The Lenovo's X300 presents itself in classic Thinkpad black - another colour scheme wouldn't have fit the conservative image of the Thinkpad ranks anyway. Distinguishing feature number one remains the red trackpoint in the middle of the keyboard, nodded to by the red dot on the "i" of the new Thinkpad Logo.

The case is constructed to look like the newest larger siblings in the Thinkpad family. The shape and modelling of the case is nevertheless primarily determined by functional aspects, such as the bevelled keyboard palmrest, and the display's clamshell design.

To explain for Thinkpad newcomers: in closed position, the baseunit is meshed to components of the display, following the example of a sea-shell (hence the name "clamshell") in allowing both halves of the case to grip onto one another when closing. This gives even the smallest foreign bodies hardly any chance to pry their way in between display and keyboard. Moreover, this principle minimises forces on the hinges when the laptop is in a closed state, thereby improving their working lifespan.

In addition, the somewhat thicker construction around the display edges provides further advantages in terms of sturdiness.

Speaking of sturdiness, notebooks in the Thinkpad ranks continue to enjoy a lot of attention around this subject, as much from their developers as from their potential customers. With the ingenious construction of the case, the surface working components also take on structural functions. Supplemented by the use of high quality materials, such as the newest composites and light metals, the Thinkpad obtains outstanding structural stability.

In the Thinkpad X300, this is visible in a truly impressive way. While the base unit scores highly with its first class strain resistance as well as an excellent torsional stiffness, the display also convinces in both disciplines.

Previously, picking a notebook up by the front edge of the base had been for many devices a painful exercise, often accompanied by a loud creaking. The Thinkpad does this without an issue, even by the display: grabbing the X300 by a corner of the display and picking it up off the table causes... nothing bad to happen at all.

Other than a minimal deformation, no alteration in the displayed image nor even a light creak can be detected. The X300 masters this exercise, imitation of which with any other notebook being absolutely not recommended, and easily.