Lenovo has now announced imminent availability for its gorgeous and lightweight ThinkPad X1 Carbon.
The new premier Ultrabook has 13.03 x 8.9 x 0.74-inch (331 x 226 x 18.85 mm) dimensions, the kind of size normally reserved for 13-inch displays but the ThinkPad X1 Carbon features a bright (300-nit) 14-inch, 1600 x 900 resolution screen. Its attractive and tough carbon fiber chassis helps it achieve a starting weight of just under 3 pounds (1.36 kg), making it just a shade heavier and thicker than Acer's 13.3-inch S5 and Apple's latest 13-inch MacBook Air.
At the center of the top bezel is a 720p HD front-facing camera which benefits from face-tracking technology and dual array microphones. Below the hinge sits a backlit keyboard with large scalloped keys in the chiclet style, a multi-gesture glass surface touchpad and a fingerprint reader. Other system security features include a USB blocker to control access via the USB ports and BIOS Port Lock to remotely lock in and out ports.
The X1 will be available with either Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional and be powered by the latest 3rd generation Intel Core ultra-low-volt processor options including an i7-3667U running at 2 GHz and a 1.8 GHz i5-3427U, supported by up to 256 GB of solid state storage and 8 GB of DDR3 system memory. There's Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics (although NVIDIA N13P-GLP Optimus Graphics with 2 GB of dedicated video memory also gets a mention on the datasheet) and Dolby-tuned audio in the shape of Home Theater v4.
Physical connectivity comes in the shape of one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 port, a 4-in-1 media card reader and a Mini DisplayPort with audio rather than HDMI. For the mobile user, Lenovo offers integrated 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and the option of contract-free 3G mobile broadband and hotspot technology.
Lenovo's RapidCharge technology promises up to five hours of continued use from the 45 watt-hour battery pack after just 35 minutes of charging, or users could opt to go the extra 20 percent and get up to eight hours of battery life from a full charge.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is available from this month for a starting price of US$1,299.
Source: Lenovo
