VS. Results

While performing this test we used the laptop models which were current at the time for the best comparison. When looking at the test comparison between the 13 inch MacBook Air and the ThinkPad X220 (see specs of the system below), the processing power of the ThinkPad X1 is really good.

According to the PCMarkVantage test:

  1. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 – 7,787
  2. ThinkPad X220 – 7,635
  3. MacBook Air 13 inch – 5,170

Looking at the graphics performance, the ThinkPad X1 is not on the first place. Still, like mentioned before, this laptop is not primarily used by gamers.

According to the 3DMark06 test:

  1. MacBook Air 13 inch – 4,643
  2. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 – 3,726
  3. ThinkPad X220 – 3,517

When looking at the processing power of the 3, which seems to be the most important factor, the ThinkPad X1 is the true winner. When it comes to battery life, the ThinkPad X1 scores less than the MacBook Air and far less than the X220. When attaching the additional battery slice to the X1, the lifespan is almost 7 hours. Please read the testresults below, in other (less intensive) scenarios the battery in the X1 performs better.

Thinkpad X1 Performance Test

Source: endgadget.com (2011-05-16)

Performance and Graphics

The Thinkpad used in this particular test was equipped with the same processor as we show on the homepage: a Intel Core i5 – 2520M. Also the video card is the exact Intel HD Graphics 3000. The total amount of memory is 4GB and a 320GB 7,200RPM hard drive. When booting up the device, the total time of 49 seconds was put on the clock. This is a good score for a laptop running the Windows operating system. Also there was absolutely no problem when juggling email, web video, Twitter, Facebook and some blogs. All of this while additionally downloading a movie and some Word / PDF docs. The PCMarkVanatage score of the ThinkPad X1 came to a total of 7,787, which is a very good score compared to other systems that are equipped with the Core i5 Processor.

Our testunit (just as other X1 ultrabooks) uses an integrated video card, the Intel HD 3000. Running the 3DMark06 test this resulted in a total score of 3,726. When translating this score to gaming performance, the game Angry Birds was able to run smoothly on full-screen. Well, to be quite honest most of the Thinkpad X1 user will probably never use this laptop for gaming… When comparing the 3DMark06 score to other comparable laptops, for example the Toshiba Satellite E305, the score was a bit lower. The Toshiba scored a total of 4,547 on this test.

Battery life

During this test a real life environment was used, to give a better impression of true battery life. The test included the playing of a movie, turned the screen to 65% brightness with WiFi enabled. The battery in the X1 gave us a total of 3:31 lifetime. Looking at the MacBook Air here it scored over an hour better, not even to mention the X220.

Please bear in mind that this is just a general test that has been performed, in your case the battery life could be longer. Just for example: when just browsing the web, read some blogs and play a bit of Angry Birds for Chrome at maximum screen, the battery gave us a lifespan of almost 4:30.

When buying a ThinkPad X1 laptop and you need some extra battery life during a long trip, we do recommend to also purchasing the battery slice. This boosts the lifetime of the original battery to 7 hours (according to the benchmark test). The disadvantage though is your laptop again will be a bit thicker.  Just use the battery slice when you need to.

The big pro during the test is the ThinkPad X1 proved to have a fast charging battery! According to the RapidCharge technology provided by Lenovo you should be able to charge the battery to a level of 80% within 30 minutes. This test got it to 62% in just under 20 minutes.