Lenovo Thinkpad X220 Review

Well, it is a lot to like. The X220 is not any thin and lightweight Ultrabook, instead it’s a chunky and reasonably rugged machine. However, meaning it can easily fit into a heck of an lot more connectivity and another of the nicest keyboards on any ultraportable. You also get other benefits for instance a removable - and for that reason swappable or easily replaceable - battery and fully configurable specifications. Even little touches like dedicated volume controls boost the function over form.

Regarding those specs, you can aquire a X220 using a regular old TN screen, Core i3 CPU, 2GB of RAM and also a 320GB HDD. Or you can splurge using a model using a quad-core Core i7 processor, a stunning 8GB of RAM, a 160GB SSD, the premium display, and the trimmings. Lenovos’ website permits you to configure it simply how you are interested, or you can go for one of the pre-assembled models from alternative party retailers. Even so, the X220’s 12.5in IPS display remains its major trump card over the majority of laptops, furthermore, as no new model continues to be introduced and there’s still hardly any competition, we figured that it was worth checking out

As stated earlier, the Lenovo X220’s design is pure ThinkPad. It’s unapologetically boxy and, together with the extended battery on our review sample, about 3cm thick. Unlike the sub-13mm Samsung Series 9 900X3B, you won’t be capable of cut cake using this type of laptop, a minimum of not without building a real mess. It’s also quite hefty, at 1.66kg for your sample – though again do not forget that this is using the highest-capacity battery.

However, while it’s not particularly thin and light-weight for a 12in machine, or maybe made of metal, Lenovo’s X220 gives you the classic ThinkPad construction. It not just feels incredibly solid, though the trademark semi-soft black finish available on all ThinkPads causes it to become lovely to feel and offers excellent grip while carrying it around. Road warriors especially may find much person to love.

Connectivity, meanwhile, is extremely good, easily towards the top of the class for any 12in laptop. On the left there exists a single USB 3.0 port, VGA and DisplayPort for analogue and digital video respectively, a 2nd USB port in the slower USB 2.0 variety, plus a handy wireless switch. What makes the X220 stay ahead of the crowd though could be the 45mm ExpressCard slot also found here, that may be used to add a myriad of expansions and accessories, like extra eSATA or USB 3.0 ports, or external graphics.

On the correct is an SDXC storage device reader, USB 2.0 always-on port (for charging USB devices if your laptop is deterred yet plugged in), Gigabit Ethernet connector and headphone/microphone jack. There’s also the cover for any 2.5in expansion bay that one could fit with a drive of your liking.

Wi-Fi N and Bluetooth 3.0 come as standard, while 3G can be an upgrade option that can set you back a supplementary £90ish. Considering its business leanings, it’s no real shock that an HD webcam is another £11 option within this ThinkPad. Likewise, for business users there’s optional TPM, a boatload of precautionary features and software, as well as a fingerprint scanner. Last but not least, Lenovo’s optional docking stations expand connectivity possibilities a step forward, offering luxuries like multiple video outputs, eSATA, and much more.