I’ve had the Lenovo X61 Tablet for 11 days now, and been using it extensively in tablet mode for in class note-taking, meetings, etc. My unit is spec’d as follows:
- Intel Core 2 Duo L7500 1.6 Ghz
- 1 GB of DDRII RAM
- 12.1’ 1024×768 XGA Multitouch display
- 120 GB, 7200 RPM Seagate hard drive
- Windows Vista Business
Here are my initial impressions:
Design and Aesthetics
The X61T carries the unmistakable genetic characteristics that is true to a long and deep-rooted ThinkPad heritage: functional, minimalistic, non-nonsense, sans frills design. The X61T is not a pretty machine, but it is not ugly either. Its character doesn’t say “look how cute and pretty I am!” every time you set your eyes on it, but rather has the productively refreshing aura of “c’mon, quit dicking around and lets get things done!”. The matte, all-black magnesium alloy finish is as aesthetically pleasing (in my opinion, at least) as it is functional (no finger prints and smears!)
Build Quality
Here is where I have mixed feelings. Read on…
ThinkPads are a lineage of notebooks that has long been reputed for being a rock-solid, tank-like, practically indestructible line of machines. The brand has built a status of legendary reliability that has made it the choice of a lot of people serious about mobile computing. My first hands-on experience with a ThinkPad goes back to my freshman year in college. My school had (and still has) a “laptop lab” where students can borrow machines for use during the day. Back then I did not own a laptop, and used to frequently check out laptops so that I can work in the library in relative seclusion. The laptops were ThinkPads R30s and T43s . These machines were checked in and out of the lab countless times daily throughout the semester. They were carried, banged and (probably sometimes) dropped around campus. I remember thinking admiringly that they must be bulletproof, and in some ways they probably were.
Given such a reputation and superior engineering ancestry, it stands to reason that the X61T should be no exception. Sadly, a certain build quality issue that has to do with the screen bezel separating from the LCD has popped up shortly after the model’s release. The issue has been reported by an alarming number of users in a number of forum posts. Here is a picture posted by one of the members at TabletPC Review Forum, and a YouTube video that illustrates the problem.
Fortunately, the unit I have has not developed the aforementioned symptom (yet). I’ll be reporting how things progress (hopefully things don’t progress) on that issue.
Besides the aforementioned issue, the unit generally has the usual feel of ThinkPad ruggedness and reliability. It also comes with the ThinkVantage Active Protection System that provides shock protection for the hard drive. An essential feature, I think, for clumsy and over-caffeinated graduate students like myself. The sticker on the display lid says ” ‘Airbag’ technology for your hard drive”. I know it is not really an airbag, but I love showing that to my friends with the effeminate-looking Sony Vaios.
Things I like:
Balanced design: The size, weight and feel of the X61T works perfectly for me(dimensions are 27.4cm x 24.4cm x 2.8-3.3 cm, weight is about 1.7 kg)). It feels rugged, yet not too heavy for extended periods of usage in tablet mode (which entails holding it with my left arm for the duration of classtime/meeting).
Nice display: The screen is not the most vibrant or the brightest I have seen on a notebook, but it is still a good screen for my purposes. My unit has the 1024×768 XGA display, Lenovo provides an option for a nicer, higher resolution SXGA display.1 . This is an active digitizer Multitouch display with Wacom technology, which means that I can use my finger, not just the provided stylus, to interact with the display.
Good keyboard and enhanced security : Another feature that die hard ThinkPad users have long sworn by is its keyboard. The full size buttons have a good and responsive feel to them. (The only thing I do not like about the keyboard is the shortened backspace key). The X61T, like most ThinkPads, does not have a trackpad but a “TrackPoint”, which I initially hated but quickly got used to it and found out that I actually sort of like it. The keyboard scores another one for ThinkPads in the ruggedness department having a spill-resistant membrane underneath that will ward off that early morning scorching Starbucks brew you are very likely to spill after a long night of typing up a 60 page paper.
The stylus is well made and comfortable to hold as it is comparable in size to regular pens. Lenovo threw in a few replacement stylus tips and TrackPoint heads.
The X61T, like the Fujitsu P1510 of yore, has biometric security in the form of a finger print scanner on the lower right hand side of the display bezel. While I didn’t bother with it on the P1510, I instantly set it up on the X61T. The “user enrollment” setup in the fingerprint software was a breeze. Its not like I am keeping any highly classified industrial secrets on it, but its still a cool way to keep my co-workers from messing up my setup. Also, the mere act of swiping your thumb over that fingerprint scanner is enough to earn you instant tech-head cred. Passwords are so 2006.
Another notable feature that I really liked is the size of the powerbrick. Its tiny! (At least relative to most laptop powerbricks I’ve used/seen).
Other notes:
- Battery: My unit came with the 3-cell battery, which lasts for about three hours (with stringent power-saving measures). The optional 8-cell battery bumps your untethered mobile time to about 7 hours, according to Lenovo.
- Heat and noise: The machine produces a significant but tolerable amount of heat. I found the fan noise to be of very acceptable level.
- Ports and connectivity: The usual WiFi 11b/g, bluetooth, USB, SD reader, VGA, PC card. Want detailed technical specs? Get them from the product page
- Higher-resolution versions of the images in this post can be found in my flickr gallery
While I am in love with this machine (despite potential problems), I’ve only had it for a few days and a too short a period to be form an good opinion of it as a the killer convertible tablet it has been touted to be. In future posts I will share my thoughts on how it performs in different usage situations, and what kind of applications I am currently using for note taking, organizing research material, among other things.
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