The X61 Tablet's workmanship is first-class, as we are already used to by Lenovo.

The  haptics of the stable magnesium case is unique and it is also very resistant against pressure. Only, it looks like made of plastic. But, this impression diminishes once you used the notebook and what stays is the impression that it is a high-quality and stable notebook with first-class ergonomics. The surfaces seem to be very soft, like silver sand-blasted by the goldsmith. There aren't any sharp edges or corner, still, the X61 Tablet is not overall round, but, simple and functional. The X61 T looks like out of a science fiction film of the eighties, because of the plastic look, the color choice (black with red and blue contrast elements), the IBM Thinkpad Logo, and a display in 4:3 format with matt surface.,

You can think of the X61 T's look as understatement. Some beholders asked: "Does Vista really run on this old notebook?",

At least after turning the display round and picking up the pen, it attracts the attention of everybody in its vicinity - even MacBook user will be amazed. Actually, the look of the  X61T and of other Lenovo notebooks are generally a matter of taste. Some love it, while other think, it is out of fashion.

At least it does not look ordinary. Furthermore, Lenovo produced a notebook, whose look, haptics, and technology are excellent without copying from from Apple. Overall, the Thinkpad X61 T seems to be an anti MacBook in all aspects, and pleases this way.

If you are still not convinced by design and tablet functions, you might be impressed by the provided hardware-based security, e.g., a shock protected hard disk or a finger print reader.

However, an optical drive was missed out, but, in turn a docking station port is provided.

The display of X61 Tablet surprised us with automatic dimming in battery mode. However, it can be disabled by BIOS settings.

It was pretty clear that the X61 Tablet won't provide outstanding performance. However, the Intel Core 2 Duo L7500 with 1.6 Ghz and Intel's integrated video solution, an Intel GMA 950, are too weak.

However, 2 GB main memory kept hope alive that at least office performance is alright. Finally, it turned out, that the performance is actually sufficient for office work under Windows Vista. As pure office notebook, this Tablet PC is, in the reviewed configuration with best available equipment, quite alright.

However, it is completely insufficient for occasional games. It is not even possible to play Doom III with 8,5 FPS in the lowest resolution. Even older games cause problems, e.g., Quake 3 Arena reaches with best settings only an average of 24 FPS.

Playing games with the X61 Tablet is like attending a car race with a Jeep: Not in the right ballpark. However, the Thinkpad's performance is sufficient for its main field of operation. Furthermore, the battery runtime is long, because of low-energy components.

Further information about the video card can be found  here or in our comparison of mobile video cards.

Please also look at our benchmark list of mobile processors or at our benchmark list of mobile video cards, in order to compare this notebook to other configurations.

Loudness

In idle mode a noise level of about 33.4dB is reached. In quiet environments the notebook is therewith audible. However, the noise is decent.

Under load the X61 T is not much louder. A noise level of 37.1dB is also alright. Sometimes we heard a short squeaking in battery mode.

Temperature

Although the surface temperatures of the Thinkpad X61 Tablet are generally alright, they are too high in Tablet mode, if you work lap top. At the bottom side the temperature increased to up to 46°C, at the hand ball support it was also as high as 35°C.