ThinkPad Netbook Needed!

I really want to buy a netbook or very small laptop but none of the current models meet my needs. Here is what I want:

1) Most powerful low-current processor.

2) Trackpoint -- this is a must have and is the crown jewel of Lenovo. In fact it is one of only two jewels.

3) Full- or nearly-full-size keyboard of ThinkPad quality. (jewel 2)

4) Dedicated graphics when needed.

5) 6 hour battery life for nominal apps.

6) Small footprint and light weight.

I will pay top dollar for this -- over $1k if needed. Lenovo, please put your best assets into a kick-@$$ netbook!

 

If you can call a Lenovo x200s "netbook", it'll do the trick

 

The only thing you won't find in a x200s is dedicated graphics. In fact, you'd be hard press to find any discrete option in a small ultra portable. That being said, x200s is everything you are looking for.

 

I don't think it'll be a netbook anymore once you throw all these features in. It'd turn into a premium ultraportable.

 

Exactly what I was going to say. Check out the X200s. Will blow away ANY netbook and it very small and poweful.

 

If you're willing to pay over $1K for a netbook you should be posting this in the Sony forum.

 

Eh... I'd take a long, hard look at the X200s, but if those are a bit pricey I think an X61s could fit your needs as well, except for the lack of dedicated graphics.

The thing to keep in mind is that dedicated graphics take some serious juice to run and can cut down on your battery life. Ultraportables are usually designed with great battery life in mind, so I don't even know any with dedicated graphics.

The fact of the matter is that you'll find either the X200s or the X61s miles ahead of any netbook you could get our hands on. As long as you can live with integrated graphics these machines fit your needs pretty well.

 

Lol yeah, this is a pipe dream buddy. Get an older ultra-portable ThinkPad like an X61 if you want most of those things. I think you are deferring away from netbook status when you are willing to pay 1K, when you want dedicated graphics but want it to be pocket sized, that's not possible.

 

1. you can either get fast CPU or low power consumption... so you should decide which is more important to you

3. I question the keyboard quality of some of the new "thinkpads" ie. 100e.

4. you're going to have to look at 13"+ for discrete options

Maybe you should fill out the FAQ to determine what you actually need (ie. what programs do you require a "powerful" CPU or discrete GPU?). I suggest you also order the criteria you want in a netbook/notebook (though for the amount you're willing to pay, I wouldn't look at netbooks since they are the least powerful solutions) because you will definitely not get everything you want (unless you want to keep dreaming), so be prepared to sacrifice something or compromise.

 

Sounds like you're looking for a Sony Z-series minus the two jewels. It has everything you're looking for an a killer screen resolution to boot.

 

Eff u need a netbook, just to surf, u really dont need no TP. Can jus get an Acer for like 2 or 3 bills and purpose served. By upping the hardware you r going into another realm. Suggest u reconsider.

 

Bingo! That is exactly what I want, maybe I should have said that in my first note. Like many here, I treasure the jewels and I am on about my sixth TP, currently a T61p (my user name is out-of-date although I did also love my two a31p's).

I really want a new machine -- ie all of the best new technologies and goodies, plus the jewels. I don't want a light laptop, I want a great netbook. I know one is in the works...at least I hope so...my note was to encourage Lenovo to hurry up.

 

I agree i want a great laptop with a dedicated graphics card, lenovo needs to start to have more machines with at least switchable graphics. But currently lenovo is coming out with machines like these http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/11/19/lenovos.amd.based.thinkpads.in.spec.leaks/, hopefully dedicated graphics, they are becoming more and more important.

 

But the closet you want towards what you want is the new asus 1201n, with ion and dual core atoms.

 

Here is a video of it, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8A0OOOByEM but i do like to have a lenovo with a pointing stick.

 

Ugh X100e w/ chiclet keyboard, 16:9 screen...

 

I think that Thinkpad and Netpad are contradictions in basic terminology.
Renee

 

Get used to it, it is not really that bad.

 

Really? I can't imagine anything that would make a netbook more usable than a TrackPoint. They are made for each other. I have zero interest in any netbook or laptop that does not include a TP. I don't think I am alone in this.

 

Here is what I have in mind. I want to leave my beast T61p at home, powered up and available via gotomypc. Then I want to use the netbook when I travel light to access apps on the T61p. I need to do this as I occasionally -- not often -- need to run some heavy CAD stuff like proE. I really want the netbook to be a viewer mostly. Is that a realistic scenario? Maybe the hard-core graphics are not needed on the netbook. I have always had dedicated graphics though...I think I am addicted to it.

 

Well, if this is what you need to do I'd definitely run a little test... do you know someone who has a computer with integrated graphics? Try running your CAD programs on that system and see how they do.

If you find they run well, I'm pretty sure most of your needs can be fit by an X-series... my suggestion if you're looking for one at a decent price would be an X200 off the Lenovo Outlet or getting an X61s on Ebay. Yes, they're not going to scream in the graphics department but they are very well-designed, robust, and powerful systems.

That said, in my opinion, netbooks are really a 'poor man's ultraportable,' pretty much. Playing around with a few of them has left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. I just don't like the build quality and overall cheap feel of most of them I've played around with. There's also the fact that none I know of feature a Trackpoint-style pointing device, except for an older Fujitsu Lifebook an acquaintance of mine has. My opinion is that Lenovo doesn't need to make a ThinkPad-branded netbook; they already have the X-series that fits pretty well into that size/battery life category.

 

"I want to leave my beast T61p at home, powered up and available via gotomypc. Then I want to use the netbook when I travel light to access apps on the T61p. I need to do this as I occasionally -- not often -- need to run some heavy CAD stuff like proE."

Yes, but do have a reason for changing what a Thinkpad is? This is hardly a reason.

 

I was talking about having a machine with 16.9 ratio not the track point, i love track point, i might go for the x100e idk.

 

A ratio uses a colon to separate the two numbers... 16:9, and the TrackPoint is very efficient, i can't understand why people "can't" use it. A guy commented on how he's never understood the TrackPoint, i countered him by saying that you don't have to take your hands off the keyboard and that it's much quicker and accurate than i touchpad will ever be, i don't even mind playing games purely with the TrackPoint as my pointing device. He thought that typing and using the touchpad was easier and better... i laughed.

 

Which one of the requirements in my first post changes what a Thinkpad is? They all are found in TP's in one form or another. Actually at least two people seem to think the x200s meets my criteria pretty closely.

 

Help me understand why we should change what a Thinkpad is, for what you want?

Renee

 

a31pUser is trying to say that he does not understand your question because he does not want you to change what a ThinkPad is.

 

Renee,

Do you work for Lenovo? If not then I am not sure why you are using the word "we" above. In any case though, as a product developer myself I can tell you that many products are developed and improved over time on the basis of input from users. Not deities, just normal users. As a current TP user and a purchaser of more than ten TPs for myself and others, dating back to the Butterfly days, I do feel like my opinions of what a business user might want in a next-generation product matter. I also expect that what I want will be available shortly and I will buy one.

 

I wonder how this thread is going on without mentions of the rumors of x100e.

It basically has:
-most powerful of netbook processors
-ati x1250 (unless we consider this one an integrated since this is an AMD platform)
-trackpoint, multi-touch trackpad
-11.6" screen, supreme resolutioon
-5 hour battery life (almost 6...big deal =) )
-"jewel 2"

 

Ignoring that Neo really isn't a netbook CPU....the Intel CULVs still perform better and the x100e so far is only reported to be using the singlecore MV40.

Also the Congo platform in the x100e uses the HD3200 IGP not the x1250.

 

Dang, you were able to collect alot more information than scrubbing google gave me ^_^

The more sad thing about this to me was that 11.6" computer can use most of the hardware used in x200s, and the weight/feature comparisons make the whole idea seem silly apart from price.

 

I wanted to update this as I finally did buy a new laptop. I ended up with an X201 and I have to say, so far it is perfect. The graphics do seem to be powerful enough for my needs (light CAD), and the rest of the machine is top-notch, like a very small version of my T61p. The display is not quite as nice as the A31p or T61p, but the battery also lasts a lot longer.

Thanks for all of the suggestions here. I am still hoping a nice dual-mode is available at some point but for now the X201 is quite nice.

 

a31puser, is it the colors or the viewing angles that you find inadequate about the display?

 

I don't find either of them to be "inadequate". I find the display to be very acceptable. It is better than that on several other laptops I have access to. It is not as good as the A31p or T61p -- that is really all I said above -- but those two older machines are known for having truly exceptional displays.

If you are asking me the differences I notice between the X201 and the two older ThinkPads, then yes, I notice differences in both the viewing angles and the color. The viewing angle is smaller, which I notice mostly in the vertical -- the lid must be open to a proper angle and is less forgiving of angle than the older machines. And the color does not have as deep a black or as bright a blue as the older machines. That said, though, it is still very good. My wife and I have watched movies on the X201 which tells you that the angles and colors are more than adequate.

I should be very clear on this, I am really happy with this laptop.

 

Ah, I just asked because a lot of people who have had issues with the colors have found great success with a calibration, even with simply using a calibration made on my X201 (which is going to be less accurate than a calibration made on their X201).

 

Hmmm...I see I will need to seek this out. Thanks for the tip!

 

By calibration I mean with some sort of hardware calibrator like an i1 Display2.