ThinkPad X41 Tablet

Apart from the swivelling 12.1" display (which is viewable from side angles and has a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution), the Lenovo ThinkPad X41 Tablet uses the same bottom shell as the Lenovo ThinkPad X41 series. The ThinkPad X41 costs roughly $400 less for a similarly configured unit, without tablet PC functions.

At 1.8kg, the ThinkPad X41 Tablet is more compact and less costly than Toshiba's Tecra M4, but also less powerful.

Our test unit made the most of Intel's latest Centrino technology, featuring an Intel Pentium M 758 (1.5GHz) low-voltage processor and 512MB of DDR2 memory--up to 128MB of which is used by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 integrated graphics controller.

Of course, 802.11a/b/g wireless networking is standard, but so is Bluetooth, infrared, Gigabit Ethernet and 56Kbps modem communications.

Our X41 Tablet was also equipped with a 60GB 4200rpm hard drive, one standard and one powered USB 2.0 slot (for connecting external devices such as DVD drives) plus a VGA-out port. The X41 Tablet supports one Type II PC Card and has a built-in SD card reader.

Lenovo's X41 Tablet has a great keyboard, complete with extras such as dedicated back and forward browser buttons above the arrow keys. We just wish there was a Windows button! The and keys combine to display a wireless control menu with which you can search for networks, manage location profiles and turn off wireless networking. The latter is also available by pressing the blue Access button--which brings up a "nerve centre" where you can learn about using the machine, configure the system and password settings, and use the Protect & Recover tool set.

Lenovo has included a biometric fingerprint reader and hard disk and power-on password protection, plus an embedded security subsystem to encrypt and protect your data on-the-fly.

The X41 Tablet boasts active hard disk protection, similar to some Toshiba models. When a sudden change in motion is detected, the hard disk is quickly stopped, as it effectively braces for impact. The magnesium chassis should be able to take a few knocks, too.

The X41 Tablet ships with a large eight-cell battery (rated for about six hours). This extends outward for use as a rubberised grip when in tablet mode. A smaller four-cell battery is also available. A three-year parts and labour warranty is included as standard.