14 DAY TRIAL // This week Lenovo is expected to announce the launching of its first Tablet PC, ThinkPad X41. This is the first portable system from Lenovo after taking over IBM's PC department.
ThinkPad X41 uses a Pentium M processor and the wireless connectivity is also provided by Intel. The 12.1 inch display hides a regular sized keyboard; the system comes also with a stylus that doesn't require batteries.
Benefiting from the quad-metal alloy, ThinkPad X41 weighs only 1.5Kg, similarly to all the notebooks from the ultra-portable class. Aside from the Pentium M processor, Think Pad X41 also has 256MB of DDR2 RAM memory, a 20GB hard-disk and a fingerprint reader. For CD/DVD access, ThinkPad X41 users will have to acquire a docking station priced at $219.
Considering the $1,899 price tag, close to the one of a notebook, many doubt Think Pad X41's success on the market and don't predict a good future for the mobile system that will be launched on June 14.
But Lenovo believes otherwise and is confident that ThinkPad offers a unique feature that will ensure its product's success: a battery with a lifespan of 6.3 hours. The standard model is equipped with 4-cell battery capable of 2.6 hours of operating time, but users can also acquire the 8-cell model which ensures 6.3 hours.
The disadvantage is that once it is equipped with the second type of battery, ThinkPad X41 will weigh almost 2Kg.