Lenovo ThinkPad X301 Gets Lean and Mean

Lenovo's new ThinkPad X301 packs a 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 14.1-inch screen into a notebook just 0.83 inches thick and under four pounds.

Computer maker Lenovo has formally rolled out its new ThinkPad X130 notebook computer, the company’s thinnest and lightest notebook system to date and features a featherweight monocoque carbon reinforced roll cage for stability. The X301 measures just 0.83 inches thick and weighs less than four pounds, but the system still manages to pack in a 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 14.1-inch display, up to 250 GD of hard drive storage, and a DVD burner or Blu-ray player.

The X301 will be available in a variety of configurations, but the bacis are a 2.53 Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 14.1-inch LED backlit display (we believe it’s 1,440 by 900 pixels, but Lenovo’s information is contradictory), along with Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth wireless networking—WiMax and ultrawideband will be available as options. Users can choose between a 250 GB hard drive or 128 GB SSD, and the system sports a 9.5-mm DVD burner or Blu-ray player. Also on board: a 34mm ExpressCard slot or 5-in-1 media card reader, VHA and DisplayPort output, and USB/eSATA connectivity for external storage. Lenovo has also spent time on its keyboard, quieting it down (so it doesn’t interfere with VoIP calls, for instance), making the frequently-used Delete and Escape keys larger, and engineering the whole thing to be more resistant to crumbs and other hazards of the notebook lifestyle. Users can also turn the unit on using just the (optional) fingerprint reader, and an always-on USB port keeps cameras, music players, and other devices charging when the notebook is in standby or hibernate modes.

The X301 is available now at prices starting at $1,599; Lenovo is also offering a selection of docking and port expansion accessories.