So, are there any new Thinkpads on the way?

I have not followed much about x series.
Is it due for a major update or just a minor update?

 

X2xx is up for major update. X40,X41->X60,X61->X200,X201

 

Internet shows only LePad information.
Nothing about new X201.
Does Lenovo usually release a future Roadmap?

 

usually no, but they are leaked from time to time, whether by design or through rouge force within the company.

 

Im really hoping they make something that can compete with the sony vaio Z. It seems the graphics performance of the Lenovo has gone backward of late. I currently have a t500 and am contemplating an upgrade (pref a 14inch). It seems that many of the current lenovo perform poorer than those of a few years ago.

 

I hugely agree with you there. The Vaio Z is such a masterpiece of engineering.

Well Thinkpads were never really that big on graphics, but the problem is that a lot of other laptop makers have become huge on delivering great graphics. There really is no excuse for why Lenovo saddles most Thinkpads with second-rate graphics (eg, W510 with FX880M vs HP and Dell have FX1800M, T410 and T510 have NVS3100M which underperforms against the GT 335M (and maybe the 330M) by a lot)

 

Do you guys think new X201 have a significant chassis change?
I am wondering whether it would get much thinner.

Or would they keep the current body and incorporate a better GPU?

 

I am hoping for a thinner body plus user replaceable cpu (aka swapping out for Ivy Bridge in 2012).

 

do you mean new X2xx would be thinner? probably not, i would think the current thickness of the X2xx is something that Lenovo could make without having to drive up purchase price. However if the new Intel CPU decreases power requirement to around 15 watts TDP then the base could potentially be the same thickness as the 's' variants.

 

Hi,

I was wondering whether to wait for the Lenovo T420 or buy the T410 @ $853. The model I configured has the 560m, WXGA+, and the NVS3100m. I will be using the laptop for school work, videos, and the occasional game of CSS. Is it worth it to wait for the refresh or will the T410 satisfy my needs. If you do choose the T420, will it be around $850 when it comes out? I know that it wont be the base price but can I get it configure around the same as the T410 and using a coupon be around $850? Thanks

 

The new models will be FULL price when they are first released. It seems to be a Lenovo tradition. It usually takes some time for the prices to come down. Considering your needs I would say go ahead and buy one now, but keep on the look out for coupons.

 

the T410 would definitely drop in price when the new model comes out, so if you can wait, then you should pick up a T410 at bargain price.

 

Thank you for the insight, lead_org.
I was talking to my coworker about my consideration of X201 and T410S.
One common response from them was the thickness of these models.
They were saying that Vaio Z and Macbook are much thinner than Lenovo's.
Is there a reason why Lenovos' are generally a tad thicker other than strong body frames?
Maybe better cooling?

 

This increases manufactability and lowers price of the machine, as it is easier to assemble and allow these laptop to use more standard off the shelf parts. Thinkpad design also factor in cooling efficiency, how well they resist drops/blunt force and finally serviciability are all considered.

To make MacBook pro/air and Sony laptop thin, these company therefore have to leave out certain design considerations to achieve their primary design goal.

 

It seems you have Macs and Sonys on one end, and Thinkpads and Elitebooks on the other. One end is thin and slick, the other robust and durable. That's how it seems to me.

 

Thanks @Roger and lead_org.

Well I guess I'll buy it today due to the fact that they are having a free 4GB Ram and free 500GB HDD upgrade.

Thanks!

 

it's reasonable to expect a significant chassis change.

 

Lot of people are saying that the new x2xx would have the 12.5 inch form factors.

 

lots of people would probably be correct.

we'll just have to wait and see.

 

Hopefully the new X2xx would have the displayport and eSATA/p like that of the T and W series. Other than that i am okay with which ever screen format they may choose to put in the new X2xx.

 

VGA is coming to an end, replaced by displayport.

http://lenovoblogs.com/lenovofiles/2010/12/08/goodbye-vga-hello-digital-connectors/

i can't confirm or deny any other ports but it's safe to assume most things will be faster as technology advances.

 

thanks for all the useful insights... however, Howard mentioned in the post that the first desktop and laptop to have DP was released 5 years ago, is that a typo? i don't remember any Thinkcentre or Thinkpad released 5 years having the DP ports.

 

In terms of display port, is there a difference in watching HD contents through laptop DP or DP through ultrabase?

 

no difference they are the same.

 

I'll reserve final judgment until I see the full specs on the next x2xx, but this would greatly reduce the chances I'll buy another ThinkPad.

 

You can easily get a dp to VGA adapter.

 

I like your comment on that article at lenovoblogs, lead_org. It kind of makes me wonder if any other information he supplied is just speculation and not real insider information.

 

howard locker (the author of that article) has achieved over 100 unique patents during his time at IBM and Lenovo.   he's not just some blog jockey.

there's a curved wall at lenovo NC filled with patent plaques.   many of them are howard's.

 

He says VGA can't handle high resolution video content. I think that's a complete BS.

I don't know what insane resolutions he might be using, but I have had zero problems using it to do anything from modern 3D games to HD video streaming (e.g. I watched Home documentary from youtube: YouTube - HOME (English with subtitles) ).

 

And then I have to carry it around with me to all client sites. I know the adapter is small and light, but it's not so much the carrying it as the risk of forgetting it and being stuck without the ability to do my presentations.

Far easier to just get a laptop with a VGA port. I use the port just about every other week, it's still the reality in training rooms.

 

Just because someone is an expert in one field, doesn't make him/her an expert in other fields.

According to a Wikipedia article;

 

That is an an entire corridor worth of patent plaques, very impressive.

 

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 8, 2010 - AMD, Dell, Intel Corporation, Lenovo, Samsung Electronics LCD Business and LG Display today announced intentions to accelerate adoption of scalable and lower power digital interfaces such as DisplayPort and High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI) into the PC.

Intel and AMD expect that analog display outputs such as Video Graphics Array (VGA) and the low voltage differential signaling technology (LVDS) panel interface would no longer be supported in their product lines by 2015. HDMI has increasingly been included in new PCs for easy connection to consumer electronics devices. DisplayPort is expected to become the single PC digital display output for embedded flat panels, PC monitors and projectors.

DisplayPort and HDMI allow for slimmer laptop designs, and support higher resolutions with deeper color than VGA – a technology which is more than 20 years old. ...

Lenovo Newsroom | Leading PC Companies Move to All Digital Display Technology, Phasing out Analog


soon, the CAPS LOCK key will be gone, too.

 

He did not say VGA cannot handle high-resolution video content. You probably imagined that. He said:

• Problem with high resolution: check. At work, the standard-issue for engineers are 30" monitors. 2560x1600 is simply beyond the capability of VGA signals.
• Cannot pass audio: check.
• Lack of video content protection support: check.
• Connector being relatively big: check.
• Insertion being relatively difficult: check.

Every single point is true.

 

According to some speculation on the Chinese website:

1. T420, it will have the following spec:
a) Intel QM67 Chipset
b) supports mSATA, but if you choose this option, you won't able to select WWAN.
c) weight is similar to T410 around 2.25 kg.
d) Have 4 usb 2.0 (2 normal, 1 is powered, 1 eSATA/p)
e) 16:9 inch LCD
f) intel integrated or Nvidia N12M-NS (whatever that is)
g) 2 x DDR3 1333 mhz ram slot.

------------------

T420s, 16:9, same intel chipset as the T420, but it will have support usb 3.0, same ram configuration.

------------

T520, same intel chipset, 16:9 LCD, 4 x usb 2.0 slot, firewire & DP support, same ram configuration as the T420, Sandy bridge i3, i5, i7. Intel or Nvidia NVS 4200M graphics (1 gigs vram), around 2.6 kg.

---------------------
X220 will have 16:9 inch LCD, usb 2.0 support only (one of a friend from Lenovo told me usb 3.0, but that seems to be a misinformation).

-------------
The expected released date is Feb of 2011, Nvidia GPU model will come out by March 2011.

 

Thank god I purchased the T410 yesterday. Why is everyone shifting to 16:9? At least I will be one of the few left with a 16:10.

 

Because the 16:10 panels are harder to source and they also cost more. So in the effort of reducing parts cost and probably sure about parts supply, most of the laptop companies are forced to move to the 16:9 format.

 

So if x201 adopts 16:10 and becomes x210, would it change chassis?
So it becomes wider outside?
If this happens, the ultrabase will change also?

 

Meh, if there is no USB 3.0, Sata 6, faster ExpressCard then there is no reason to get new ThinkPads IMO.
Unless they cost the same as previous line of ThinkPads and offer signifant battery life boost.

 

Then I imagined it again, right now, as I am reading this again:

"VGA can’t handle the demands of our new Internet connected, on-demand HD quality video streaming, so it’s time to move on to new digital video interfaces, ..."

I reapeat: BS. Connector big?? Have you ever seen HDMI cable, talk about bulky... it looks like something you would use for ~Ampere-high current. 1600px height resolution? Seriously... how many people use that? Video protection rofl? Apple forum -----> that way. Insertion being difficult roflmao. Ye right... that's why EVERY projector uses VGA..... lol mate you make me laugh ^^ Oh no you have to tighten up 2 screws on VGA connector? If that's the limit his or anyone else intelligence or effort, you shouldn't be using a computer at all.

P.S. Merely having a bunch of patents means literally nothing. You can patent a device that violates energy conservation. It just means he went to all that trouble to fill out the paperwork.

 

this is an educated guess, there is no final spec released yet, so we shouldn't jump to conclusion as yet.

 

Interesting info. on the new upcoming Thinkpads !

Thanks lead_org !

 

Nothing wrong with VGA for presentations, but we have to move on at some point. I hope they have VGA still, but if they replace it with newer connectors, then it's ok with me to use a dongle.

 

Only USB 2.0? that's nuts. Graphics don't sound compelling, as usual. 16:9 is a bummer.

 

I am expecting that NVS 4200M will be a Quadro version of the GeForce GT 420M. So ~GT 335M levels of performance. I wonder what GPU will be offered in the W520.

Oh, and great post btw.

 

Right! Dongles/adapters/converters will be used during the transition years.

I remember the time PCMCIA cards were used for USB connectivity and wireless LAN functionality. Today, an USB-parallel port cable allows me to continue to use my old HP LaserJet printer. Parallel port? PS/2 mouse port? They're all gone!

 

I'm not saying DisplayPort or HDMI aren't better. I'm all in for that vs VGA... just saying the author's comments are irrelevant for 99% of the uses. The bad side I see for DisplayPort is that it comes with the support for another Digital Rights Management. The bright side of it is that there is what... zero? DRMs today that are not hacked or crackable.

 

Y460p and Y560p with Sandy Bridge.

 

fair points.   but, belittling a person's CV having never seen it is unfair.   wouldn't you agree?

if the two of you are confident that howard's knowledge of VGA is less than yours or his statement needs correcting, why not post on the blogs and discuss it?

it's too easy to sit behind a computer and criticize.   the blogs are at your disposal for discussion.   take advantage of the opportunity.

here's the direct link: http://lenovoblogs.com/lenovofiles/2010/12/08/goodbye-vga-hello-digital-connectors/

 

Simply because NBR rocks (or at least most of the subforums) And Lenovoblogs doesn't. He can come here.

I didn't say anything about his CV or belittle his other possible accomplishments. I mentioned that the very high screen resolutions that are above the range of VGA display are rarely used. And that VGA port is one of the LAST things that can be a bottleneck if you're streaming video online. It's not like half of the world is rolling on internet gigabit connections.

I mean if one is going to argue for the DisplayPort/HDMI vs VGA, you can probably find much better arguments than "unable to stream HD video" and "its hard to tighten 2 screws". (get the dock if you use it that often; or don't tighten it.... I did it that way for years)

I'm not saying I understand the practical advantages of DisplayPort/HDMI any better than him. My understanding is the following: The picture is supposed to look much better on HDMI. It does look great but I don't own a TV/monitor with both so I can compare. Also the connector shape looks more modern. Maybe there is really an explanation and the picture really looks better in general than vs VGA or maybe it's just that industry standard is changing despite the fact (if it is a fact?) that we haven't yet reached the limits of classic VGA.

For the other ports, I think the story is different. We basically replaced all serial, parallel ports, PS/2, old keyboard ports with a small and universal USB.