Top Thinkpad Improvements

What's on your list?

I want them to have better screens like LED IPS panels, better audio, better battery life, and horizontal USB ports. I would prefer the headphone jack on the side too.

It looks like the horizontal USB ports are coming in the new T410 and T510 along with a second Think light. I am not sure that one is going to be useful. One was sufficient for my needs.

 

Pretty much what you said.

Screen quality!

 

A shielded daughterboard for the audio circuitry, and some sort of digital audio output.

Plain ol' dual channel DVI.

Agree on HS-IPS panels, or at the very least S-PVA. I'd appreciate if they were decently calibrated at the hardware/firmware level, too.

Fix the drifting of the trackpoint.

Assuming it hasn't been fixed since my X61s, fix the buzzing when off A/C.

Don't allow F12 at post to bypass boot order without entering the BIOS password.

Figure out some way to have a more universal scroll wheel alternative on the trackpoint. A lot of websites don't work all that well with the middle click to scroll option. I'm thinking something like the scroll rocker the old Asus M3000n had.

 

Am I the only one that thinks they are great as-is ?

 

I'd guess most of us think they are, but that doesn't mean they can't be even better.

 

Screw all those improvements!

More battery life!!!!!!

 

A little thinner and lighter.

 

The only thing I could think of that you listed was audio on the side. I get 8-10 hours of battery life, my screen is perfect for any multimedia or gaming, it is thin and light enough (I came from a 17in), and the think light works perfect for me.

Nope, I think its pretty much spot on.

 

The display comments are good, as are horizontal USB ports, and the trackpoint drift.

A fixed switchable-graphics driver for Windows 7 would be high on my list.

Also, swap the VGA-out for a Mini-DisplayPort and include cable adapters for DVI, VGA, and HDMI.

 

Good Good call.

 

I didnt even think about swapping the VGA for e display port. Good idea.

 

T400s footprint but with T400 battery options, switchable graphics, and a tablet version. Not really sure which panel is better but AFFS+ or H-IPS. Couple this with a good transflective glossy screen w/ anti-glare coating and we're set.

More oil resistant keys such as HP's DuraKeys. It would also be nice to have better speakers, dual Akustica HD mics, and a webcam that can swivel. Also, replace that aging BIOS w/ UEFI and have a Linux based, power optimized, instant-on OS. Heck, while I'm at it, throw in 4x memory slots like HP Envy 15.

 

Just to let you know, that was confirmed to be a Photoshop job (I assume you're referring to the red-mark-annotated T410s image).

I would like:
- high-res LED-backlit screens
- DisplayPort-out with audio
- eSATA
- even better battery life
- better-looking speaker grilles (like the ones on the T400s)

I would love those too! I wouldn't mind losing the optical drive either (like the Envy), to save weight and make room for more ports.

 

i just want thinner lighter with improved battery life.

i dont get why you guys want displayport instead of hdmi...

 

Thanks for letting me know that twin Think lights are a joke. I thoought Lenovo had gone off the deep end.

I guess instead of making the esc and del keys bigger they should worked on making more durable keytops. I find the esc and del keys to be in the perfect location. I have no problems with them but now that is has been mentioned I remember my T60 having major issues with the markings on a few of the keys wearing off within 18 months.

Regarding the Display Port not handling audio Lenovo said this was a chip issue that they had no ability to change. On a related note what's the preferred output these days, Display Port or HDMI?

I forgot one more improvement, a breakaway power cord ala Macbooks. I have almost pulled my Thinkpad off the table a number of times when I tripped over the cord.

 

Ok, well now that I think of it, there is always something in need of improvement, so this it what I would improve (across mainly the T/W series):
-thinner (AKA x301 thin/light for 15" notebooks)
-better display
-better battery life
-back light keyboard (ok, ok yes the Thinklight is OK for this as well, but I figure, "just because")
-cheaper SSD options
-better speakers.

 

The comment on the speaker grilles reminded me --I'd like the audio to be able to go a little louder, without distorting. The current max audio on speakers is a little soft.

 

Brighter and less washed-out screens would be at the top of possible future improvements for many IMHO.

 

I actually don't mind the optical disc drive, so long as it is removable. It's pretty easy to find an external enclosure for the ODD which can be hot swapped with a HDD caddy, or can be substituted for a small battery.

DP is supposed to replace DVI in PCs (and be better for businesses), while HDMI is supposed to replace S-video in TVs (and be better for consumers). But w/ the integration in HTPCs, the distinction has been blurred.

 

Because Display port can do both DVI and HDMI.

 

Better screens for sure. First I would say LED backlights on all the screens and if not IPS, atleast a non washed out nice panel.

 

Addition to everyone else
Backlight keyboard or fixed ThinkLights...

 

backlight keyboard is out of the question there bud

 

well if they're not going to put in backlight keyboards then at least fix the ThinkLights...

T400 ThinkLights disappoint me... Now talk about the T410 Dual ThinkLights /drools

 

or just a brighter light, bigger opening perhaps. The idea behind the light wasn't to light up your whole desk, it was just to give you an idea of where the keys are in the dark so you make less mistakes.

 

Not a fan of this idea. I definitely want standard VGA to stay around (A LOT of projector setups in business/academia are VGA only). HDMI or DisplayPort in ADDITION to VGA is something I'd like, but VGA needs to stay at least for a while longer.


I'll second the recommendation for better screens across the board. The tablet screens are great, but the rest leave a lot to be desired.

A shielded daughterboard for the audio would be nice as I do get a little bit of feedback when using in-ear monitors (low impedance headphones). But it's a lot better than many other laptops I've used.

Other than that I'm pretty satisfied (naturally the old lighter, thinner, faster, AND better battery life request still persists).

 

Another thing I prefer is symmetry...

T400 ThinkLight is off center as well as the screen...

 

Note my original comment:

Apple uses a similar approach for the Macbook Pro. You use a Mini-DisplayPort connector, and then have cable adapters. You can still use VGA, plus you can use HDMI or DisplayPort. The only difference is, I'd like Lenovo to include the cables rather than being pathetic like Apple and charging you $25-30 for each.

VGA is still quite necessary. However, I'd like the flexibility of all three options. I understand the concern about projectors as well, seeing as I work in IT for academia.

 

Well, thank god exists Monoprice.com

 

I was aware of your original comment. However, my experience with adapters/dongles (as well as observations of friends/colleagues with various Macbooks) is that you NEVER have the right adapter when you need it. For that reason, I strongly prefer that a true VGA remain (at least as long as this is the standard for most business/academic projector setups).

Besides, Lenovo is unlikely to provide any adapters (you don't see them giving out HDMI/DVI adapters for their DisplayPort equipped laptops now).

 

I think it is off center because of the webcam option, so this is not likely to change until they figure out a way to put the webcam behind the display.

 

I don't understand peoples issue with the current thinklight, mine works perfect when I need it.

 

well look at the t400s

 

Monoprice is a good vendor. Got a lot of my AV cables from them for my home theater.

That said, do you have a point? I was talking about what kind of port I wanted on a ThinkPad, and how I'd be interested in the setup to go. Your response doesn't seem very relevant --or very grammatically correct for that matter.

Doesn't lack for rudeness either.

 

I think perhaps Needmore4less was referring to your comment about how Apple charges $25-30 for each mini-DisplayPort adapter - you can purchase those on Monoprice for less.

Personally, I would love the implementation that you suggested, even though I mainly use VGA (presentations). With mini-DisplayPort, and removing VGA + DisplayPort, there would be enough room for a much-needed eSATA port!

 

Yes, that was my thought.

Sorry for the misunderstood.

 

Can I vote Mobility 5870HD in the W700ds or are gamers not allowed to vote for Thinkpad improvements? ;þ

 

In America, everyone's opinion shall be heard!

 

Just not necessarily listened to.

Besides isn't Lenovo predominantly a Chinese company?

 

Ya it is...

Sigh I do wish that they did put in better vid cards but the downside would be lost in battery time...

 

I'm going to preface this by saying I've been extremely happy with my W500. Not that I'm upgrading

Horizontal USB ports, preferably USB 3.0

Up to date graphics cards. I hope the new models forgoe the ATI 4000 series for the 5000 series. It's nice that Lenovo has been decent with the graphics card offerings though.

Best AC adapters I've ever used (not to mention smallest/lightest power bricks), but please come up with longer cords and re-enforce the the plug (the connector that plugs into the Thinkpad) and especially were the cable goes into that plug. But then I complain about that for every notebook I've used...

Everyone mentioned ultra quality screens, and I'm all for it. Just keep them as 16x10 (though we'll all get 16x9 shoved down our throats eventually I'm afraid, just like the death of 4x3 and the Flexview screens)

Better quality control on the keyboards and the internal braces in the laptop, assuming Lenovo is sticking with the maligned "swiss cheese" keyboard.

Some form of digital audio... HDMI, fixed Displayport, or even a dedicated optical output (who needs that 56k modem up there? great place for a fiber Toslink).

9 Cell batteries that do not stick out (of the 15 inch class ones anyway) or increase the battery life obtainable on a battery that does sits flush. Easier said than done, I know.

Gulp... pardon the ignorance, but what's wrong? I seem to be completely oblivious. This is important, I'm considering upgrading the Vista I put on my Intel X25 to W7

 

Don't know if this classifies as an improvement, but I would like them to minimize screen bezel width. Ideally it would be like on i.e the X60/X61 series. thin bezel around the screen minimizing footprint.

Obviously fitting a webcam, special antennas and a full size keyboard to i.e. the X200 makes it more of a challenge to minimize the bezel, but would be nice with more screen real estate and less ugly bezel space.

 

Battery life would go up with the 40nm die as the Mobility 5870 is rumored to have a TDP that's 10W less than Quadro FX 3700M.

 

If the W710 ends up using the FX 3800M, you might find it getting rather toasty with a 25W TDP increase to 100W...

 

From a T500
1) Better Screen
2) Move sound/mike connections to the SIDE of the laptop
3) Get a real sound card, no crippled sound cards like the current lineup.
4) Digital monitor output, although displayport sorta works.
5) Have USB ports like the R61e series. Some on the left, some on the right, some vertical, some horizontal.
6) Switch CTRL and FN keys in BIOS
7) Bring back the SOLID keyboard that the T61 has, the new ones with the holes are too flimsy.
8) The better video card the better, I would suggest perhaps the Nvidia line since I can download drivers from their website for the laptop video cards. If ATI allowed users to download the video drivers, then it would be a don't care.
9) The option for 1400x1050 screens or screens with more VERTICAL space than the 800 or 766 stuff.
10) I like the fact the laptops run cool, don't put in too much stuff, I prefer a slightly less powerful system that runs QUIET and cool, also helps with the battery life.

 

On R-500 the plastic where the palms rest has a little flex to it, you can hear it as you lay down your hands, it can get quite annoying. Other than that so far it has been quite perfect for me.

another thing that annoys me, is the beeping when it moves into sleep mode by itself. Is there a way to stop those?

 

On T500
1. Better screen(ok something decent would be cool to, this thing is terrible)
2. fix the flex on the palm rest. my HP touchsmart Tx2z feels more solid.
3. ok, just get a backlight keyboard the think light is useless as it's not bright enough
4. better screen
5. better screen
6. better screen!!!!!!!

build the outside of the computer out of metal would be nice, but I know that's not going to happen.

 

Bought a T400 recently. This was my first notebook and I am glad that I got a T400 even though some other notebooks from other brands were less expensive. Excellent build quality.

Had a question. How do you operate/turn on the Think light?

Having the microphone and headphone jack ports on the side would be nice.
Horizontal vs. vertical USB ports doesnt matter to me. Why does that make a difference for those who are suggesting that?

 

Fn + PgUp (the keys on the lower left and upper right corners of the keyboard)

 

Thanks. I'll try that.