thinkpad s3/s5

Lenovo Ultrabooks: the 13-inch ThinkPad S3 (codename "Labatt") and the 15-inch ThinkPad S5 ("Guinness").

 

So many different types of Thinkpads now. I guess this is our world - always modernizing, adapting, changing, all in the name of so-called progress, or the current definition of progress. Right now, thin, light and stylish are trending (can't forget touch capability).

As for the laptop itself, it looks Samsung or Apple-like. Can't say anything more.

 

I might like the S3. But I really eagerly await the X240T.

 

What a waste of an once-holy-name, times two: Guinness and ThinkPad...

 

They look like the Vizio ultrathin models rebranded.

Zzzzzz. Someone wake me up when all of the experiments are over.

 

Don't you think slabbing thinkpad on a machine make it sell better?

 

We already had these ones: http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/717301-announced-thinkpad-s431-ultrabook.html The S5 is the S531.

 

Not bad looking, but talk about product proliferation. The choices from Lenovo are dizzying, there's something to be said about Apple's rather limited offering approach, you don't get stuck like a deer in the headlights when trying to make a decision what to buy -- and then not buy anything new because it's easier to stick with what you have. Too much choice isn't always good.

 

Absolutely true. There should be a rationalization of product offerings and per-product options. It's getting crazy. This "shotgun" approach is also called "Chinese army" approach -- and, dear moderators and readers, don't penalize me for mentioning this popular term.

I simply consider Lenovo a messy bazaar.

 

Lenovo is doing the same thing as Samsung in the Smartphone market: Many products for all market segments. And it works, Lenovo is close to Nr. 1 in the PC market and Samsung is number one in the Smartphone space.

Thats a part of the philosophy of Lenovo, as well as offering different products in different markets (for example, the Edge 11 was never offered in the US, and the X120e was never offered in Europe etc.). Lenovo won´t change these things.

 

The number of product families and models has reached absurd levels. Eventually some consolidation will need to take place. It seems inevitable.

It doesn't really matter much to me what Lenovo does. Until they start making a 13 or 14" ThinkPad with a competitive screen, I will just watch and wonder. I use the W series machines for work. I use a Mac for play.

By the end of the work day I really want a high quality display in a relatively lightweight machine. Lenovo doesn't build a traditional ThinkPad like that. If the X1 Carbon had a screen and build quality beyond reproach, I would have one. But it doesn't. That could be changed and I am surprised it doesn't have screen options.

Oh well, everyone seems to get it.

 

Then how do you explain the clear gap being filled by the Samsung Series 9 13", or the Apple Retina MacBook Pros? Or the ASUS Zenbooks for that matter?

They aren't covering ALL segments. They are nothing more than a manufacturing machine trying to sell units. History and quality be damned.

Number 1 doesn't mean best.

 

They have the X1 Carbon filling this gap, it is exactly the one of the same "Premium Ultrabooks"-type as the Zenbooks or the Retina Macbook. Dunno if you would buy one or if you like the X1 Carbon, but still the same segment.

They are not perfect, so how should they cover all segments? But thats a reason why they make their lineup wider every year.

All manufactures are "manufacturing machines trying to sell units". Also Apple and Samsung.

Number one maybe doesn´t mean best, but it means prestige, more money from the investors etc.

How many product lines do they have for ThinkPads?
- T-Series
- X-Series
- L-Series
- W-Series
- Edge E-Series
- S-Series
- ThinkPad Helix and ThinkPad Twist

Not really confusing. Of course, the different lines are available in different sizes. I don´t care about the Idea line.

 

I don't consider the screen on the X1 Carbon competitive. It's good, but it is not great. I look for higher quality screens and until Lenovo steps up, I am not going to purchase.

I hope Lenovo public relations is paying you.

 

No, they don´t.

What I wrote in Post #10 isn´t my opinion. It is Lenovo opinion, I am just explaining it. Personal attacks against the counterpart in a discussion isn´t a very nice style. Or do Apple and Samsung pay you?

 

It's just random guesswork. Don't take it so seriously. There's no point in identifying oneself with any company.

 

Nope, me either.

I was just venting. Sorry, a moment of weakness.

But if you express your opinion, you can't expect everyone will agree. Maybe we should stick with facts instead. Anyway, sorry again. Peace.

 

Maybe, but Apple has had some success with offering just one choice of phone as well, they're the second biggest company by market value in the U.S. behind oil company Exxon. And their margins are something like 35% while Lenovo is around 5%, so Lenovo's model is more on volume of units sold and getting budget buyers as well as high end. I don't disagree that there are some people that want choice, just saying more is not always better.

Either way, I'll still be using a ThinkPad, so certainly not knocking Lenovo.

 

Sure. These are two different ways of selling products. Apple has a high margin, because their products are overpriced (iPhone etc.). They can do this because their products have a premium image in the consumer-market.

But Apples way isn´t problem free: Even if they did well in the first years, their market shares in the smartphone- and tablet-markets are heading downwards. Also because they have just one product. So whats happening: The other manufacturers offer a bigger and more diverse lineup and force Apple to expand their lineup as well. Just look on the iPad Mini. Or the rumors about a cheaper version of the iPhone.

@Thors.Hammer,
no problem. A German saying: Forgiven and forgotten.

 

Just chiming in here to say if this new Thinkpad S3 is of "normal ThinkPad quality", I'll seriously looking at purchasing one. I like the ThinkPad (have owned several ThinkPads in the past, paying much more than anyone would ever consider for a laptop now), but the black ThinkPad design language is dated and very ready for a refresh.

Of course, I'll be looking at the possibility of running OS X on it (in addition to Windows and Ubuntu), so it somewhat depends on the hardware included or how easy it is to change it (WiFi especially). I had a Lenovo U310 Touch here the other day, but:

- the keyboard was complete crap (bouncy, not backlit)
- the WiFi was weak on Windows, not supported by OS X, and changing it would mean breaking the "warranty seal" (yes, I looked). On top of that there is a white-list implemented in BIOS (why laptop makers care what you do with the laptop after you've purchased it is beyond me)
- the screen resolution at 1366x768 is just not good enough in 2013. I expect at least 1600x900 effective resolution. That means if they go higher than 1600x900, they'd better go all the way to 3200x1800. 1920x1080 is an awkward resolution for Windows and OS X alike. Too high to run native on Windows or OS X. And scaling doesn't work correctly in Windows (mostly this is an ISV problem). HiDPI options in OS X don't work well at 1980x1080 (it is not high enough).
- even changing the SSD would involve breaking the "warranty seal." Sorry, I don't believe in hybrid SSD/HDD systems. I want one large SSD, and I'm ready to replace the existing devices on day one (sorry, not willing to overpay at the outset). I like the quiet and I like the speed.
- the fan was too annoying. It wasn't loud, but it had a high-pitch annoying noise about it. Until manufacturers start testing their laptops in quiet environments (library), they will never realize how bad these fan designs are.

Needless to say, I returned the U310 after two days with it.

So, if this is a little better than a U310 in quality/features, I'm in. If it is a ThinkPad branded U310, I'm out.

Also, one more potential problem: We are very close to Haswell at this point, so any laptop that is Ivy and not very close to what you want, is likely to be passed up until Haswell starts shipping.

 

this looks great! I hope it has at least a 2560x1600 display

 

I don't mean to dishearten you but it's likely would not happen. Its brother S431 only get 1600x900 at max (still need confirmation though). If S3/S5 can get 1600x900, consider it's already great enough.

 

S3 (=S431( will get 1600x900, as andrick stated correctly. Nothing is known about the S5 (=S531), maybe this will get FHD since it is a 15.6" model.

 

Yes, it will. The announcement for the said version with 2560x1600 10-bit IPS display is coming on April 1st, 2014...

 

I thought S3 is different from S431. S3 = S331 (13 inch) while S431 is 14 inch.

Source please.

 

/facepalm/

April Fools' Day - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

and at the same day new macbook will be equipped with trackpoint and carbon fiber

 

Along with dual swappable ultrabays...:hi2:

 

No, apparently the S3 is a codename for the S431, see: http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/geku18ww.txt

"ThinkPad S3-S431
ThinkPad S5-S531"

 

More details on S3 / S5: ¡¾ThinkPadS3£¨20AX000BCD£©¡¿ThinkPad S3£¨20AX000BCD£© 14Ó¢´ç³¬¼«±¾ £¨i5-3337U 8G 500G+24G ¸ß·ÖÆÁÖ¸ÎÆÀ¶ÑÀÉãÏñÍ·Win8 64룩å¾ÓîºÚ¡¾ÐÐÇé ±¨¼Û ¼Û¸ñ ÆÀ²â¡¿

It seems they will be available with an optional AMD 8670M.

Video-Tour about the new S-Series: Lenovo Thinkpad S-Series - "Surboard Shapers" on Vimeo

Like noted in the video ad, S3 / S5 (S431 / S531) will feature rapid-charge.

 

There are also S431 & S531 listed below. Could it be S3 & S5 only for china while S431/S531 for outside china market?

IMO, S3 naming is kinda misleading as S5 is 15 inch, S3 is 14 inch so it should be S4 I guess.

How did you found that video? It's not even released yet in lenovo's youtube channel.


I saw that in that chinese site, all S5 only available with 1366x768 display and S3 only available with 1600x900

The minus thing from S3/S5 so far: it doesn't has vga port.

 

I think this information is incorrect. Lenovo says the S431 will be available also with 1366x768:
View attachment 96526

 

Let's hope so. I don't want to see a keyboard with numeric keypad crammed into a 14" laptop.

 

This picture is incorrect, it shows the S531, which comes standard with a numeric keyboard. The S431 comes without one.

 

Hardware Maintenance Manual S431: http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/s431_hmm_en_0c11084.pdf
User Guide: http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/s431_ug_en.pdf

The S431 on Lenovo.com: ThinkPad S431 Ultrabook | Business Laptops Optimized for Windows 8 | | Lenovo (US)

 

not bad, the hardware maintenance capability is improved.

 

Know what happens when you replace S431 with S531 in the user guide link? You get a real live S531 user guide! It also includes specs like:

LCD: 1366 x 768 or 1920 x 1080, depending on the model

Depending on the model, your computer might have a large-capacity, customer-upgradable hard disk drive that can meet a variety of storage demands. Some models are equipped with a solid-state drive for data storage, making your computer lighter, smaller, and faster.

While it doesn't say it's IPS there's hope. And sounds like multiple HD/SSD options as well! Very nice indeed!

 

I found this:


http://shop.lenovo.com/gb/en/laptops/thinkpad/s-series/
Up to Intel® Core&trade i7 processor
Up to Windows 8 Pro
Up to Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 4000
Up to 1GB AMD Radeon™ 8670M discrete graphics
Up to 10GB DDR3 memory
Up to 1TB HDD / 256GB SSD
Up to 9 hours' battery life
15.6" HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare display
Starting at 2.29 kg / 5.05 lbs


ThinkPad S531 Ultrabook | Business Laptops Optimized for Windows 8 | | Lenovo (GB)

Battery Life
Up to 9 hours on standard 4-cell battery
Weight
Starting at 2.29 kg / 5.05 lbs
Ports
Lenovo OneLink technology, 2 USB 3.0 (1 always-on), RJ45 Ethernet, 4-in-1 card reader, HDMI, combo mic/headphone jacks
Microphone
Dual digital array microphones with noise suppression technology
Speakers
JBL® stereo with Dolby® Home Theater®

With a weight of 5.05 pounds, it would be the heaviest Ultrabook ever. Or is that a mistake?

PS: According to the User Guide
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/s531_ug_en.pdf
there is a choice of WIndows 7 or 8 (page 11), which is excellent and the display is 1366 x 768 or 1920 x 1080, display (page 10)

 

There was already 43 reviews??

It's expected for 15 inch laptop.


I kinda dislike the choice of AMD GPU, I heard the gpu switching in AMD is not as good as in nvidia optimus.

 

happy owner of x120e. thinking of upgrading to s431 now. lets see how it goes.

 

The S531 has been announced officially today: Lenovo unveils 15-inch ThinkPad S531 Ultrabook

Looks like the S431 is a US-only model, and the S531 an EU-only model.

 

i find it abit weird having laptop with full numpad keys. just sayin

any info if this thinkpad line will support mSata?

 

No, no ThinkPad in the future will support mSATA. All ThinkPads from now on use the M.2 standard.

 

S431 specs released. 1600x900 display and discrete gfx card option.

ThinkPad S431 Ultrabook | Business Laptops Optimized for Windows 8 | | Lenovo (US)

 

Looks like a child of a X1 Carbon and a T431s.

 

lenovo? WE DON"T NEED ANY MORE ThinkPads...especially ones that dilute (and bring down) the rest of the brand. The X/T/W series (plus maybe a tablet and phone) with different form-factors/options/etc is all anyone or any business needs. Just put your blood sweat and tears into those three lines, offer many options (and thus price-points) and drop the rest, or call them IdeaPads.

 

But we the people are so modern and sophisticated that only have three brand lines is too simple for us. More is what is what we want - more of everything.

Anyway, I thought the newer Thinkpads were going to be slim anyway so why the need for this? Must be a trendy thing. Anyway, I believe, maybe I'm wrong, Lenovo is doing what their research indicates what will sell. Apparently, people want these types of laptops. Just like the cable companies put stuff on TV that viewers want to watch. Maybe more people prefer style, thinness, lightness over other things.

 

IdeaPad

Lenovo website: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops ...NINE product lines under the ThinkPad name. They're simply using the ThinkPad name to sell average and sub-par laptops. Apparently the S series includes "Performance Small-Business Laptops." Really? As if the T430/T430u/T430s/T431s/T530/x230/X1C/X1CT/X230t/X131e/W530 options don't already cover that sector...not to mention the failure that is the Edge lineup, what a bunch of crap plastic. Or the L series...aka the ThinkPad that should be in BestBuy with the other crap IdeaPads.

Apple's laptop business model: high quality (and a price to match). Macbook Air (two sizes). Macbook Pro (two sizes, currently options for retina and non-retina). Lenovo could do it and actually sell laptops at the high end, but they choose not to focus their designs, let along innovate.

 

i just see the hardwaremaintenance manual for s431. there is msata slot. however theres a chance of mistype tho.

i do agree thinkpad product line is getting haywire. they become like samsung. tried to fill all the gap
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2

 

The L-Series is nowhere near an IdeaPad and a true THinkPad series. I guess you never had one...Lenovo needs low-price options, and they won´t change that.

Accept it, this is not Lenovo business model and it will never become Lenovos business model. They won´t to be the leader in the PC marktet, and thats something you can´t do with an archaic lineup like Apples. Samsung is doing the same thing in the Smartphone area, and they are quite successful to. It is Lenovo philosophy to have many different models for many different Users, selling the same to everybody simply isn´t their model. It works for them, so why change it?