Why would the X1 not be considered to be real Lenovo Thinkpad hardware. With a i7 CPU, 8gb RAM, 160SSD drive, etc, would it not be fast enough to be real Lenovo Thinkpad hardware?

I just ordred one for use in the field and it never occured to me, until I visited Thinkpads.com, that the X1 did not qualify in any way.

I don't know what truly defines a Thinkpad, but I think it might have something to do with how different it is from the other X/T/W series. The glass screen, chiclet keyboard and the integrated battery among other things.

Or, it could just be an oversight on someones part. Reading into it too much perhaps? Looks like a nice little machine.

It uses a non standard ThinkPad keyboard and there is the Gorilla glass covering the screen, other than that i am not sure there is any difference between this and the regular run of the mill ThinkPad.

The build quality of the X1 is really good, and even Macbook Pro fans are impressed.

I hope that it could be placed in the regular Thinkpad hardware forums soon as it sure seems to be Lenovo thinkpad hardware. If fact it is likely the beginning to what we are going to see in the future. There is nothing wrong with gorilla glass and I can't see the lack of a removable battery making it "non-Lenovo Thinkpad hardware.

What do you think?

The new Thinkpad Slate tablets are real hardware and they are running Android! They do not even have a keyboard! There is no removable battery!

Not sure about the keyboard but in the longer run probably ALL laptops be it ThinkPad's or not will have integrated battery.
Glossy screen is different tho, because it interacts with your user experience which might be disturbing in brightly lit environments.
Chiclet keyboard - not sure, it could be that even that will become the new standart on ThinkPad's some day, then again, while its perfectly good to type on its in my opinion NOT as good as classic ThinkPad layout keyboard.

Why would integrated batteries become the standard???
You can't replace it, Lenovo loses money on selling batteries (huge profit margins with their markups).

Why would chiclet keyboards becom ethe standard???
Business users hate it, and that's Thinkpads bread and butter, no matter how much they wanna target the Macbook generation, its really the corporate types that buy Thinkpads.

If the X1 was indeed a real Thinkpad, Lenovo would have given it the proper 3series moniker.
The fact that it got a new X1 moniker means that Lenovo intends to still retain the X3XX line as its flagship mobile line for future use.

In my opinion, the X1 was a test to see if they could create a new line for the Macbook generation and still generate a profit. By not using the X3 line they still retain the old brand in case the X1 fails.

Looks like the chichlet keys are becoming the new standard

Yep! I propose opening new forums for all the upcoming models under "non-Thinkpad hardware".

Amen.

1. I refuse to buy anything that has an integrated battery, which is a built-in 18-24 month time bomb, once your integrated battery dies (<20mins capacity), it is cost prohibitive to factory-replace it. BTW, the same for my smartphones--no integrated battery, same reason.

2. *Hate* chiclet keyboards with a passion, when key is pressed, key stroke is reduced for an inferior typing experience (ie: chicklet keyboards greatly slows down your typing).
Business users love the Thinkpads for a reason--keyboards are a joy to type on.
Not anymore with the chicklet keyboards on T430, T530, W530, X1-Carbon, etc.

I hate to say it but soon the replaceable battery Thinkpads will need to move to the "Old Legacy Hardware, along with it's owners! I do not like it either but people want small and thin and there is no doubt the chicklet keyboards are to replace them all. Replaceable batteries add too much bulk to devices even though they are far more practical.

Lenovo wants you to buy a new unit every year!

If they force me to do that. I'll vote with my feet and go elsewhere. For me, built in battery are just stupid. That's why I'll never own another iPhone again. Having said that, the biggest deal breaker for me is the keyboard. More than anything else this is the most important laptop component for me. It's the thing I touch and stroke on a regular basis.

Do any of the new breed of "ultrabooks" come with a replacable battery??
Frank

Not from what I see. Making the battery replaceable increases the bulk of the machine. Having them built in gives them the max size battery in the smallest space as they can build the battery to wrap around the interior components. We have a iPhone that is over 4 years old and the original "built in battery" is working fine.

Non-removable batteries may not be the "standard" for all new laptops but it is for the ultra book line and it IS the hottest selling laptop on the market for ALL brands. That kinda tell us something! I am not selling my heavy duty W520 yet but I have my doubts about it use after the X1 arrives

You extrapolated this from a grand total of two ThinkPads for which this was the case?

Tell me my future, man

Not owning a phone just because it has a built in battery is not an option for me. How a device works and what it can do for me is FAR more important. As far as the chicklet keyboard it is very nice and coming from the W series, I can see where most will like it. It is solid, crisp and will disappoint very few.