Laptop Thoughts: Lenovo ThinkPad X1: Maybe the Best ThinkPad Ever

"The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 is the latest high-end ThinkPad from Lenovo - bringing tapered sides, a backlit spill resistant keyboard, rollcage and Gorilla Glass screen to highly mobile package that feels and looks thinner and lighter than it is designed for mobile professionals who will appreciate the military spec ruggedness and the ability to charge the built in battery to 80% in about 30 minutes."

Quite an outstanding review, ending with a statement that this is the best ThinkPad that they've ever tested. From its military-spec (MILSPEC) build quality, to its metal hinges, tapered edges and Gorilla Glass screen, this is a solid, rugged system, designed with the road warrior in mind. This is a serious competitor to the MacBook Air!

With outstanding Dolby Home Theater V4 audio, an excellent backlit keyboard (Lenovo's first on a ThinkPad), dedicated VoIP keys, and rapidcharge technology (charges from 0% to 80% in about 30 minutes), adding Lenovo's optional battery slice (called a battery wedge in the video) roughly doubles battery life to around 8-hours, meeting the goal of being untethered for an entire business day.

Pricing with an Intel Core i3, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, 4GB RAM, 720p HD Camera, a 320GB 7200rpm hard drive, a 13.3-inch LCD at 1366x768, and, mercifully, very little bloatware to uninstall, is $1249, and ships within eight (8) business days. The battery slice will add about $150 to the overall cost.