ThinkPad EDGE and X100e
In my previous post I mentioned that we’d have offerings for those who wanted a ThinkPad in something other than a black, rectangular box. We have two of them which announced yesterday: the ThinkPads EDGE and X100e systems.
In introducing these systems, we wanted to extend the appeal of ThinkPad while offering something that looks different and has a different feature set to reach a different target audience. I’ve read the comments from other reviews on the web and I’m mystified. How can there be so much excitement about the X100e and so much outcry about the EDGE series? But perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself. First, my take on the two:
ThinkPad X100e
![X100e_colors-nowhite[1]](http://lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/files/2010/01/X100e_colorsnowhite1.jpg)
I am sure that many will be tempted to call the X100e a netbook, but to do so is to lump it in a category to which it does not belong. A netbook is a system designed to consume information, not to create it. Netbooks are optimized for portability and price points and give up a lot to get there. The X100e is different.
First, even with the new, improved Intel Pine Trail platform, the Atom processor is intentionally kept at a low performance level. Yet, to jump up to even Celeron level processors is a large jump in cost. Today there is not a processor/platform offering from Intel which can fit in that gap. Thus, for the first time ever, we are introducing an AMD processor in a ThinkPad notebook. This processor has better performance than an Atom, yet still allows for aggressive price points. Unlike the Atom processor, it also comes with a stability message for corporate roll outs.
Second, when we looked at ThinkPad’s target market, business customers, they told us that they needed a lower price mobile computing offering designed for business, not for consumers. These customers wanted things like global availability, better durability, corporate operating systems (so they can connect to their network domains), and commercial warranties.
Third, you’ll see that while the X100e echoes ThinkPad design, it breaks new ground (for ThinkPad anyway). It has up to three color choices (country dependent), including black. We’ve used the same touch and feel keyboard guts, but the key tops are decidedly different. They are discrete islands which many people say evokes the latest designs from Sony and Apple – both known for their design. Before any purists deride it, at least try it first. If you still don’t like it, choose a T or another X series. We’re not changing the keyboards on those.
This is also our first X series with a touch pad built inside in addition to a TrackPoint. This alone increases its market opportunity by 50%. If you don’t like it, Fn+F8 will allow you disable it. If you (shudder) don’t like a TrackPoint, that same key combination will allow you to turn that off instead.
Since it is a ThinkPad, it will have things like the Active Protection System, spill resistant keyboards (though no drainage system), ThinkVantage Technologies, a common power adapter, and better than your average notebook durability.
ThinkPad EDGE
![Edge_colors[1]](http://lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/files/2010/01/Edge_colors1.jpg)
When looking at the ThinkPad EDGE series, you can see that the designers were on the same team as those who designed the X100e. Indeed, there was some considerable debate as to whether we should have branded the X100e an EDGE system considering how close they look to one another.
In the end, since both machines are targeted at different markets with different values, the team decided to name them as you see today. We are targeting the EDGE series squarely at small business up to about 100 employees. Our research has shown that these people value trendy design aesthetics in addition to wanting a quality-built machine. They probably don’t have a dedicated IT team and are highly reliant on their business partner or vendor to provide support. Our competitors have noticed this as well. Acer’s Timeline, HP’s Probook, and Dell’s Vostro all are marketing to this category of buyer.
Like the X100e, the ThinkPad EDGE comes in multiple color choices (varies by country). It has a similar keyboard layout that uses the touch and feel “guts” of its other ThinkPad siblings while evoking a more modern look on the surface. Unlike similar looking keyboards from our competitors, the proof is in the touch and feel. Typing is believing.
Since these machines carry the ThinkPad name, they need to be worthy of it. We took the first step by using the ThinkPad touch and feel keyboard, but also added other ThinkPad standard features like TrackPoint + large touch pad, the Active Protective System, and a spill resistant keyboard. These machines also ship with many of our ThinkVantage Technologies like Rescue and Recovery, System Update, Access Connections, and Password Manager. If you want Accidental Damage Protection, you can get that too.
The EDGE target market also wants features like powered USB ports (check), HDMI ports (check), multi-card readers (check), and 3G connectivity (check). To help meet varying needs and price points, you’ll also be able to choose this machine in either AMD or Intel configurations.
From a “green” aspect, these systems ship in 100% recycled and recyclable packaging printed with non-toxic inks. All machines are Energy Star 5 certified, EPEAT Gold certified, and have Lenovo’s Power Manager which offers far more granular control than standard Windows power management.
Most significant in my mind is that we are using our same technical support team as for our other Think product offerings. I know that outsourced support is a hot topic for many. I won’t say much else other than to mention that if you are a US based customer, during most hours of the day your call will get routed to Atlanta, Georgia. (It’s hard to get people to work at 3 a.m.). In other countries we also have won awards for our technical support, so you’re likely to get a better than average support experience there too.
Quality. Durability. TrackPoint. Active Protection System. Stellar keyboard. World-class service and support. ThinkVantage Technologies – THAT’S what makes them worthy of the moniker “ThinkPad,” not what they look like.
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Check back tomorrow for a new post from CES.
Lenovo Meet the Modder Dean Liou
Lenovo Meet the modder- Chris Blarsky Dairy 2
Lenovo Meet the modder- Chris Blarsky Dairy 1
Lenovo H320 desktop
January 5th, 2010 2:41 am
I actually am less purist about the design and all. I’m just curious though; any reason for the change in keyboard layout? I think the 7 row keyboard is pretty much a defining trait, not just for looks, but for usability as well.
Also, I’m curious to know if leaving out the Thinklight caused much discussion within the design team(s).
I’ve just read the Ideapad and Smartbook rollouts; you guys are on a roll this year! I hope you get the sales you deserve.
January 5th, 2010 3:05 am
16:9 fail. ThinkPad brand dilution fail. Expect a lot of flak for this, we’re tired of getting inferior products every generation.
We pay a premium for ThinkPads. If you really think making crap like this will net you more sales, boy are you wrong. There is a LOT more competition in the garbage sector than there is in the high end. If people buy this, fine, but get back to the basics with ThinkPad and charge us more if that’s what it takes for lower volume.
ThinkPad is a power user brand. Stop abusing it. Stop diluting it. Go for technically superior solutions, not penny pinching. Deliver us solid, stable workhorses, not marketing gimmicks.
If that requires strong arming LCD manufacturers, do it. If they wont, make your own. It’s worth $200 extra for a 16:10 or 4:3 panel.
Hopefully you guys recognize the errs in your ways before you lose us for good.
The uproar will continue until boneheaded management reconciles.
Regards,
Now Wavering Long Time ThinkPad Buyer
January 5th, 2010 4:04 am
I think the response to the x100e has been positive largely because expectations (and the competition) in that form factor and price point are quite low. The x100e is the first netbook like machine with a TrackPoint and presumably decent keyboard. This alone gets people excited that want a machine at a price/size point similar to a netbook but with a few extra features.
Conversely, the Edge (even though similar to the x100e) feels more like a carving down of the ThinkPad brand. The aesthetics don’t bother me that much (although I vastly prefer an understated matte black), but the apparent reduction in quality is more troubling. The Edge clearly has room for a proper seven row keyboard (they fit on the 12.1″ x200 without problem), the hinges look weak, all of the indicator lights are gone, and I doubt they have the same type of display reinforcement as other ThinkPads. Additionally, the Edge is playing an age old marketing trick of Bait & Switch by emphasizing a $549 price point, but only offering decent performance (and especially battery life) when you step up to the $899 version that all the reviewers have.
I like the HDMI (more practical than DisplayPort in my opinion due to the installed base of devices), but want to know more about the internals. Does the Edge or x100e utilize any roll-cage technology for protection? Are any quality alloys or steel used in the construction, or is it an entirely plastic affair? What kind of drop tests, dust tests, weight on the screen, spill tests, or other hallmarks of classic ThinkPad durability do these machines actually pass? The answer to these questions (far more than a TrackPoint and black keyboard) are what make a ThinkPad a ThinkPad.
It is the fear that these hallmarks are not present that is causing the uproar. Further, professional ThinkPad users are rightly worried that more and more of these consumer or “small business” features will trickle down to the more classic and professional lines in the future. 16:9 is already here. Are glossy displays, chiclet keyboards, plastic constructions, and slick high gloss finishes (that slip right out of your hand) that far off?
January 5th, 2010 4:07 am
Is there any particular reason to leave out the thinklight and the drain holes?
January 5th, 2010 4:15 am
I’m curious, what are the dimensions on the x100e?
January 5th, 2010 5:04 am
“Acer’s Timeline, HP’s Probook, and Dell’s Vostro all are marketing to this category of buyer.”
Exactly, but they are also protecting their respective “higher” class by choosing a different name, what people expect in a ThinkPad is in the X, R, T and W range, these models reputation will be hurt from the SL and Edge, X100e is a bit different due to the “professional netbook” touch to it where people don’t expect a rock solid X200.
The SL and Edge might be good devices in their own regard, but the SL for example doesn’t even use the normal ThinkPad firmware, nor non-glare displays or similar “thinkpaddy” things. I fear the Edge will go into the same direction, how do you market the price difference between Edge and X300? “Well basicly the X300 is just more real Thinkpad!”?
January 5th, 2010 6:04 am
It seem that Edge has less Thinkpad exclusive features (visually) than X100e. Like the shape of trackpoint buttons that users are familiar with in X100e. Looking at Edge it feels like a fan took a keyboard similar to those in ThinkPads and stuck it on another system.
Also I don’t see a glossy cover is “trendy design” and also “quality build”. To me it communicates cheap build because the glossy cover looks more expensive (so there rest of the elements isn’t).
David Hill mentioned that you can get a black matte if you want but isn’t it just saying “ThinkPads are matte black and thats it …. although if you want to we can make them in any color”. Add that they look less and less like ThinkPads and it feels like Lenovo is milking down the establish brand name and it is just a matter time when the legend is gone.
January 5th, 2010 6:07 am
Kevin, I agree it is sad there is no choice in current notebook market. Everything is just subaverage.
The good example of *working* market is digital cameras market. You have broad selection from cheap cameras to extremly expensive DSLR full frame ones which aren’t sold in high volumes either. I’d like to have the same choice for ThinkPads. Comparing to 16:9 contrast-free displays debacle, there are no excuses from camera vendors like: “We don’t have full frame CMOS sensor vendor so since now you’ll get small cheap CCD sensor used in consumer compact cameras only for your professional camera”. Most of camera vendors produces and develops their own sensors and image processors.
Lenovo does not have to develop any display technology because it has been already developed many years ago. All we want is to produce it again and similar to digital camera market, these top-technology models aren’t going to be big sellers in terms of high volumes but in terms of availability, credit and unique features competition does not have.
January 5th, 2010 6:21 am
z, it is bigger than X60s
January 5th, 2010 6:33 am
The X6* series was the perfect size; I hope it’s not too much larger. I have an X200 but it’s just an inch or so too long for my tastes.
January 5th, 2010 7:01 am
The X100e is unique in the marketplace in so many ways. Folks who have tried the keyboard have come away surprised by how good it is. Whether the price is $500 or the “real” price is closer to $800, Lenovo appears to have done a brilliant and remarkable job. If the machine is as durable as they claim it fully deserves to sit in the ThinkPad line. Comments on the screen size above should be discarded–Lenovo blogs have been through that issue before. How many other companies allow their managers to be so blunt as to bemoan the fact that they’ve been forced to change screen sizes? I think the X100e will be a runaway success.
January 5th, 2010 8:12 am
Matt,
I posted over at David’s blog about my guess that Lenovo conducted a market survey about the feasibility of an X100e- or Edge-style ThinkPad for their intended market that made it go ahead with what was anticipated to be a highly contentious move. Are you at liberty to reveal some details of any such survey you made?
Some Chinese-language forums refer to the Edge as the E30. Is this a model naming convention for China, or something unrelated?
Now that the X100e and Edge are out, I’ll just hope that strong sales and satisfied user experiences will bear out Lenovo’s decision to daringly do this. Let’s hope they won’t become the “ThinkPad Jr.”
January 5th, 2010 8:51 am
Oh man, I don’t like this… I still prefer the black colour and the full size keyboard…
January 5th, 2010 10:03 am
More thinkpads, less appeal. I liked the days when you had a few simple choices
X Series – Ultraportable/Tablet
R Series – Budget/cheaper than the T without sacrificing performance
T Series – Top of the line with all the best components available
Now enters Lenovo
Z Series – A failed experiment. Basically a T60 in a different shell. Glad to say good riddance here. Too much overlap with other lines.
W Series – I am actually okay with them branching off this line to create a better distinction to the “workstation” level machines with better components available
SL Series- A cheaper budget laptop. Okay i guess, but don’t make sacrifices. Also overlapping with the previous “budget” model the R series. Again too much overlap and getting to be way too many lines here
EDGE -
January 5th, 2010 10:09 am
Ray — E30 is the name for China only. It is the same machine. We have multiple products in our lineup that have different names for China. I don’t know the exact reason — perhaps the name does not translate well. Perhaps localization is needed for other reaons.
January 5th, 2010 10:18 am
Due to whatever reason my comment submitted but I will finish my post.
EDGE – I’m not sure if this is only going to be offered in 13″ or extended to other sizes. If they wanted to make a 13″ laptop fine, but it doesn’t really need its own line. If this is going to be extended as a full line with different sizes i really dont see the point. It sits somewhere between the SL and R series but I don’t really see the point. No thinkpad “purists” are going to buy this thing
X100 – I am fine with the concept of this as well. A smaller ultra portable that can still perform well without costing a fortune is good. But don’t go changing things and removing features just for the sake of it. People love their keyboards and thinklights and heavy duty latches and hinges, and where designers may think nothing of changing these features or removing them entirely. It causes and uproar in the community when people see things they know and love getting messed with.
At this point things are getting way too messy and the number of lines has grown from 3 to a staggering 6 at least two of which are totally unnecessary in my opinion. If lenovo wants to do their little experiments and try out new things they should do it in the Ideapad line. But they know the Thinkpad name is what sells and are trying to capitalize on that.
The new improved T and W series machines are great, I love the improvements that have been made here and there doesn’t seem to be any backlash about the updates. I would focus on keeping the core audience happy and bring back things that people really want like 4:3 panels and IPS displays.
January 5th, 2010 11:03 am
Even I too have somehow mixed feelings about the new ThinkPads EDGE and X100e systems, since I’am too one of those more old fashioned and conservative Thinkpad guys, I can still understand that Lenovo has some huge interest and demand to make the Thinkpad brand generally more attractive also for, let’s say, a wider and slightly different audience.
Soberly considered there is nowadays a very big market for such small ultraportable devices, like netbooks and subnotebooks etc., especially in the cheaper consumer area, but also inside the more expensive business segment. So I believe these new systems will be Lenovos attempt to widen their Thinkpad customer base and to get a piece of that cake too.
In other words, the ThinkPad EDGE and X100e might be something, which then can also attract the more fashion oriented women and people. – The time will show it!
January 5th, 2010 11:05 am
I would really love a new Thinkpad. My T43 (with a splendid 15″ 4:3 IPS panel) is showing its age… the hardware itself is still in very good condition, but software tends to get slower faster than hardware gets faster. But no widescreen (read: shallowscreen) laptop is worth the price of a proper Thinkpad; I could pay a premium for a 14″ or 15″ 4:3, however. Given the trouble of acquiring good displays, maybe Lenovo has also noticed this, and is re-orienting themselves towards the consumer/entertainment laptop market.
I guess I will have to go for one of these new cheap models one day — because I can’t live without a Trackpoint — although they feel like fakes. I hope that e-paper devices improve to the point that I can start doing my work on them (using as a second vertical display on the side of a cheap 12″ or 13″ ultraportable), because laptops seem to have been destined to become entertainment machines, instead of work machines. (17″ 16:10 is no laptop: it’s a portable desktop machine… and in 16:9 you need 18″ to get the vertical working space of 15″ 4:3.)
January 5th, 2010 1:32 pm
Matt, this is what is happening: when you launch a new ThinkPad that “looks like a ThinkPad” you get the benefit of the doubt on everything. Sure, people are annoyed if it lacks a particular ThinkPad features like a ThinkLight, but someone comes on the blog and explains how it was a design problem with the new camera and that it will be back in future models or something, and we’re okay with that. ThinkPad’s didn’t always have magnesium roll cages or APS or keyboard drains. No one feature was ever an absolute requirement. (With the exception of the TrackPoint… let’s not get crazy here.)
When you launch a ThinkPad that *doesn’t* look like a ThinkPad, you get no benefit of the doubt. People question even the features that haven’t appeared to change. “But is it the same? Did they cut corners? Who designed this thing? IS IT EVEN A THINKPAD!!??? Oh, waily waily waily!” In this sense the design of a laptop, right down to the most trivial aspect of its appearance, is a statement to existing ThinkPad users. For better or worse, the new T410 says “Nothing has changed, but we added some stuff”. The EDGE says “Everything has changed, but look we kept some stuff”.
If Lenovo doesn’t want the ThinkPad users to hear “Everything has changed” when the roll out the EDGE under the ThinkPad name, then they need to do a better job of claiming otherwise and backing it up. Tell us it was completely designed at the Yamato lab. Show us the cutaway of the roll cage. Tell us what engineering marvels you had to pull off to get the design to work. Tell us how it’s one of the lowest-heat models in its class. Tell us you redesigned one of the components to be the best you’ve ever done, and that the T-series doesn’t even have this yet, but will in the next update.
Even if we wouldn’t be happy with all the changes, bring price into the discussion. Tell us how the Yamato designers had fits trying to build a good system for $579 and what they had to do to accomplish it. Tell us about things you rejected because they weren’t good enough. Tell us how the final result is different from other manufacturers. Tell us “no, it’s not a T, but it’s the best $579 laptop money can buy, and that’s why it’s a ThinkPad.” We may not want one for ourselves, but I think we could get behind that.
January 5th, 2010 1:42 pm
“We’re not changing the keyboards on those.”
thank god (and David Hill + team)
January 5th, 2010 2:29 pm
Wasn’t the X300 the first X Series Thinkpad to incorporate a touchpad as well as touchpoint?
I’m all in favour of you bringing out new laptops that diverge from the same look and specs of the T Series, as long as you keep that option available, which I’m sure you will.
Thinkpads are great, they’re the best laptops and I’m sure many of my friends and family would take them into account for their buying decisions if there were more consumer oriented or innovative business solutions — which a lot of these announcements are. Cheaper price points are part of this, for the things that some users don’t need.
January 5th, 2010 2:44 pm
Bravo Ethan! I really loved that comment!
January 5th, 2010 4:00 pm
I can see how the ThinkPad X100e is a response to Fortune 500 CIOs’ requests for a smaller, cheaper client device. I would say a vast majority of my computing is done while connected to a network — whether that’s email (fat client or webmail), IM, web browsing (research or data entry), or productivity app (MS Office, Lotus Symphony, etc). I love my work-issued T400, but unless I’m developing a Java or database application, I don’t think I push it to its limits every day.
The growth in computing power demand is happening in the data center, not on the desktop. It takes more and faster servers to power these fancy line-of-business applications that will be accessed using Firefox or Internet Explorer on a PC. The PC just needs to be able to boot an OS, load a web browser and possibly an office suite, and maybe save a few files for use while disconnected from the network. It’s a corporate “netbook” (but without the bad connotations of underpowered Intel Atom CPU and crippled Windows 7 Starter Edition).
January 5th, 2010 5:31 pm
My 2 cents.
I agree with many good points that have been made above. It’s an unfortunate marketplace reality that the majority of consumers want cheap computers and don’t care about the quality features that the thinkpad brand is built around. People buy based on novelty features available up front, ignorant of the fact that their computer may be dead in 6 months. I hope the thinkpad brand may begin to change this dynamic, although I think the marketing department needs to simplify and streamline the branding because the current state is confusing.
However, Thinkpad has always been the proud bastion of the premium notebook. Thinkpad users paid a premium for a premium in build quality and mobility not found in other brands. Why is it that the 15in MacBook Pro comes with comparable hardware to a T510 in a lighter, smaller, and more mobile chassis with significantly better battery life and a nicer screen (16:10)?
I believe there are still a group of Thinkpad users that are willing to pay a premium for these features, and I feel that they are left out with the direction Lenovo is taking.
January 5th, 2010 6:59 pm
@Ethan
The problem is absolutely not that particular Edge notebook.
I’m sure the design team did their very best, and I’m even sure that it is, for that price, a very good and fine notebook.
The problem with the Edge, as it was already with the SL series, that by marketing those notebooks under the Thinkpad brand Lenovo lowers the marketing value of all Thinkpads. And they just don’t fit into the Thinkpad series. (I’m only speaking about the Edge series, the X100e is a whole other story…)
If they’d just called those things “ThinkEdge” or “EdgePad” or whatever nobody would have said anything. (Personally speaking I favour simply ThinkEdge, it’d be shorter than Thinkpad Edge, too.)
Also I can’t imagine how Lenovo wants to keep service at high level when Thinkpads are sold for such a low price. So Lenovo has to cut costs at the service somehow, which has already started. For example in Europe by routing calls from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other german speaking countries to some servicecenter in Eastern Europe. (Some of the agents there speak german with a very strong accent, and sometimes you have to repeat words/addresses/whatever several times till they get it right.)
That may be enough for people who spend about 600 bucks for a notebook. But if I pay about 3000$ for a T400s then I definitively expect something better than that… Still, as long as IBM does the “real” service (repairs, part sale, …) and as long as service request can be opened with ESC+ (minimizes the time you have to speak with the agents at the call center) I can live with it. But if that ever were to change there’d be no more extra value buying a Thinkpad.
And don’t misunderstand me, I really like that Lenovo creates notebooks like the Edge series though I’d never even considering buying one. But it sure opens the consumer market for them, and after all, I want Lenovo to make profit, because if they’d go bankruptcy there’d no more Thinkpads.
And once again, the Edge series will definitively be very fine notebooks.
But it just wasn’t a very clever move to market the Edge series under the Thinkpad brand. I can understand that they wanted to transfer some of the glory of that brand to the Edge series, but wouldn’t they have gotten enough glory with ThinkEdge by having Think in its name? After all, it really isn’t a Thinkpad…
January 5th, 2010 9:49 pm
Lets talk about the X100e pricing. The $499 start price is attractive but would be ever possible to keep it in EU countries ? I expect the end price over here at least 600 EUR.
January 5th, 2010 10:13 pm
I thought the SL series was what the edge is described as. I get the x100 – personally I’d pay 50% more to get it with a ULV Core2 chip, but then my primary machine is a T61p upgraded from an x40 because I couldn’t live with the compromises in the X line at the time. I may end up with an x100 to have somethign to use in coach, where I can’t open the T61 on a tray table.
January 6th, 2010 5:37 am
Do these have TPM chips? I was not able to find detailed specs on these on the Lenovo site.
We run Bitlocker for data security and lack of a TPM chip is a deal breaker.
January 6th, 2010 2:36 pm
Jon — X300 started its life as a T series internally before being changed to X when it came to market. In my mind it will always be a smaller T series. But yes, I suppose you’re technically correct. I should have said “first sub 13″ ThinkPad to have a touchpad.
Puppy — I don’t set pricing. I don’t affect currency conversion rates either.
ThinkPad Fan — no TPM chips.
January 6th, 2010 9:45 pm
David Hill explains why they chose an island-type keyboard on the X100e, and for me, it makes real sense. That was a smart call – I just wish that for the X series, it being a classic Thinkpad, could have at least the Thinklight too. The 7-row keyboard is really nice to have, but that could’ve resulted in either smaller keys or the loss of the Trackpad (which I don’t really mind…)
As for the Thinkpad EDGE – are there any plans to integrate SL as part of the EDGE series? Given that the SL series already has the glossy screens, glossy top, 6-row keyboard – might as well restrict the edgy designs to the SL/EDGE instead of promoting two separate lines?
January 8th, 2010 3:09 pm
Will (and when) we get a proper successor to X200?
Even though it is relatively thin and light among its class, the T410s is still to big for me. The X100e, on the other hand, is not powerful enough and don’t share the same solid construction (although you may claim that it is the most solid among netbooks) as other “classic Thinkpads”.
Should we expect a Core i5 equipped successor to X200 anytime soon? I remember few months ago there was a leaked roadmap saying that there would be X210 X210s and X210t in January. Why weren’t they introduced at the same time with the rest of the new “classic Thinkpads”?
January 8th, 2010 6:24 pm
Ivan — let me reiterate. It is our company policy that until we have officially announced a product, I am not allowed to talk about it. Rest assured there are other X Series systems coming. I cannot say when or what their configs may entail.
January 9th, 2010 9:12 pm
Matt,
I recall hearing about dual-core Athlon/Turion configurations of the X100e coming in Q1 – do you have any more specific info about this at the moment? Is it more likely to be “within a few weeks” rather than “in March”?
January 24th, 2010 1:42 pm
I had a brief encounter with the X100e at a local Lenovo shop (yes, they’re shipping!), and I was pleasantly surprised at the build quality. While it’s not the tank some older IBMs were, the two X100es on display were well-made and not creaky. Also, the outer shell was not some glossy fingerprint magnet (apologies if you did mention this); it has a very nice smooth fine texture that feels very nice to touch. So while it might be plastic, it’s very NICE plastic.
As for the inside, the keyboard feels pretty good. I won’t say it’s far behind the usual Thinkpad keyboards. In fact other than the chiclet design I don’t think the mechanism has changed. What has changed though, is the switch to a 6 row keyboard layout. I was trying to find the specs of the machine with my usual Win+Pause/Break combination, I realised that no such key, not even as a Fn shortcut, was present. I know that not many people would need such a key but having left it out of a machine that comes from a “serious” line still feels odd. Also, not having the usual 6 navigation keys clumped together feels weird.
All-in-all it looks pretty competent. Only downside is the potentially average battery life. Spoilt by 6 hour sessions with 3G on my X61, I have…
January 24th, 2010 2:52 pm
Sorry old chaps to be the only one “bad” guy in this page but….is this netbook a real Thinkpad ???
Well, can anyone tell me where are the “thinkpad” characteristic in this netbook, except the badge…. ???
Chris
January 26th, 2010 2:59 pm
[...] ThinkPad EDGE and X100e CES – New ThinkPad Roundup New Decade. New ThinkPads. [...]
February 12th, 2010 3:12 pm
History is repeating. There two configurations available in .cz (3508-4XG and 3508-4ZG) only. None of them have internal WWAN module. Any chance to get more advanced configurations in developing countries ? Of course, the best option would be a direct order from the US site (I don’t need local keyboard neither localized Windows) but it is not possible.