New ThinkPad Classics
ThinkPad T410
Even though there is considerable buzz about the ThinkPad Edge line, lets not forget our heritage. We just announced four new ThinkPad classic offerings continuing the legacy of design and technology innovation for business. The T410s, T410, T510 and the W510 workstation are all new models with enhancements to processor performance, battery life and wireless technologies. You can read the detailed press release here. What is most interesting for this blog, however, are the improvements we made to the design and user experience. If you are a fan of the work we did on the T400s you will love these new rock solid ThinkPads.
All the new models use the same updated keyboard and controls we first introduced on the T400s. This includes the larger escape and delete keys, tighter key-skirt tolerances, enhanced volume/mute controls, and of course the flush textured touchpad. You can read entire blogs I wrote about all of these updates when we first introduced the T400s. Also gone are the off centered displays that were driven by the previous level antenna design. Thanks to Yamato engineering for fixing this one without sacrificing performance. Having now used a T400s for months, I can attest to the significance of these improvements to the user experience. The thinking and testing that went into these updates was enormous and has paid off. If you are a classic lover these are the systems for you.
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
January 5th, 2010 6:05 pm
Now this is what I love … but the only thing that I dont appreciate is big del and esc keys … did you think that some poeple may be used to old layout for a long time ? I dont think that big keys like that look good too.
I always thought that the keyboard is the last thing to change/modify.
I see your point about making things better, newer, well designed but the keyboard was perfect.
Thats my point of view, I hope you dont hate me mr. Hill
January 5th, 2010 6:10 pm
Congrats David,
I hope the new T series has improved quality over the past T400-T500 series specially the keyboard I’m very interested in the T510 as for the other colored wannabe Thinkpads
not interested.
Thanks…
January 5th, 2010 6:18 pm
looks awesome!
I absolutely love the keyboard on my T400s, its a huge improvement over all of the previous thinkpad models i’ve used (t42, t60). Big del and esc keys and bigger touchpad are great as well.
Will the improved rgb-led screen be available as an option on t510 or is it a feature exclusive to w510?
Will you ever offer the “classic” line in red? I really like the newer red models.
Are the discrete graphics chips offered on these new models DirecX 11 capable?
January 5th, 2010 7:34 pm
Going for damage control?
But I agree, Lenovo did a very fine job on those modells. When I first saw the pictures of the T410 in Matt Kohuts posting, my thoughts were: “Wow. Now that’s what I call connectivity!”
You really managed to put a hell of ports in there.
Also I’m very pleased to see that Lenovo takes the feedback they get seriously. (Can be seen by the recentering of the display as well as by the red stripes being back now on the normal modells, too.)
There are only two things I can’t agree with:
- The 16:9 display on the 15″ line.
- The reduced clamshell design. (No more protection on the side…)
16:9 has been discussed enough already. Whoever it is, that wants us to believe that it widescreen would improve work performance, fact is it doesn’t. At least not on 14″ or 15″ notebooks.
)
Widescreen displays do have their advantages for very small modells (20″) so you can view two pages at once. (Well I’d still use the pivot function and view a single page in 10:16 mode…
For the clamshell, why did you abandon that? I always liked putting my notebook into the bag knowing, that nothing could damage the display. For example like small paper clips or staples..
January 5th, 2010 8:12 pm
The more wider gets the screen, the more visible become colorshift and inferior viewing angles of crappy TN panels.
If one of major notebook manufacturers will offer IPS or AFFS screen not wider than 16:10, I will steer away form ThinkPad without any regret.
January 5th, 2010 8:25 pm
The new T410 models are looking really good (for me as T41p and T60p user). But atm I’m really looking forward for updates of the X-Series (X210?) and hope that we’ll get informations in the next days during the CES.
January 5th, 2010 8:42 pm
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/ws/eBay.....0426485871
Scroll down and look at the item description.
Someone already make business on screen panel upgrade.
January 5th, 2010 9:28 pm
Yes, this deserves the ThinkPad name ! The centered display position is well appreciated and the new touchpad looks nice and fits to the ThinkPad design.
Now please stuff it at least optionally with real lcd display having any visible contrast (additional 200+ USD is not an issue) and sufficient vertical resolution (at least 1200 pixels for a 15″ size) for true business productivity. I hope that T400/5000 keyboard flex has been resolved now.
Also please consider an X100 with such real ThinkPad design.
January 5th, 2010 9:44 pm
R.A., this mod has been published many times in NBR forums. I’m waiting for X210 information and confirmation that the mod will be still possible. Currently the mod is the only way to get useable notebook even thought it voids the warranty and have low resolution (1280 x 800). Actually, it is not that low considering new useless-for-work display formats.
January 5th, 2010 10:02 pm
@David Hill
Why did you drop the clamshell design of the lid? I’ve read a lot how every decision is thought throughout and this one doesn’t make much sense. In fact I think it looks more like a Toshiba. Also the sides of our blocky thinkpads always appreciated some slimming (like the side with ultrabay was “cut” back on my R60 and W500)
January 5th, 2010 11:02 pm
Great update to the T series. I’m finally gonna upgrade from the ol’ workhorse T42 to the T410
January 5th, 2010 11:32 pm
Looks nice, but:
Why did you drop the clamshell design of the lid? I don’t see any benefits on that one.
And I don’t see any use for widescreen.
Sorry.
January 6th, 2010 2:08 am
One step forward, two steps back.
I appreciate the keyboard update and the return of the red/blue/red mouse buttons. The improved microphone and speakers are important as well for VoIP, WebEx, and of course music on the go.
The lack of the clam-shell design seems like a really bad oversight. I can’t imagine that costing anything, and increasing the width by a couple milimeters would facilitate this without blocking ports or increasing height.
And again, to beat on a runaway horse that needs to be dead, 16:9 is UNACCEPTABLE on the W510. You guys really screwed up there. Since I will be paying $2000+ for a laptop like this, I really _DON’T_ care what extra cost having a proper display is. A proper display is paramount, equal to the high quality of the keyboard, for the high end. I want to view as many lines of code as possible. WUXGA at minimum, more exotic high res welcome. High contrast/view angle mandatory.
January 6th, 2010 5:23 am
I also think the lack of clamshell is a mistake.
Even on the T61 it is not what it used to be on my T30, for instance. It closed perfectly well and protected all the inside.
That’s sad because otherwise this laptop looks great on any other points.
Once again it failed to reach perfection. What are the reason for theses steps backward ?
Lenovo should understand that the custommers of thinkpads don’t really care about the price (in an acceptable range).
They want quality and don’t mind to pay $100 extra if it is necessary to achieve this.
Can Lenovo finally understand it ?
January 6th, 2010 5:47 am
Good job! — but still I agree with all previous posts on clamshell and 16:9.
January 6th, 2010 8:40 am
I just noticed the lack of clam-shell OMG!
January 6th, 2010 10:06 am
Khalifa, Not to worry, we first did this on the T400s. The structural changes we have made to classic no longer require the clam-shell. Same structural integrity, smoother palm rest, cleaner design.
January 6th, 2010 10:25 am
How much of an upgrade with the discrete video card be for the t510 vs the ATI 3650 in the t500?
January 6th, 2010 11:06 am
now what I would love on a classics notebook: high resolution wide viewing angle screens – how about fitting 1680 pixel wide WVA display into a 14″ T410s?
I’m really sick of bad screen real estate since using the 1400 pixel wide 12″ tablet.
January 6th, 2010 11:12 am
The renewed T410s looks again very promising, it’s without doubt still one of my favorites from the actual classic Thinkpad line.
I prefer it’s 16:10 aspect ratio display over those 16:9 displays, even I wished we would have some better display options on the market than those common and crappy TN-panel. Further I wished the T400s would have an embedded dedicated USB 3.0 controller, like the W510 has, since it is boring to wait probably another year until Intel readies it’s notebook chip-sets accordingly.
All in all I mostly like the design improvements, which were made to the new T-/W-series models.
January 6th, 2010 11:23 am
Okay.. I’m going to say it, I need that T410s so with switchable graphics.. and fast.
I’m a road warrior and sometimes, yes it’s true, I need my World of Warcraft fix… and the current 14″ models have that aweful Intel Graphics chip.
So… WHEN CAN I BUY A T410s with Switchable Graphics?! LOL
January 6th, 2010 11:43 am
@David Hill,
What is the top case (screen) of the Thinkpad T510, T410 and W510 made of now that the magnesium rollcage is gone. IS it single piece magnesium like the T4x and W700, CFRP like the T400s and X200s or the PC/ABS of the R500?
January 6th, 2010 2:34 pm
@Davon Hill,
Will the versions of the T410s with expresscard come with a cover (as on my T60)?
Is it possible to change a memorycard slot to an expresscard slot and are the some changes on design from the former T400s?
Thank You!
January 6th, 2010 3:07 pm
+1 on 16:anything. Is it so prohibitively expensive to get 4:3 panels made specifically for ThinkPads that the price would skyrocket? I’m fine paying an extra hundred or so for a useful screen. (though hopefully we can still get 1400×1050 on the T410/T410s).
Also, when will we be able to !@#%!@#$@!%# build/order the new T-series machines on lenovo.com? I’ve been itching to spec out a machine all week!
Thanks for all the great work otherwise. I love the new styling (t400s-esque), design elements (VoIP-enabling) and continued excellence of the ThinkPad line.
January 6th, 2010 3:09 pm
Does the new gen carry sound over hdmi now?
January 6th, 2010 3:13 pm
Should have RTFPR first…available for purchase tomorrow (Jan 7). Excellent!
January 6th, 2010 3:46 pm
I’m deeply dissapointed by the direction Lenovo is heading with Thinkpad brand.
It seems Lenovo is doing exactly opposite to what end users demand. Users want better screens – Lenovo makes them shorter and still crappy. Users want proven keyboard design – Lenovo introduces unnecessary (and ugly) changes in design and worse build quality. No rollcage? No clamshell?? Seriously, how is it different then Acer?
And now with EDGE introduced even Thinkpad brand lost its meaning.
I hope my T60 will work forever, because there are no decent notebooks with proper keyboard layout to replace it.
January 6th, 2010 4:21 pm
@Bogdan – The t500 isnt all that bad and would delay things for a while if you found a new one before they sell out…
January 6th, 2010 4:27 pm
I have the t400s and would say the “clamshell” dirge is overdone
January 6th, 2010 5:10 pm
@matt – me too. There were changes made to keep it structurally sound without it.
I am however, surprised there is not a bigger dirge over the lack of switchable graphics on the new models, and the relative downgrade for the graphics card for the t510 vs the t500.
January 6th, 2010 5:49 pm
For me clamshell – apart from being screen and keyboard protection – is one of the things that define Thinkpad in terms of design*. It makes Thinkpad look unique and durable.
Speaking of design I don’t like new enlarged keys. They are vertical whereas other ‘big’ keys are horizontal. It looks messy now.
As for switchable graphics I don’t think it’s necessary in business notebook. Of course it could be available as an option, but still Thinkpad is no gaming machine.
*) other things that define true Thinkpad: TrackPoint, ThinkLight, superb keyboard, bento shape, wide variety of black color.
January 6th, 2010 7:00 pm
T410s is a slim notebook with graphics capabilities – yes, I’m sold. No point working against it.
But, what about the hidden numpad, any improvements? Or, are you going to make my dream, the ThinkNumPad with TrackPoint in it?
No, you’re probably not. Too bad I’m asking when I know the answer.
January 6th, 2010 7:22 pm
T61p here has hardly any lip on left hand side of screen, slight lip on right hand side. Appreciable lip is on the top where it also latches firmly shut – just like the T410s. Seems the important bits are still there, aren’t they ?
January 6th, 2010 7:47 pm
Is the Rollcage gone?
January 6th, 2010 9:53 pm
@khalifa
Yes ! Like you I just found it out thanks to the comment of Bogdan.
Look : http://forum.notebookreview.co.....p?t=448123
That’s a shame !
Great marketing though. Point out minor changes as cool stuff and silenty remove stuff that made it high range laptops.
What’s next ? Trackpoint remove ?
This thing is not going to replace my T61 anytime soon.
Lenovo really sucks, they are killing the thinkpad brand.
January 7th, 2010 5:16 am
What you get depends on what you buy, from comment 71 on http://lenovoblogs.com/insidet.....9#comments
“The T400s/T410s uses a shaved glass/ultrathin display protected by the next generation Roll Cage.”
“T510 / W510 has the next Generation Hybrid glass fiber/carbon fiber Roll Cage just like the T410s/T400s/X200s. In the bottom is our Roll Cage to protect the rest of the system. The T410 is a PC-ABS plastic top with the bottom Roll Cage inside.”
January 7th, 2010 8:00 am
phocean
Thanks for the informative reply, i was looking forward to replace my T500 soon however the rollcage gone + the lack of clamshell shocked me totally! Lenovo thinks they can stick the name ThinkPad on any product they have and automatically it will become one!!! I’m not gonna order a T510 till i check it out my self if I’m not satisfied with quality putting pressure on the screen lid and keyboard and palmrest then Macbook Pro here i come!!!
January 7th, 2010 9:36 am
Why is everyone repeating that the roll-cage is gone?
It’s still there, it’s just the display one that has been removed. Motherboard roll-cages have been introduced with T60 series, T61 added the display one (which made it thicker than T60). Everyone knows the T60 was one of the best built ThinkPads and it definitely didn’t have any problem with the lid roughness (as long as you didn’t pick the machine up by the screen corner but who would do that?).
So, what’s the problem?
T410/WXGA+, here I come!
January 7th, 2010 9:43 am
Is there any photo gallery on the net where one can look these machines up in detail?
Btw, David, that a fine job on the design there sir. I was a bit scared after X100e and especially the Edge but the new classics are exactly what I was hoping for, design-wise.
January 7th, 2010 10:43 pm
Yea, I LIKE this… Especially the super comfortable keyboard… Hope that the keyboard will not flex for newer generation…
January 8th, 2010 4:50 am
maybe commenting should be restricted to registered users? even blogs like gizmodo use peer moderation tools to keep the commenting crowd under control, there’s so much misinformation in these comments…
love the cleaner look.
new keyboard layout is awesome, one of the reasons I intend to stay with thinkpads, you guys are the one ones who care about that kind of thing.
larger flush trackpad is *great*. the trackpad on my t61 is honestly kinda useless due to it’s small size.
don’t care about the clamshell
love that it still has switchable graphics
January 8th, 2010 8:52 am
@Steve, to a certain extent, commenting is already restricted since first-time posters get the following message:
“Comments are moderated for first time posters to minimize blog spam. A valid e-mail address is required. If a comment is off-topic or repetitious, it may be deleted or withheld. Please read The Rules for details on acceptable comments and remember that we are all here for a friendly discussion.”
January 8th, 2010 11:50 am
“Is there any photo gallery on the net where one can look these machines up in detail?”
FYI not extensive, but there are a handful of pictures under the “Product Photos” link on this page :
http://lenovo.tekgroupweb.com/
January 8th, 2010 1:56 pm
I just thought I would drop you a note that I went to check out all your new products on lenovo.com this morning with the full intention of buying but your website is such a disaster that I didn’t feel confident pulling the trigger. For one thing, all the links to configure and buy an x100e are 404 Not Found. For another, the description of the X series laptops is full of errors. There is a table that says “CPU Performance” which lists the battery life. The X series comparison table has a bunch of broken images on it. I could not find tech specs for the new machines anywhere.
It felt like I was browsing the site of some fly-by-night third world laptop startup.
January 8th, 2010 7:49 pm
FYI latest Asus Eee PC netbook http://www.notebookcheck.com/T.....429.0.html utilizes display with contrast ratio over 800:1 while top ThinkPad models have below 100:1 http://www.notebookcheck.net/R.....081.0.html . Does cheaper means 8 times better quality these days ?
January 9th, 2010 5:49 am
Even more photos are available on the Japanese site:
http://www-06.ibm.com/jp/pc/media/
January 11th, 2010 6:30 pm
Well Puppy, then it seems you should
a) either get an eee and enjoy your “8 times better quality” display
or
b) at least _try_ to get your facts straight about comparability of contrast ratio measurings between vendors. Google is your friend here.
January 14th, 2010 3:04 pm
It always saddens me when I see what amounts to near hysteria when any form of design evolution happens to the ThinkPad brand. We have been using, installing, repairing and recommending ThinkPads for many years, and during that time we have seen a lot of design changes.
In our offices (home to thinkpadtoday.com) we use a variety of ThinkPads, new and not so new. My own personal machine is a ThinkPad Z60m, which is built like a tank and looks like one. Whilst it still chugs along reasonably well for website admin tasks, it is outclassed in terms of performance, usability and looks by our ThinkPad T500.
My Z60m is about to be replaced by a ThinkPad W510.
We have just spent 2 days with Lenovo at the CES and can tell you categorically that the new T510 and T410(s) are superb notebooks. Not only do the look sleek and modern, they are also undeniably ThinkPads.
They feel solid, the keyboard is excellent and build quality looks to be outstanding. Oh, and did I mention performance? You have performance of stellar proportions!
Stick with your T40’s/T60’s etc if you wish because you think that they are ‘real’ ThinkPads. Do that however and you’ll be missing out on the new ThinkPad T Series, which in our humble opinion are the best ‘T’s’ ever.
Take a look at our review
http://www.thinkpadtoday.com/l.....-video.htm
Now as for the ThinkPad Edge, you really have to get what is going on here. Yes this will be available in the US, and outwardly is a ‘cheap and cheerful’ ThinkPad. But you know what? I was pleasantly surprised, they perform well, look good and feel well built.
OK, so its a ‘funky’ ThinkPad. If you don’t like it, stay classic. Our opinion for what its worth will be that a lot of Edge Series ThinkPads will be purchased by people who already use a ThinkPad corporately, and want to buy into the brand for home or family.
But thats not the real reason for the Edge. This is a ThinkPad for emerging markets. For small to medium business people in these markets who want in on the cachet of the brand.
There are over 200 million small to medium bushiness owners in China alone who love the ThinkPad brand but can’t afford to buy in. This is a ThinkPad for them.
ThinkPad Edge was a smart move by Lenovo, and one that won’t impact on the future of the ‘classic’ ThinkPad.
Now to finish, I know this is a ThinkPad thread but I have to say how impressed we were by IdeaPad range of consumer products.
I actually do think (spoiler alert; this could be deemed blasphemy) that I like the IdeaPad U150 better than the X100e!
Of all the major manufacturers at CES, Lenovo displayed the most innovative, beautiful and sometimes daring consumer designs like the IdeaCentre A300, the IdeaPad 10-3t and the IdeaPad U1. Lets see some ‘ThinkPads’ with some of these design features incorporated!
A future X Series Tablet with a detachable screen? Maybe not. It would be far to radical and couldn’t possible be a ‘real’ ThinkPad!
Ian Orford, Editor – ThinkPadToday.com
January 14th, 2010 8:32 pm
16:9 aspect ratio is bad for notebooks. something needs to be done about about keeping 16:10 or bringing back old 4:3.
January 16th, 2010 6:46 am
it seems to me that Lenovo is going 1 step forward and 2 steps backward with the Thinpad T-Series.
In support of the other posters I vote for
- classic 4:3 form factor
- best LCD (non TN -> IPS, AFFS, OLED …)
- clam shell with roll cage
- a classic keyboard without Windows keys!
- best energy efficiency and ergonomics
What about manufacturing a premium, “classic” Thinkpad in the tradition of the the 600/T42p/T60P series every 4 years?
Lenovo would get all the critics off their backs
and the pro users would be happy again!
January 22nd, 2010 8:50 pm
Just a few thoughts from a long time ThinkPad user (currently on T400):
- I don’t care much how big the [Esc] key is, but I really *hate* the big [Del] and moved [Ins] key. Why, oh why?!
- The central location of the fingerprint reader looks strange at first but it might be actually good. Still, it might get in the way of some people typing. We’ll see.
- I’m glad the audio jacks are not in the front anymore. It really annoys me on my T400 – unwanted cables when connected to the speakers and cable pinching in my stomach when trying to watch a movie in a train (or elsewhere on lap). Please don’t do that again
January 24th, 2010 12:33 am
It would be cool to get illuminated keyboard – either in blue or red. Will give a lot of character to Thinkpads. Also it’s high time to get rid of Thinklight – rather more arcane design artifact. TL requires running extra cable along the LCD and so makes the LCD bezels wider. May even reduce some manufacturing cost since keyboard just plugs in and will not require extensive power cords.
January 27th, 2010 9:36 am
How comes that new Panasonic CF-R9 model http://www.netbookchoice.com/2.....D-netbook/ still have a 4:3 display ?
January 27th, 2010 9:50 am
If I had to guess, Panasonic probably has a large stock of 10.4″ 4:3 screens – the Toughbooks aren’t exactly high-volume models, and “One more 4:3 to use up the leftovers” wouldn’t surprise me at all.
January 27th, 2010 6:41 pm
Right, the new Apple iPad (just announced) with the 4:3 screen will also just use up the lefovers??
WHY can others do it and Lenovo can’t?
January 27th, 2010 9:40 pm
Oh yes. Oh yes. 9.7″ IPS screen. Can we have that in a X105e or something? Please?
January 29th, 2010 1:27 pm
I just got a brand new elite T510… is this some sort of joke?
I was expecting the legendary Thinkpad keyboard. And I got one… on 80% of the keys.
The entire right side flexes a millimeter. It does so even with light pressure: I can flex it to the bottom of its arc using any two keys on the edge, without actually depressing the keys. In other words, the force to flex the keyboard is less than twice the force required to press a key past its detent.
Every time it flexes, it also taps. It taps on the downstroke when it hits the bottom, and it taps on the upstroke when it returns to position. As a result, not only does it feel different, but the keys on the right (all keys including and to the right of the quote key) are also twice as loud.
I am really surprised that this was ever built this way, or even shipped. I’ll be posting a review momentarily, including video specifically designed to show the key problem. I can’t help but post a “no buy” recommendation.
Feel free to contact me at my email address. I don’t see how this could have happened.
January 29th, 2010 2:14 pm
Here are the videos:
First:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=channel
Second:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NHn1hcgUnU
February 3rd, 2010 6:32 pm
Erik, thanks for the feedback on your T510. I have notified the quality team and they are all over it.We will get this resolved.
February 25th, 2010 2:35 pm
Yea, I’m sorry to say but I’m leaving the the world of ThinkPads and moving on over to a Macbook Pro. While you’ve got some solid computers, I was swayed by how nice Apple notebooks look. Your new edge looks alright, but still not good enough. Make a T400 with a minimalistic streamlined look, completely symmetrical in every way, while maintaining a removable battery, docking station ports, and everything else I loved about ThinkPads, and I’ll come back – but form has won me over.
March 6th, 2010 9:34 pm
Has the quality issue with the keyboards been resolved yet? I’m in the market, and considering the T410 and the Dell XPS, T410 fits my bill but the price premium is vast and I want to know there’ll be quality at every step
March 15th, 2010 5:40 pm
Hello, I have already written my opinion on huge DELETE key. Because I am alredy tired to write again about and because of the fact I see I am not the only person who is very disappointed about this new design I am now juste saying once more : Mr. Hill, BE SO KIND AND GIVE CHANCE TO PROFESSIONALS AND GIVE THEM BACK OLD CLASSIC KEYBOARD LAYOUT with 6-keys in the top right corner. It is the same design as on PC keyborads. Are you able to perceive the point of this. I would like to remind you that your new design may have very serious affects in production environment. I agree, from your point of view “Design matters” but you touched the instrument itself. It is like you would change foot pedal in a car. DO YOU ALREADY SEE THE PROBLEM ? PLEASE OFFER SOME SOLUTION TO MILIONS OF DEVELOPERS WHO WILL BE USING OTHERWISE GOOD NEW MODELS. OFFER THEM A CLASIC KEYBORAD LAYOUT.
March 17th, 2010 8:54 pm
Wow there sure are many passionate ThinkPad lovers out there.
Many years ago I supported a fleet of 600s, then later the T20 series. In my personal life I supported various models in the family for years after they had left the commercial space. The latest model I have any real experience with is a T41. Wonderful machine with plenty of power for daily computing tasks if the OS is tuned appropriately.
My current laptop is completely functional Compaq Evo N400c. It is a PIII with 512 megs.
Today I hit the button and plucked down a pretty penny for a new T410. I opted for the better screen, 4 gigs of ram, the discreet gpu, the camera, and the slower harddrive. Needless to say I am anxious to receive this new bundle of joy and retire the Evo to the basement. Until then Ill just drool over the closeups.
One option I would have paid for if available would be a slot load optical drive. Maybe it goes against the ThinkPad creed, but I have always hated tray loaders in laptops.
Oh and add my vote to the old school screen shape crowd. 4:3 is ideal IMO but 16:10 is an acceptable compromise. Im not sure what demographic group was used in that research but my guess is it comprised of people who have never worked in a cubicle.
I would like to learn more about the Lenovo Enhanced Experience. I have always been a real optimization nut when it comes to the operating systems and hardware I run, so I would be interested in know exactly what tweaks were made to a core windows install. Sure that is Lenovo IP and therefore probably under wraps but is there any additional information available on these enhancements?
March 21st, 2010 8:06 am
full ack @ Peter K. in support for a classic keyboard
IMO the 16:10 is not an acceptable compromise. Comparing a MacBook Pro 15″ (1440×900) LED TN and a Thinkpad T42p 15″ IPS UXGA (1600×1200) side by side, it blatantly obvious how much vertical viewing space you loose and how much unnecessary width there is.
David,
I think the situation is serious: as a die hard Classic Thinkpad user, I have now thrown 2000,- EUR at Apple for MacBook Pro. I hate the undefined keyboard, the wide screen and most of the ergonomics. But, among the widescreen laptops the MBP is the the better overall package, and mostly hassle free, because it’s free of Windows.
I’d really loved to buy an up-to-date Thinkpad in the style of a T42p UXGA.
April 29th, 2010 2:21 am
The design is good, the build quality and the
use of material: errr….. cost down.
May 2nd, 2010 3:50 am
Hi,
Honestly, i have 2 thinkpads, Z60M and my lovely IPS screen T60 2007.
I’m quite sure that many people here will be agree with me.
Lenovo made a lot of dammage to Thinkpad brand.
This Thinkpad T410 is the first since T60 series that i want to buy.
The feedback appear excellent for this Thinkpad in many many websites and this is a good news since a long time.
I know that the Thinkpad badge will be use for bad reasons in the future, Thinkpad is the only gold brand for Lenovo.
But sometimes, if we can have real Thinkpads as before, like this T410, it’ll be a great value for us, Thinkpad customers since years…
Cheers
May 2nd, 2010 4:00 am
Hi again,
Yeah, i will forget. Thinkpad without clamshell design is not serious.
This clamshell design was create to not damage screen and it was a good idea.
I like my T60 clamshell design and the past T series clamshell design.
This is not negociable gentlemens.
June 22nd, 2010 11:56 am
As a Enterprise Desktop Technician, i write the following.Currently we have deployed a significant amount of the new Lenovo T410s into our Environment..3 MAJOR ISSUES, 1)BSOD on Remote Assistance, which is now fixed with a Intel HD Vid Driver UPgrade…..2)DisplayPort ISsue with ThinkVision 22″LCD,currently testing a Beta Driver. and 3)Worst one of all….2inch Vertical Line Displays Garbage, apparently bad connector..not verified by Lenovo as of yet…..30%of the deployed laptops are affected…..DESIGNMATTERS!!!!
June 30th, 2010 5:40 pm
I’m a long-time Thinkpad user, and overall I’m a fan of the new T410s and last year’s T400s. I can live with 16:10 displays and various inevitable changes that generate so much controversy with Thinkpad diehards, and I think you’ve done a great job overall updating the T4XX line. But you’ve shot yourself in the foot with the displays you’ve been sourcing for these models. Even if you can’t source IPS, there’s a spectrum of TN displays out there, and you’ve somehow managed to source the very worst. I mean, 95:1 contrast ratios, as compared to 456:1 for a matte-screen MacBook Pro? Heck, even a generic Dell laptop has a better screen than that. (http://www.notebookcheck.net/R.....386.0.html) Here’s hoping you manage to address this issue in the next generation.
August 8th, 2010 2:18 am
Pro tip: AU Optronics makes a variety of TN panels. I know you use them for at least some of the panels, like those found in the X200. Why not use their good panels? Seriously — they made several panels with identical physical and electrical specs, yet the one you sourced from them for the X200 had the worst contrast ratios and viewing angles of all the ones they offered. Amazing.
To make matters worse, Samsung makes a nice PVA panel — ONE THAT YOU ACTUALLY USED in the X200 tablet — which is also electrically and physically compatible with the X200. What the hell?
I’ll happily leave aside the 4:3/16:10 issue. Other manufacturers are including good TN panels in their machines. Lenovo is not. This does not give people a good impression of the ThinkPad brand.