Lenovo ThinkPad T520i Intel Core i3-2310M

The Intel Core i3 runs like a charm in collaboration with the T520i's Intel HD graphics 3000 and the 500 GB hard drive that whirls around at 7200 rpm. No complaints when it comes to speed with the exception of application startup. It's been my experience to hold off on multiple application launches all at once on ThinkPads. They tend to take twice as long to startup when this occurs.

ThinkPads get a high value mark among laptop users for its resistance to change, but it'd be nice to have seen Lenovo take this ThinkPad model into the chiclet keyboard stage that so many other laptop models are being produced with. Laptop keyboards that are difficult to clean overtime can cause buildup of particles that can seriously damage vital components. It'd be nice to no longer have to worry about that with the traditionally and sometimes notoriously compressed ThinkPad keyboard.

But big gold stars continue to go to Lenovo's technical support service. Year after year, the company gets praised for its devotion to providing customers with intelligent support members who help instead of hinder. When trial testing Lenovo tech support capability for the T520i, I found no exception to the industry expectation.

Lenvo lists the ThinkPad T520i at $750.00 right now, which is an extreme bargain considering the original listing price of nearly double that. I wouldn't say the T520i would be worth $1400.00, but it's certainly worth more than it's current market price.

Considering the ThinkPad is meant to look like a relic while behaving state-of-the-art, the design hang ups are no reason to avoid this laptop. Few laptops have done the job for as long as the ThinkPad, and the T520i is no exception.
source: LAPTOPGRAM

Lenovo ThinkPad X121e is an ultraportable business notebook

Lenovo has just announced the release of a new ultraportable notebook computer - the ThinkPad X121e. Designed for business people on the go or students looking for a lightweight computer to bring to classes. The notebook features mid-range specs which should be enough for most applications on the go, including the occasional casual game or two but not heavy graphic rendering or hardcore gaming.

The entry level ThinkPad X121e features an AMD C-50 APU, 1GB of RAM, a 240GB hard disk, while it can be upgraded to the AMED E-350 APU with 4GB of RAM and a larger battery. Other options include an Intel Core i3-2357 M processor with an optional 128 GB SSD and a bigger battery as well.

Standard specs include: 11.6? matte screen (1366 x 768), two unpowered USB 2.0 ports, one powered USB 2.0 port, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, D-sub connector, webcam, headset jack, SDXC reader, and WiFi. Bluetooth 3.0, WiMax and/or 3G is optional. Prices start at about $575 for the base unit and it is available now in Europe and Japan, no word on when it'll reach stateside though.
source: Ubergizmo

Lenovo introduces new ThinkPad X121e in Japan

Lenovo Japan announced that it has put on the market yesterday a new ThinkPad with the X121e. Available for business customers this month and later in August for the general public, this new ThinkPad X121e comes in thee flavors with a Core i3-2357M CPU, an Intel Pentium 957 CPU and AMD's APU based on its E-350 CPU and Radeon HD 6310.

Depending of your budget and/or your needs you will be able to choose between a 250, 320 GB HDD or 128GB SSD and 2 to 4GB of RAM.

The X121e comes with a 11.6x1366×768 screen, USB 2.0, SDXC, HDMI, WiMAX, Bluetooth 3.0 and is sold with a 6 cell battery for a total weight of 1.4kg.
source: Akihabara News

Lenovo ThinkPad X121e 11.6-Inch Business Laptop

Lenovo has just rolled out their newest business laptop in Japan and Europe. Called the ThinkPad X121e, the system comes with an 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 HD display, a 1GHz AMD E-350 APU dual-core or a 1.3GHz Intel Core i3-2357M dual-core processor, a Redeon HD 6310 (DX11) or Intel HD 3000 graphics, a 4GB RAM, a 320GB hard drive, a 0.3MP webcam, a 4-in-1 card reader, WiFi, Bluetooth, a WiMAX radio, an HDMI port and a 6-hour battery. The ThinkPad X121e sells for 399 Euro (about $577) with AMD E-350 APU or 724 Euro (about $1,046) with Core i3-2357M CPU. [LaptopSpec]

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 arrives as corporate rival to MacBook Air

After numerous leaks, Lenovo tonight brought out its first halo notebook in years through the ThinkPad X1. The 13.3-inch system is the thinnest ThinkPad to date at no more than 0.83 inches but promises to trump the MacBook Air by overcoming the usual barriers in the class. A new generation of Lenovo's high-power, low-noise "owl wing" cooling fans lets it use full-power Core i3, i5, and i7 processors while still keeping up to five hours on its regular battery.

Its weight isn't as comparable at 3.7 pounds versus 2.9.

The ultraslim also delivers on a rare ultra-quick battery charge. Much like some MP3 players or phones, RapidCharge can bring the X1 up from drained to an 80 percent charge in just half an hour, or 2.5 times faster than other ThinkPads or most notebooks. Lenovo's Jason Parrish told Electronista that the technique doesn't artificially shorten the life of the battery and that it should last about 1,000 full charge cycles, or about three years of frequent use.

An external battery slice can take advantage of RapidCharge itself and doubles the longevity to 10 hours. In a break from Lenovo's usual habits, though, the main battery is sealed in and will need a qualified technician to swap out, much like Apple's pack. More computers beyond the X1 will get RapidCharge, many of them in 2012, Lenovo told us.

The design is both billed as tough as regular ThinkPads while acknowledging that many users care about using systems for home as much as work. It still uses a magnesium alloy frame with a 'rollcage' to stay strong. Corning's Gorilla Glass also makes an unusual appearance in a notebook and makes the screen more resistant to pressure and scratches than the usual notebook display; Lenovo also vows a much brighter screen at 350 nits instead of the usual 200 to 250. A backlit keyboard is a first for this class of ThinkPad, and video output has dropped the stereotypical corporate-friendly VGA in favor of HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, and Intel's over-the-air WiDi.

The X1 is due to start at $1,399 with a 2.1GHz Core i3 and an unspecified Intel SSD, most likely a 160GB model. Shoppers can get one online through Lenovo and others on May 17.

Lenovo's launch is its second real design attempt at countering the MacBook Air and its first from-scratch model made since the Air existed, the original X300 series having been developed at the same time. The system has always had a loyal base but struggled to match even the Air's relatively low numbers due mostly to price: initially going for $2,799, it was a full $1,000 more than the original Air and almost always cost more.

In discussing the X1 with us, Parrish said he had "seen people make those comparisons" to the Air with the new model but pointed to clear differences between the ThinkPad and its Mac challenger. The full-speed processor, toughened frame and "world-class" keyboard justified getting an X1, he said.

Electronista

Lenovo ThinkPad X220 users face CPU throttling problem

Lenovo's recently released ThinkPad X220 notebook is suffering from a throttling down CPU, Lenovo admitted on its forums. This occurs even despite the max performance mode being enabled and the device plugged in. The CPU will go down to its lowest state, and the issue is likely to affect the T420/T520 notebooks as well.

There are ways to get around this, though they come at a cost. The more extreme method is to disable Intel's Speedstep or CPU Power Management in the BIOS. The former forces the processor to work at a high speed and voltage which leads to the battery draining very quickly. The latter method has a less significant effect on battery life, and uses between 2.5W and 3W more than when it's enabled.

A similar issue plagued older ThinkPads but the fixes developed for them in Windows do not fix the issue in the X220's case. A BIOS update may be the only true fix for the issue.

When the CPU drops to its lowest performance level, whether it's the base 2.1GHz Core i3, the range-topping 2.7GHz Core i7 or anything in between, random write speeds of the SSD and HDD are significantly reduced as well.

Electronista

Lenovo ThinkPad X220 users face CPU throttling problem

Lenovo's recently released ThinkPad X220 notebook is suffering from a throttling down CPU, Lenovo admitted on its forums. This occurs even despite the max performance mode being enabled and the device plugged in. The CPU will go down to its lowest state, and the issue is likely to affect the T420/T520 notebooks as well.

There are ways to get around this, though they come at a cost. The more extreme method is to disable Intel's Speedstep or CPU Power Management in the BIOS. The former forces the processor to work at a high speed and voltage which leads to the battery draining very quickly. The latter method has a less significant effect on battery life, and uses between 2.5W and 3W more than when it's enabled.

A similar issue plagued older ThinkPads but the fixes developed for them in Windows do not fix the issue in the X220's case. A BIOS update may be the only true fix for the issue.

When the CPU drops to its lowest performance level, whether it's the base 2.1GHz Core i3, the range-topping 2.7GHz Core i7 or anything in between, random write speeds of the SSD and HDD are significantly reduced as well.

Electronista

Lenovo spoils own ThinkPad X1's May 17 launch with video

Lenovo effectively pre-announced the ThinkPad X1 on Wednesday with a video (below). The minute-long ad was short on details but confirmed the backlit, spill-resistant keyboard and Gorilla Glass screen. The PC builder also pledged a May 17 release date.

The X1 is already known to be Lenovo's answer to the current MacBook Air and would be an SSD-only, extra-thin 13.3-inch notebook that would still manage to carry a full-power 2.5GHz Core i5 at its heart.

Its pricing isn't known but is expected to have a high price.