Lenovo keeps taking the Tablets! - ThinkPad X61 hands out the medicine

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Let’s cut to the quick here, (and I know we’re biased!), but the ThinkPad X61 Tablet PC is the best incarnation of this form factor that money can buy, period!

Why? Well, it’s been designed and engineered with such an incredible amount of thought that makes it stand head and shoulders above the competition.

This is a Tablet PC, so let’s talk about the X61 Tablet features first and just why this is the best.

The Screen Tops the list.

The screen, and how it functions, is probably the most important factor on a Tablet PC and Lenovo have steadfastly stuck with the standard 12” screen format instead of the widescreen that most competitors are adopting. Now to me, that’s the most sensible thing to do because the Tablet PC format was designed primarily for writing, and this is what the X61 tablet does best!

The 12” screen avoids all the unnecessary scrolling that you get with a widescreen and if you do write, and that’s what your buying and X61 for, you’ll very soon appreciate this.

Microsoft originally designed the Tablet specification to use a digitizer behind the screen, which is why you need to use a special Wacom stylus. Lenovo has turned this on its head and added a touch screen function that is intelligent enough to know the difference between your hand on the screen or whether you want to write a note with your finger, the end of a pen, or the stylus. It’s super intelligent and works like a dream.

The X61 Tablet has a plethora of buttons around the screen to help you navigate, change functions and give you ultimate control. Lenovo has also installed active rotate feature that automatically switches the screen around when you shift between portrait and landscape modes.

Since this is a Tablet, you know you will want to rotate the screen, so it is easier for you write on, especially for those users who take lots of notes. The Tablet shortcut buttons give you access to volume, brightness, pen settings and more, in seconds.

So how does the X61 Tablet perform as a ‘standard’ Laptop?

The Tablet version of the ThinkPad X61 is every bit as powerful, functional and performance orientated as its stable mates.

The keyboard, mouse controls and TrackPoint perform as superbly as you would expect with a ThinkPad and the various function keys that allow you to control screen brightness or to enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi make life as easy as can be.

There is no doubt that the ThinkPad X61 Tablet provides the best typing experience in the business. Its now famous full-size keyboard is unmatched, and the TrackPoint is just incredibly intuitive to use.

Lenovo’s ThinkVantage System Update 3 software is a significant step forward from previous versions as it all runs in Windows instead of DOS.

The only real shortcomings are the relatively weak speakers and the lack of optical drive. Put that right and buy the X6 UltraBase when you order and you’ll just simply have the best combination of UltraPortable Laptop and Tablet PC that money can buy.

Conclusion

The best balance of performance and battery life with a low voltage Intel Core 2 Duo. The sexy, Black Classic Business Design with its soft touch finish. The matte 12-inch screen which has been optimized for viewing and writing. But the real killer here is the staggering build quality and engineering which are just second to none. This shines through with the Tablet features which have been executed with something close to brilliance. Lenovo engineers have created an absolute dream machine in the ThinkPad X61 Tablet. Superb!