Introducing ThinkPad X300

Lenovo's amazing new ThinkPad X300 ultraportable notebook is the thinnest ThinkPad ever – less than 0.73''at its thinnest. It's light, too, starting at just 2.93 lb.

But the X300 is more than ultra-thin and ultra-light. It's ultra-functional, too, thanks to available performance and convenience features like these:

	Integrated DVD burner – Hard to find in such a thin system
	Extended-life batteries – Get up to 10 hours unplugged
	Easy connectivity – Advanced wireless options plus Gigabit Ethernet
	Convenience – 3 USB ports, microphone/headphone ports and more

dvanced components on the X300 include solid state storage drives (with no moving parts, they consume less power and are considered less likely to break down than traditional hard drives). The X300 also offers several wireless connectivity options including Wireless USB (UWB) and a Wireless WAN option that utilizes native GPS functionality built into the system. Style-wise, the X300 is closer to the size of an actual paper notebook than a ThinkPad notebook has ever been. And it offers numerous design flourishes including a glossy bottom bezel, select illuminated buttons, and – for the first time in X Series – an integrated camera option and stereo speakers.

'Greenest' ThinkPad ever

In addition, ThinkPad X300 is the first Lenovo notebook rated EPEAT Gold for low energy use and minimal impact on the environment. It also meets the European Union's Reduction of Hazardous Substances standards. And it is Energy Star 4.0 qualified.

The X300 uses 25% less energy than previous X Series models. What else makes the ThinkPad X300 so “green”?

• Energy-saving low voltage processors, LED backlit displays and solid state storage drives
• Arsenic-free glass / Mercury-free displays
• 90% recyclable packaging (by weight)
• And much more

The Leader of the Pack? Hands-On Video of the HP 2133 Mini-Note

In the words of Nelly, “It’s getting hot in here!” In the low-cost laptop market that is. We can now welcome HP, the number-one PC manufacturer, to the sub-$500 notebook club. Today the company released its long-rumored low-cost laptop—the Mini-Note.

The HP 2133 Mini-Note is a full-function mini-notebook, starting at less than $500, and according to HP is designed for the education market. However, its different models have us thinking twice about this system being strictly for the kiddies. For instance, our $749 review unit, which is at the top of the Mini-Note line, was souped up with a 1.6-GHz Via processor, 2GB of RAM, a 7,200-rpm 120GB hard drive, a six-cell battery, Bluetooth, and Microsoft Vista Professional.

Sounds far from budget, right? However, HP is offering four different SKUs including ones with a SuSE Linux OS. See the chart below: