Lenovo ThinkPad X300

At least Lenovo has put some thought into the replicator's design. It's designed to stand vertically rather than lie irritatingly on a desk, and you can actually hook up a monitor (up to 1,280 x 1,024 resolution) permanently to it.

Continuing our list of compromises, regular Economy flyers may also be put off by the idea of a taller lid. Even though there's little between the X300 and a 12.1in subnotebook - the X300's lid measures 236mm high to the X61's 216mm - it could make the difference in some situations.

The large bezel is a minor black mark against the X300 too. It not only gives the unit a retro feel, it also makes us wonder whether the screen could have been even larger.

We're disappointed to see only a D-SUB at the back: a DVI-I port would have allowed a digital connection to a TFT display as well as an analogue connection if needs be.

Conclusion
We're huge fans of the X300. Sure, it has its foibles and it won't be the right choice for everyone. And, call us demanding if you like, but we'd have liked to see another hour of battery life from the three-cell battery.

But, unlike the MacBook Air, it doesn't sacrifice usability to hit a certain weight. In fact, unlike the MacBook Air, it's clearly been designed with usability rather than marketing in mind.

The keyboard is simply fantastic. The screen, while not perfect, offers an ideal resolution for the target user: the professional on the road.

Build quality is superb and, though it won't rival a desktop PC for speed, it's more than fast enough to be used as an everyday computer. There's even room for a little after-hours entertainment.

This kind of laptop is never going to be cheap, and the X300 isn't either. But you're paying for some incredible design and a low, low weight.

When Lenovo releases models with mechanical hard disks and lower prices, it will become an even more attractive choice. And, if you don't need the benefits of solid-state technology, wait for the new models. But if you're after the last word in reliability, usability, quality and portability, your money won't be wasted.

Author: Tim Danton