Lenovo’s new X series ThinkPad, the X201, is a powerful tablet computer with a 12.1 inch touchscreen.

The X201 comes with up to 8GB of RAM and a low voltage Intel Core i7 processor. Versions are available with the Intel Core i7 640LM and 6290LM processors. There are also several choices of hard drive: a 5400 RPM drive of 320 GB, a 7200 RPM drive of 250GB capacity or a solid state drive of 20 or 128GB. The LED screen can be either a super-bright outdoor screen or a multi-touch screen.

The ThinkPad X201 has a webcam, speakers and a microphone. There are three USB and one VGA ports and there is an Express Card slot. A 5 in 1 or 3 in 1 media card reader with a modem can be included, although there is also a version of the X201 without a modem.

Unlike some tablet computers that are intended only for internet browsing, the ThinkPad X201 is powerful enough to rival some PCs. It cannot compete with the slimmer, ultra-portable tablet computers in terms of size, however.

The design is conservative, without any major changes from the older X series models. It is fairly thick and heavy, compared to some of the other tablet computers in the range, although this does allow room for a number of ports. The 4-cell battery option is lighter than the 6-cell version, but it doesn’t last as long.

The X201 is pleasant to handle, with firm keys set at a comfortable angle for typing. There is a small touchpad alongside the keyboard, and a stylus that can be used on the touchscreen instead of the fingers. The screen reacts well to both of these inputs, and multitouch gestures work well. The screen is bright and clear. It moves smoothly, with a sturdy hinge and a strong latch to hold it in place when it is flipped around.