New ThinkPad Design initiative

I voted for a 14" SXGA+ IPS LCD ThinkPad, I could do UXGA too, though it's a bit small, that's 3.5 like the T450s, with a SSD and HDD. I voted for the touch padless aesthetic too.

 

I completed the survey. I hope they make this thinkpad because I would buy in a heart beat.

 

I suspect there will be some overwhelming vote in favor of the 7 row keyboard with the non-island keycap. I wonder how the rest will go.

No question about chassis yet, but that might be because it's coming in a later survey. I hope the chassis isn't too classic:

 

As a user of Thinkpads from the very beginning, this is indeed exciting.

But I'm not sure what is wrong with the Chiclet keyboard. I have a W550s and it's nearly the ideal machine. I can type for hours on it without any fatigue or pain. The keys have the perfect touch and I can type at high speeds. If you count the left-right buttons, there are 7 rows of keys. I typed a little on my W510 and the sculpted keys (albeit 4 years old) seemed so primitive and a little slow/painful. Maybe I'm missing something, and someone could remind me of what is so great about the mediocre sculpted keys that we used to get even as late as 4 years ago. They started great with the original Thinkpad 700C, and I think Kensington made those keyboards. Wow, they got crummy right after that and improved only a little each year.

And finally we have the ultranav back, after Lenovo subjected us to what I call the "stupidnav" temporarily. When we got back the good old physical buttons, it immediately prompted my upgrade from the W510 touch-screen that was 4 years old to the W550s. I see many comments from people who smartly wouldn't buy one with the stupidnav. I was recommending the first generation X1 Carbon Touch to both my wife and her business partner well after the 2nd generation stupidnav version was out. I refuse to buy another Thinkpad unless it has ultranav and hope everyone will stand together on this. I would have a mac if not for the ultranav. The touch-pad can disappear for all I care; I wish I could make it the "right" size (like my W510) to allow me to alternate a little.

Some non-classic features are quite nice:
The rubberized feel is amazing. Keep that.
The fingerprint logon is very convenient. Keep that too. I log on as non-administrator with my index finger, and then when admin permission is needed, I switch to my middle finger.
Touchscreen: keep that!
Light weight: keep that!
Dual batteries: keep that! Wow, 7 hours of battery life is great.
Software update functionality: Keep that!

I think Lenovo should be careful about making it too classic physically but with higher performance, or people will be attracted to some of those new features!

But for goodness sake, why are people complaining about the color of the logo? Make it fluorescent orange for all I care. Just give me the ultranav!

So what would make me happier with my W550s?
- 4:3 touch screen. 16:10 is ok but what the HECK is the issue with producing a business aspect ratio? I do not watch movies on my business machine. My IPS 2880x1620 touchscreen is quite nice but it's a mail-slot when Word or Excel comes up
- Quad-core not dual-core
- Maybe boost the wattage for the power supply to 95 for the quad core, but please not any more huge bricks like my 135W honker on my W510!
- Color-correction
- Out-of-hand goofy headphone jack. Sometimes it diverts the audio and sometimes it does not. Weird. It used to be faultless. Glad when I plug in the remote jack during class, it actually works (so far)!
- ultrabay so I can stick in another 1 TB drive like I used to in the ultrabay. On a trip I forgot my portable hard drive, as I predicted. Painful!
- The NVIDIA/Intel graphics combination is more than a little rough around the edges. When I have a large spreadsheet on my Dell 27" external screen, it gets really buggy and big black blocks randomly pop onto it. Graphics processing is also a little sluggish. What happened? I'm hoping for some updates soon.
What a perfect machine that would make--at least for me!

How about some new ideas that would be helpful too? There aren't too many. I can think of one:
Maybe a new idea might be to be able to rotate this mail slot screen to portrait mode. Why not make the screen removable like the Surface, then put it back on in portrait mode?

 

Hmmm...I guess you've forgotten a few things that have happened along the way if you've really been using ThinkPads for such a long time so let me refresh your memory...

The "rubberized" feel has been around for 15 years at the very least...on "premium" models, that is...

Originally introduced on higher-end T42/p units in late 2004. How is that a non-classic feature is beyond me.

Dual batteries - albeit it of the UltraBay variety - have been around since at least A3x series in 2001...

Another IBM invention from the T4x era if I'm not mistaken - could be even older - although Lenovo changed the name of the utility itself.

So as you can see for yourself, apart from the touchscreen which is definitely a "non-classic" feature there's really not much new under the sun when it comes to ThinkPads...

 

You can keep the reflection generating piece of glass thank you very much, which points out, you can't make everyone happy.

 

Excellent, just completed the survey myself.

 

The next survey is coming up in about 10 hours time (7am EST Friday). Remember to participate and give feedbacks!! ThinkPadders you all rock!!!

 

Oh come on! Now I have to set the alarm clock on my day off?

You better make sure that the one after tomorrow's survey doesn't get posted prior to 10am EST or else...

 

Just completed survey. In case I need to reiterate myself on what would constitute a perfect thinkpad:
1. T60/P chassis + 7 row traditional non-chiclet keyboard
2. A 16:10 1920x1200 WUXGA RGBLED panel ala W701/W701DS
3. Backlit keyboard + thinklight
4. bdrw/dvdrw/cdrw optical drive ultrabay. Optical media is not dead. I still back my important stuff up to non-volatile media. And its not an old people thing. I'm 21 and still find myself using the optical drive.
5. obligatory fingerprint reader and webcam (updated to current spec)
6. Original ultranav style trackpoint and trackpad (aka physical buttons). I felt the ultranav on the T60 was a little small, but if memory serves right, the T30/T4X series had a larger ultranav trackpad. Go with that one.
7. LCD LATCH. I can't believe Lenovo did away with this. Unless you are going to use a super super powerful magnet like Apple does (and as much as I loathe Apple, they are the only ones that EVER got the magnetic lid right). I like having my LCD secured to the rest of the chassis by a lid. I've heard all my other latchless computer clapping around in my backpack, but never my T420 or T60P.
8. Indicators. Why would you ever cut indicators. There were far too few indicator lights on the T420/T520/X220 series. The T500 had a wealth of indicators. Those need to come back.

That's it. really. you'll be surprised how many people you would bring on board with that combination. I've handled a lot of thinkpads, and I'm pulling what was the best from each one and stuffing it all in one.

 

YES! Can't wait.

 

Survey 2 is up. http://blog.lenovo.com/en/blog/retro-thinkpad-survey-2-displays-keyboard/

 

Just completed the survey, made sure to be vocal about 1920x1200 16:10. I understand that 4:3 is long gone and dead with nobody manufacturing panels anymore, but the same should not be allowed to happen to 16:10.

 

If you want a "retro" ThinkPad, do it right: 4:3, Thinklight and preferably (although I don't t really care) with a blue Enter key. Seven row, of course. Back and forward, yes.

My $0.02 only...

 

Done.

 

As did my wife...LOL. Our daughter sided with me - albeit for her own reasons - in choosing 4:3.

I'm inclined to believe that at some point in the game - sooner than later - Mr. Hill will have to get the users to state their size/volume preference *loud and clear*. From what I'm gathering there are two major groups: the ones who'd like to see a re-vamped X301 (or something along those lines) and the others who are looking for a workstation, be it in the 4:3/3:2 or 16:10 aspect ratio.

My impression - which may very well be wrong - is that we're not getting both this time around. It will have to be either/or...

 

I just filled in the 2nd survey. I put a strong preference for back/forward buttons, and mild preference for thinklight.

I would like to see a revamped X301... So I went into the survey thinking I would vote for a 16:10 display, but then I saw the 3:2 option and thought that is something I could get behind.

Here's my logic against 4:3 ratio on an ultraportable (since I am interested in a retro X series Thinkpad): Since the screen needs to be at least as wide as the keyboard anyway, a 4:3 ratio results in a much deeper chassis because of the resulting height of the screen. This results in a less portable laptop. But 16:9 is just taking it too far. 16:10 is fine to me, but 3:2 might be the happy medium and also give a bit of room for a bigger touchpad so that's what I voted for.

 

I have an X201 and an external USB DVD-RW drive. I rarely use optical media (I suppose neither do you if you're just using it for backups?), so if I'm only going to use it for < 5% of the time, I would prefer to not have to sacrifice the size/weight to carry it around 100% of the time. Judging by your interest in the W701 though, I guess you're not into ultraportables.

 

You are a part of what seems to be a pretty large crowd. Mr. Hill has every reason to be proud of his accomplishments with X30* series design.

I'm not in the same camp, but will applaud you for presenting the aspects that are important to * you* in a palatable, polite and understandable manner.

 

Give me a 4:3 screen, or if that is completely impossible, give me a 3:2. I think it is time for Lenovo to cater the Thinkpad brand more towards the traditional core group, instead of implementing design-features from their "multimedia" products. Give me the 3:2 screen with small bezels (maybe with the older clam-shell design), a powerful CPU, a long lasting battery (I don't care that it sticks out the back!). Give me the 7-row keyboard, and have an option to get rid of the trackpad. Make it possible for me to upgrade RAM and the SSD, I don't care if it makes the design a couple of millimeters thicker.
If Lenovo truly delivers a Thinkpad which goes back to its roots, I will happily replace my X220T with it. If they continue to mix design-cues from all their line-ups into the new Thinkpad, I have low hope that it will deliver.

 

I don't care if the extended battery sticks out from the back, but I do care if it sticks out of the bottom. It's less ergonomic for typing, since it forces you to bend your wrists. It's also less comfortable to use on your lap, and it's generally less convenient for storing when it doesn't have a flat shape.

The X200/201 6/9 cell batteries stick out very little from the bottom so that's ok, but I hate the X240/250 batteries. I'd rather they just make a thicker but more uniform laptop than one which is really thin with a huge hump in the back.

 

Survey 3 is up

http://blog.lenovo.com/en/blog/retro-thinkpad-survey-3-whats-under-the-hood/

 

Oh c'mon! 16:10 are you serious?

Does no one else appreciate the form factor of the Surface Pro 3? Even at 12" I prefer it to my T420's widescreen display. After getting my T60 this year I swore I'd never use less than 3:2 on a laptop with a 14" or smaller screen; a 15" 16:10 laptop would have been fine. Guess I'll need to wait for that rumored 14" Surface or get a 15" Retina MBP.

 

It was either that or 3:2 (which I chose)! 4:3 is a unicorn!

 

That's what they want you to believe. And they've done an excellent job of convincing people just that. Mao would've been proud of them.

 

apparently somebody is thinking in duplicating my laptop with modern components! Nice .....

I might finally upgrade

but what's up with the 3 different surveys ? One couldn't do it ... ?

 

To be fair, they should group together the 4:3 and 3:2 results, since anybody who voted for the former would have preferred the latter as their 2nd preference... Or at least, they should hold another vote between 14" 16:10 and 3:2 imo.

 

I hope this is an upgrade option rather than a standard feature, because I value the 1-2 hours of battery life on a 1440x900, 1600x1050 or 1920x1200 screen much more than ultra high resolutions.

I'm kind of dreading the CPU result, since I'm a X series user who really wants a mix of modern power consumption components in a more traditional Thinkpad chassis (but not too traditional. The remove bottom cover and reseat heatsink design change is much appreciated).

 

But then they should group 16:10 and 16:9 also together, since most people who voted for 16:9 likely want 16:10 then And also, 3:2 is closer to 16:10 than to 4:3 - so you could argue that these people want 16:10 more than 4:3...

16:10 is simply more popular than 4:3. Which likely has to do with the fact that there wasn't a 4:3 system in a long, long time now. If 16:10 was picked the most, then that should be the ration used here...

 

No, it should not. 16:9 and 4:3 are the extremes in this poll. If we accept that practically everyone who has chosen those will prefer 16:10 and 3:2 to anything lower/higher, respectively, these numbers can of course be grouped.

16:10 and 3:2 can of course also be grouped, but 16:10 vs. 3:2 will not be resolved until measuring up the two other groups.

 

This comment on the blog - written by a poster named Kirk - sums my own feelings the best, by far:

 

The most surprising thing is that Thinklight vs backlight is at nearly 50-50, i love that dual thinklights concept. The screen ratio at 16:10 is good and will be nice for both productivity and media consumption, i voted for 16:10

 

If they won't throw in a 4:3 screen, please give me a 3:2

 

Love the 3:2 display on my S3. 16:10 will probably suffice, but I too would like to see a 3:2 ratio minimum. I have to admit that I'm on the fence in the backlight vs. thinklight debate. The Thinklight worked fine on my X301.

 

I'm not even asking for 4:3 any more, but I won't accept anything that is worse than 3:2.

 

There are no 14" 16:10 displays manufactured today, so the excuse that 4:3 should be omitted because there aren't any in production today is very weak. If we're actually limiting this to existing laptop displays, the only choices should be 12" 16:10 (MacBook), 12" 3:2 (Surface Pro 3), 13" 16:10 (MacBook Pro), 13" 3:2 (Chromebook Pixel), and 15" 16:10 (MacBook Pro). Obviously disregarding the infinite 16:9 choices. But that's far from how the question has been presented.

 

Exactly. My guess is that lenovo will simply pick the closest (cheapest) alternative available, perhaps the 13" 16:10 MBP display.

 

Survey 4 is tomorrow 7am EST (Source: leag_org at Thinkpad Forums).

 

Survey 4 (the last one):
http://blog.lenovo.com/en/blog/retro-thinkpad-survey-4-miscellaneous/

 

Votes placed. Thank you for posting the link.

I may very well be wrong, but to me it seems that a re-vamped X301 is what we'll be getting if this machine gets to see the light of the day in the first place.

 

Voted. It would be interesting to know the results of the survey so far.

 

Voted. I'd like to see a revised T/W500. It was by far my favorite ThinkPad...and I've had about 50 of them.

 

While I share your sentiment to a significant degree, I doubt that we'll get to see a workstation this time around.

 

Voted, Just get me a 14 inch 16:10 display, plenty of ram, fast skylake CPU and 10 hours battery along with Thinklights and i am golden.

 

Fingers crossed for a component updated T6x series.

 

Highly unlikely IMO.

I've already placed my bet on what the upcoming machine will be like on TPF, and calling it a X302 sans media drive would be a quick description.

Hopefully you're right and I'm wrong this time around.

 

An X302 would suit me just fine

 

Why oh why am I not surprised to hear that...

 

Since Lenovo already redesign the bigger workstation series, I guess this Retro Thinkpad if realized will cater only X and Txxs series crowd?

edit. an X302 will be nice though

 

The only things the P-series seems to have restored are the darker-colored plastic and a few of the LEDs. There's nothing there that satisfies the demand for a proper ThinkPad design.

If the keyboard and screen ratio had been addressed, we might have had something.