Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X220t

November 28, 2011

In February 2011, Lenovo announced the ThinkPad X220t 12.5-inch Tablet PC, which is based on Intel's Sandy Bridge notebook platform. The ThinkPad X220t supplants the ThinkPad X201t and is a significant update.

Design and Changes

The ThinkPad X220t retains much of the same basic design of the previous generation ThinkPad X201t 12.1-inch Tablet PC. A ThinkPad X220t with a multi-touch display weighs approximately 4.1 pounds with a travel weight (which includes power adapter) of about 5.0 pounds.

Information System & Computing (ISC) believes that the biggest change in the X220t is the transition to a 16:9 LED-backlit display. The X220t's only display resolution choice is 1366 x 768, giving a resolution of 125 ppi.

The ThinkPad X220t is optimized for videoconferencing with dual noise cancelling microphones, low light sensitive cameras with auto white balancing, and a lit microphone mute switch on the keyboard.

The ThinkPad X220t is EPEAT Gold-compliant and Energy Star 5.0-certified. Power usage information for the X220t and other netbooks, notebooks, and desktops in use at the University is available here.

Ordering Notes

Several notes when ordering a ThinkPad X220t:

1. All models of the X220t include Arrandale versions of Intel's recently introduced Core i5 processor.
2. A multi-touch display is optional for the X220t and strongly suggested. Note that this capability is far more effective under Windows 7 than with older version of Windows.
3. Having at least 4.0 GB RAM is essential for the optimal functionality of a modern Tablet PC.
4. An integrated web camera is optional on the X220t. However, ISC suggests adding the web camera unless there is a specific local policy or security reason to exclude one.
5. Though a 128 GB solid state drive is available with the X220t, ISC does not believe that this is currently an appropriate choice for many users because the cost and capacity trade-offs are too great.
6. As with any TabletPC, ISC suggests that LSPs consider purchasing an extra AC power adapter for the X220t. Providers also may wish to consider Lenovo's range of peripheral accessories, such as port replicators and mini docks.
7. The X220t's connectivity options include 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Gobi multi-vendor WWAN connectivity, WiMax, and Bluetooth 2.1. ISC believes that Bluetooth is a relevant protocol for most notebook users and that WWAN connectivity is useful for many "road warriors".

See ISC's Notebook Purchasing Guide for more configuration hints. As of November 2011, configuring a ThinkPad X220t to the Tablet PC specification can be done for approximately $1,700. The University's Computer Connection has a X220t configuration available for order.

Windows Performance

ISC tested a ThinkPad X220t with 2.5 GHz Core i5, 1067 MHz 4.0 GB RAM, integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, 128 GB solid state drive, and Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. It received a Windows Experience Index base score of 4.8, with individual scores of:

• Processor: 7.1
• Memory (RAM): 5.9
• Graphics: 4.8
• Gaming graphics: 6.2
• Primary hard disk: 5.9

These scores suggest that Windows 7 performance will be excellent for most users on a ThinkPad X220t configured in this manner.

Analysis

ISC sees the ThinkPad X220t as one of the best (if not the best) Tablet PCs available in late 2011.

When correctly configured to the Tablet PC specification in the Notebook Purchasing Guide, the ThinkPad X220t is approved for use at the University.

ThinkPad X220t graphic courtesy of Lenovo

--John Mulhern III, Lead for Client Technologies, ISC Technology Support Services (November 28, 2011)