We recently took a look at how the svelte new ThinkPad T400s compared to its chunkier cousin the T400. Today we have an in-depth comparison of the T400s with its true parent: the ThinkPad X301.

Lenovo’s ThinkPad X301, originally debuting with the X300 model, is the poster child for compromise of form and function, without compromising much. It weighs under 3 lb, is under 1 inch thin, and still has nearly every port or feature you might need and an integrated optical drive to boot. The ThinkPad T400 is more of an exercise in function before form, with a balance between form and cost kept closely in-check. What do you get when you combine them? A thin, light, truly full-size notebook with fewer compromises than the X301 and a better form than the T400, with a price somewhere inbetween.

While the ThinkPad T400 and T400s are closely related by name, that is where the similarities end. If you saw the initial T400 vs T400s comparison article, then you know just how different the two are by design. However if you sit the flagship ThinkPad X301 down next to a T400s, the design cues are easily recognized: sleek and slim design, chamfered edges, and an air of sophistication. Both systems use 1.8-inch drives and a slim, forward-mounted 6-cell battery for space reasons, but the T400s was able to fit the full-sized 9.5mm Ultrabay in lieu of a swappable (although not hot-swappable) 7mm optical. Both displays have a pleasant 1440×900 WXGA+ resolution, but of course differ in size. And in the end, both are ultra-slim, premium systems that maximize functionality with an equally strong emphasis on form as well.

Feature Differences

While we found a large number of feature differences in the T400 and T400s, the X301 isn’t as dissimilar. Both systems offer only one display choice, one graphics processor choice, and limited CPU & battery options. While the X300/X301 was touted to have compromised very few features when it launched, some say in direct competition with the minimalist Apple Macbook Air, the reality is that it does lose some functionality against the all-in-one T400s.

In the quest for ultimate design and portability, Lenovo’s ThinkPad X301 was designed without an expansion card slot (ala ExpressCard), hot-swappable bay, docking connector, or memory card reader. The optical drive bay isn’t hot swappable, but you can change between the 7mm optical drive and a 3-cell battery with the removal of a flat-head screw. The rest of the lacking features are intended to be made up for through USB as needed, thanks to the 3 USB 2.0 ports; compare that to the Macbook Air’s 1 port, but I digress.

Another compromise of the X301’s razer-thin, 13.3-inch chassis is the Ultra Low Voltage dual core processors. We’ll discuss this more in the Performance section, but you can only choose a relatively slow ULV chip in the X301, compared to the powerful Core 2 Duo chips in the T400s.

Both systems have limited choices in batteries, with the T400s only having one main battery and the X301 offering two choices. However the limited capacity offered by the X301’s base 3-cell battery makes the 6-cell a common option, even though it adds a bit of thickness to the front of the machine.

If port replication and docking are important to you, the T400s has a strong edge. Three docking solutions launched with the T400s, offering a full complement of ports and both DisplayPort and DVI video output. The top of the line Mini Dock Series 3 Plus has both dual DVI and dual DisplayPort, allowing for dual display output. With no docking connector to speak of, the X301 is limited to a USB port replicator solution. Thankfully Lenovo recently launched a revised USB port replicator that increases video resolution to 1920×1200, from the paltry 1440×900 that was offered on the old model.

Verdict: T400s

Battery Life

Again in direct contrast to the T400 vs T400s, the X301 doesn’t differ as much with battery life. The T400s and X301 actually have 6-cell system batteries with exactly the same capacity at 43 Whr. Don’t forget that the X301 can swap the optical drive for a 3-cell battery, which has the exact same capacity as the standard 3-cell system battery at 27 Whr.

As you can see from the table below, there really isn’t much difference in runtime between the two systems with identical capacity 6-cell main system batteries. Overall the X301 is a bit more power efficient thanks to its smaller screen and ULV processor, but for a loss of around 20 minutes of runtime you really don’t lose anything by going with the bigger, faster machine.

Verdict: Tie

Size

This isn’t as much of a discussion point as it was with the T400 and T400s. Here we have two different form factor sizes, 13.3-inch and 14.1-inch in 16:10 aspect ratio, which make a strong difference in system footprint. As thin and light as the T400s is, its dimensions keep it from feeling like a true lightweight. When you hoist the svelte X301 in the air, it feels impossibly light and balanced thanks to its smaller dimensions. It will also of course fit in tighter spaces, like a crowded coffee shop or airplane seat-back tray. The T400s is still very light and eminently portable, but dimensions are dimensions.

Verdict: X301

Usability

Once again, we don’t have as stark a difference in the T400s and X301, as compared to the T400. Both the T400s and X301 made similar compromises to slim down to their lightweight division and have a very similar feature set. Both models have ports on the sides and rear, with rear ports being less desirable. One nitpick about the X301 is that the wireless switch is on the back of the machine, a perfectly un-usable place for it if you want to toggle WiFi while using the system, compared to the smaller switch on the right side of the T400s.

I will again ding the T400s for the loss of key indicator LED’s, making ascertaining system status at a glance not possible. While the X301’s optical drive may not be hot-swappable, the T400s’ Ultrabay can’t be swapped without turning the system over and using both hands, so that is a draw as well. While the keyboards are different in design, both are amazing to type on. The T400s’ touchpad is significantly larger and is very responsive, an edge over the X301’s unimpressive ‘pad.

The systems are excessively similar in functionality, but perhaps the biggest difference in usability lies in the displays; and not just due to size. Both LCD’s operate at 1440×900 resolution and use a thin, power efficient LED backlight, but that is where the similarities end. The X301’s screen comes off as lacking in contrast and color intensity compared to the T400s. You will suffer a bit more of “wandering syndrome” as I call it, where you will find yourself minutely adjusting the LCD back and forth a bit to find that optimum angle. It does get sufficiently bright, but not as bright as the T400s and regardless of brightness, just doesn’t impress when sitting next to the T400s.

You can see in the pictures below a good side-by-side comparison.

Both systems in these pictures were on AC power with brightness set at maximum. As you can see, there is a noticeable difference in the brightness and colors of the T400s LCD (on right). The second image is with both LCD’s set back what probably amounts to about an additional 10-15 degrees, you can see the exact angles used in this picture. Neither system really has exceptional viewing angles, but you can see a bit less distortion in the T400s. What you can’t see of course is the lack of “wandering” in the ideal viewing angle with the T400s, unlike the X301.

Even if the LCD’s were equal in quality, the 14.1-inches of screen offered on the T400s makes it a screen you will have zero issues using without an external display. While the 13.3-inch size on the X301 may be one of the best compromises in functionality and portability, it still is a compromise. When you flip open the T400s, you gaze almost in wonderment how such a spacious and gorgeous LCD fit into the slim package sitting in your lap.

Verdict: T400s

Aesthetics

Who doesn’t love a black rectangle? All kidding aside, the edge here goes to the X301. Designed from the start as a premium, high end laptop, it features very soft, almost plush surfaces and texture. The T400s is perceptibly nicer than the T400, featuring quality surfaces that let you know this isn’t the volume seller, but it just doesn’t quite match the X301’s finish. Both systems feature much nicer system buttons over the regular X and T models and the different button designs used on each one come off as very well executed.

Maybe we’re talking about the difference between the cheapest Bentley and the most expensive Bentley, but there is a difference.

Verdict: X301

Performance

Finally, a simple, clear-cut comparison. Both systems have DDR3 RAM and support speedy SSDs, the X301 exclusively using SSDs and the T400s stepping up to a 64GB SSD for only $40 (at time of publishing). You will also find Intel’s power-thrifty X4500 integrated graphics powering these black boxes.

The real difference in horsepower comes from the processors, and there the T400s shines. Lenovo managed to shoehorn the low wattage, but not low-speed Core 2 Duo SP-series chips into the T400s’ thin chassis. These processors are available in 2.4GHz or 2.53GHz clock speeds, with a massive 6MB Level 2 cache and 1066MHz front side bus speed. In short, these processors have all the performance features of the Core 2 Duo line, but are specially picked out of the bins to run at lower voltages without compromising performance.

The X301’s ULV processors are similar, as they too are picked for their ability to run at low voltages, but in exchange they cannot turn up much in the way of clock speed. Running at only 1.4 GHz or 1.6 GHz with an 800 MHz front side bus, the X301 is definitely processing power limited. With sufficient amounts of RAM and the standard speedy SSD, you don’t notice the tiny engine under the hood until you really start cranking up the activities. I did some Photoshopping on both models and while the X301 didn’t feel slow, it was definitely slower than the T400s. There were pauses and delays between operations that weren’t present on the T400s, indicative of the program waiting for the processor to catch up.

Verdict: T400s

Value

Honestly I went into this part of the review thinking the X301 had a shot. If you’ve been watching the base price and deals on this beauty, you’ve probably seen it dip as low as the $1600 range after discounts. The T400s isn’t much below that and maybe I could make an argument for the X301, right? Wrong.

What kills the X301’s value? When comparing apples to apples, the X301 requires a $225 add-on for the DVD burner and that just murders its value compared to the T400s. The T400s ships only with the DVD recordable drive and rightly so; if you’re going to have an optical, the DVDRW is the only one that makes sense. On the same virtue, if you want something bigger than the 12-inch X200 but without an optical drive, the X301 comes in at a much better value.

The other thing to consider is that the T400s comes with a lot more horsepower out of the box, where as the $50 CPU upgrade on the X301 only gets you the Core 2 Duo SU9600 1.6GHz chip. Otherwise the two boxes are pretty comparable. It is worth noting that as of publishing, on the X301 there is a free 128GB SSD upgrade which is worth $200, as well as a $50 discount on the 6-cell battery upgrade. See more details about the free upgrades running on all ThinkPads right now.

Verdict: T400s

Conclusion

Lenovo hasn’t gone wrong with the ThinkPad line, for the most part, and we have two excellent examples here. Both are premium models in today’s market, generally priced above $1500, with very slick designs and features to match. Indeed these two systems are so similar, that they compete directly with each other, whether Lenovo intended so or otherwise.

If portability is your priority, the X301 is your clear choice. It is smaller, thinner, and lighter with marginally better battery life. If you’re less concerned about tight spaces and would benefit from the amazing 14.1-inch LCD or better performance, the T400s is for you. Otherwise, the devil is in the details and you can picked those out through this article – ExpressCard, card reader, inexpensive magnetic HDD storage, and other details for instance.

For a number of people, the X301 compromises a few too many things to be a reasonable choice for them. Indeed, you may even find some X300/X301 owners wishing they had known the T400s was even on the table. The ThinkPad T400s really is the best of both T400 and X301 worlds, with very little lost in compromise.