Lenovo today updated its ThinkPad series giving the laptop line a sleek new look and Intel’s latest Sandy Bridge chips.
Though the last couple of weeks have been more LePad than ThinkPad, Lenovo has shaken things up this morning with the launch of the ThinkPad T, L and W notebooks. All told there’s six new notebooks, the T420s, T420, T520, L420, L520 and W520.
In the updated T series, Lenovo is promising improved boot times, along with improved battery life. While the super-slim T420s will supposedly deliver a 30 percent boost in boot times, the T420 will deliver up to 30 hours of battery with a standard 9-cell (15 hours) and an optional 9-cell slice battery. The 15.6-inch T520 is a little bulkier but packs the same power as its two smaller siblings. All boast the latest Core CPUs, (i5 and i7) and Nvidia graphics (GeForce 4200M GPU, 1GB of VRAM).
Lenovo is touting the W520 (pictured) as a mobile workstation and with options for up to the quad-core versions of Intel’s Core i-series, Fermi graphics, support for up to 32GB of DDR3 and USB 3.0, the W520 definitely lives up to that classification. It’s got a 15.6-inch display, so it’s not a behemoth, but it’s a hefty old girl with a weight of just under 6 lbs, so it’s probably for the best that this isn’t a 17-incher.
Lastly, there’s the 14-inch L420 and 15.6-inch L520. These represent the newest arrivals to the Lenovo’s entry-level business line. Both come with the new Core i-series chips and can be configured for up to 8GB of DDR3. No USB 3.0 here, but USB 2.0 out the wazoo with four ports on each.
All six machines will be available in March and pricing for the T420s, T420, T520, L420, L520 and W520 starts at approximately $1,329, $779, $909, $719, $719 and $1329, respectively.
Tom's, Please review 3 of them, the lowest-end version with mid-end and high-end.
I'm on my way, looking for a laptop to replace my old 1323TX.
A very G-rated named for something with so many crude names... But yes! Yes, they do.
Look at the picture, there's a touchpad at the bottom.
Well CRAP...!! Lenovo has degraded the T4xx with its "NEW 16:9" screen! (Lots of cursing) Hate the 16:9 on notebooks, its not needed and it looks ODD on the 14" ThinkPad T420. The bezel area has tons of bare plastic, it looks like crap. I was looking forward to buying a T420 to replace my older ThinkPad.
With the current T410/510... the 14" screen is JUST as high as the 15.6" screen. You get a notebook that is more than an inch narrower, a bit thinner and without the 16x9 - yet still wide screen.
Its more fun to use a notebook with a screen you can see without seeing your own reflection or the ENTIRE ROOM shining back at you. You're paying a bit more for the tougher body and excellent keyboard.
Looking that the photos... these new models are using 2010 bodies... which are fine.
With such WIDE speaker bezels on the side - they might as well have thrown in a numeric keypad for the 15" model.
At least the screens are non-glossey, unlike the other 98% of the notebooks on the market.
An Alienware gaming notebook doesn't belong in a business meeting doing million dollar deals.
In terms of performance, HD, memory... its like ANY other notebook.
ThinkPads have these features not found on any notebooks, or rare business class from HP and Dell.
1 - non-glossy crap screen (but you lose the contrast)
2 - A real keyboard... with excellent layout. Not the island keys thats on everyones notebooks.
3 - crash cages for body and screen (15" models don't get it for the screen) - ie: there is a structure alloy under the plastic. (L series is weak)
4 - liquid channels... you can pour your energy drink on the keyboard without frying the computer.
5 - Crash cage for hard drive
6 - LED light shines on keyboard (okay, lame)
7 - No garbageware preinstalled.
That one should be no 1 in the list!
first thing i do on any new notebook, is reinstall windows, its a force of habit.
i love that mouse. i freakin HATE those touch pads with a passion. i have a mini usb mouse just because i hate them, and i have to use that mouse on the back of a freakin car seat, and STILL prefer it to a touchpad.
now, if i had a nipple, id use that unless i have a good flat surface.
Low Pressure – Tests operation at 15,000 feet
Humidity – Cycles 95 percent humidity through the environment
Vibration (operational and non-operational)
High Temperature – Simulates high heat conditions by baking the laptop up to 140°F
Low Temperature – Tests operation at -4°F
Temperature Shock – Fluctuates between -4 and up to 140°F to test operation
Dust – Blows dust for an extended amount of time..
So...if you want a tough system, get a Thinkpad...
9 - ThinkPad W series (Workstation) have NVIDIA Quadro cards which are needed by some pros. A normal or gaming notebook will not cut it.
When buying an HP, Dell, Gateway, etc... of course. But I only buy ThinkPads for the past 4 years... I remove a few lenovo/ThinkPad tools that are not needed, but some of them are quite good... like Network & power management exceeds Windows7.
They are not shiney. Doesn't make them ugly. Why does everyone else sell notebooks with horrible glossy screens? I think they look pretty good. Keyboard is a big seller. But Lenovo does make the ThinkPad L-Series which has a modern look with some ThinkPad features such as normal shaped keys - but not ThinkPad layout. ThinkPad Edge has very much the modern look with business style... its low end.
Then theres the Lenovo IdeaPads, which are quite sharp looking, which HP has been taking some cues from... but with no ThinkPad features.
ThinkPad T and W series are govt. / Military rated.
I love that thing - I've always preferred it over a trackpad or whatever it's called.