What distinguishes a ThinkPad Edge from a Thinkpad?

What is the target market for the Edge?

 

Small businesses who don't want to spend a fortune on a laptop, but you might as well buy consumer grade as the Edge is not a real ThinkPad.

 

Inbound millions of posts about why anything that isn't a vaguely definied "classic" Thinkpad might as well die in a fire.

To answer your question, the target market is a busload of babies that can't get a real Thinkpad.

It's like a No True Scotsman argument, but No True Thinkpad.

 

With the pricing on T and X series there really isnt too much price difference, maybe US$200 at most? Its not like the olden days of US$3000 (or even more? inflation-adjusted) thinkpads.

Im getting an Edge for the 6630 graphics card.

 

It's for those of us who are able to objectively assess our computing needs, and do not feel the need to purchase much above that, nor are we too vested in purist views. I saved considerable money (in canada) compared to buying an X220, and will have a much thinner machine.

 

Ok people calm down, the thinkpad edge isn't only for people who cannot afford it, there are actually people out there who may chose to not spend the extra $$ on the higher end thinkpad for many reasons:

1. Might be for a kid
2. Might not value the laptop as much and want to spend less
3. Do not understand the added value
4. Do not plan on taking it out of the house
5. Don't know any better
6. Have better use for the money
7. Might actually like their Edge laptop

Plus some of them are outright nice (i.e. the E220s) see above at #7

 

I suppose 2 non-condescending points out of 7 isn't bad... Hard to take you seriously though.

 

Real Thinkpads have Carlos Lenovo's signature on the bottom. Be careful of forgeries.

Ultimately it's about the chicklet keyboard. There's other things, but that's been the driving force behind the 'not a real Thinkpad' view. To some extent I agree, but when it comes down to it Lenovo designates model categories of their products, not me.

It's becoming a bit harder to bash the Edge. Last gen Edges came only with glossy displays, and it was clearly missing that "solid" Thinkpad feel. Better than most consumer grades, but still far off from being a "modernized Thinkpad."

I got a chance to use an Edge 420 yesterday. Whereas last year's Edge just felt a tad better than your average consumer laptop, the new Edge feels premium. The surface has a nice texture and general build quality (that "solid" feel) is leagues above consumer and even most business notebooks. It even had a matte display (non-'s' model). The display's colors were even nice and washed-out like a genuine Thinkpad.

Either way, go with your opinion of the laptop. Is it a real Thinkpad? Go ask Carlos.

 

This thread is helpful.

 

Edge is good for what it is, only major thing lacking is somewhat better LCD protection so you wontbe able to stuff it into tight bag and missing of status LED's really puts me off, otherwise I find their minimal design rather nice.
Its good for the price, but still lack of LED's is one function missing that should have been there. Lid roll cage isnt much of a problem for laptop this cheap.

 

ThinkPad Edge E220: 1366 x 768
ThinkPad Edge E420: 1366 x 768
ThinkPad Edge E520: 1366 x 768

 

Im sure its possible to DIY higher res screen from T420/s into 14" Edge models, at least into regular E420 someone could try to do it? But then again it might not be worth the price paid for LCD which would probably cost 100+$.

 

Anything is possible, but is it worthwhile? Life is more than tweaking around with ThinkPads.

 

People who would like to save some money, get a decent laptop with TrackPoint with more shiny pieces than boring utilitarian black Thinkpads, and do not need neither of

- high resolution matte screens

- full Thinkpad keyboards with Delete/Home/End/PgUp/PgDn keys in the traditional arrangement (not in the middle of the keyboard, not in one line), and dedicated ScrollLock/Pause/Break etc (all of which are priceless if you rely on keyboard shortcuts).

- ability to replace DVD drive with something more useful

- normal dock where multiple monitors and peripherals can be connected, and disconnected, with one finger press

 

Actually, I'd also say it's about not having a magnesium chassis, or carbon roll cage, or 1600x900 options for display resolution.

If it was only about the keyboard, I wouldn't debate it, even if I do like the standard keyboard better. I personally think there are a bunch of things that make a ThinkPad a ThinkPad, and while the Edge is stylish, it doesn't have those features.

The Edge, IMO, is an attempt to bring the ThinkPad name into a market that thinks ThinkPads are ugly, or stodgy in appearance. That market segment is unlikely to care about the internal design, or if they do, exterior appearance outweighs it. For me, the construction of the T, X, and W-series outweighs the other factors, but for some it may not.

 

I believe the new Edge has a magnesium chassis, at least the S series does (I think).

People are split on the issue of course, but many people don't even consider the X1 a real thinkpad, and it has the chassis and roll cage iirc. No 1600x900 but it's 13.3 so that isn't quite expected. There's a Thinkpad Forums site that lumps the X1 along with the Edge subforums under "Non-thinkpad Lenovo notebooks." Yet they place the SL, sans chassis and cage (and glossy display), into the regular Thinkpad category.

I'm certainly no authority on what is or isn't. It just seems the keyboard is the keystone issue, which does make sense because it's probably the most well known distinguishing characteristic of Thinkpads. The roll cage is notable, but Lenovo could remove that and people would just grumble. If they went 100% chicklet, there would be riots.

 

That comes from a time when I didn't fully appreciate the creeping horror that was coming at us, and I've been too lazy to move it. ;-)

 

I thought L replaced R and SL is basically a crappy version of the L (minus the 7 row keyboard, ThinkLight, latch, ultrabay, rollcage). I only consider T, x2_0, W, R and Z series real ThinkPads.

 

^^^ No X20 1 and X20 1s? Oh, tragic!

 

As a person that was inquiring between the E420 and the T420, I ultimately chose the T420.

In the beginning, I did love the way the E420 looked as well as the keyboard (heard a lot of praise over it) but I just wanted the real deal.

Also, after coupons and all of that mess, the T420 was only $120 more. For all those extra bells and whistles (especially the legendary keyboard which was one of the primary reasons as well as the 1600x900 display) I believe its worth it.

I mean whats $120 more in the next 4 years or so when I upgrade to the new model? Also the T420 would sell much quicker and for more money when time comes to sell it.

Also the E420 looks nice and all but since we know how the T series holds up over the years physically, I didnt want to take the chance on how the E420 would hold up since it is a newer model as well as built with cheaper materials.

I just love the T series design and look. Its built so well and I love the metal hinges. The last T model that I've had was the T41 and T43 (yea its been ages) but I remember how reliable and a great notebook the T models were so this is why I chose this option.

I just believe that Lenovo is trying to get into a market to introduce a T series like notebook at an economical price.

Everything seems to have this green/healthier/economic trend these days.

 

The X301 doesn't count?

 

Basically not x100/x120.

 

I would actually include the L series and the X1##e in with the traditional Thinkpads. I see traditional Thinkpads as Thinkpads aimed at traditional buyers of Thinkpads. The L series replaces the R series more than it does the SL series. the X1##e is an entirely new class of business notebooks, the business (sort of)netbook. I don't see either of them particularly aimed at consumers or small business either.

The X1 and Edge lines however are more small business/consumer oriented.

Yes, maybe the L420 isn't as well built as the T420. I don't think that should factor in into it's realness as a traditional Thinkpad. It's aimed at the same group of people, just with a slightly different set of needs.

 

The x120e may be unique as it has a direct counterpart in the Thinkpad Edge family.

 

Honestly, I think the L series *should be* considered a "real ThinkPad". Why? Well, if we don't does that mean we shouldn't consider the i series to have been "real" ThinkPads? Same target market, after all...

 

The i series use the same chassis as the non-i Thinkpads, that is why most people consider them real Thinkpads. Though, weren't the R series traditionally less well built than the T series? Maybe not as large as the T and L gap is now, but if we don't consider L series Thinkpads, we probably shouldn't be considering the R series them too.

 

The R-series had a magnesium chassis, and a portion of them had roll cages. The R-series sported most (if not all) the display resolution options of the T-Series, and some versions even had discrete or switchable graphics options. In fact, the biggest reason the R-series was dropped was because it had become too close to the T-Series, with weight and size being two of the otherwise negligible differences.

My thoughts on the L-series are that they should stick with a similar reinforced structure and keyboard. To save cost (if it were me), I'd drop the following options (note: some of these have been or may have been done already, I'm just being complete)

-ThinkLight
-No Core i7 processors (i3 and i5 only)
-Limit wireless card options (say, Intel 1000 only)
-Integrated graphics only (this has been done)
-No Ultrabay (also done)
-No docking station options (I believe this has been done)
-No mSATA or WWAN
-No fingerprint reader
-No wedge battery

The one other thing they should have kept that they did not - HD+ display options (but not the FHD, reserved for the T520).

In short, a rugged laptop, but none of the Cadillac-end frills; you need to purchase a T-Series for that. I think you'd have plenty of appeal going that route. I don't think the L-series is bad, but I think the R-Series follows the traditional definition of a ThinkPad better.

 

I'm pretty sure some of the i series had unique chassis designs. There was some overlap (the 240 series had a couple of i series equivalents), but I distinctly remember some unique chassis designs.

 

I can understand the Edge series not getting the Thinkpad Moniker Approval from fans. The X1 seems to get the non-Thinkpad treatment from some as well, which I'm not sure about. David Hill from Lenovo called it "the best Thinkpad we've ever created." I got a chance to look at one, and chicklet aside, there's little doubting its family membership. The thing is a rock. Felt every bit or more robust than any Thinkpad I've ever used.

 

I couldn't agree with you more. I just dislike like people who demean or look down on people that buy non-traditional Thinkpads. Or say it's ruining the company.

If I remember correctly; Every Lenovo laptop has to go through the same tests to get the Thinkpad stamped on it.

 

Listen guys....do you really care what other people think about what constitutes a real Thinkpad and what doesn't?

It is your money. use it as you see fit.

If you think a X120e serves your purpose better than a X220 then go for it.

Stop asking for permission and approval from anonymous people in a forum board.

As for the purists......(with all due respect) lighten up a bit....there is more to life than a magnesium roll-caged thinkpads.

At the end of the day....these are machines that help you in your work or job...just machines....that is all. Nothing more nothing less.

 

No, the i-suffix models are identical in every way to the no-suffix models, other than the i3 CPU (and if you're comparing an i3 model and a quad-core i7 model, the heat sink).

 

Agreed!

Agreed! Better yet would be of it is somebody else's money and I get to use it as I see fit.

Absolutely!

No comment!

Yes, but only very little....

Maybe for you, but not for me! I am actively co-constituted by various objects (including technologies)...but then again, I am a collection of organs without a body.

 

Absolutely. Especially the X120e is a classic ('real') thinkpad anyway. It's only the thinkpad fundamentalists that write/mod here who seem to have a real problem with it.

 

i see lot of students and small businesses in Australia use the Thinkpad Edge, since it is priced competitively against the other Thinkpad line up and they are constantly promoted through Australian Lenovo.

So i guess this is what Lenovo tries to target with the Edge, which is the price conscious consumers whom want prosumer laptops that have better quality than the general consumer laptops and don't have any features that they don't need. Also, they are priced competitively and with a thinkpad name.

Obviously, given the prices they sell at, there are many features that Lenovo have to cut out from the Edge to make profit from these laptops.

I think some purists think that Lenovo through expanding their fringe thinkpad line, will ultimately neglect their core Thinkpad classic line and those customers that grow to love it. Many are also scared that Lenovo will try to use parts from the edge series into their normal thinkpad classic line, in order to cut cost and increase their profit margin.

 

I'm agree with that. While I have a personal definition of "what constitutes a ThinkPad", it doesn't mean my nose is up at someone who decided the Edge is the choice for them, and the same goes for the L-series or the X1.

I think this is the real truth. Traditional ThinkPad users are concerned that Lenovo will remove their traditional keyboard, or roll cage, or other features they find to be an essential part of the classic ThinkPad lines.

Personally, I wonder if Lenovo would be better off having either another line (e.g., "DuraPad", or something like that), or just adding the non-traditional X-Series ThinkPads to the ThinkPad Edge product matrix, to keep them separated enough to give comfort to the traditionalists, but keeping them close, since they are offshoots of the original ThinkPad family.

 

If my tone was like that then I apologize it wasn't meant like that. If they put the Edge under a different name then I would be perfectly happy.

LoneWolf15 and lead org probably state it best. I like the ThinkPad feel and keyboard. My biggest fear would be like a T series that ended up looking like an Edge or IdeaPad. Hopefully Lenovo does not do that.

 

I didn't have a problem with anything you said. Your 1st reply to this thread hit the nail right on the head.

Comments like the one below are unneeded and aren't helpful. Joking or not.

 

They should have just called the Thinkpad Edge series the Edge series. And I don't think Lenovo will make the T series Edge like in the near future. Edge is Edge, note that both the X120e and the X1 still retain the traditional Thinkpad styling as they are in the X series, not the Edge series, despite sharing Edge like features like the keyboard. The E420s looks nothing like a traditional Thinkpad so it is kept in the Edge line.

The keyboard however, I think we are going to be seeing the chiclet keyboard more and more in the traditional lineup. Beyond how it looks, the chiclet keycaps are superior or similar to the traditional ones in every way. I would hope they decide to keep the 7 row layout when they finally switch to the chiclets for more traditional Thinkpads. I think the first traditional Thinkpad to use a chiclet would be an X2xx, as the chiclet keyboard is supposedly better for making good, thin, keyboards, and that both the X120e and the X1 use chiclet, while the chiclet keyboard has not made it into any other line.

 

Currently more people know about the Thinkpad name then the Lenovo name. If Lenovo would to create a new product line having some other synonym of Think + Pad, then Lenovo would have to increase their marketing effort in order to gain more consumer awareness for the new model. Lenovo have already put a lot of efforts into marketing ideapad, yet people in the developed market still prefer Thinkpad.

Lenovo right now clearly wants to increase their profit margin with minimal cost (so 'lean' everything). Therefore, Lenovo will flog the Thinkpad name as much as possible, in order to extract the maximum value from the Thinkpad brand name, obviously Lenovo also risks diluting the Thinkpad name (which is the biggest concern of Thinkpad diehard fans). So basically Lenovo is walking a fine line with this, if it is not properly done they are risking alienating many current thinkpad followers and not having the intended marketing effect on the 'other' potential consumers.

 

I just came back and read this reply, I lost track of this thread since it was moved to a sub forum.... I didn't realize that they way i wrote it came off wrong.

Honestly I think Edge products are very nice, they are consumer based so you do lose or gain (depending on your needs) some options/ specs.