any changes to T500 models tomorrow (Oct 22nd)?

Hi,

Other than shipping with Windows 7, does anyone know if Lenovo will be altering the T500 offerings tomorrow (Oct 22nd)? I'm trying to determine whether it's better to order a T500 today (taking advantage of some good discount codes and receive the Win7 upgrade in a few weeks) or tomorrow. My fear is that prices will jump tomorrow but there will be no significant improvements to the lineup.

I've read that the "enhanced experience" notebooks shipping Oct 22nd will boot/shutdown somewhat faster than a currently shipping model that later has the Win7 upgrade applied. Boot/shutdown optimizations are nice, but probably not worth more than $50-100 for me. I'm more concerned about something significant (to me) like a WiMax wireless chipset or a faster low-power CPU like the P9600 or P9700 being offered.

If it's helpful, I'm planning on a T500 w/ WSXGA+/CCFL, P9500 2.53GHz, Intel 5300 WiFi, camera, bluetooth, 160GB 7200rpm, 4GB, 9-cell battery.

Any info much appreciated. Thanks!

 

You can just wait one day and see for yourself

 

Or, convert your shopping cart to a quote that will be valid for 30 days.

 

As mentioned above, convert to quote and you don't need to worry.

 

Thanks for the replies. Perhaps I'm missing it, but I haven't been able to find a "convert to quote" option (I'm using the CPP site, www.lenovo.com/cpp). I was able to "save cart", but I don't see anything about how long the pricing is valid, etc.

Is the "save cart" sufficient or can someone point me to the "convert to quote" option on the CPP site?

Kind thanks.

 

yep...save cart will work!

 

save cart will not work...you must convert to a quote

 

Any idea how to do that on the CPP site, Ramen?

 

You have to get to the screen where you enter in your credit card information I believe, and there should be a button to convert to quote. I did so on the CPP site before. Save cart will not work.

 

cheese and rice....If you can't figure it out....just call them!

 

Thanks, MidnightSun -- and everyone for your help!

 

I think we may see a new touchpad similar to what is on the T400s. To highlight the Windows 7 possibilities. And probably not much else. Maybe a minor shaving off in size and weight, but I doubt that.

Whatever the case, I think the T400s is pretty much the touchstone/proving ground for the evolutionary changes they are looking at for the rest of the T-series.

When they launch the new mobile Quad CPU models in January, I think we will see eSata and some new options for integrated graphics. I am sure they will have one or two less expected changes as well at that point.

Whatever they do, they need to get some better screen in here!

 

The leaked roadmap places the next model update at 2010 Q1, with some rumors suggesting early January, so I doubt we would see any new models tomorrow.

I doubt Lenovo will lower the price on Windows 7 launch day.

I doubt Lenovo will raise the MSRP (which is already sky high), but it may (temporarily) remove some discounts to profit from the great Windows 7 rush.

So here is my prediction: aside from getting Windows 7 on your machines, nothing happens tomorrow.

 

I agree 100%. Likely, Lenovo will just be loading Windows 7 Professional as the new standard operating system, with no other changes - this is probably the same as the other business laptops, such as Dell Latitudes and HP Elitebooks.

 

there will not be any changes to the T500
changes will come when the T510 is released in January

 

Agreed. No changes, just the addition of Windows 7. Next year (2010) with be the next T500 update (as far has hardware).

 

For Christ sake I hope Lenovo continue to make 16:10 Thinkpads for as long as possible before moving to the hideous 16:9 format. Any thoughts on this.

 

i more-than-half expect the t410/510 to be 16:9
the 16:9 screens are rapidly becoming significantly less expensive to produce than 16:10
lenovo competes mainly on cost in its corporate market, which makes up the majority of its sales
so... what can we expect, really?

 

The SL410 and SL510 are already 16:9 so I wouldn't be surprised if the T410/T510 are as well.

 

Do you guys think that the upgrade in hardware coming in Q1 2010 will be a standard on all T500 laptops? Or just a payable upgrade?

I'm receiving my T500 tomorrow and although i know you can't always have the newest and greatest, I can't help wonder whether i should just return it and wait for the new ones coming in a couple months, or just stick with mine.

 

If the new ones come with 16:9 screens I will be thankful I got mine when I did.

 

You won't be able to upgrade your T500 into what the T510 will have. They will use totally different chipsets/motherboard/CPU/GPU and hopefully a new case... if you want to wait until Feb/Mar, then you can get a new T510, but probably a lot more expensive with minimal performance benefit (considering most people hardly maximize current technology).

 

Every T510 laptop (the alleged model number for the Q1 2010 model), from the base configuration to the the most elite configuration, will be very different from a T500 laptop. You can count on at least three differences:

1. T510 will use the new Intel CPU architecture (based on Core i7/5/3),
2. T510 will have a new keyboard like T400s, and
3. T510 will support Series-3 docks like T400s (possibly making T510 incompatible with existing docks).

So T510 will not be just more payable upgrade options over T500.

 

I was actually wondering if the new T510 would actually be a T500 but with the OPTION to upgrade to the new hardware or if it'd be a staple.

From what your saying it seems that the T510 will be a completely new and expensive machine. Which is exactly what i needed to know. Thanks

Seems like the T510 will simply be a T500 with a chipset makeover. Probably not noticeable for most consumers.

I guess i'll just stick with my T500 since it seems that the new T510 will most likely be more expensive than the T500.

 

I would say that CPU upgrades have stopped being noticeable to most consumers for quite a few years.

 

I agree. It's a shift that's not going to be stopped or reversed any time soon. The fact is that not enough people care enough to fight it out for 16:10 or 4:3 screens. I personally do not care too much, as long as high-resolution screen options are available (in fact, if the T410 has a 1600x900 matte LED screen option, I'd be very satisfied).

Lenovo/IBM typically sticks with a general case design for about 3 generations, so I would expect a large design change that will probably parallel the improvements we see in the T400s today. It will not merely be a hardware and "minor" design upgrade, like from the T61 to the T500 - it will include a new chipset/CPUs, new GPU, along with a new chassis design.

One thing is quite certain though - it will almost definitely be more expensive than the T500 today.

 

The offerings have been tweaked which resulted in reduced prices. I worked up a T500 last night and the same configuration today was about $90 less with Win 7 installed. Also, the minimum for a 10% coupon was reduced from $999 to $799.

Bill

 

Mmm i was hoping someone wouldn't say that the GPU might be upgraded. I know that a change in the processor is hardly noticeable for the price but a significantly better video card is very tempting.

I'll have to think about it for a couple days while waiting for my T500 to arrive to decide. Thanks though.

 

btw, like every new chipset release, there's bound to be some problems i believe. i still remember the original core duos were overheating like crazy...

 

The new T510 models will cost more in any case. And integrated CPU in there isnt going to be better than what you can do adding a dedicated GPU to your T500 model right now, which at current sale prices is 100 bucks or less depending on the configuration.

And the X4500mhd integrated CPU avilable now is more than enough to watch HD video already.

So you aint missing anything in that arena - except a higher price.

 

and a redesigned chassis with better keyboard and a new button layout and the centered screen and the slightly better gpu and processor and slightly better construction....

 

Sounds more involved than moving from an incremental change in model nomenclature, don't you think? Or is that simply a wish list?

Bill

 

lol that's partly a wish list and partly what i'm nearly sure will come out with the new ones. i based my suggestions from the chassis of the t400s with the improved keyboard, trackpad and buttons.

 

I prefer the present touchpad, but I do like the larger delete key on the T400S. The larger escape key is unnecessary to me, but the light indicating that the caps lock is engaged should be a given.

I'm sure the T510 will be a nice step up, but with the pretty steep discount I got on the T500 I ordered, I decided to save some money and get a good one now.

Bill