastic. The hinge is steel, but colored black. If it was stainless steel color, it would have looked like a real thinkpad X series. I'm gonna laugh at hp's build quality now that I see and feel the actual x120e in my hands. I can't believe a hp fanboy in page 1 or page 2 talked stuff out of his rear. haha.

The 3cell battery has no wiggle room, it's very tight fit, and holds 33 watt hour charge. On power manager, it shows I'm using 7watt on battery power with medium brightness. I'm thinking that'll give me about 4 hours normal use. I'll have to see.

Because it's so small it feels heavy. It almost felt like same weight as x61s with 8 cell (3.5lb). I even put it on a scale, it's 3.0 lb with power wire hanging on it.

I'll write more once I get a good amount of usage.

 

To be fair, HI_DesertNM said nothing about build quality, just thermal engineering and the speaker placement. Oh, and price, but you obviously got the discounts he couldn't find.

 

Scott Stein @ CNET on the x120e trackpoint:

Oh no, not two-finger gestures...

If you don't want the trackpoint, buy the 11.6" HP!

Can anyone imagine a thinkpad, without a trackpoint?

He does not list email so I will rant here