Editors' Rating
| Service & support |  |
6.0 |
| Design |  |
8.0 |
| Features |  |
7.0 |
| Battery life |  |
10.0 |
| Performance |  |
9.0 |
Published: 07 Apr 2006
The latest model in the ThinkPad X series, the ultraportable X60s, is almost imperceptibly lighter and thinner than its predecessor, the ThinkPad X41. Although the X60s improves upon the previous generation by adding a few more features, including the latest Intel Core Duo processors, it still lacks the built-in optical drive found in smaller, lighter, competitors such as the Sony VAIO VGN-TX2XP/L and the Fujitsu Siemens LifeBook P7120. And yet the ThinkPad X60s is as expensive as the Sony and more costly than the Fujitsu Siemens -- our well-specified test configuration cost £1,319 (ex. VAT). Still, the ThinkPad's keyboard is larger than those competitors', making it the better choice if comfortable typing is more valuable to you than using CDs and DVDs. In general, if you can do without a built-in optical drive, we think the ThinkPad X60s delivers a best-in-class balance of comfort, performance, battery life and portability.
Measuring 26.8cm wide, 21.1cm deep, and 2cm high at the front (2.8cm at the back), the ThinkPad X60s is nearly identical to its predecessor, the ThinkPad X41. The base X60s configuration weighs just 1.3kg, although our test unit, which included an extended battery, weighed 1.6kg (the extended battery also adds 2.5cm of depth and 1cm of thickness at the back). The system's diminutive AC adapter adds 317g to its total weight. The VAIO VGN-TX2XP/L and the LifeBook P7120 are smaller and lighter, yet both manage to incorporate an optical drive -- although they do have smaller displays.
The ThinkPad X60s's 12.1in. display has a 1,024 by 768 native resolution that provides just enough screen space for basic business tasks and Web surfing; the Fujitsu's and Sony's smaller displays have slightly finer resolutions. Although most ultraportables sacrifice key size to fit a smaller case, the X60s's keys are large and very comfortable for extended typing. Our only complaint is that the right-hand-side Alt and Ctrl keys are a bit narrow -- annoying if you're accustomed to using shortcuts. As with all ThinkPads, the X60s includes a red TrackPoint pointing stick; beneath the keyboard are three mouse buttons (the centre one acts as a scroll button) and a fingerprint reader for security. Otherwise, you get just volume controls and a long, blue ThinkVantage button that launches system maintenance, connectivity and other utilities. Tucked into the lid is a nifty light that illuminates the keyboard in dim environments.
Business travellers will find all the ports they need on the ThinkPad X60s: VGA, four-pin FireWire and three USB 2.0 ports, as well as headphone and microphone jacks. The system also includes slots for Type II PC Cards and Secure Digital (SD) cards, although ExpressCards require an adapter (not included). Aside from the missing optical drive already mentioned, the ThinkPad X60s's connections match up well with those of both the VAIO VGN-TX2XP/L and the LifeBook P7120. Our review model included the X6 UltraBase docking station (£129 ex. VAT if you buy it as an option), which features a DVD/CD-RW drive in addition to a number of other ports and connections.
The ThinkPad X60s offers a high degree of connectivity, with modem, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Lenovo has also announced plans to integrate wide-area wireless connectivity -- GPRS, 3G and, eventually, HSPDA ('Super 3G') -- into its X series (and T series) notebooks, but this functionality is not yet available in the UK. Although data plans remain expensive and throughput speeds can be slow, this will be a great feature for workers who need to stay connected at all costs.
Our ThinkPad X60s review unit featured a solid collection of the latest components, including an Intel Core Duo 1.66GHz processor; 512MB of fast 667MHz RAM; a mid-range 80GB 5,400rpm hard drive and integrated Intel graphics (GMA 950). Based on its performance in the MobileMark 2002 test, the ThinkPad X series realises some significant performance gains with its Intel Core Duo processor. Its score was 48.4 percent higher than that of the 1.2GHz Pentium M-based Fujitsu LifeBook P7120 and 42.9 percent higher than that of the Sony VAIO VGN- TX2XP/L, which had 1GB of RAM rather than 512MB; the X60s also bested its predecessor, the 1.5GHz Pentium M-based ThinkPad X41, by 28 percent. Those speed gains are enough to notice with average use and will be particularly useful for multitasking. The X60s's 8-hour 16-minute battery life is the longest we've ever seen -- very impressive, although not entirely surprising, given that our review unit's price included an 8-cell high-capacity battery. This battery costs £129 (ex. VAT) if you buy it as an option, and we think it's well worth it.
Like other ThinkPads, the X60s is backed by either a one-year or a three-year warranty, depending on the configuration you buy (three years in the case of our review model), and reasonably priced upgrades are available. Lenovo's support Web site includes a handful of troubleshooting topics, as well as the expected driver downloads; the site lacks interactive features such as customer forums or the chance to chat in real time with a technician.
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