Get a Grip
Ever since the introduction of our new ThinkStation line of workstations I’ve seen lots of commentary about handles on computer towers. Just to set the record straight we have had handles on towers from day one. The first tower ever designed by IBM (PS/2 Model 80) had a folding handle to make moving it around easier. The PS/1 tower designed by Richard Sapper in the early 90’s had a clever handle that was integral to the front bezel. The new handle on the ThinkStation products is very similar in appearance and utility to the PS/1 version. For rack mounting the ThinkStation handles are easily removed.
PS/1 Sapper design model circa 1992
The comments about us copying the handle created by the “fruit” company are just plain wrong. But enough about that. What I’m interested in is the true value that a handle provides. I think it is very useful, I would love to get your thoughts on this topic.
David Hill
Lenovo Meet the Modder Dean Liou
Lenovo Meet the modder- Chris Blarsky Dairy 2
Lenovo Meet the modder- Chris Blarsky Dairy 1
Lenovo H320 desktop
December 14th, 2007 5:52 pm
hi,
i remember i had an ibm aptiva of somesort (Pentium MMX 200MHz in it), and it had a handle as well. I never used it though, i’m not terribly convinced that it won’t break when i lift the thing up with that plastic handle. but then, maybe that’s just me
cassio
December 14th, 2007 10:24 pm
IBM has always had handles on the IntelliStation products as well.
I never received a response to my comment on your original announcement. Does this mean IBM will stop producing their IntelliStation products?
I am a current IntelliStation A Pro owner and would like to see an AMD offering to complement these very nice looking workstations.
December 14th, 2007 10:26 pm
Looking at Lenovo’s lineup, I prefer the handle on the K Series desktop. From an end user pov, it is a cleaner design. From an IT tech pov, it is easier to stack on top of each other without the handle be in the way.
Stackability is a factor when performing a mass deployment of machines.
Having a handle is definitely a plus when transporting the machine.
December 15th, 2007 1:03 am
The form of current Mac Pro is so similar to the 1992 PS/1 Sapper design!
December 15th, 2007 2:11 am
Keep up the good work. It’s easy to be accused of “copying” when a competitor has a higher profile in the public (consumer) eye. I remember a number of years ago, it was suggested that Mercury (the division of Ford Motor Co) had copied Mercedes-Benz’s seat-shaped power seat adjustment buttons. However, it was Mercury that pioneered that design, but M-B had the higher profile in the public eye!
Keep doing what you’re doing … Lenovo industrial design is still top-tier!
December 15th, 2007 6:51 am
It’s okay to have a handle as long as it is strong enough to carry the case and doesn’t make the case ugly.
The handle on the PS1 is nicely integrated.
On the other hand, makers of DYI boxes, like Antec, don’t think it’s necessary to include a handle in their designs. And that a shame, because when you cram the 30lb box with some hard drives, it becomes quite heavy and hard to move.
(please excuse my english)
December 16th, 2007 9:37 am
Even the old IntelliStations did had a sort of hollow grip on top too, that one was always not very functional for the hands, since it often hurt the fingers. In other words, you couldn’t carry an older IntelliStation very well with just one hand.
BTW, for heavy towers it’s even questionable for me, if just one grip on the top front side would be enough, in order to have a good carry balance point, when carrying with just one hand. – Maybe I need to give this a tryout one day.
December 16th, 2007 11:25 am
I really like the handle – it allows easy transport of the machine without worrying where you can grip it.
Current ThinkCentres have a sturdy handle, but i have some older NetVista machines where the handle broke (and the machine fell to the floor, and broke) – of course that was when they were long out of warranty, and they didn’t have much purpose anyway – but still, i hope that never happens on never machines.
What i would love is a handle on the back too – while the basic machines are somewhat balanced, this is no longer true when you have a few hard drives and a performance graphic cards crammed into the machine.
December 18th, 2007 4:33 pm
When you can’t even bring yourself to say the name of a superior maker of products, you know you’ve lost.
December 19th, 2007 8:19 pm
Magnetic finger is way cool. I’;ve used it twice to get nuts that have fallen between an engine head and underneath an intake manifold. Damn cortinas.
Jim Forbes
December 22nd, 2007 6:48 pm
Those that complain about handles obviously have never had to move lots of pcs around. Personally, I do not care who did what first, handles are definitely one of the areas where “Design Matters.” Keep up the good work!
December 24th, 2007 6:58 pm
It’s interesting that you mention the “fruit” company – I have yet to encounter a system that’s harder to carry than a particular model by said “fruit” company that’s common in education (name starts with the letter e), but not particularly common elsewhere.
December 28th, 2007 7:18 pm
I want to start this comment by stating that it should not be placed in this particular post -since the issue are desktop handles-. Yet I own about sixteen ThinkPads in my organization and I have two of my own.
The rubber paint is an issue that must be solved. All of the paint in the corners come off at the second week and a shiny spot begins to develop in each of the four corners. I put my ThinkPads in all sort of protective sleeves. I have taken the precaution to cut and place transparent band-aids on each corner to eliminate this issue. Even with all this, the paints chips off.
Why not make a ThinkPad in black matte aluminum or tantalium (titanium + aluminum) even or just leave at matted coated plastic? Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
December 29th, 2007 12:35 pm
Keep the handles! You even made them removeable. No debate here, the handles stay.
January 3rd, 2008 4:56 am
I have moved dozens of IntelliStations (purchased in the last 4 years) at work that have handles. I have personally had 4 of them break off while moving systems. I can suggest 3 improvements:
1. Make it more comfortable. The current handle cuts into your hand while trying to move a system.
2. Improve the attachment of the handle to the chassis to prevent them from snapping off while moving.
3. Add a second handle to the back of the machine. The current handle at the front causes the machine to swing forward to find its balance. That and the awkward carrying angle just makes the previous 2 problems worse. So go ahead and add a second handle. The machines are heavy enough to justify an extra one.
p.s. I love my Thinkpad. I (literally) don’t leave home without it.
February 18th, 2008 5:44 pm
The handle is very convenient to move the box around reducing the risk of dropping it (happens more ofthen than one may think) and adds a distinktive looks as well.
I strongly “vote” to keep it.
March 10th, 2008 3:19 pm
David, Saw x300 article in Business Week. As a fellow “Okie”, I thought I would offer congrats. Also, think “Pro Photographers”. With a few extras like memory (4 gig?) and a firewire connection, this could be a killer machine for that market as we need light (cameras and lens aren’t)with great resolution, field toughness, memory, and fast processor. Firewire is needed for those who still use Mac’s as our base of operation for Adobe Lightroom/Bridge/Photoshop CS3. Thanks.
June 9th, 2008 4:45 pm
Why not put handles sticking out to the front and back where space is needed anyway for wires, floppy/cd access, etc., not to the top.
Front and back allows a good grip for a balanced lift.
tOM
September 12th, 2009 10:34 am
[...] Assim como os novos notebooks IdeaPad, a série E deixa de lado o monótono cinza chumbo em favor do preto com pequenos detalhes em laranja. Boa parte do painel frontal vem com o acabamento Black “não olha feio que eu risco” Piano mas o tom predominante é mesmo o preto fosco. Note também a inexistência da tradicional alça de transporte na parte da frente do gabinete — marca registrada dos desktops IBM desde o primeiro PS/1 de 1992. [...]