Lenovo ThinkPad X230

Lenovo · ThinkPad X

ThinkPad X230

Released June 2012

A compact 12.5-inch business laptop with third-generation Intel Core processors, USB 3.0 and an optional backlit keyboard and IPS screen.

Model history · 2 models, 2011–2012
  1. 2011ThinkPad X220Compare
  2. 2012ThinkPad X230
Size
12.5″
Display
IPS LCD
Processor
Intel Core i5 or i7
Memory
4 GB
Weight
1.5 kg
Battery
10.3 h

What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the strong performance, long battery life and optional IPS screen, and find the new keyboard comfortable. Laptop Mag criticises the short palm rest; Notebookcheck finds the touchpad buttons imprecise and the chassis warm under load. They disagree on sound quality, with Notebookcheck less impressed.

From laptopmag.com and notebookcheck.net

Display

Screen size
12.5″
Resolution
1366 × 768
Panel
IPS LCD
Brightness
200 nits or 300 nits
Touchscreen
No
Display type
12.5-inch HD 1366 × 768 LED-backlit LCD; standard 200-nit or Premium 300-nit IPS WideView option
Screen finish
Anti-glare

Performance

Processor
Intel Core i5-3210M or Intel Core i7-3520M
CPU cores
2
CPU threads
4
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Memory
4 GB
Storage
128 GB to 320 GB
CPU
Third-generation Intel Core dual-core processors; QM77 chipset
GPU
Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000
Memory type
DDR3-1600; two SO-DIMM sockets, up to 16 GB
Storage type
Removable 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD; optical drive via optional Ultrabase Series 3; selected models support mSATA SSD instead of WWAN

Battery and size

Battery life (maker's claim)
Up to 10.3 hours
Battery capacity
62.4 Wh
Weight
1.5 kg
Thickness
26.6 mm
Width × depth
305 × 206.5 mm
Battery life detail
Four-cell 28.8 Wh, up to 4.6 hours; six-cell 62.4 Wh, up to 10.3 hours; nine-cell 93.6 Wh, up to 15.5 hours; 64 Wh external battery, up to 10.6 hours; nine-cell plus external, up to 26.1 hours; weight shown with six-cell battery
Charger
65 W
Materials
Magnesium and PCABS display cover; magnesium-alloy bottom
Colours
Black

Connections

Ports
3 × USB-A, Ethernet, SD card slot, headphone jack
Wi-Fi
802.11b/g/n or 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth
Optional Bluetooth 4.0
Webcam
Optional 720p
Operating system
Windows
Port detail
Two USB 3.0 and one powered USB 2.0; VGA, Mini DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, audio combo, SD/MMC/SDHC/SDXC reader, ExpressCard/34/54 and Ultrabase docking connector
External displays
Up to 2560 × 1600 at 60 Hz via Mini DisplayPort; 2048 × 1536 at 75 Hz via VGA
Keyboard
Six-row spill-resistant keyboard; TrackPoint; optional backlight and ThinkLight overhead illumination
Trackpad
UltraNav multi-touch touchpad
Speakers
1 W × 2 stereo speakers
Microphones
Dual-array microphone
Biometrics
Optional swipe fingerprint reader; TPM 1.2

Configurations

ProcessorMemoryStorageScreen
Intel Core i5-3210M4 GB320 GB1366 × 768
Intel Core i5-3210M4 GB128 GB1366 × 768
Intel Core i7-3520M4 GB320 GB1366 × 768

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Two USB 3.0 ports and an SD card reader
  • Two memory slots supporting up to 16 GB
  • Optional IPS screen and backlit keyboard

Cons

  • Screen resolution stops at 1366 × 768
  • No built-in optical drive or HDMI
  • No USB-C

Closest rivals

Model
SizeDisplayProcessorMemoryWeightBatteryReleased
12.5″IPS LCDIntel Core i5 or i74 GB1.5 kg9.2 hApr 2011
12.5″IPS LCDIntel Core i54 GB1.44 kg12 hFeb 2016
12.5″TN LCD or IPS LCDIntel Core i54 GB – 8 GB1.42 kg8.7 hOct 2013

Previous model: ThinkPad X220. Newer model: ThinkPad X240.

Sources

  1. psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/withdrawnbook/ThinkPad_X230.pdf
  2. news.lenovo.com/pressroom/press-releases/lenovo-previews-next-gen-business-ultr…

Photo: psref.lenovo.com

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