# Lenovo ThinkPad X201

9 Hacker News commenters recommended Lenovo ThinkPad X201 and 2 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 4 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** People recommend the X201 for its excellent keyboard, small sturdy build and classic ThinkPad feel. Caveats: worn batteries, a small 800p screen and a struggle with the modern web.

## Why people recommend it

- Excellent keyboard (2 comments): "The keyboard is absolutely glorious, for one." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46104656)) "If anything, that keyboard is far better." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49406451))
- Small, sturdy, maintainable build (2 comments): "Best laptop I ever owned, everything else has been a downgrade build-wise." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47904265)) "It's small, sturdy, maintainable, and aesthetically pleasing." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46105981))
- Considered their best or perfect laptop (2 comments): "Best laptop I ever owned, everything else has been a downgrade build-wise." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47904265)) "that was my perfect laptop" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46391933))

## What people warn about

- Fragile display lid and monitor joints (2 comments): "Display lid is very fragile at the top where the wifi antennas are and can easily crack there" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46119899)) "faulty charging port, weak monitor joints" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46110422))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Apple MacBook Pro](https://hackerapproved.com/p/macbook-pro.md): 928 recommend
- [Apple MacBook Neo](https://hackerapproved.com/p/macbook-neo.md): 707 recommend
- [MacBook Air](https://hackerapproved.com/p/macbook-air.md): 633 recommend
- [Apple MacBook](https://hackerapproved.com/p/apple-macbook.md): 499 recommend
- [Framework Laptop 12](https://hackerapproved.com/p/framework-laptop-12.md): 83 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Lenovo+ThinkPad+X201&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Lenovo ThinkPad X201", https://hackerapproved.com/p/thinkpad-x201/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).