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Laptops · Lenovo ThinkPad

Lenovo ThinkPad X240

10owners with an opinion
70%of verdicts positive
4/1positive/negative since 2024
13 yrslongest happy owner
1happy after 3+ years

Praised for reliability and performance; criticized for comfort.

What owners wrote

Likes itOwned 13 yearsStill going
I've been using Thinkpads exclusively from 2005 or so. My first was a T40 I got from work. Then I got a T42 of my own. I used it heavily till the fan gave out. After that, I got an X200 which I used for a long time. The keyboard got damaged because of a spill. I replaced it but somehow, the motherboard got shorted out and it died. I then bought a second hand X240 (roughly 2013) and used it as my primary machines. Replaced the battery (twice), fan, hand rest. And it's still running. My kids use it to play some simple games. My main machine right now is an X1 carbon (which I'm not really happy with compared to the others but it's okay for now). I used a Macbook for about 2.5 years in between. Didn't like it (hardware was decent. Software was terrible). I also bought a Dell latitude (which was okay and is being used now as headless machine at my workplace for tinkering). But my primary machine is a Thinkpad and I don't expect to see that changing in the near future.
Recommends itOwned 1.5 years
Ditto this. I've been using an X240 as my primary home/work computer with Arch Linux for 18 months or so, with 8-12 hours of use a day. I have no complaints. Everything worked day 1 with linux and all the hardware is supported. Lenovo is active with BIOS updates to fix things like the rowhammer exploit, as well as linux-specific issues, which is nice. There have been 10+ BIOS updates since I got the machine, and it doesnt require Windows to update. If you have a need for multiple VMs or top or the line performance, you might want something a bit bigger (RAM is limited to 8GB on the current X250 and processors top out at 15W models). That being said, I have yet to feel even remotely limited by the capability of this laptop -- it is my primary machine. edit: I should add my 2 batteries have 77% and 78% capacity after 18 months of extremely heavy use, which I consider to be excellent.
Likes it
Personally I think beyond T450 generation, i.e. over 10 years old systems, you are starting to make pretty severe compromises. T440 generation had really bad Trackpoint setup, and older hardware starts to lose features. Random stuff that T450 has that T400 doesn't * USB3 * Up to 32 GB of RAM (vs max 8 GB for T400) * M.2 slot (for SSD), 6 Gb/s SATA (vs 1.5 Gb/s on T400) * x86-64-v3 (AVX2 etc) and OpenGL 4.6 * Dual-band AC wifi and BT4.0 (optional 4G LTE WWAN) * DisplayPort with 4k@60Hz output * Slightly larger screen estate (1600x900 vs 1440x900), with FHD 1080p display option * Dramatically better battery life * Backlit keyboard Many of these are not merely nice to have but also ensure longevity by being compatible with lot of other modern stuff. On the other hand I do believe that T450 generation device might remain viable daily driver for a long while still. From the specs the biggest obvious shortcoming to me is the lack of USB-C, especially USB-C charging. But besides that, it seems pretty usable system. For reference, I have old X240 that I still occasionally use.
Doesn’t like it
This might be blasphemous but after being thinkpad exclusively for the past 13 years (and my first thinkpad was in 98) but I find myself using the touchpad more and more when I'm not on my external trackpoint keyboard. Not quite sure why, might be due to slightly dodgy Linux experiences (x240 dodgy buttons and then now my sensitivity on X1 gen 9 is a bit touch and go) That said for regular point and click the touchpad is good enough. Tho when working there is no substitute for not leaving the homerow
Doesn’t like it
I used to have an x201 which I loved to death. I upgraded to an x240 a couple years ago and I honestly find it mediocre; it has an awful trackpad, and it gets hot way too easily. I bought my dad an x220 for his birthday a couple years ago and I love that thing to death -- such a great laptop in look and feel (if you dig the retro aesthetic). I'm hoping to pick up an X1 Carbon or a Framework laptop one day, but I frankly have minimal use for laptops in general at the moment.
Likes it
The perfect thing you are looking for is a Thinkpad of the T4XX series (even if it seems you want to get away from Lenovo). Why? Not because nothing ever breaks - but because they can always be repaired and every part is available for replacement at multiple outlets (eg Amazon). All parts are mounted on a big magnesium Chassis - and you will find out why this is a good thing if you ever work on it. I personally own a X240 and hope I can use it for many years. Had to replace the keyboard (Beer...), but it was doable. Repairing the Samsung I had before could become a bigger issue because of the low material quality.
Recommends it
Comparing a Macbook and a Lenovo is like saying "My BMW is better than the Ford F-350 Superduty". Want to have style and best design? Take a Macbook. Want to have lots of Ports? Thinkpad. Need Milspec? Thinkpad. Want to have 17 hours battery life and then swap them without shutting down? Thinkpad (ok, not the carbon). Want to have 3G/LTE, smartcards or Cardreader? Thinkpad. Want to be able to repair yourself? Thinkpad. Does not always look fancy, but is just the SUV-way of computing. I, at least, love my x240 like no Laptop before.