W701/W701ds...here it comes...

Lenovo is releasing several updated ThinkVantage tools and drivers for the new W701 and W701ds models, which will be available starting one week from today, March 31, 2010.

Who is getting one here? Any W700/ds owners who are wanting to upgrade? I, for one, am psyched.

 

If the T410s is any indication, prepare for these to ship in approximately October.

 

Try one week from today.

 

Here you can get some specs, lol.
But my...17" Anti-glare RGB LED....yummy.

 

Oh man, that's so cute that you think Lenovo "available to purchase date" equals Lenovo "actual ship date." Its so sweet, please don't ever lose your innocence.

 

I have pre-ordered W701 (820QM/Q2800M) from my local Authorized Reseller (for its RGB LED display - the old style keyboard layout is a bonus though).

 

im sure there will be an overwhelming demand for a bumpgrade of their lowest selling model.

 

Does anyone know if the W701 is built completely from plastic or are there any metal parts (chassis) like anodized aluminum in AW and Dell Precision series as well unibody MACs?

 

It should be similar to the W510 you have in production. They have magnesium internal roll cages but the outside is a form of reinforced plastic.

 

Sounds good. I'm sure this config will also reduce the weight and be fairly durable. I might return the W510 and order the W701. The Anti Glare RGB LED is a very very impressive screen! Hopefully it's not as expensive as the Dell M6500 when similarly speced...Dreams...

 

HP's 8740w is supposed to have an IPS screen which should be much better than any current TN panel on the market, but it will probably also cost an arm and a leg.

 

Yes, but also the overall quality is a question. Though that new FirePro M7820 is so tempting together with the IPS screen and a docking for 5 external monitors....Oh my...

 

I dont understand this what it is for? 25 packs of ram?

"Extra SDRAM low-halogen SODIMM memory is the lowest-cost way to boost system performance. Grab a 25-pack for an even lower per-unit cost and reduced packaging.
"

 

Whose quality are you questioning? The business models from Dell, HP, and Lenovo are all top notch.

 

I think you're right, but HP earned a somewhat dubious reputation in all IT departments that I was involved in.
Time change definitely, and it's nice to see a new system entering the "bleeding edge" with all bells and whistles and a little extra (IPS screen).

 

Alright, so it looks like the HP 8740w will have IPS in the upcoming DreamColor 2 display. This report (of sorts) claims the pricetag for the IPS "option" will be $550.

On HP's website under the Configure-To-Order (CTO) section, I did find the option for $550 for a "DreamColor WVA" display, and WVA stands for wide viewing angle, one of the core benefits of IPS technology. It also lists the same display for $570 for those who want the camera option.

If it takes until late April/early May, I'm ok with that, and I'm also ok with the price. HP's website leaves a lot to be desired and is confusing at best.

I was hoping not to have to go with a MacBook Pro, but somehow Steve Jobs and Apple are able to come up with IPS, including even for their 9.7" LED-backlit IPS display on the iPad.

 

Finally!!!! I was about to give up on waiting on this thing and was seriously looking at Dell M6500 and HP 8740w.
Now I wonder what will the actual ship dates will be like once it goes up for sale.

 

Yes: does anyone know what this means?

 

It looks like we have another delay:

 

So there are 2 ways to look at yet another delay:

1) This gives us a glimpse into actual delivery dates.
2) They are fixing all the issues that we would have found as early adopters. They are also building up stock to avoid the delivery issues they had with the other new releases.

Should we take a poll?

 

this is probably for the corporate customers... buy parts in bulk..... or it could be just Lenovo ram chewing gum...

 

It seems W701 is finally out. Yupeee???

Anyone ordering one or waiting out for other trailblazers?

 

Not me. Not until they offer new ATI cards and IPS screen as an option.

 

I am assuming the BL at the end of the screen name means backlighting.
Is that no good?

Did they say they will offer IPS?

P.S. What is with +$1300 to get the top processor? I think on the HP and Dell it is something like +$700

 

I hope they mean RGB LED screen, and if not - they should. That's the high-end standard for notebook workstations.

They never said anything about IPS, but HP has those already and I assume Lenovo will follow.

Yeah, the +1300$ for the 920XM is way too high. It should only cost about 600$ more than 720QM.

 

I'm afraid, DreamColor in HP laptops does not mean IPS: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=6113746&postcount=21

 

I'm talking about the new 8740w with the Dream Color2 and 30-bit panels (10 per colour). Those should be IPS. I have see one on a presentation a few days ago and it's not a "regular" RGB LED. It has perfect (almost 180 degrees) horizontal viewing angles and the colours appear too real even for the 100% RGB (IMHO of course). Look here.

 

I would like to finally see IPS displays in premium laptops (at least), however, there is no word in the 8740w announcement that this incarnation of DC is indeed IPS-based.
Strange, isn't it? I would have heralded it everywhere...

 

As for now, speculations are that it's a 10-bit TN panel, not an actual IPS.

 

I've "heard" those speculations but also seen the presentation model and there's no way it's a TN panel. IMO of course.

 

That doesn't mean it's an IPS panel.
Have you seen an IPS panel before?

Also there are TN panels that look really good, a lot better than the normal TN panels.

 

Not in a laptop.
But I have a calibrated RGB LED (M17X) and can tell you - that HP was above my RGB the same way as the RGB is above my W510 (HD+).
It's a rookie comparison, but still impressive enough for me to become curious.

 

What do you guys think? There is a W700 in lenovo outlet with Core2 Extreme X9100, fx 3700m and WUXGA for $1934. I am just waiting for the 20% off coupon.

 

i would just get the W700, it is just as good and cost cheaper than the new W701.

 

Forgive my ignorance but what is: Pantone Color Sensor + WACOM Digitizer w/ Stylus ? And do I want that?

Also I see they dropped i7-920XM to $1200 from $1300+. Good to see it is going the right way.

 

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...ing_pages/ThinkPad_notebooks/2010/W701-W701ds - in short: both devices are helpful when you work with image/video processing and CAD software.