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Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

blog.lenovo.com

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Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#81

Post by keithpeter »

sigil wrote: post #66
old-gregg wrote: post #21

I have two nearly new Thinkpads right now and I don't need a 3rd laptop. But with this shit hitting the market soon, I am contemplating ordering a T530 and perhaps an x230 in top configurations and keep them in a closet for future use. After this pinnacle of Lenovo engineering goes on sale there won't be a single laptop on the market worth using. Not sure what I think of Apple right now. On one hand, they catapulted…

> I am contemplating ordering a T530 and perhaps an x230 in top configurations and keep them in a closet for future use. Welcome to my world. I exclusively use Thinkpad T40s, T41s, and T42s, the last few models to be manufactured by IBM prior to the 2005 selloff. (The T43 was the very last, but had more hardware issues for some reason.) Even today it's not difficult to find used models in decent condition. They last…

Do you find the screen back light inverter and/or that little ribbon cable between the base and the display are a particular cause of trouble with your T42s?

But I know what you mean about the build quality.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#82

Post by snaky »

old-gregg wrote: post #21

I have two nearly new Thinkpads right now and I don't need a 3rd laptop. But with this shit hitting the market soon, I am contemplating ordering a T530 and perhaps an x230 in top configurations and keep them in a closet for future use. After this pinnacle of Lenovo engineering goes on sale there won't be a single laptop on the market worth using. Not sure what I think of Apple right now. On one hand, they catapulted…

Panasonic is a viable option too, with their AX, SX and NX series. With no trackpoint unfortunately, but they have a unique round trackpad with a number of useful additional functions. Real keyboard (no chicklets) and case you can jump on.

And there is at least one (German!) startup (kupaworld.de/en) making (in China, of course) laptops for people who make money using computers - their first product, Kupa X15, have no keyboard although. But in 10" and 1.7lb you can get: 16:10 1920x1200 IPS 10-point multitouch and active stylus, detachable battery, Ivy Bridge i7 with 8GB RAM, dock with keyboard, extra battery, Ethernet port, VGA port, SD card slot, and USB port, modular design, BT+3G, front and rear camera, 128GB SSD, two USB 3.0, HDMI, etc. And with no marketing "features" and artificial limitations.

Basically that's the way it should be these days - Lenovo is just too big to target niche customers - people interested in productivity with their laptop are minority now. That wasn't so back in X31 days, but now it is - majority of people don't know nothing about trackpoint and don't want to know. I hope such small manufacturers (design + contract manufacturing China) targeting a niche customers will arise in next couple of years.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#83

Post by rplnt »

javert wrote: post #44
johnbender wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe the trackpoint buttons are still there at the top of the trackpad. At least that was my reading of the post: "We unified the clickpad by integrating the trackpoint buttons into the elegant glass touchpad..." I sincerely hope they never discard the trackpoint, no matter how many times The Verge laments it's "confusing" presence.

We unified the clickpad by integrating the trackpoint buttons into the elegant glass touchpad, making it appear even larger and more streamline. The trackpad now has five buttons which you can customize for Windows 8 gestures via the device driver. Hardcore long-time ThinkPad fan. This breaks the way the computer is used. I don't even know what I'll do. The only other quality hardware maker I know is Apple.

There's still DELL. I was a long-ish time ThinkPad fan and when I switched to DELL I liked it even more. Serviceability was the same, keyboard was surprisingly better, trackpoint with buttons was there as well. It's over a three years old model though, don't know where they moved since.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#84

Post by rplnt »

old-gregg wrote: post #63
yolesaber wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you looked into System76's machines at all? Right now I am using their Gazelle Professional model ( https://www.system76.com/laptops/model/gazp8 ). I have to say it is the best damn laptop I've ever owned and this is coming from a long-time Thinkpad user

I look at them every time I'm shopping for a laptop. They never offer anything comparable to a proper Thinkpad. The laptop you're linking to lacks nearly everything imporant: * No trackpoint * Touchpad buttons are in the wrong place (must be on top, under thumbs) * No IPS display * Keyboard is crippled. Compare to a proper keyboard [1] The #1 and #2 basicaly mean "this laptop has no mouse" Apple-style touchpad is use…

But they have optical disc drives! Where will you play your CDs? Too bad they couldn't fit a VHS drive into the 17" one.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#86

Post by nathan_long »

old-gregg wrote: post #21

I have two nearly new Thinkpads right now and I don't need a 3rd laptop. But with this shit hitting the market soon, I am contemplating ordering a T530 and perhaps an x230 in top configurations and keep them in a closet for future use. After this pinnacle of Lenovo engineering goes on sale there won't be a single laptop on the market worth using. Not sure what I think of Apple right now. On one hand, they catapulted…

You never said exactly what you dislike about this.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#87

Post by reirob »

jordanb wrote: post #18

I've been a loyal Thinkpad user for more than a decade. There are three things that have kept me buying new thinkpads: The keyboard, the trackpoint, and the high degree of serviceability. I recently got a T-530 and was extremely disappointed with the changes made to the keyboard. The chiclet change was lame, but it was something I could ignore. The changes to the layout are a complete disaster. Important keys are gon…

I am also worried about the buttons being part of the trackpad surface. For two reasons: (1) no haptic response when hitting the keys. I think I need to try it before making any judgement. (2) Will it still be possible to switch off the trackpads? I always switch off the trackpads on my thinkpad and use only the trackpoint, like this my palm will does not accidentally interfere with the mouse.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#89

Post by efsavage »

old-gregg wrote: post #21

I have two nearly new Thinkpads right now and I don't need a 3rd laptop. But with this shit hitting the market soon, I am contemplating ordering a T530 and perhaps an x230 in top configurations and keep them in a closet for future use. After this pinnacle of Lenovo engineering goes on sale there won't be a single laptop on the market worth using. Not sure what I think of Apple right now. On one hand, they catapulted…

> Does anyone want to apply to YC with a novel idea: make computers for people who make money using computers?

I'm not saying it can't be done, but we're probably the worst customers. On the one side you've got people who's machines are supplied by IT and can't be too extravagant, on the other you've got people buying for themselves and wanting to spend as little as possible.

What initially came to mind when you said this was "The Homer" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpPuYGPcvD4

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#90

Post by johnward »

I'm a macbook user and absolutely hate my thinkpad. However, I realize the people who love the thinkpad are all about function over form. Making the thinkpad more mac like (or consumer like or whatever) is just going to alienate the people already buying these.
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