Design Matters

The Z Series was the first major departure from ThinkPad design in a long time. Not only did we introduce the first widescreen ThinkPad, but we offered an authentic Titanium cover option. The Z Series also included a seemingly subtle change in design direction for the ThinkPad keyboard: we removed the colored stripes from the Trackpoint buttons. We did this not to save a penny or two, but to visually simplify the interior. We didn’t get any negative feedback on that change, so we chose to roll the update across the entire product family. Since then some people have told us they miss the stripes, others haven’t even noticed.

Oddly enough the stripes really provide very little utility. Originally they were intended to visually link the red TrackPoint cap to the buttons that do the clicking. In 1992 this seemed important, today the need is perhaps questionable. Or is it?

Now we are reconsidering this change, perhaps we went too far in simplifying the interior. Although the utility can be argued, the familiarity is also important for a brand so strongly connected to it’s design as ThinkPad.

I’d love to get your feedback on this topic. We’ve included a new poll to make this easier.

David Hill

Lots of ink about the reported 15th birthday of ThinkPad being last week . The truth is that the first ThinkPad notebook, the 700C, was launched October 5, 1992. Although we are clearly proud of the rapidly approaching milestone, the birthday cake order is a bit premature, unless of course you count the tablet mentioned in several articles. Anyway we are still developing and evolving the iconic design. Hopefully this blog helps us to make the right design decisions. Thanks.

David Hill

Even a object as simple as a pickle fork can benefit from innovative thinking and design. I first discovered this wonder while going through a box of family heirlooms . I love this thing. Dig deep into the pickle jar ( I use mine for olives) and spear your favorite. Once over your target, gently squeeze the release mechanism and the pickle effortlessly slides off the tines. The motion is similar to that for using a hypodermic needle, a bit like a plunger. How many times have you struggled to shake loose that pesky pickle only to be embarassed when it falls to the floor? The entertainment factor alone is worth the price.

Buy yours here for the low price of $7.99

http://www.zaccardis.com/pickle-fork.html

David Hill