The Business Netbook

Lenovo has always been a highly respected Chinese computer manufacturer. They have released a few consumer netbooks, but this is the first for the business user. This computer is a bit larger than the typical netbook, and Lenovo is calling it an ultra-portable.



Lenovo is mainly marketing this computer to business owners. Their goal is to release a low-cost notebook which offers portability without sacrificing usability. Let's look at some of the features of this new notebook.

1. Navigation

The X100e is a rare computer that offers its users two choices for mouse navigation. Both a trackpoint and a touch pad are included on this device. This can be great for users who like to use the frequently absent trackpoint; but if you don't, it can often seem like it is simply in the way.

2. Keyboard

The keyboard is really nice for such a small unit. It is a full size, 6-row keyboard, which makes it easy to use and to type. There is even a nice separation between the keys, which is rare with netbook producers scrambling to cram a full keyboard onto a small size.

3. Display

The X100e sports a generous 11.6" HD display. Presumably, this is why it is not technically called a netbook, which usually have screens in the 10" range. A normal laptop screen is typically about 13", so this is a nice compromise.

4. Connectivity

The X100e packs most of the connectivity ports you'll need, though it doesn't particularly shine. It includes 3 USB ports, a 4-in-1 media reader, a 1 gigabit Ethernet plug, and a combo headphone/mic jack. One good feature is that the AC adapter is the same as on other Lenovo products, so you won't need a dedicated unit for this device.

5. Battery

The battery life of a laptop is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when choosing a laptop. The Lenovo claims that the X100e gets about 5 hours of battery use, but in reality it is closer to 4 hours.

Overall, the X100e is a solid computer. However, it's tough to say who this would appeal to. It's not nearly as powerful as other laptop which don't cost too much more, and the battery life is pretty abysmal for a netbook. The good news is that you can choose three different colors: red, black, and white. It retails for $499 in the U.S.