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Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

blog.lenovo.com

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Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#101

Post by bluedino »

rplnt wrote: post #83
javert wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Dell's painted plastic finish was also a big turnoff to me. The paint comes off and scratches much easier than the Lenovo black plastic and rubberized case.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#102

Post by ericabiz »

krsunny wrote: post #72
ericabiz wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Thinkpad X1 Carbon is 1600x900. Surprised that is not that well-known, as you're the second person on this thread I've noticed with that misconception. I upgraded from my old X200s to the X1 Carbon and it's great.

I've been wanting this model for months. How is the video performance on it? Movies, games etc?

I'm going to say "fine", as I've honestly never noticed an issue at all. I still do video editing on my desktop as it's way faster. I don't play games, so I can't answer that one for you.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#103

Post by sigil »

keithpeter wrote: post #81
sigil wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

No, haven't seen that one. The most common natural deaths for me are fan death and USB ports going out.

This list of known hardware problems by Thinkpad model has proven true though:

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Known_Problems

Also, I'll add that Thinkpads are quite easy to repair yourself. Great instruction manuals, and markings on the case itself as to what screws to take out to access a certain part.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#104

Post by keithpeter »

sigil wrote: post #103
keithpeter wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

No, haven't seen that one. The most common natural deaths for me are fan death and USB ports going out. This list of known hardware problems by Thinkpad model has proven true though: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Known_Problems Also, I'll add that Thinkpads are quite easy to repair yourself. Great instruction manuals, and markings on the case itself as to what screws to take out to access a certain part.

Good list

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_with_video_related_sys...

I had this one on the last T42p, and a bust inverter on a previous model. Small sample thing!

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#105

Post by 4ad »

ericabiz wrote: post #54
jim_h wrote: post #28

I think the high point of the Thinkpad line was around the T61/X61t. They were fast, durable and had nice high resolution display. I was desperately waiting for an update to my X61t w/ 1400x1050 display and no such option come from them and after many years, still none! Such a disappointment. I saw the photos in the article and then noticed they removed the trackpad buttons. They're moving away from why I liked them…

The Thinkpad X1 Carbon is 1600x900. Surprised that is not that well-known, as you're the second person on this thread I've noticed with that misconception. I upgraded from my old X200s to the X1 Carbon and it's great.

1600x900 is lower than 1920x1200 and even lower than 1680x1050, which older models had. It's also lower than 2880x1800 found in a competitor model. It is also a TN display, not an IPS one.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#106

Post by 4ad »

r00fus wrote: post #78
mikeandtalisha wrote: post #15

I can't believe they call out rotating the logo as a new feature.

It's like they're saying "We're almost as good as Apple". Aside from the 180deg. hinge, is there any innovation that they've listed that's not an innovation previously done by other vendors (like Apple)? Seriously? Why parrot that you're behind the times?

The 180° is not an innovation. All ThinkPads I ever had had this feature, and I had many ThinkPads, around 10 still in use.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#107

Post by 4ad »

acabal wrote: post #13
webwanderings wrote: post #3

Don't know about 431 but I absolutely do not like them moving the keys around in 420. The PrntScrn is no longer where it used to be. The Home, End, PgUp, Down keys are all at different places.

This drives me mad. At least Lenovo kept the buttons. Other laptops like Apple and now Dell have dropped them entirely. And for what? "Minimalism" or "elegance" I guess. I'm going to have to hang on to my aging Dell for as long as I can, just for the keyboard :(

But it didn't even keep the buttons.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#108

Post by javert »

rplnt wrote: post #83
javert wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I honestly though Dell sold only cheap crap to gullible consumers. "Dude, you're getting a Dell!"

Is there some specific "line" of computers that Dell makes that are for serious users?

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#109

Post by rplnt »

javert wrote: post #108
rplnt wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I honestly though Dell sold only cheap crap to gullible consumers. "Dude, you're getting a Dell!" Is there some specific "line" of computers that Dell makes that are for serious users?

They have a "business" lines of products for notebooks, desktops, servers, .. they even have top of the line monitors. In the case of laptops, look for "Latitude" which is basically equivalent to Lenovo's ThinkPad.

I have E6400 and it has all the nice perks - metal-ish body so it's not squeeky and wiggly like a plastic notebook, one screw to remove bottom (to clean up fan, change ram, ...), one screw to change hard drive, "multi/ultra"bay slot so you can swap the useless optical drive for battery or hard drive, only few screws to change keyboard (so you can get an underlit one), docking station, international next business day care (with accidental damage) ... They just don't look so good as ThinkPad did/does. But that's a matter of opinion of course.

I haven't seen any of their books recently but if I were to buy something new I would definitely look into them.

Re: Lenovo unveils new ThinkPad design

#110

Post by acturbo »

Using the same ThinkPad w500 for 4+ years, running 1920 x 1200 resolution.

I'm utterly fed up with the consumerization of power notebooks at the expense of the needs of productivity workers.

The last few years have been an outright de-evolution of screen resolutions for laptops ... i'm still waiting for a clear upgrade path.

I'm a technology marketing specialist. I design graphics and develop software and websites using Adobe Creative Suite, Visual Studio, and various other apps that require lots of screen real estate. It seems like computer companies think everyone buys notebooks to watch movies.

There are a millions of power users that require high resolution notebooks including engineers, CAD/CAM designers, architects, graphic designers, developers, etc. These groups form the best litmus test for determining quality wrt high-end technology.

And these groups are being alienated by technology companies -- both software and hardware. This includes the latest Windows 8 craptaculous dr. jekyll mr. hyde release, along with the numerous laptop vendors all trying to shove consumer-focused technology down the throats of power users that primarily use technology to PRODUCE THINGS.

The most insulting and infuriating thing is that the ThinkPad brand in particular grew famous from the loyalty of power-users like me. And instead of listening to us and delivering products that meet and exceed our needs, Lenovo (and other manufacturers) blindly chase after new consumer oriented customers at our expense.

The marketing morons at these companies (i know their "work" very well) are focused on generating growth and chasing after new markets -- at all costs. That's fine. Create a new brand to do that.

My advise to manufacturers of high-end products for long-term success:

- Create new brands to enter new markets

- Deliver high-end products that meet/exceed the needs of your most demanding customers

- Evolve core brands CAREFULLY

- If you don't use the product as your demanding customers do, then you don't understand the product, so you should not make drastic decisions that affect it

ac

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