The ThinkPad is a family of laptops that IBM Corporation produced between 1992 and 2005. In 2005, the production rights passed into the hands of Lenovo, which has been carefully preserving traditions ever since. Each laptop of the ThinkPad line is equipped with a rather interesting alternative to the classic mouse and touchpad — a trackpoint. This is a red appendage in the centre of the keyboard, which looks like either a rivet, or a tiny joystick. The principle of its operation is just like a joystick: the direction of pressure determines the direction of movement of the mouse cursor, and the force of pressure sets the cursor speed. It sounds strange in words, but in fact it can be useful.

There is an unprecedented variety in the ThinkPad camp: you can find both portable ultrabooks and conventional "typewriters", as well as powerful "heavy trucks" mixed with expensive business class models. In fact, they are related only to the mentioned trackpoint, a durable case and an emphasis on security measures, and in all other aspects they are completely different laptops. For example, the younger ThinkPad E14 is built on the basis of a low-cost Ryzen 3 processor and will cost the buyer a modest $ 700. At the same time, models like the ThinkPad X1 Yoga are pure premium class with an impressive hardware base, a chic 4K touchscreen display and a price tag of about $2000.

The variety of models is united by the general idea that a serious working laptop should be reliably protected. Therefore, almost all representatives of the series can boast of reinforced housings that are not afraid to accidentally hit or wet. Simpler models usually use reinforced plastic, solid aluminium in the middle class, and heat-resistant carbon fibre in the flagship models. Protection measures for ThinkPad laptops usually include a TPM module, a fingerprint scanner, an "anti-theft" lock and a webcam shutter.