Where are new Thinkpad Reviews???

Does Lenovo expect someone to lay down over $1k without knowing anything about the product? I want reviews! Specially T410s, W510.

 

I've only seen Edge reviews thus far...
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5691368
http://gizmodo.com/5438775/thinkpad-edge-review-a-murky-middle-ground
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/03/lenovo-thinkpad-edge-13-review/

 

T510 & T410 lines (and may be others too) shipping are delayed according to the sales. They said there's still a few components they don't have in stock yet. I see it's very bad marketing: announcing something while you don't actually have it. I'd appreciate the Apple's approach more as their products are available for sales ~minutes after they announce it. This shows a severe lack of coordination within the company.

Is it usual for Lenovo when it comes to new product release? It's my first time trying to get a newly released thinkpad.

 

it looks like a classic case of "paper launch". Announce something but then release the product weeks/months later. Back in the day AMD were famous for doing that with their CPUs.

 

But even most paper launches get units in the hands of reviewers early on....

 

The issue isn't Lenovo's alone. Intel has had supply chain issues with the new I3/i5/i7's. Also, the launch was during CES which is an industry event. Sony, Dell, HP and Lenovo launched devices not yet available (just read the threads on the Sony Z).

Apple still has delays after their events, especially lately. They aren't immune.

However, Apple, and somewhat early on, opted to NOT attend CES. They determine the times they have announcements, not the others in the industry. Think different and all.

Latest news I know of is to expect orders to ship the last week of Jan, first week of Feb. Reviews should be coming any day now as advance shipments are being made. Disclaimer: sales guy told me this this morning, take it with a grain of salt.

 

Umm... Apple usually announces their products and do not put them up for order for days or weeks. This is typical for new computers, all manufacturers do this. It lets consumers see what's out and what they want to wait for as the OEMs are getting final part and stuff ready for production.

 

In Europe, the first t410's have already been shipped.

 

Lenovo always has a rough time with launches. Their website is normally covered in glitches and there is tons of misinformation.

 

Apple is also late to implement new cpus.

 

Wait, so my 13 business days build time with my T410 starting with Monday 1/11 is a big lie?

Looks like the main issue is with those nVidia parts (I didn't order one with discrete as I have no use for it).

 

The last time I called about buying a T510, they said the MobileBroadband/GPS chips were the holdup, but that may have been alleviated now.

 

I think it's either nvidia's fault or intel's, or maybe both. Because both lenovo and hp list their new models using FX880 (w series) and SSD 160 (got be intel), and neither of them have any machines available now.

 

The W510 has been removed from the Canadian site as of right now too.

 

They delayed Capella because too much Centrino 2 stock. You think that would of given them PLENTY of time to make an excellent product with a flawless launch. Looks like the delay made the companies lazy.

 

If you look at the T410, the integrated graphics T410 (what I bought) is 13 days to build, and the nvidia is "more than 4 weeks", which in my mind seems to imply an indefinite amount of time. I called Lenovo and explained to them my need to get the machine as they claimed, and the woman didn't think that would be an issue.

When I inquired about discrete graphics, she claimed the T410 has switchable graphics, but that nVidia doesn't have that part available. I realized, I really have no need for it in a laptop and the closest thing I might use it for is Photoshop, but considering any laptop inherently by design has limited processing power, a smaller display/resolution vs my 20", and that I have another desktop system with much better graphics, there was no use. My laptop is actually an auxiliary machine...
From a technical standpoint, curiously, The T410s lacks certain functionality like a modem, certain security functionality like hardware FDE drive support (BIOS related), and lacks that secondary 9-cell battery port.
In fact, if you check their support site, a drivers section exists for the T410, the T510 but NOT the T410s. For the latest power manager app, it contains support listed for the T410, T510 and even the W510, but nowhere it mentions the T410s.

So those are the concrete facts and now my speculation:
I'm almost certain nVidia is the holdup. I still remain skeptical however whether the T410 actually has switchable graphics. Why?
Because we know so little about the nVidia discrete parts destined to go into these laptops, I think nVidia has SUCH a shortage, that Lenovo hasn't been able to incorporate into the inner workings of the T410s. I'm not talking about individual machines, but rather as a whole such as BIOS and Power manager drivers. Considering switchable graphics is dependent on both BIOS options, and the Power Manager drivers, I wonder if Lenovo hasn't even been able to get the components in to release tested, stable pieces for these. The T410 and the T510 are highly business oriented machines; they would NEVER release these to buy if the BIOS and drivers weren't to snuff like the T410s seems to be. Plus I don't think businesses really care for switchable graphics in those two models: Why would they? There's really no need, yet it costs more in higher hardware costs, and complexity in systems management (supporting 2 drivers concurrently in an internal IT shop is more expensive than one). Plus the increased complexity and subsequent confusion to lay users might mean more support calls. A graphic intensive job would call for a beefier laptop anyways.
Those who seem to care most about this feature also care a lot about the flashy new pieces in the T410s (yeah I'm talking about you guys!).
How do I know all this? I've supported advanced topics in enterprise computing environments for years so I've gained insight on certain components that Thinkpads have that a lot you here don't seem to put much emphasis on (NBR user seems more consumer oriented). Seeming as how the T410s appears to cater to a niche, enthusiast market and from first hand experience, a lot of those features that make it pricier provide no use in a business environment. Also before someone conjectures with the T410s smaller size, the need for a smaller, lighter laptop is still better served by the likes of the X series in this application. Yet as a consumer myself, I still see why something like the T410s draws attention.

I guess those who are interested in the T410s unfortunately need to wait. It's certainly a more complex system from the looks of it...

 

Well, more specifically INTEL was pressured by manufacturers to delay new products because laptop manufacturers had excess current stock because laptops in general weren't selling well.

If you look at some of the driver pieces on Lenovo's site for the T410/T510, a lot of dates go all the way back to Oct. We've heard news about these from both Intel and Lenovo for months. I think they released it for this time of the year to coincide with CES, which is good for marketing in an otherwise tumultuous economic climate (and one that prompted the delay in the first place).
In terms of the delay from nVidia: Users typically seem to demand the latest discrete available at the time. nVidia seemed to focus instead on things like ION, and chipsets for laptops. They lack a CPU architecture of their own and they are archrivals with AMD so who else are they going to turn to? Plus you toss in nVidia's recent legal battle with Intel so I'm sure there's some escalated level of bitterness and resentment. With all that taken into account, it's no surprised nVidia discrete chips destined to go in Intel laptops are delayed.

Man if I was a high up in nVidia, delaying these chips and hamstringing Intel's new products with delays would seem all too sweet right now..

 

The only company I have had nothing but swift shipping for new products is dell. I bought my vostro when the 45nm penryns were brand new and it came within days. Sure lenovo may have some issues with logistics and website stuff but the product you get is well worth the wait.

 

Just talked to the sales. They confirm there's a hold up due to a back order of nVidia chip. But they say the main holdup is the screen, which they are pretty much out of stock right now, so the management decides to pull it down. She said the nVidia chip is not as long a wait as the screen, so the chip should be good to go when the screens are ready.

She suggests to check back in about 2 weeks time.

 

I guess they should have stuck with ATI. Probably my favorite combo is ATI GPU and intel CPU and they got it right with the previous generation. Just my $.02.

 

nvidia is the biggest joke. And lenovo got what they deserve for going nvidia again, after it went sooo well the last time.

The fact that there are still no reviews of any new T/W model (unlike Edge/X100e) is really a bit weird and worrying. Were there any units on display at CES? Has anybody ever seen one except in the hands of some lenovo guy?

 

For those who like to use Linux distros, the switch to Nvidia ought to be very welcome.

 

truly, the nvidia linux blob always works, although fglrx is gettin better