What's next in the X Series?

So, the X220 is out. How different will the next issue of the X series be? What additional changes/ additions could be made to the X series than what it already has? Please leave aside the question of the screen, which we all know is direly needed and which was partially addressed with the IPS option in the X220.

Also, would sometime around 2013 be a reasonable timeframe within which to expect a reworked X series machine?

 

Probably a little sooner.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/569934-thinkpad-x1.html

 

Aside from the X1, what exactly do you mean by reworked? There's a refresh every year with Intel's latest platform, and I'm hopeful for a higher resolution IPS when that hits. I'd expect a more major revision more in the 2014 to 2015 timeframe. The only reason the X220 was such a big change was because of the necessity to move to 16:9.

 

As the X220 was a major redesign from the X201 and X200 series, a major revamp will likely be reserved for further down the road, perhaps 2014. If you look at the historical pattern, Lenovo generally refreshes a system, then goes through a generation or two of minor hardware and aesthetic updates before another redesign.

In the T-series, the T41, T42, and T43 were all quite similar. The T60, T61, and Tx00 were likewise nearly identical. The Tx10 and Tx20 are also very similar/identical, although the T420 moved to a 16:9 form factor and was consequently tweaked. In the X-series, the X60 and X61 were very similar, as were the X200 and X201. I'd expect the X220 and the future "X221" to be very similar, before a later redesign.

But, in terms of what could potentially be updated: the keyboard design could be refreshed (perhaps chiclet...?), an external GPU docking solution could be created (may largely depend on the success of other similar setups, such as the rumored setup of the new Sony Z), broader adoption of USB 3.0 and/or Thunderbolt, and more.

It's a bit early to tell, as technology does move forward and bring new and unexpected things

 

So, no chances of the X series (aside from the X1) moving into the 13" space currently dominated by the MBA and the Sony?

Edit: I do hope Lenovo does not get into the chicklet-keyboard mode with its regular X series.

Thanks for pointing this out. Very interesting. I guess then my next upgrade will be when the X series reaches the 221 or whatever point.

 

I highly doubt it. It's only about half an inch of screen difference between the 12.5" panel in the X220 and the 13.1-13.3" screens of its competitors. For all intents and purposes, the X220 is the new X301, minus a higher-res screen option. It'd be redundant to offer another 13" machine. If anything, Lenovo would just offer a higher-res panel on the X220.

 

is there any news about next gen of x120e ? considering AMD releasing llano soon.

 

we all know I want a x320. that truely would be a great laptop with say a i5 CPU and not lv model. I could go on and on why I think the x300/301 is the best Lenovo has done so far but most on here has heard me say it more than once.

ym

 

W420s best laptop of all time


Just stick a quad core in there I don't care if it will only have 1 hour battery life

 

dude u just bought ur X201.....looks like deep down you're not happy with your purchase

 

It's not that I'm unhappy, it's just that the grass looks a little greener over there.

 

Well...one can always lust despite being satisfied...can't one?

 

Talking about major redesign Id expect it to become thinner and lighter, yet be as strong or even stronger. Battery might be internal with additional slice, 30-50% longer battery life compared to current X220. Perhaps drop 2.5" disk drives in favor of mSata cards. Touch screen as option, HD+ as option. Dropping ExpressCard in favor of thinner profile. USB3 and/or thunderbolt as standart.
Fanless design?
Oh, X slate probably as powerfull as X convertible.