January 29, 2026

TPM021 - X300 (feat. Laptop Retrospective)

2 hours 39 minutes

TPM021 - ThinkPad X300 (feat. Laptop Retrospective)

We’re kicking off the year 2026 with the most important ThinkPad Lenovo has probably ever built: the X300. It is the first notebook that Lenovo designed from scratch after acquiring IBM’s notebook divison in 2005. Together with Thomas Rogers, best known for his YouTube channel Laptop Retrospective, we’ll deep dive into the device history including its design phase and prototype.

During CES 2026 Lenovo introduced two new ThinkPads: X9 15p Aura Edition and X1 Carbon Gen 14.

Shownotes

Video of this conversation: https://youtu.be/SAIyHSIyjLg

Feedback and announcements

ThinkPad 360PE: https://thinkpad-museum.de/collection/360pe/

ThinkPad 755CDV: https://thinkpad-museum.de/collection/755cdv/

News

Notebookcheck - Going after MacBook Pro instead of the Air: Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15p launches with SD card reader and Core Ultra X9: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Going-after-MacBook-Pro-instead-of-the-Air-Lenovo-ThinkPad-X9-15p-launches-with-SD-card-reader-and-Core-Ultra-X9.1195927.0.html

Notebookcheck - Repairability revolution: New Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 comes with modular keyboard & USB-C ports: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Repairability-revolution-New-Lenovo-ThinkPad-X1-Carbon-Gen-14-comes-with-modular-keyboard-USB-C-ports.1195928.0.html

Guest introduction

Laptop Retrospective: https://laptopretrospective.com/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LaptopRetrospective

ThinkWiki - T430u: www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:T430u

ThinkWiki - 701c: https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:701C

ThinkWiki - 550BJ: https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:550BJ

MacDat - 550BJ: https://www.macdat.net/laptops/ibm/thinkpad/550bj.php

Laptop Retrospective - Lenovo Skylight: https://laptopretrospective.com/laptops/notes-on-the-lenovo-skylight-an-extended-look/

ThinkPad X300 interviews

Lenovo ThinkPad X300 Episode 1 - Raison d’être (ft. David Hill): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr1kGIQw1Iw

Lenovo ThinkPad X300 Episode 2 - Design (ft. David Hill): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jW8KHU2PUU

Lenovo ThinkPad X300 Episode 3 - The X300: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBsdz1zH65c

Lenovo ThinkPad X300 Episode 4 - Reception (ft. David Hill): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_Q_1YRV0rw

Lenovo ThinkPad X300 Episode 5 - Legacy (ft. David Hill): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoURBgFu7kw

The Importance of the X300: https://laptopretrospective.com/laptops/the-importance-of-the-thinkpad-x300/

Hardware information

Gizmodo - Ultralight Lenovo X300 Series Thinkpad Leaked: https://gizmodo.com/ultralight-lenovo-x300-series-thinkpad-leaked-346797

ThinkWiki - X300: https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:X300

ThinkWiki - X301: https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:X301

EveryMac - Apple MacBook Air “Core 2 Duo” 1.6§ (Original) Specs: https://everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook-air/specs/macbook-air-core-2-duo-1.6-13-specs.html

ThinkPad S70 Kodachi Prototype: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIU0zkGZkx0

ThinkNext Design by David Hill (has also design documents about the T25): https://thinknextdesign.com/

Notebookcheck - X300 Review: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Lenovo-Thinkpad-X300-Notebook.9852.0.html