ThinkPad X41 Tablet PC review

Once you're booted into XP, the dedicated Briefcase button on the bezel kicks a handy custom applet into life, presenting you with a list of common operations including 'Give a Presentation'; this offers a convenient selection of preset screen/projector resolution and video output options. The Active Protection System is there to protect your disk from shocks, and a screen-mounted fingerprint reader keeps data secure. Both are well integrated in software, and you can set the reader either to handle only Windows XP account access or completely lock the entire machine to anyone not in possession of the correct digit. The custom Power Management applet gives stacks of information about your battery, including whether its capacity is deteriorating over time and needs an automatic reconditioning cycle. There's even an option you can select if the machine is habitually connected to the mains. This can have a detrimental effect on the battery, so the ThinkPad can dynamically alter the charge threshold to keep it 'cycled' and in its best condition. It adds up to a cohesive and professional feel other firms struggle to match.

Ultimately, while the newest ThinkPad retains most of the best features of the range, the tablet side of things simply fails to inspire. And even if the X41 were the perfect harmonious solution to the problem of tablet PC compromise, we'd have difficulty swallowing the price tag. It's over £600 dearer (exc VAT) than the non-convertible X41, and a full £900 more than our A-Listed convertible tablet, the HP Compaq tc4200; although marginally heavier, this sports a better base specification.

All this boils down to the first ThinkPad for a long time that doesn't come with our unequivocal recommendation. There's no doubt it's a good travelling companion with fine performance and great battery life, but it doesn't excel and certainly fails to get on the A List.

Author: David Fearon