Lenovo ThinkPad X270 (Core i5, Full HD) Laptop Review

[Redaktion]

A fiery temper within a compact design. If the largest PC manufacturer had it their way, the Lenovo X270 would become the ultimate mobile companion. In our detailed review, you will find out why there might be better alternatives after all, and why Lenovo should change a few things for the next ThinkPad X2xx.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-X270-Core-i5-Full-HD-Laptop-Review.211880.0.html

[rayaz]

I received a X270 as a replacement (I had the my T460 stolen while on vacation in Malaysia) at my workplace, and prior i have used the X230/T440P/T450/X240/X250.

I have noticed the following,

The cons and issues

1. The device gets uncomfortable warm on the left side where the fan vent is, and may not be suited to use on the lap when it reaches such temperature
2.  When connected to power, even when there is very low load (under 50%), the fan kicks in and is audible
3. The new touch type finger scanner takes some getting used to after years of swipe type scanners ! I am not sure if its me, but i felt the touch scanners seem to be more efficient at recognizing. 
4. Battery life is not as great considering it has two batteries, i have the extended type
5. The machine came with the low spec 1366x768 display, i have no clue why Lenovo continues to offer these low end displays because it effects productivity.  As long as vendors offer these low end displays and mid level business, IT procurement units will by them with this crap displays to keep cost low (since the procurement team rarely looks at productivity), and the users will loath the device when in truth its not an issue with the laptop but the fact that it was purchased with a low end display
6. The X270 continues the lenovo strategy, business users don't need good speakers (duh! we do listen to some music at home or late at work, and the speakers seem only good for a voice conference purposes)
7. Our machines are locked down (USB blocked, etc) and the fingerprint scanner did not work without our network admin having to resort to registry hacks (seemingly something is different with this fingerprint scanner). 
8. Only 2 USB ports (yes there is one USB-C) but it would be nice to have at-least 3 USB ports
9. Externally there is very little to notice on this compared to the X240/50/60.  Lenovo surveys must have told them the design is not to be tampered with, or maybe the existence of the Carbon series means no innovation on design for the X-series)

The goods

1. Touchpad is great
2. Keyboard is great
3. General performance is decent (mine was configured with an i5-7300U, 8GB and the samsung SSD, and one has to expect it to perform!)
4. Web cam is pretty decent in good light
5. Matte type display and the display brightness is adequate that you can work without any reflections or brightness issues outdoors and indoors

[Zhula]

Thanks you guy for your great review.

I just came across a big issue that seems to go since a 
many years on all these business laptop without these brands making
any effort to try to solve it and i might be wrong
but it doesn't seem fair to me so i would be very pleased if you
could add that up to all your future tests and inform the willing
purchasers of this kinds of wonderfull products. The issue is about
replacement composants and some whitelist that no one seems to
know or talk about until you need to fix your computer. it seems like you
cannot upgrade your computer with better no brand official wlan or wwan
cards if the one in your computer doesn't work propely for some reason
you need to spend 130~250 $ to get one from the brand which might be
even least powerfull than a 30~50$ one that you can find by yourself.
And this might go with others composants i don't know, may be next will
be the hard drive, ram...
Greed seems to be good for most of these brand and we will be glad to
see which one are more friendly costumers. So we can make our choice
knowing how we are going to spend big or not to upgrade after the purchase.
Got my issue with a thinkpad lenovo but i discovered that they are not the
only one using that ""whitelist"" thing.

Thanks you very much...from france and keep the great work.

[Kylew7755]

I was looking at buying this Laptop in 2023 as a Unix workstation to learn more about *BSD Unix but this review persuaded me not to get it!  Despite being only 132 USD on Amazon refurbished, the fact that the reviewers said the laptop gets too hot for one's lap and has a TINY screen makes me think I will just save up for a X1 Carbon instead.  Many thanks for the reviewers for helping me make this decision!

[x260james]

I was looking at buying this Laptop in 2023 as a Unix workstation to learn more about *BSD Unix but this review persuaded me not to get it!  Despite being only 132 USD on Amazon refurbished, the fact that the reviewers said the laptop gets too hot for one's lap and has a TINY screen makes me think I will just save up for a X1 Carbon instead.  Many thanks for the reviewers for helping me make this decision!

I would hazard a guess the review machine came with the inferior cooling fan. There was a lottery between two fan units with the better one making a huge difference to temps. I had the same issue and managed to track down the better cooler on ebay and after installing temps dropped to acceptable levels (i7 6500u never above 80c even under load). Also the docking station tends to partially block the exhaust vent which makes matters worse. Otherwise they are quite nice machines if you find one cheap enough. Make sure you get the 1080p IPS screen though the cheap TN panel is awful.

[etk550]

Thanks for the informative review. In my experience, this laptop's power supply generates a good deal of noise. All kinds of electrical sounds, which are audible even when sitting some distance from the power supply.