"IBM Corp will unveil the new ThinkPad X40 next Tuesday as the lightest notebook ever built by the company as well as the first to incorporate file recovery technology," reports the IDG News Service.
"The new notebook weighs just 2.7 pounds (1.2 kilograms) and measures 26.8 centimeters long by 21.1 centimeters wide by 2.7 centimeters thick, but comes with a full-size keyboard. A base configuration costs $1,499 with a 1.0GHz Ultra Low Voltage Pentium M processor from Intel Corp., 256MB of memory, a 20GB hard drive, a 12.1-inch display, and Intel's Pro/Wireless 2100 802.11b chip.
"The base configuration comes with a four-cell battery that provides up to 3.5 hours of use under normal circumstances, but an eight-cell battery that lasts for up to 7.5 hours is also available, Shenk said."
Comment: It's still heavier and thicker than the old but still seductive Toshiba R100, which is 2cm thick and weighs 1.1kg. However, that's listed as having an average run-time of 2 hours, which is not enough for someone who usually carries two 4.5 hour battery packs ;-)
Update: Walt Mossberg has reviewed the X40 today in the Wall Street Journal (paid sub required) and on CNBC Dow Jones Business Video. "I have been testing the X40 and have been impressed. It's a terrific little computer."
