My Dream: Thinkpad T or P Model with GTX 10 Series GPU

My wife and I have always been Thinkpad users, and for me dating back to 1992 with first Thinkpad 700 (black and white) and 700c. The Trackpoint is something we could never live without. It provide highest level of productivity for fast software development, even more than mouse because three out of my four fingers never get off the "k", "l", and ";" keys while moving cursor or doing copy/paste. Greatest invention for a true "laptop" plus the un-matched keyboard, meaning working on my lap at highest productivity level.

But I am now also very much like to play a bit of games during work break, and I do like to play intense AAA-title or online FPS games that can run at high or ultra at at least 50 fps in 1080p. The M2000M class on P5x just didn't cut it. Almost need M5000M class on P7s. Right now up to now I just have to carry two laptops.

I am really happy to see gaming laptop makers are starting to ship laptops to target this class of business users, content creators, and software developers (aka kidults). The ones that are with decent batteries now are the MSI GS65 and Gigabyte Aero 15 v8. Both have the new 6 core i7-8750H CPUs, 32GB RAM, have 15.6" 144Hz IPS-like thin bezel panels that almost like within a 14-inch frame, a GTX 1070 Max-Q, and can do 8-9 hours on light tasks or videos and using an 180W-230W adapter that is smaller and more lightweight than my P50 AC adapter.

However, they only come with trackpad, which is sufficient but does not support my productivity. I really want a Thinkpad-like Trackpoint on a laptop, an X1, 25th Anniv, or older style keyboard, with both powerful CPU, GPU, at least 32GB (to run VMs), lightweight 15.6" size (around 4lbs).

Is there enough of us loyal Thinkpad users out there, who also do gaming, to justify Lenovo putting a serious gaming GPU in a near-ultrabook class? Heck, even Surface Pro 2 now has a GTX 1060.

 

You can get a P7x and upgrade it with @woodzstack 1070.

You'll never get 10-series on T/X, that would cannibalize the workstation sales.

Personally I would take the 7-row keyboard on the T430-like chassis with 8th gen KBL-R or cofveve lake, without the dGPU.

 

Most ThinkPads are sold to large institutional buyers like governments, corporations, education, then handed out to sales reps and the like. They care most about cost, not gaming, so I'd agree a workstation is probably the best option for a ThinkPad with some gaming chops. The P2s is lighter, but I'm thinking the GPU isn't as good as the big boy workstations.

 

I am in the same boat as you. My perfect computer would be a T or X series Thinkpad with some sort of dGPU. I know most people do not have a used for it, I get it, but there have been thinkpads before with dGPUs. T460s and 470s had the option for an MX940, I have an e550 with an i7 and AMD dGPU in it. It's a same there is not something a little more practical, or newer/updated that they would come out with. I would even settle for Iris graphics, anything a little better than HD620 or whatever to just be able to use the machine for basic stuff when I wanted to. I don't NEED a laptop with the power like I have in my sig, I would settle for something that would run CSGO and other smaller games at stable 60+ fps at 1080p. I just wish they would add SOMETHING better than Intel HD graphics. I know the P series has options but when you get to that point, you're talking about a machine that is almost as big, and just as heavy as my current laptop in my sig, and the TP would be significantly less powerful. Hence why I ended up with the laptop I have and not a thinkpad. It may not look quite as professional but it is debadged and just a black laptop and it is lighter than a P series TP would be, but I miss that trackpoint oh so much.

 

Is the P7x the only model that will allow for a GPU to be swapped in/replaced? Would say a P5x have a MXM GPU and allow for a potential 10 series card? I wouldn't mind a 15 inch Thinkpad with a 1060 or 1070 in it, I wouldn't need any other laptop. P71 is a bit too big and heavy for me to want to carry around all day every day with me and I don't know if I really want a 17 inch laptop, but a 15 inch that's about the same weight as my current laptop but a little thinner? I could mess with that.

 

Why would it cannibalize workstation sales? T and P models are workstations. If you mean Lenovo's non-Thinkpad line, there are tons of overlap anyway. Yoga was first exclusive for Lenovo's "own" brand, but then carried over to Thinkpad brand.

I'm not say all should be fitted with gaming / mining GPU, but maybe a model or two.

Heck, Dell is putting GTX 10 series in XPS, while they own Alienware... Maybe they can bring back licensing of Trackpoint to their XPS line (Like Latitude 7840). Not the same feel as Thinkpad but at least a consolation prize..

 

P7x is the only thinkpad in existence to use standard non autistic MXM GPU

Because to get good graphics you need to get P series model.

75w GTX1060 is faster than P3000M and is almost on par with a 75w P4000M.

 

Got my hands on an HP Elitebook 820 today which has a trackpoint. It does not even come close or compare to the thinkpad one, I can't stand it tbh. It's still better than a trackpad but man do I take the thinkpad trackpoint for granted. Especially not having the third middle button for scrolling with it, just doesn't even compare.

 

I'm in a similar boat... I need 15" screen, 4/8 core/thread at least, some type on NVidia GPU for light rendering and prefer a 1050-1080 caliber GPU for gaming. If you don't mind your gaming stationary... the T series and an external GPU connected via thunderbolt 3 could provide a both worlds solution. My biggest complaint with current offerings is that to get a bright screen you need to go 4k on the T580/p52s which is my preferred model... and I don't want the extra cost or battery life reduction that goes along with it. Lenovo really needs to start offering better 1080p screen options.

 

I was thinking about and X1 Carbon or T with thunderbolt 3 and use my Gigabyte Aorus Gaming Box with GTX 1080. The gaming box comes with nice bag and can be taken on the road with the Thinkpad. However, one of my scenario is to be able to play while in bed or sofa. I can do that because I actually prefer a wireless controller, using something like an Xbox One or PS4 controller over bluetooth.

The new IPS-level (or new gen TN) 1080p on gaming laptops look bright, sharp, and now at 144Hz refresh rate. I'm not a content creator, and not with an eye that can see a 6 pt font. I had a 4K 17" MSI GS72 and the "natural" font size was too small to see. So a bright and fast refresh 1080p is fine. G-Sync while great for gaming under 60Hz and nice for scrolling text, it drains battery due to keeping GPU active.

I'm thinking Thinkpad can have a "G" for Gaming Series. If MSI (GS65), Gigabyte (Aero 15x), Razer Blade 15 and others are creating gaming laptops that look like business laptops targeting professionals, then that puts Thinkpad style right in the mix...

 

ThinkPads are built for work, for building and creating things. Want a G series, you buy a Gaming machine made for Gaming. A P series GPU was built for CAD, CAM, 3D modelling, professional video and audio editing, not to game. Gaming and Lenovo is found on the Ideapad side. Think is for WORK!

 

Sure, I mainly care for having Thinkpad Trackpoint, and if that's on Lenovo's non-Thinkpad line of laptops, including Y series, then that's perfectly fine with me. But I don't see Lenovo doing that.

In reality, besides a mil-spec built and traditional black, the only true identity left of Thinkpad is the Trackpoint and the associated buttons above trackpads. Even keyboard is no longer distinctive after changing to chiclet-style. It's obvious that Thinkpad line has been expanded to cover all sorts of usage, so why not a GPU that is better fit for content creation and gaming? Other companies are realizing the convergence and are jumping ahead of change. Dell offers Pascal GTX 10 series on both XPS and Inspiron lines, even though they also have Alienware. Microsoft Surface Pro 2 has GTX 1060.

 

Y series should adopt the pointing stick, as a high end touch. With ThinkPads ,the P series are the big place where you will find a discrete GPU, for workstation duty. Also, bear in mind, another thing which keeps discrete GPU not being often used on ThinkPads is most get used for business, i.e. WORK. Also, BSD, and Linux compatibility is important to many ThinkPad users (myself and many I know buy business laptops for their easy Linux and BSD support). I would like to see the Y series get some ThinkPad touches for the content creators and gamers who need a machine which is used for work part of the time. I agree with much of what you have to say. But do understand why so many business machines have only IGP for graphics or workstation GPU options. Also, Dell XPS is an unusual convergence between high end consumer and business at the present time. With touches of Latitude thrown in. And nice boxes. Don't compare Surface so called Pro crap to a real laptop, this machine is as disposable or more so than MacBook Pros, Airs, and MacBooks of today.

 

None of the non Workstation Dell Latitudes or HP Elitebooks come with dGPUs so why do you expect the ThinkPad T series to? The closest you can probably get is the MX150 but probably nothing more than that unless you upgrade to the P series. Lenovo already has the Legion line specifically for gaming. Should you want a light gaming grade notebook that doesn't stand out too much in an office, try a Gigabyte or maybe a Razer Blade or MS SurfaceBook 2

 

Well this is interesting, if it's indeed an accidental exposure of a work-in-progress Lenovo website:

https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/8mgk1i/oh_lenovo/

 

Given the last gen specs, probably a website error.

 

Introducing Lenovo's P1. Meant to be competitor with Dell XPS line. Very thin and light 15" machine with slim bezel design and centered keyboard. If rumors are correct, it will have Intel G series with RX Vega M graphics, roughly comparable to something in between GTX 1050 and GTX 1050ti .

 

Yeah, I saw this in Reddit. Great to see a 15.6" in a thin bezel and centered keyboard. Nice to have a GPU worthy of light gaming at least. Definitely competing with the new XPS 15. I would take this over XPS 15 for sure! Let's hope it doesn't solder the RAM unless it can come with 32GB and can up to at least i7-8650H with 6 cores and manage heat like all new thin bezel 15" lightweight laptops.

However I was hoping one of the 15" Thinkpad model would have a performance equiv to an overclockable full GTX 1060 mobile. The P3200 on P52 seem to also be around 1050/1050Ti level.

I recently bought the MSI GS65 with 1070 Max-Q. Close to full 1070 performance with overclocking. 144Hz refresh rate looks real good on text scrolling and windows animation. 32GB RAM is good for running 2-4 VMs, and still fit extra NVMe SSDs. Still in my returnable period but I don't think I will given P1 won't come close in terms of spec and performance but yet will be similar in dimension and weight as these new 15.6" thin, lightweight, and powerful laptops.

 

Kaby Lake G precludes hex cores for now.

 

Not sure on what you base that assessment. The GeForce GTX 1060 has 1280 shader-units, the Quadro P3200 meanwhile has 1792 shader-units. Sure, the clock rates are a bit lower on the Quadro – nonetheless, it should be faster than the GeForce GTX 1060.

 

I concur with @ibmthink . The Quadro P3200 should be faster than the GTX 1060, even with workstation stats. Not only does it have 40% more shading cores, it is based off of the GP104 archetecture of the GTX 1070 and 1080. the GTX 1060 is GP106.

 

Yes, it should. I remembered it wrong from discussion somewhere. The performance should be between 1060 and 1070 with the lower clock rate. Thanks for the correction.

 

That P1 looks nice depending on what actually becomes of it. I almost wish I waited but at the same time I think I will be happy with my T480 and MX150. The P series have always been thicc beastly heavy laptops, they are great for workstation replacements but wouldn't have fit into the category of thin/light and portable that I was looking for with a T model or X model so I have reservations about how this one will turn out if it ends up being a real machine...if I jumped the gun oh well it is what it is.