Lenovo ThinkPad X60 Tablet PC

The ThinkPad X60 Tablet PC is the second generation X-series Tablet PC / notebook convertible machine from Lenovo. The X60 Tablet PC is a Core Duo based machine that offers both significant performance and feature enhancements over its X41 Tablet PC predecessor. The X60 Tablet (X60t hereafter) is based upon the 12.1" screen X60s ultraportable released earlier this year. While many have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Tablet PC incarnation of the X60, we're happy to say the best comes to those who wait.

Let's just cover the specs for the two X60 Tablets we have under the spotlight. Both have essentially the same specs hardware wise, but there is a major difference in terms of the screen. One X60t has an SXGA resolution screen while the other has an XGA+ with MultiTouch (pen and finger touch) capabilities for double the screen input fun.

Specs for X60 Tablet PC as Reviewed:
Processor: Intel Core Duo L2400 1.66GHz (1.2V) (can configure up to 1.83GHz Core Duo L2500, Core Solo options also)
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Hard Drive: 2.5" Hitachi 100GB 7200RPM SATA (as seen on NewEgg.com)
RAM: 1GB DDR2 SDRAM (667MHz), max RAM config of 4GB
Screen Size: 12.1"
Screen Resolution: XGA 1024 x 768 with pen and touch screen capability
Screen Resolution: SXGA+ 1400 x 1050
Graphics: Intel Media Accelerator 950
Slots:
PCMCIA Type II, with ExpressCard 34 adapter (left side)
SD memory card slot (left side)
1 Expansion slot / docking station slot (bottom)
Ports:
3 USB 2.0 ports (1 on the left, 2 on the right)
FireWire Port (right side)
Monitor out port (left side)
Ethernet LAN port (left side)
Modem port (right side)
Microphone (right side)
Headphone line-out (right side)
Power jack (right side)
Battery: 4-cell battery (3.3 hours of quoted battery life)
Battery: 8-cell extended life battery (7.5 hours of quoted battery life)
Dimensions: 10.8" x 9.5" x .83 - [1.1" - 1.30"] (width x depth x thickness [varies from front to back])
Weight: about 3.77lbs with 4-cell battery, 4.23lbs with 8-cell battery
Integrated Communications: 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless, Modem, Gigabit Ethernet, Verizon EVDO WWWAN (optional), Bluetooth (optional), IrDA

Design and Build
The X60 Tablet has undergone quite a few external design changes from the previous ThinkPad X41 tablet (X41t). Listed below are the major external differences between the X41t and X60t:
The X60t is slightly thicker than the past X41t -- the X60t is 1.30" at its thickest point while the X41t was a slimmer 1.26". The extra thickness comes from having a larger and faster 2.5" hard drive in the X60t, so I think everyone will agree that's well worth the tradeoff.
There are now 3 USB 2.0 ports as opposed to two in the X41t.
The X60t now has a FireWire port, the X41t did not
Added to the front of the X60t is an on/off wireless switch
The X60t weighs in at 3.77lbs with a 4-cell battery and 4.23lbs with the 8-cell. The X41t weighed 3.5lbs / 4.0 lbs respectively so there is some weight gain here
The X60t has a NavDial button for multi-direction scrolling when in tablet mode, this is an improvement on the PgUp / PgDn button on the X41t
An XGA or SXGA+ resolution screen is offered with the X60t, you can also get a pen/finger touch screen with the XGA resolution. A new feature called ActiveRotate also improves the screen functionality of the X60t over the X41t.
Button color and shapes have changed in the keyboard area, for instance there are now red color stripes on the mous buttons any longer and the power button is silver not black.

Outside of these changes the X60t sticks to the tried and true look and design of other ThinkPad notebooks. The casing is a rugged and firm plastic material that has been built to withstand up to 3 foot drops. The keyboard is spill proof, there are two drains that take the liquid away from the keyboard and out the bottom of the notebook during an unlucky beverage spill. The usual steel hinges we see on a ThinkPad notebook are missing because this screen of course has to rotate. The single pivot point has a very convincing and solid feel though and holds the screen in place well when in notebook mode, the pivoting action feels firm and smooth. The pivot point rotates clockwise and allows for 180o of screen turning (to reach tablet mode), the hinge that provides the tilt is excellent and provides 180o of tilt from closed to fully open and flat, the hinge feels very firm. A magnesium alloy material screen lid provides strong protection for your LCD screen. The built-in Active Protection System is a marquee piece of IBM software that protects your data in drop situations, it works by lifting the hard drives read/write head when sudden movement of the notebook is detected.

Wireless
The X60t has four forms of wireless built-in:
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n using a built-in wireless mini PCI card, antenna for wireless is located in the screen for better reception
Bluetooth 2.0 (optional based on configuration)
EVDO using built-in antenna located on the screen side (optional based on configuration)
Infrared (IrDA) using port located on the front right side

This is about as good as you get in terms of wireless choices, especially given the small size of the X60s, that's a lot of communication devices to fit into this space. The built-in EVDO antenna is great for business people who can afford the monthly $80 option, money is no object if you're trying to land an all important business deal by sending an email. I wish Lenovo would figure out a way to get rid of the ridiculous "hump" they put on their machines with EVDO antennas though. All the other manufacturers have put the EVDO antenna in the screen tucked away. Honestly, I'd rather sacrifice a little reception quality from EVDO and have the designers tuck it into the LCD frame somewhere than have this weird (and vulnerable) fin on the top of my notebook.

The 802.11n offering is an improvement over what the previous X41t offered, you'll of course have to go and buy an 802.11n capable router ($100+ these days) to be able to utilize the longer range and faster capabilities that 802.11n offers though.

I'll mention the fact that for some reason the Access Connections wireless manager software kept crashing on me, but only when I opened it in tablet mode. These are engineering pre-production model machines though, so it could be related to that.
ThinkPad X6 Tablet UltraBase

The X60t will have a new docking solution in the form of the ThinkPad X6 Tablet UltraBase, we'll review this in an upcoming review, but here's a rundown of the ports you'll get on it: Ultrabay Slim, 4 USB 2.0 ports, VGA out, Microphone in, Headphone out, Speakers, RJ-11, RJ-45 ethernet, Parallel port, serial port, cable lock slot, key lock security.

The X6 UltraBase will be portable and cost $199. Note if you want an optical drive (DVD/CD) you will have to get this, the X60t does not have a built-in optical drive.