My take / angle / review of the X300

[andyP]

As the title says, my angle – first impressions of the X300

Product: ThinkPad X300 6478-15G
Original description: SL7100(1.20GHz), 2GB RAM, 64GB HD,
13.3in 1440x900 LCD, Intel X3100, CDRW/DVDRW,
Intel 802.11agn wireless, Vodafone WWAN, Bluetooth, 1Gb Ethernet, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, Camera, 6c Li-Ion, WinVista Business 32

After making the delivery guy wait while I opened the box, (I thought he’d delivered an empty one), I saw my first X300. A Black ThinkPad, sort of to be expected I suppose.

Taking it out of the box I immediately noticed that it seems to be “coated” like the good old 600, that strange but nice sort of rubbery feeling. What also struck me was the immediate solid feel it gave, no way is this thing going to have any flexing problems similar to those suffered by the T4* series. The weight is deceiving; it actually looks heavier than it actually is. Twice I nearly threw it across the room after picking it up using more force than necessary as I expected it to be heavier.

The first surprise came when trying to open it, eh – oh ha? Why can’t I open it, am I nuts or something? No, the latch mechanism is reversed to the “normal” system. The hooks are on the lid, but the sprung locking mechanism is in the base unit. Of course I was sliding the latch and trying to lift it at the same time as always, oops Andy open your eyes and look. As always when closed the lid is, in typical orderly ThinkPad manner, supported all the way around and fits snugly.

Inserting the battery, (6 cell), was as expected simple setting it in place under the front of the ThinkPad. There is some free play, about 1mm “wobble” from side to side if you lift the front of the notebook and see-saw the battery with your fingers. I have definitely seen more play in T4* and T6* TPs. You can also notice it if you hold and press down the front corners and try to rotate the X300 from side to side in the horizontal plane, the feet grab and the free play is noticeable. That was all “nit-picking-detail”, who actually uses any notebook in that manner. It sits very flat, solid and stable, no “wobble” or “rocking” at all when in use.

As known the keyboard is full size which in combination with the touchpad definitely dictates the dimensions of the X300 as a whole. The only thing I don’t like about the keyboard, (and believe me I never ever thought I would have grounds to complain about a ThinkPad keyboard), on mine the space bar “CLACKS”; sort of like one of those wooden blocks you got to hit in the school orchestra because you've got absolutely no musical talent what so ever. Otherwise it’s an NMB keyboard which is as good as they always have been.

Another point which struck me is that the loud speakers, covered by a porous material, are situated on the top front corners of the palm rest. The sound quality is good and plenty loud enough, I just wonder what they’ll look like after working for a time in a dusty environment? Time will surely tell.

I find the screen excellent; it isn’t flexview as some would wish, but is plenty crisp and bright enough. The first time I actually attached the AC Adapter after having worked on battery it left me with two choices; either dim the brightness down to about 60% or go hunt out the sunglasses.

It isn’t and wasn’t my intention to go into performance, boot-time and all that as they’ve been and will be discussed widely. My intention was to try and objectively describe my observations, from a slightly different angle, which may help someone reach a decision – whatever that decision may be. I hope I’ve achieved that.

My conclusion; this is a great ThinkPad and I can recommend it to one and all for serious consideration should it fit into the class / requirements of notebook they are looking for.
IMHO for construction / design and looks I give it a clear 99%.
Whoever developed this ThinkPad at Lenovo deserves a good hearty pat on the back. No wage rise though, it’ll then be even more expensive.

EDIT: Tpyos corrected

[Thecla]

Congratulation on getting your X300!. My first impressions were a lot like yours. In particular, I'm not sure how they did the "coating" on the lid and chassis, but it's a very nice and appealing finish, whatever it is; and I do find that my keyboard has a slight "clackiness" to it that I didn't notice on previous thinkpads.

p.s. Don't worry, the drop in SSD prices will provide plenty of room to give the Lenovo engineers a pay raise.

[bdoviack]

Hi Andy,

I noticed you also had/have a 14" T61p. How do you find the X300 compared to the T61. Is it much more pleasant to use due to the lighter weight or do you miss the power of the T?

also are the overall dimensions bigger on the X300 because it I a widescreen?

lastly, as a fellow 14" T61p owner myself, would you again purchase again the X300?

Thanks

[andyP]

bdoviak,

comparing it to the 14" 4:3 isn't difficult. Dimensionally it's maybe 1-2mm wider, 5mm flatter with 6 cell battery and wins about 2.5cm (1") in depth.
The lighter weight is really noticeably deceiving, I still believe it looks heavier than it actually is.

I don't miss the power of the T; I never had it in the first place - I'm an office and internet user The only drawback is that I don't have the screen height that the T has for some of my applications, but I accept this fact as soon there will probably be no choice anyway.

As I said, I would recommend the X300 to anyone, it is a tremendous "little" ThinkPad.