By now, I bet many of you guys have heard/wondered about the "X1" line of "laptops" (from the timeline)? I know that it still is a ways off, but can anyone confirm what it might be?

I heard that it would be an IdeaPad, but it's on a Thinkpad timeline right? Some say it's a new revision of the X300 flagship, but I always heard from the Lenovo reps that the X300 never really sold well and didn't really fill a niche that wasn't covered by the T4xx/X2xx (the T420s is basically an inch thin now and has basically adopted alot of things from the X3xx line). Others say its some sort of slate tablet? I seriously doubt that, since no other product can even compete with the iPad/iPad OS and Lenovo isn't the type to write it's own software for a product....

What does that leave us with? Just curious about the whole thing. May 7th is way too long to wait!

Here is the roadmap of Thinkpads during 2011:
http://www.51nb.com/batch.download.php?aid=24012
which shows forthcoming release of X1 along with X220/X220T, W, T, and L series.

Precious little info on X1 so far.

Here is the translation of the page from 51nb.com:
http://translate.google.com/translate?j ... 63853.html

Thanks for the link. Seems like the X1 will be based on the Huron River platform. That would most likely mean that it would be a flagship laptop rather than a slate tablet (which currently run on relatively weak and power efficient CPUs). I guess that could be good news. What I really want is a X300-ish convertible tablet (imagine a thin Thinkpad with a good screen!).

In all seriousness though, I just can't believe Lenovo can't find a supplier of good/decent screens (people have been complaining since the stone ages), unlike Sony's gorgeous panels and Apple's great 16:10 (Macbook Pros) / 4:3 (on the iPads) aspect ratios.

EDIT: Just wanted to add that the possibility of the X1 being a reincarnation of the X3xx line is doubtful. Seems like the Macbook Air competitor will be coming from the Ideapad line this time.

Here another Site:
http://shop.tell-it.ch/index.php?page=product&info=34798

13" Premium Notebook: Thinkpad X1

Thinkpad X1
Highlights:

das dünnste Thinkpad das je gebaut wurde
überragende, einzigartige Performance in seiner Klasse (neuer Intel® Core™ i5 gebaut in 32nm Technologie )
hochwertigste Materialien und elegante Erscheinung
äusserst widerstandsfähig (Erfüllung von 8 US Mil. Specs**, Display aus Corning Gorilla Glass*)
überragende Multimediafähigkeiten (Dolby Home Theater v4, HD-VOIP Eigenschaften)
LED-Hintergrund beleuchtetes Keyboard
USB 3.0, eSata, 4-1 Card Reader, Digital Display Port (HDMI, DisplayPort
mSata Schnittstelle (SSD via mini PCI Steckplatz)
bis zu 10 Stunden Stromnetz unabhängig
Outdoor Panel mit 350NITS Leuchtkraft

Copy-n-paste (mostly) from Google Translate (for that last site):

-The thinnest ThinkPad ever built
-Outstanding, unique performance in its class (the new Intel ® Core ™ i5 built in 32nm technology)
-Quality materials and elegant appearance
-Highly resistant (meeting of 8 million U.S.. Specs **, display from Corning Gorilla Glass *)
-Outstanding multimedia capabilities (Dolby Home Theater v4, HD-VOIP properties)
-LED Backlit Keyboard
-USB 3.0, eSata, 4-1 Card Reader, Digital Display Port (HDMI, DisplayPort, mSata interface (SSD via mini PCI slot)
-Up to 10 hours of battery life (I'm guessing that's what "electricity network independently" means)
-Outdoor panel with 350NITS luminosity

So no confirmed IPS screen, but an LED backlit keyboard sounds interesting.

Hopefully some of these features trickle down into the other Thinkpad models whenever they get refreshed- though if island keyboards start to dominate...

Actually, I think they plan to release a few other X1 variants: since the X120e seems to run out of life on the roadmap in August/September.

Allow me to confirm this translation (as a German speaking person). The only mistake is the "8 US Mil. Specs" which means eight US military specifications, not 8 million .

You got it right regarding battery, 10 hours it is.

Personally I don't like how the X1 looks, X300 was much better in that regard. And the keyboard layout is just wrong, should be 7 rows.

I think I was right about the price

Non-replacable battery, this is no problems to lots of thinkpads.com members. We can install it on our own.

Just wanted to update with some more pics. Here's a link to the full stats of the X1:

http://translate.google.com/translate?h ... rmd%3Divns








It's pretty obvious that this is a Macbook Air competitor...

In terms of thickness, but not weight. And I doubt the X1's glossy screen would be very popular on this forum.

Removing the glossy glass would be one way of reducing the weight of X1.

Another weight reduction approach is to use carbon fiber chassis like X301 but that probably makes it too costly.

.....as they say:

The new Thinkpad X1 IS:

√ a thin and light, high-performance ultraportable laptop

√ a business laptop with an excellent multimedia experience

√ more stylish than the typical serious business laptop




The new Thinkpad X1 IS NOT:

√ an entry-ultraportable (try instead ThinkPad X120e)

√ a portable workstation (try instead ThinkPad W Series)

√ a reliable mainstream computer (try instead ThinkPad L Series)



The new Thinkpad X1 IS SOMEONE:

√ who values performance

√ who wants to make an impression

√ who travels frequently and works in varied settings




The new Thinkpad X1 IS NOT SOMEONE:

√ who wants the cheapest solution

√ who is content working in the background

√ who works only in the office


KEY SPECS

* Intel® Core™ i3/i5 processors (i5 supports vPro)
13.3” HD super-bright display (1366x768, 350nit)
Lightweight 1.72 kg
Up to 8gb integrated DDR3 SDRAM memory
Up to 160GB SSD (additional optional HDD up to 320GB)
3 USB ports (1xUSB 3.0, 1xeSATA combo, 1xUSB 2.0)
4-in-1 SD card reader
Backlit, 6-row precision keyboard
Dolby® Home Theater® v4 Audio (via stereo speakers or headphones)
Integrated HD 720p camera and HD microphones
HDMI and mini DisplayPort video outputs
UltraNav® control system featuring TrackPoint® and multitouch touchpad
Integrated fingerprint reader

Of course that Model has his limitations - on the other hand, If I do not like some features, I' free to buy another Model (e.g. T420s or X220)

Lightweight - it depends a lot. For 1,69 kg you get a state of the art rugged panasonic 15,6 inch model.

http://panasonic.biz/pc/prod/note/b10a/index.html

OMG, this is THE answer to my prayer! This is probably the lightest >14.1" laptop ever made (1.69 kg = 3.7 lbs), and 1920x1080 is perfect for 15.6"! Thanks for sharing this stunning discovery with us!

I wonder what's preventing other manufacturers (except Sony) from making large-but-light laptops like this or the discontinued Y Series.

So, basically:
1) It is slow, because there are other high-performance laptops.
2) It is huge and heavy, because there are other ultraportable laptops.
3) It looks great.
4) It is not for you, poor one.

THAT is a sexy beast... 2.5Ghz Core i5 will put Macbook Air's Core 2 Duo to shame. Battery life seems a little bit week compared to the rest of the Sandy Bridge Thinkpads, but Air's battery life is not great either. It doesn't seems to have IPS display, but let's see how it compared to Air's screen. TN screens can still look good, at least those on Macbooks are.

Is it going to have a docking port for a docking station?

.

the x1 is an intriguing departure, nice to see them trying to take apple on. it won't be easy.

me...i'll stick with the traditional thinkpads and my beloved x-series for now.

Here's another blurb, this time from a U.S. tech blog Engadget: http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/23/leno ... shly-thin/

I've been poking around cautiously in the X61 market, looking for an outrageous deal and basically just feeling my way around. I don't NEED an x61, but ever since I "permanently loaned" my X31 to a friend I really WANT another X-series laptop. I was on the verge of pulling the trigger on a few X61 units when I saw the news of the X1. After seeing the expected prices for these new beauties, however, I think I'm back to hunting for an X61.

X1 looks better than expected, but 768 vertical pixel is a deal breaker. Should be 1440x900 if it really wants to be macbook air fighter.

786 dpi vertical resolution is not a deal-breaker for me on a 13.3" screen. It's not optimal, but it's not gong to kill it for me. What really kills it for me is the price: $3000. Ouch!

I seriously doubt that the X1 is going to debut at $3000. Lenovo hasn't even offically announced it yet, so how can these website list MSRPs? But in all seriousness, NO ONE is going to buy the X1 for $3000 (which is 3 times the cost of the MBA btw). Not even Bill Gates. Talk about a rip off. This leads to me disbelieving the prices listed so far, I don't think Lenovo is that stupid (are they?).

The problems of the X1 reminds me of the X300/X301 in a lot of ways. Bad screen (horrible viewing angles on the X3xx, but bad resolution on the X1) and massively overpriced. Lenovo axed the X3xx series stating that they didn't sell well, yet they put out a product with the 2 biggest flaws of its predecessor uncorrected. I wonder how it will go for them *sarcasm*. "Flagship" laptop with a bad screen, horribly overpriced, and aimed at a niche market doesn't really do well. For $3000 I would expect IPS, better resolution...... and it should do my homework for me, at the very least. This is a $1000-$1500 laptop at most.

The competition from the current Thinkpad lineup is going to kill the X1 as well (as it did the X3xx):
T420s - almost as thin (only thicker by the lid), longer batt, classic keyboard, but WAY more versatile, powerful, and..... Cheaper! MUCH cheaper!
X220s - smaller, more portable (lighter), longer batt, classic keyboard, more versatile, better screen, more powerful, and.... Cheaper! MUCH Cheaper!
X1 - Thinnest, and WAY more expensive! Yippe!

I'm not a fan of the looks, at all, but I am a die-hard fan of the ThinkPad, so I'm happy to see that Lenovo is continuing to innovate to stay alive. From what I've seen, I'd prefer the X1 over a tablet (any day), but because of its power it may even be a feasible replacement for the T420 (which I think looks the best of the current crop ).

(My $0.02.)

Both the weight (near 4lb) and the price (near $3000) seem to on the high side. X300/1 was 3 lb and also priced high and it didn't succeed.

Dell with their Adamo and HP with Envy tried stylish ultralight as a selling point and both failed. So I am skeptical whether X1 will become a winner.

I think that the X1 is pretty sexy, but the deciding factor has got to be price. I just can't believe the $3000 that has been going around. I wonder if anyone at Lenovo can confirm the price. Luckily, I think that Lenovo did right with the new upcoming Thinkpad X-Slate Tablet/Think Tablet. Supposedly cheaper. Traditional Mil-spec rating on the X1 is very nice though. I wonder if you can pick it up by the screen (don't do this on a MBA BTW)...

I'm a die-hard Thinkpad as well, but I always wondered why TPs came with that ugly blue enter button. It just doesn't look right and breaks the symmetry. Don't change anything about the traditional 7 layer keyboard except:
1. Get rid of the blue Enter Key - make it black! At least the X1 did this right. Looks way better.
2. Get rid of the "Fn" key. Too many complaints. Make the middle mouse (colored blue anyways) act like the "Fn" when held down. Simple to locate, even in the dark and is always a "one hand affair" since it is in the middle of the keyboard. Increases Ctrl/Win space as well. It's double functionality (pun intended) will work (who the heck currently uses the middle mouse button and needs to push F2 at the same time?!). Thumb is always near it for fast access too.

Correct those 2 things and you have the ultimate Thinkpad Keyboard! /rant

The X1 trumps the Air in terms of I/O ports though. 3 USBs and a 4-1 reader! That's a big welcome. MBA will rely on Thunderbolt instead of USB 3.0. The slice batt is rather neat as well, but will probably cost a pretty penny, but at least it is something you can't get with the MBA.

It's just too bad that it's lower resolution than the MBA. It was my biggest complaint about the MBA, and now Lenovo's gone and used WXGA as well.

Yeah, the resolution is a deal breaker for some. Maybe Lenovo will rectify that issue in the next iteration (X2?) along with the IPS option (if it doesn't have one yet). Just also wanted to add that the 1.72kg (4lbs) seems to be premature. According to other sources, the X1 is 1.36kg (<3lbs) to 1.72kg depending on configuration. Maybe the 1.72kg is the weight with the batt slice?

Price Update:

Price: $ 1399
屏幕：13.3" Premium HD、 Screen: 13.3 "Premium HD,
处理器：i5-2520M vPro Processor: i5-2520M vPro
内存：4 GB Memory: 4 GB
图像处理：Intel HD Graphics 3000 Image processing: Intel HD Graphics 3000
储存器：320GB（7200rpm） Storage: 320GB (7200rpm)
通信模块：Intel 6205 AGN Communication Module: Intel 6205 AGN
售后服务：3 Years Depot Service: 3 Years Depot

Seems like I was right (starting around $1000 -$1500). Other sources have confirmed that the starting weight is indeed 1.36kg (not 1.72kg as reported eariler). So both prices and weight are lower than initially announced! One thing to note though, the motherboard only has a SINGLE ram slot (no double/triple channel performance on a flagship laptop?). An 8GB config is going to cost a lot...

From our friends on notebookreview.com:









Starting Price: $ 1399
Dimensions : 231x337x16.5- 21.5 mm
Weight : Starting weight of 1.36 KG , up to 1.72 kg (~3-4lbs)
Platform Technology : Intel Sandy Bridge
HD Stereo speakers
Wireless LAN WiF
Bluetooth
SIM card reader (depends on regions)
Security : Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Processor: Intel Core i5-2520M processor , dual core processor , 2.50GHz 3 MB L3 cache
RAM : 4 - 8 GB
Card Reader : 4-in-1 reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)
Hard Disk Drive : 320HDD/160 GB – SSD
Display : 13.3-inch LED-backlit , 1366 x 768 (WXGA) resolution , 16:9 aspect ratio ,Corning Gorilla Glass , 350 NITS – Outdoor Panel
Graphics : Intel Integrated HD Graphics
Audio : High Defi nition (HD) Dolby Home Theater v4
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0
Gigabit Ethernet LAN
Waterproof backlit Keyboard , TrackPoint, UltraNav (touch pad) , High definition webcam
Operating system : Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
Fingerprint Reader
*Only one RAM slot. Only RAM (4/8GB), HDD (320GB HDD/160GB SDD), and wireless are configurable.
Optional Battery adds 5hrs (total of 10hrs).
No word on docking platform.

Rumor of spill resistant keyboard is floating around as well. Not confirmed yet (are those drainage holes on the bottom?). Backlit/Thinkpad quality/spill resistant keyboard? May be the best yet.

Mods can move if you deem this too repetitive.

Cool. Looks flexy.