Hands-On With the Ultrathin Lenovo ThinkPad X1

Lenovo officially announced the ultrathin ThinkPad X1–targeted toward both business and personal laptop users–on Monday. Besides beingness the thinnest ThinkPad up to now, the X1 adds consumer features, such as a backlit keyboard, with go-ahead-horizontal surface security system and other business capabilities. I got a chance to play with this 13-edge ultraportable and have to say the X1 may move over the MacBook Melodic phrase a run for its money.

The announcement confirms earliest leaks or so this new ultra-thin laptop, which Lenovo says is the "thinnest and highest performance combination for its classify." The ThinkPad X1 keeps the classic ThinkPad "clad box" appearance yet is 0.67 inches at its thinnest (about the height of a penny)-similar to the MacBook Air's 0.68 inch measuring. The X1 also has a really pleasing rubber texture over the sturdy magnesium chassis and weighs about 3.7 pounds.

There are a great deal of fine details that went into the design of the ThinkPad X1, from the thoughtful placement of volume computer hardware controls on the side of the laptop to the concave keys that improve typewriting accuracy. (Lenovo's VP of Incorporated ID and Design, David Hill, called the dip of from each one key the "smile.") Most notable about the keyboard is its backlight-a first in an initiative-grade ThinkPad and something consumers cacophony for (and permanently reason-the backlit keyboard is both beautiful and useful)

Other consumer influences can comprise seen in the ThinkPad X1's HD audio, HDMI port, Intel WiDi, and super-bright display. Although the 13-inch display looked great even from side viewing angles, I do wish the cover was matte sooner than glossy. Built with Corning Gorilla Glassful, however, it is a very durable and scratch-resistant screen. Yes, the Lenovo folks ran some keys across the screen to prove it.

Arsenic we late saw on the ThinkPad T420s, the X1 also has the Rapid Advance capableness for opening up and shutting down faster, every bit fit as RapidCharge engineering that charges the battery up to 80 pct in 30 minutes. The battery should last about 5 hours, but you potty double that with an outward slice battery.

The best thing about the ThinkPad X1 official specs? It doesn't cost $2,919, like we saw posted on a Swiss site. Pricing starts at $1,399 and you lav order the laptop from Lenovo and former retailers starting May 17.

The ThinkPad X1 has now risen to the big top of the top Windows alternatives to MacBook Air list, for me leastwise. If you like to mix business sector with pleasure, you may feel the same direction.

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