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Product summary
This configuration of the Lenovo ThinkPad X61s is a 3.3-pound, ultra light notebook computer.Compared to other ultra light notebooks on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $1,710.Has Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity) built-in.
Specifications: Environmental & energy standards compliance: EPA Energy Star, RoHS, EPEAT Silver; Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo (1.6 GHz); RAM installed: 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM; See full specs
Price range: $1,552.55 - $1,899.95
CNET product brief
Description: This configuration of the Lenovo ThinkPad X61s is a 3.3-pound, ultra light notebook computer.Compared to other ultra light notebooks on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $1,710.Has Wi-Fi (wireless connectivity) built-in.
Pros: Has only a 3.3-pound weight, which is somewhat lighter than some similarly priced notebooks.Also, this notebook has a plug-in module media bay, which is more favorable than some similarly priced notebooks.The DVD? RW(? R DL) / DVD-RAM is housed in a modular plug-in drive bay, which is more upgradeable and gives you more options than an integrated drive.
Cons: The Lenovo ThinkPad X61s comes with no-frills word processing software ? if you often need to create presentations you will likely need to upgrade to a full-fledged office suite.Integrated graphics controllers that rely on shared RAM are sometimes an acceptable trade-off for budget-minded users.
Suitability: Suitable for those who consider weight the most important feature.Preserve favorite home movies for future generations by saving them onto DVD with this computer's DVD burner.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Internet from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled notebook.
Value: In view of its relatively inexpensive price, this notebook has great features for the money.For example, when it comes to screen size, the average price of ultra light products with a similar screen size is quite a bit more -- in fact around $2,233.
Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Internet more conveniently from any room.(2) To get the most out of this computer's Bluetooth capability, you could have a Bluetooth-enabled headset, handheld or other device, and be able to link it wirelessly to your computer within a range of 20-or-so feet inside the same room.
Cellular WAN statement: Avoid spotty WiFi with this laptop's installed hardware that enables Internet access to more reliable subscription-based WAN cellular broadband networks.
CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Laptops. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of laptop.
Ultraportable laptops
The smallest, most lightweight laptops are called ultraportables. Their compact form factor is crucial for people who need to have their PC with them all the time, especially frequent business travelers. What you gain in portability, however, you usually give up in terms of weaker performance, smaller keyboards and displays, and fewer features. And what's more, ultraportable laptops almost always carry a premium price tag. Still, a compact, lightweight profile can make all the difference if you spend a lot of time on the road.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
See more Ultraportable products
Making sense of Vista variations
In addition to the core functionality of the Vista operating system, Microsoft portioned out extra features into different editions of Vista, aimed at different market segments and at differing price points.
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Home Basic |
Home Premium |
Business |
Ultimate |
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CPU support |
one physical CPU, but with multiple cores |
one physical CPU, but with multiple cores |
up to two physical CPUs |
up to two physical CPUs |
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Maximum supported RAM |
8 GB |
16 GB |
128 GB |
128 GB |
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See more Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate products
EESC: EPA Energy Star compliants notebooks
The EPA's Energy Star program helps buyers easily identify the products with efficient energy consumption among a broad range of electronics and appliances.
See more EPA Energy Star compliant notebooks products
The Frequent Flier
If you spend a lot of time on the road, size and weight are the two most critical factors in choosing a new notebook--even if it means sacrificing a little on performance and features. The smallest and lightest notebooks, ultraportables, weigh less than four pounds and are no thicker than a spiral-bound notebook.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
Making sense of Vista variations
In addition to the core functionality of the Vista operating system, Microsoft portioned out extra features into different editions of Vista, aimed at different market segments and at differing price points.
|
Feature |
Home Basic |
Home Premium |
Business |
Ultimate |
|
CPU support |
one physical CPU, but with multiple cores |
one physical CPU, but with multiple cores |
up to two physical CPUs |
up to two physical CPUs |
|
Maximum supported RAM |
8 GB |
16 GB |
128 GB |
128 GB |
|
Windows defender & firewall |
• |
• |
• |
• |
|
Scheduled backup |
|
• |
• |
• |
|
Aero desktop experience |
|
• |
• |
• |
|
Mobility center (centralized access to controls often used on portables) |
|
• |
• |
• |
|
Tablet PC support |
|
• |
• |
• |
|
Windows SideShow (display support
for a variety of secondary devices) |
|
• |
• |
• |
|
Extended media and entertainment capabilities (Media Center,
games, HD movie- and DVD maker) |
|
• • • • |
|
• • • • |
|
Remote desktop connection |
|
|
• |
• |
|
Windows Fax and Scan |
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