ThinkPad X300 Information Leaks Out

Before you plunk down $2,000 on a MacBook Air notebook you might want to pay attention to information leaked out on the competing Lenovo ThinkPad X300. It's rumored to be as light as the MacBook Air but has more useful features such as a removable battery, built-in optical drive and three USB ports.

ThinkPad X300 image courtesy of Gizmodo (view large image)

The information leak for the ThinkPad X300 comes from Gizmodo and certainly looks to be real, the pictures and information come from a Lenovo internal powerpoint document. The notable specs on the X300 are as follows:

• Display: 13.3" widescreen WXGA+ (1440 x 900) display, LED backlit
• Processor Chipset: Intel Santa Rosa 2.0GHz LV
• Storage: 64GB SSD
• Wireless: Bluetooth, 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wireless USB, WWAN, WiMax, GPS
• Optical Drive: Ultrathin DVD Burner (7mm)
• Memory: up to 4G
• Dimensions: 12.5 in (width) 9 in (depth) x 0.73 in - 0.92 in (thickness)
• Ports: 3 USB ports, Mic in, Headphone out, VGA Adapter, built-in web camera, stereo speakers
• Input: ThinkPad keyboard with TrackPoint, touchpad
• Battery: 3-cell Lithium-Polymer

On paper the specs for the X300 are most impressive, and trump that of the MacBook Air for anyone looking for a serious business companion while on the road. The MacBook Air has a paltry one USB port, a sealed non-replaceable battery, no optical drive and no WWAN options. The ThinkPad X300 has three USB ports, a replaceable battery (important for those on long flights), built-in optical drive, every wireless option possible and a starting weight of 2.5lbs (we assume that weigh comes if you remove the optical drive and use a travel weight). To add to all that you get the SSD as a standard option, no slow 4200RPM that's the base option on the MacBook Air. The excellent screen resolution of 1440 x 900 on the X300 also outdoes the MacBoook Air's resolution of 1280 x 800. The advantage of the MacBook Air remains of course that it looks cooler (ThinkPad's are only ever available in rubbery black), it's thinner and has an innovative multi-touch touchpad.

Apple MacBook Air -- thinner than the X300 but less feature rich (view large image)

It's quite clear based on these specs that the ThinkPad X300 will be pushed by Lenovo as a cutting edge business tool for those on the go, and as such we can't expect a cheap price. Adding up the cost of the components alone means this has to be $2,000 or more. A release date and price are unclear, but time will reveal all.

 

Well... it's definitely a ThinkPad. Looks great and will definitely trump the MacBook Air.

 

1440x900. I'm not sure whether thats a typo or not, really, since its listed as both 1440x900 and WXGA+, which is at least consistent, but there aren't any WXGA+ 13.3" screens that I know of......yet.

But a widescreen X series with a built in optical drive? Hell yes please, I'm loving it. However, I am concerned that it might be a lot less affordable than the current X61 has been, even assuming that the SSD is an option (really expensive option...I'm thinking around $1000) and it comes standard with a regular 2.5" SATA drive. Also cool - the red strips on the mouse buttons are BACK! I loved those.

This has the potential to top the T43 and become my favorite ThinkPad ever made....

 

no info about roll cage on this one?

 

oh wow an aligned screen!

 

And the great thing about it is that it still looks like your grandpa's ThinkPad

I'm not being sarcastic here, I really dig the classic ThinkPad look.

Anyway, the specs look almost too good to be true. But if it is ... it's probably going to be really expensive.

 

Nothing a couple coupons and a leaked employee serial number can't fix.

Although it looks good, I'd still be a bit pessimistic as it is still a rumor.

 

Old school ThinkPad look FTW!

 

Looks interesting...competition is always good . I mean, the MacBook Air has some big things that need fixing up...one USB port...ugh!

 

one USB port is very much like a joke and it is a gimmick ,cannot beleive that the Air has no either net and uses the very slow HDD 4200RPM and sold for 1790US?

but probably many many apple fanatics love it and brag about how cool it is designed.

I personally prefer the Thinkpad old-fashined black box design over any of colorful apples or sonys,maybe it is just me , though I can't get it how any one think the Mac air is cool,it is rather crippled.

 

3 miniPCIe?

Wifi
WiMax
EVDO/HSDPA

Wow. Talk about being connected!

 

They look so cool. Absorbing light and with that little red stick.

I like what Lenovo is doing.

 

I say its probably going to be in the same price range

 

Assuming the specs are right, the weight of the X300 is very impressive for a 13.3" notebook, weighing only 3.17 lbs with the built-in optical drive.

I love the fact that they have done what they promised to do - putting the colors back on the TrackPoint buttons.

I however hope that this does not mean that it will be the only non-tablet model in the X-series, replacing the current X61/X61s. Hopefully there will still be a 12" (or even 11") X-series. If the rumors and information are true it seems the next X61 replacement will be the X200.

 

Old school ThinkPad is simply a work of art.

 

If it's 64GB SSD only, it's going to cost way more than the base model MacBook Air. The SSD alone is going to cost at least $700.

 

SSD only, but I dont believe its going to be starting with the 64gb one. 16-32 sounds more like it for a starting model.

EDIT: Look at the price of the X61, which you can get for about 1k. Add on cost of DVD drive and SSD, and you could see it being in the 2k range lol

 

how is this laptop in any way better than an x61 or x61s with an extended battery?

 

Built-in optical drive, SSD as an option, bigger and higher-res screen... I think it's a bit thinner than an X61 too, but that may be because of the extended battery. Correct me if I am wrong.

The 3-cell standard battery is indeed a step backwards, though. I hope that they'll have a bigger battery as an option.

 

This is great. Between this rumor and the one for the little Dell and the MacBook Air's existance it means the Ultra portable market is on fire hot now. Competition in the mother of invention so besides this I hope there are lots of cool things and innovative products coming to the market.

 

I still dont think these things fall into the ultraportable segment just yet. While they are pretty light, they dont have the small footprint you see with things like the Sony TZ or UX, or the smaller Fujitsu models.

 

Some of the rumors are mentioning a modular bay, so the 3 cell battery may not be as much of an issue.

This is exactly what I was hoping for when I first started seeing rumors and leaked photos just before CES. If this is true, then I'm glad that Lenovo didn't drop the ball, because Apple sure did in my eyes. Just two things bother me. First, 2ghz is kind of fast, and likely warm, I wouldn't mind a 1.6ghz option. Second, the price if 64GB SSD is indeed standard. I only really care for 32GB on a laptop, I could probably even do with 16GB. And honestly, why not offer an 80GB magnetic drive? All I can think of, besides that just being a flagship offering, is that flash prices are set to drop a lot more than anticipated in March.

 

I think we have to look at them as a branch of the ultraportable segment. They're just too small to call them a thin and light, and certainly too underpowered. The Asus W7 and Dell M1330 are certainly thin and lights, but these two and maybe the Panasonic Y series shouldn't be considered as such. I see the separation point basically being 12" and 13", and less than 12". Of course, even some 12" machines like the Clevos are tough to call a ultraportable.

 

Suddenly I have a vision of a paper launch were Lenovo takes our orders and then just waits and waits until flash prices fall in line.

 

Lenovo with shipping delays? Never!

This is still just a leak, Lenovo hasn't said a word. I don't think we'll be seeing much before late February or early March.

 

There's a 12" clevos?

 

http://www.clevo.com.tw/en/products/item.asp?procatalogID=8

 

These ones are quite nice:
http://www.clevo.com.tw/en/products/prodinfo_2.asp?productid=38
http://www.clevo.com.tw/en/products/prodinfo.asp?productid=37
http://www.clevo.com.tw/en/products/prodinfo.asp?productid=36

Didn't know they existed. But then again you see quite a few of its kind in Asia from misc Chinese/Taiwanese brands which are not known in the US/Europe.

It is however rare to see a 12" standard form factor screen notebook with a built-in optical drive nowadays. A bit different also is the 12.0" screen instead of a 12.1". Nice to see that the optical drive is changeable, just like on the Fujitsu P7230. This is getting more and more rare particularly on ultraportables.

 

Oh no. From China?

Come on Dell. Get one out like this. Maybe a Latitude with 13.3" screen.

I will wait for Dell.

 

1440 x 900 @ 13.3" will be too small for my eyes and 64GB storage is too little.

Anyway, it looks as is manufacturers are giving some serious thought about how to get the weight down. I'm looking for a fully functioning 14.1" model with WXGA+, a proper HDD, well above average battery life and a weight of less than 1.8kg (4lbs). The Fujitsu S6510 is the nearest, so far.

14.1" widescreen just means adding 5cm (2") to the width of the Sony G11 which weighs only 1.13kg (2.5lb).

John

 

it has an optical drive, but that doesnt make it better than an x61, ive had x-series laptops for a year now and in that time ive used the cdrom in the ultrabase maybe 2 times, its just not essential to have, instead of a built in optical drive i would have preferred they stuck an nvidia 8400m in there and some extra cooling for a hybrid solution (i think sony have those, not sure, igp and dedicated in one)
and a higher res screen? do you REALLY need more than 1024x in an ultraportable notebook? (i use 800x600 for desktop and its bordering on being too small of a font) and the screen increase to 13.3" makes it less portable than a 12" screen last time i checked, so thats a step back

 

Only January and we have had so many announcements for smaller notebooks.

This is really going to be the year for UMPCs, ultraportables and thin and lights especially with Montevina's release. Very very very exciting year.

 

It will be even better if it offers the choice of a model with Linux pre-loaded.

 

Lenovo should have an ad where they start out with a MacBook air and then be like "Finally a ultra portable without the usual compromises..." and then a X300 falls out from the air and lands on the MacBook Air destroying it into many pieces and then say "...or the unusual ones as well"

 

The X61 itself was pretty darn good, but could've done so much better with a couple of changes:

LED backlit display...check.
Optical drive...check.
13.3" display...check.

And that's really it. No need for expensive SSD's, stick with the 7200rpm's. Keep the price sub-2k and Lenovo will have a true seller.

Anyone know the GPU on this thing? Hopefully discrete, but highly doubtful.

 

Not a chance that it will have anything but Intel integrated graphics. There is simply no room for dedicated graphics in such a small and thin enclosure. Plus, the X series has never had dedicated graphics before.

 

Just because you don't use yours much doesn't mean others won't. Someone might want to watch a movie on a long-haul, or
may hate carrying around an external drive. It's obviously not a necessity, but it's a convenience that has been sacrificed in countless ultraportables.

As for the screen, some people like having more than one window open at a time, or some might like smaller fonts. Depends on the user, again.

If the X300 is supposed to become the new frontrunner of the X series, then I would imagine most of its buyers wouldn't do much gaming on it, either.

 

I want one!!

 

Despite the fact 4:3 is more useful than widescreen (at least for me) I wonder when the notebook designers will notice VGA is a legacy standard and in current notebooks there should be at least DVI.

How the user is supposed to connect his/her ultra-high res external monitor with such notebook? Via analog VGA? Via additional dock-base (very easy to carry around, right...).

At least in this department Apple did its homework -- if you need converter, downgrade signal while converting, not the other way because there is no benefit at all.

 

i realize others might use it, but with 320gb HD's now available for laptops, its just as easy to swap the movies onto the hard drive, not to mention 500gb HD's coming out end of February, and high capacity flash drives, i just feel like their sacrificing the already tight space for something thats more of a convinience than a necessity on an ultraportable, and if this DOES replace the X-series it will strongly weigh on my decision to buy one, together with the larger LCD, even though im a diehard fan

there's no reason they couldnt keep the specs the same and just make it faster and more battery power efficient, X's have been 12" and optical-free since conception because it works well; on the other hand if this ISNT replacing the X and just adding to the line, then fine by me enjoy your optical drive and larger screen

 

Yeah, because dragging around your ultra-high res external monitor everywhere is practical, right?

If it needs a dock for a monitor out, so be it. The dock is always going to stay next to the monitor, so what's the problem? If you need it to do a presentation or something, most presentations run in fairly low res anyway, not much is going to be lost using a VGA connection.

 

Dells are also built from Chinese components and parts. I'd prefer a Lenovo over a Dell any day once you feel the difference between a Thinkpad and a Latitude.
This leaked Lenovo notebook is more likely to sport a WXGA resolution than a WXGA+. I really really hate the thick bezel. First, there were unsymmetrical bezels, now they have thick bezels. What next? Unsymmetrical and thick bezel?

 

i think same old boring IBM look. No TouchPad either.

13.3" widescreen WXGA+ (1440 x 900) display, LED backlit.... Oh yes! Just hope Apple\Dell and HP Adopt these screen soon too!

13.3" with 1440 x 900! Perfect!

 

Different audience. ThinkPad are targetted at business users, who are far more likely to connect to a projector than a hi-res monitor. The great majority of projectors don't have DVI, so they'd be carrying dongles all the time.

 

If these specs are correct, this notebook owns the macbook air--especially with the higher resolution display.

Yes, there is a weight penalty with the drive, but not much of one, anything under 4lbs is manageable.

 

Hmmmm... a wonderful set of specs. But thinness and sexiness has always trumped brains. In the United States of America anyway..

 

I like the old boring Thinkpad look, which makes it classic. Look all the Sony, Samsung, Asus, Dell, HP and Apple, all the design has changed, and the old designs become ugly after a while, but the black Thinkpad is still the same, look as good as always.

 

I agree. The consistency in design is great. And now that they are bringing back the TrackPoint colors, even better.

I have however never considered ThinkPads to look boring. Rather I find them to be stylish, timeless and sophisticated in their own right. It's the simplicity, professional/industrial look and the general "feel" which just make them desirable and pleasing to the eye. The lack of flashiness and the all black design is just very attractive.

It is obviously not the same type of stylishness as i.e. the MacBook Air or Sony Vaio TZ, but there are different types of style, design and preferences. I enjoy all of the aforementioned, but the ThinkPad is still at the top of my list.

I can't wait to see how the so-called X200 will turn out, spec and design wise.

Have you considered the Panasonic Let's Note (Toughbook) Y7? Although it is not widescreen, it is still a 14.1" screen and comes with SXGA+, a built-in optical drive, a replaceable HDD if you don't like the standard one, about 5 hours of realistic battery life, and a weight of only about 3.3 lbs!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=186796
http://www.dynamism.com/y7/main.shtml

 

Can you do that with rented movies from Blockbuster/Netflix?

 

I honestly do think that the supposed 'picture' is a fake. The red stripes on the eraserhead buttons give it away as that is the OLD style of the ThinkPads.