The company has now confirmed x201 will launch the ThinkPads next Tuesday on February 23.

"Some attentive Web surfers yesterday managed to dig up information about Lenovo's upcoming X-series refresh, details of which were found inside the OEM's official maintenance manual for the ThinkPad X201. Lenovo probably would have preferred to wait a little bit before letting the cat out of the bag, but given the circumstance, the company has now confirmed it will launch the ThinkPads next Tuesday on February 23.

That's all the details Lenovo's willing to cough up at this point, but given what the maintenance manual revealed, it's believed the refreshed lineup will tap into Intel's 2010 mobile chips, including the Core i3, i5, and i7. If so, look for more than just an external makeover on the revitalized laptops."

<source http://www.psperspective.net/index.php?showtopic=44957>

 

If the material is genuine, then this is actually about time that Lenovo releases the ads to the public to build anticipation. Rreleasing the "visit Lenovo.com on February 23rd" ad on that very same day is not really useful.

The wording "Mobile Workstations" makes me wonder if the ad is really about X201. I suspect the ad is, instead, about the rumored W701(ds), and, to a lesser extent, the rumored L412 and L512. X201 is merely a sideshow in this refresh cycle.

Because when you think about it, there is really very little secret about X201 that is worth hiding. It uses new Intel chips? Duh. Everyone and their brother expects that. What else is new? BIOS Fn/Ctrl switch? We already know that is coming as well. What other surprises can there be? Dual speakers on X201 and touchpads are nice, but they are minor features in the grand scheme of things. Everything else is the same as X200.

 

not everyone reads forums religiously and knows what may or may not be coming.   you'd be surprised how effective "tune in on X date" marketing blurbs can be.

even though forum members think they know what's coming, i guarantee most of you who have seen the above image will flood lenovo.com on the 23rd.

 

Makes sense. Moreover, there is no (more?) W700 at the lenovo.com shop page...

 

when is x201 tablet coming out?

 

More "W700 gone" discussion:
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/NO-W700/m-p/204673

 

what i really want to know is what tablet they're releasing (considering the hype they're building on their youtube channel and blogs and twitter streams)

it sounds like it's gonna be a slate, but don't quote me on that

it might just be a x201 tablet (which is gonna be slightly disappointing....i would love a proper slate thinkpad tablet!)

 

You know, if you got rid of that New and Feb 23rd stuff, that wouldn't be a terrible wallpaper.

"Lenovo Mobile Workstations, Turn it up to 11"

 

That stuff is, you know, necessary evil.

 

I wonder if they cleared that with Rob Reiner and Christopher Guest.

 

When they launch the x201, will that be the instant end of the x200? Or is it more likely that they'll market both at the same time for at least a little while? Anyone recall what they did to the x300 when they launched the x301?

 

they'll sell x200 until their parts bin is empty for them
but they won't be ordering new x200 parts
new parts will be for x201
my guess anyway

 

wilse guessed correctly.

 

Hey, everyone! This is time sensitive! I just ordered an x200s using the a coupon code and Bing cashback for a total 30% off the 'base.' The coupon claims to expire on 2/24. Now, I figure that if I order on the 23rd or 24th I could possibly increase my options or decrease my price.

1. Will the 'base' price of the 200 drop much at the release of the 201?

2. Will the the 200 cost even less soon, even without this coupon?

3. Would the 201 have a similar base price as the 200 is right now?

4. Should I cancel my order?

5. How do I cancel an "in process" order made online less than 24 hours ago?

6. Will I incur a restocking fee?

Regards,
Adrian

 

1. Will the 'base' price of the 200 drop much at the release of the 201?
Impossible to say. I'd guess no - the price drops for the T400 happened before the release of the T410, for example.

2. Will the the 200 cost even less soon, even without this coupon?
Impossible to say. Keep in mind that there's no guarantee that the x200 will even be available to buy after the release of the x201. The T400s, for example, disappeared pretty quickly after the release of the T410s. They'll only sell it as long as they have parts in stock for it - when those run out, it will be gone for good as a new purchase.

3. Would the 201 have a similar base price as the 200 is right now?
No, the x201 will be a higher price because it is a new model, if Lenovo's historical launch pricing schemes hold true.

4. Should I cancel my order?
Up to you.

5. How do I cancel an "in process" order made online less than 24 hours ago?
Just call and cancel.

6. Will I incur a restocking fee?
Not if you cancel before shipping.

 

Just had a meeting with Lenovo on Thursday and the X201 is pretty much the same as the X200 except its on the capella platform now.

 

Will they finally offer a freaking webcam on the x200s? I know it has a high res screen and a jam packed lid and all... but come on. Stick a freaking webcam in the bezel... that's my only pet peeve. I don't need the power of the x200, I like the slimmer form factor of the S, and the hi res screen, and longer battery life... but I can't get a freaking webcam on it, which I'm sure is important not only to me but other users as well...

 

I'd like to know this also. Anything in the released manual or otherwise that indicates whether the x201s will have a webcam?

 

Built-in webcam is still not available with WXGA+ screen, but there is a chance that you can get it on X201s with WXGA screen.

 

and as I understand, all the x201/i/s screens will be LED backlit now right? The CCFL's are getting dumped? I'll take a WXGA led backlit screen and take the webcam over the WXGA+ screen and no webcam. It would be nice to have both though... but I guess that would be too perfect.

 

Comparing the x200s and the x201s, I figure the x201s will have more powerful options. How big is that advantage? How would the Duo and i# compare in heat, battery life, and usage lifetime?

 

It would really depend on what you're doing. Anything processor intensive, the iCores will have the advantage if they're around the same clock. Most typical tasks aren't that CPU intensive. A ULV won't be as fast as a standard Core 2 Duo. As for the rest, I'd expect them to be about the same.

 

heat, battery life, everything is roughly the same as the core 2 duo's, but 20% more performance (p8700 vs core i5-540M, same clock speed, 2.53GHz, same cache size, 3MB L2 cache, same fsb, 1066MHz http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=3705)

 

Well I for one am all for dual speakers since I don't like using headphones for Skype for example. And I am all for a touchpad as well because I am so used to it. So these things do matter to me. However, a good screen that does not give me eyestrain is the most important followed by light weight. So I am hoping for a new nice screen on all models at least the quality of Samsung matte netbook screens, and if possible a lighter tablet. If they could get the Tablet down to let's say 1.4 KG I may just get one ... mind you I expect the cost to be astronomical in Europe ...

 

Care to share what coupon you're talking about and what your final price was?

 

Probably the SAVE20 in the Outlet. There's still some good deals, but most of the low hanging fruit has been picked. Today's the last day.

If you're talking new, it's probably USP0218X, which goes until Wednesday.

 

It has been confiremd that they will release both X201 series and W701 series.

http://www.51nb.com/attachments/2010/02/25924_201002191714111598c.jpg

 

Sorry to disappoint you, all evidence points to X201 series having the same screen and the same weight as the X200 series. Looks like you may have to stick with your Samsung netbook for another year.

 

so is the X201 still getting a CCFL back light? Or will it finally be switched to LED as the x201s wxga and wxga+ screens have been?

 

What are you talking about? The tabook says the x200/t are LED backlit.

 

I just wish I knew why the X201 / X201s are so mutually exclusive in terms of feature set. I want a WXGA+ 12" on a system with stereo speakers. Why is that impossible?

 

the x200 didn't use to be LED backlit. The LED option didn't come until a while after debut. I just want to be sure that all panels on all x series cto's will be led henceforth.

 

I would assume so since all x200's are now, but we wont know for sure until the updated tabook is released.

 

I think they dropped the price of the X300, especially on and just after the holidays.

 

Lenovo is still selling the T400, though the estimated ship date is 4+ weeks, so I would think they would continue to sell the x200 until stock runs out.

 

I hope they keep a CCFL option screen on the X201 series ... coz I don't like LED and then I can replace the CCFL with a proper screen ... the flexview if I manage to source it.

 

Almost all their new screens will be LED backlit... why don't you like LED? It doesn't affect the panel type.

 

so is it being released this week or not. if not im going elsewhere.

 

this thread clearly states the announcement is tomorrow tuesday february 23
why don't you wait and see what they say, like all the rest of us?

 

oh no i wont do that, there is another option

 

There's always Acer. :laugh:

 

lol with they had an i core 12" ready hehe

 

11.6" with Core i will be out before summer with Macbook Air like thiness.

 

I wonder about the U150, when/if they'll upgrade that to Core.

 

oh nice nice.

what other sub 12" core models are due for release?

 

Uh, it's Feb. 23... where is the X201?

 

http://www.engadget.com/photos/lenovo-thinkpad-x201-and-w701-press-shots/#2733857

Apparently only the tablet gets a touchpad

 

is there a link to that info? pics look good.

just read the tablet review.

 

You should read the article as well, according to that there is an option for a touchpad.

Article here: Lenovo ThinkPad bumps bring X201, X201s, X201t, W701, and W701ds into the Core i7 fold (Engadget)

It says: The new X201 and X201s start things off with a new option for touchpads on the 12.1-inch form factor...

At Laptopmag they also have pictures of the X201 with touchpad:
http://blog.laptopmag.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/thinkpad-x201-i.jpg
http://blog.laptopmag.com/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/lenovothinkpadx201_4g.jpg

 

It's too bad they never mention it again and have a gallery of photos of the X201 without a touchpad. Very thorough reporting there. I'd definitely be happy if my comment is incorrect.