New Lenovo SL series!

Looks like Lenovo has decided to show us a bit of their new model lineup!
There aren't many details or pics, but this is a much awaited release.

Link:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087&current-category-id=393651299AA2442B937039C5DECF1DBF

 

Why can't I customize the hardware, or even see what CPU is inside?

 

Check out the reviews section guys.

 

^ link? The latest review is of dv5z from HP.

 

Its on the FRONTPAGE!!!

or here http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4499

or here http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=272772

or here http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/15/lenovo-debuts-new-sl-r-t-and-w-series-thinkpads/

and even here http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/thinkpad-sl400.aspx

That should give you a gist at least

 

anyone know when we would be able to customize the new models?

 

it's heavier than R61 and without magnesium rollcage

 

Does it have the same mag frame and roll cage?

 

Yeah I meant the reviews sub forum, my bad

 

i think everyone has the same question.... why can't we customize models???

their standard setups are not good enough. where is bluray option?

 

Jon Mackereth: Thank you for choosing Lenovo Chat service, this is Jon, sales ID WD9. How may I be of assistance today?
Customer: hello, I am interested in newly release SL400/SL500 Thinkpads and it mentioned in the release that blue ray is optional
Customer: I do not see where I can customize it to add blu ray drive
Customer: i am looking at that page
Customer: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...-category-id=3D30F7A2971B44DB9D15A7051B04CC0E
Jon Mackereth: Correct but the configurator for the SL series has been non-functional all day.
Customer: do you have an ETA on when it will be available?
Jon Mackereth: We have not yet been able to add anything and the systems nor choose the configuration. We are awaiting an update in our order system.
Jon Mackereth: The webteam has said tomorrow morning
Jon Mackereth: For the start of business
Jon Mackereth: Which for our team is 9 am EDT
Jon Mackereth: I apologize for the inconvenience.

 

Fuggin' A! The SL series sports a centered LCD and same-sized hinges! That means now I can upgrade from my aesthetically awesome T60.

I was worried that Lenovo would never ever regain its sense of geometric wholesomeness after looking at the lopsided T61.

 

I've read review again and I am concerned that Lenovo still uses horribly dim screens. My wife currently has one and it's just unacceptably dim unless you are in a dark room.

 

The screens used on the new SL series is 200-nits, which should be 50-nits brighter than the current screnes employed by the current generation of Thinkpads.

LaptopMag noted that the USB ports on the right-hand side were recessed, almost a Macbook Air snapfu. Also, the latches on top of the lid to hold down the screen are now gone. The screen is held in place by hinge pressure, which may or may not be a good thing.

 

Thats awesome that they have the price listed already. Can't wai to see the config options. I wonder how long till they are on sale.

I am anxious to see the price of the new T series.

 

For those who are looking to upgrade to the SL series, keep in mind that the build quality is worse than the other lines of Thinkpad. SL series seems to be an N3000/2000 with a Thinkpad mask.

 

NO screen Latch.
NO Steel Hinges.
NO Thinkvantage.
Piano Black

...it's not even a thinkpad!

 

I dare you to tell that to the cylon-esque logo on the cover.

 

^^lol

looks like david hill at lenovo posted a new blog entry about the SL series
http://lenovoblogs.com/designmatters/?p=220

 

I'm reading people complaining about the TrackPoint buttons on this model. Um, what seems to be the problem exactly?

 

For me, it's just a shallow appearance + habit thing. I usually use a USB mouse, and I just hate having a little red thing stuck in the middle of the keyboard getting in my way when I'm not even going to use it. Another may be habit - I'm far more used to trackpads than trackpoints and like using them better. My friend has a Thinkpad and she's maneuvering the trackpoint without any problems, though, so I don't think there are any technical problems with it as far as I know.

 

If you don't like having the trackpoint in the middle just take it off...

 

Having never owned a Thinkpad in person before - really? You can just take them off? Wouldn't that leave a hole in the keyboard or something like that? I take back my comments, then. I n00bishly thought it was a permanent fixture on the keyboard, which detracted from the looks of the Thinkpads for me quite a lot. Thanks for letting me know!

 

You can take the red cap off, but the TrackPoint itself will still be there below the level of the key caps. It will leave an oddly shaped open area.

If you haven't tried the TrackPoint and are just going by looks, try it. It's great for not having to take your hands out of position just to move the mouse pointer.

 

Yes, and they are getting clobbered over the keyboard changes (as well they should!).

 

And that speaker grill seems out-of-sync and detracts - I wonder if the speakers sound as good as they claim.

 

Ok, I meant to say 'grille'.

 

i cant never live without my trackpoint and the ultranav

i dont remember if i ever used the trackpad in my past 8 years with thinkpads

 

hey guys i was just wondering if anyone knew when the lenovo SL300 is coming out?
the sl400 and sl500 are available now.
Also is the VRAM, GDDR3?