Are there newer thinkpads coming this summer?

Hi guys, I am thinking about getting a thinkpad t61 sometime in the next month but after perusing the internet, I believe I came across some sites that mentioned t400, t500, etc. It makes sense especially when you think about the X300 that was recently introduced.

So I was wondering if Lenovo was preparing to release an update to their 14 inch widescreen t-series model anytime soon? Any info, ideas, pros and cons perhaps?

I figure Lenovo might be releasing a new one soon to compete against the newer Dell Latitudes that coming down the pipeline.

 

Not sure but I would like to see them do a Penryn and ATI 3800 series combo.

I'm guessing that they will.

 

Well, it's a pure guess, but I think the next generation of Ts will be a beefy version of X300 (i.e. featuring LED LCD, SSD, B-R, all wireless radios packed into 1'' height, black, and matte roll-cage), again with the same boringly perfect keyboard, red stripes on buttons, blue 'Enter' key, etc. - nothing really spectacular

 

I'm in the same boat as you. I really want to get the X61s right now but don't know if I should wait. The price for the X61s is great ($1100 + tax) right now but I don't know if it will get any cheaper. The new X models will surely be in the $1500-$2500 range when they debut, similar to the X300. It will be difficult for me to throw down that kind of money so I'm torn between buying it now and stop torturing myself or wait and see. I asked for a price quote on the current sale of the X61s so my plan is to wait until the sale is over on March 17th and see what happens. If I can get the Penryn LV CPU right now on the X61s I would buy it instantly.

 

IMO, it is always better to buy an end of line at the last minute than buy the top new model right as it comes out... price wise at least. The end of line models also tend to be more bug free as they got plenty of time to get updated and perfected. The new models will feature nice additions like LED screen, but IMO again, for the price premium they well be at initially, I think the current models are real bargains and still very powerful machines that can last many years before they become obsolete. If you need a laptop, buy it now. If you are not in a hurry and want the latest gadgets, and willing to assume the extra early adopter cost, then wait the new models. I was holding for the upcoming DELL Latitude E but when I saw how it would cost me for a T61, my decision was quick.

 

I just wnated to echo what marcbe said. If you need a laptop now, there are some amazing deals that in my mind are hard to pass up. But if you are in no hurry and just want the latest technology then it will not hurt you to wait and see.

The one thing you have to keep in mind though is that no matter how long you wait, there will always be new and better technology that will come out only a few months later. At some point you just have to make the jump.

 

I called Lenovo this morning to ask about the future of the T61 and was told that a replacement is not coming this year. I was informed that the only thing that may be happening to the T series in the near future is the discontinuation of 4:3 aspect displays (a terrible decision in my opinion, they could simply charge extra for the 4:3 to keep up with rising cost).

 

... then again, they are certainly not allowed to comment on unannounced products. So I would take this with a grain of salt.

I would be surprised, not shocked, if they resequenced in the short term. After all, the T4x series went through the T43 line before the T6x came. It sounds like they are revamping the numbering system, though, so anything is possible.

 

Very true, I definately don't think of the information as being 100% accurate.

 

While anything is possible, Lenovo would put itself at a significant disadvantage in the marketplace if they do not produce a machine with the forthcoming Montevina platform (new chipset, graphics, WiMax, and modified Penryn). All other notebook makers will be selling Montevina notebooks by summer.

As to how whether the Montevina Thinkpads will be similar in other respect to existing models, or be radically different, that is hard to say.

 

Now I'm torn...do I wait for Montevina and deal with a widescreen display (and probably buy an HP 6910p or whatever the new version is called) or buy a Santa Rosa based T61p 14" 4:3? I get the distinct impression that there will be very few if any Montevina standard aspect display notebooks.

 

That's what I was thinking as well. I have set a date of September 1 for my new machine. That gives me plenty of time to save more money for the new Montevina technology, and I think it gives me about a month or two to see what the complaints are about the new stuff. I'm not in a rush for a machine right now, a luxury that I'm sure many of the others on the board don't have. Like many have said, OP, go ahead and get one if you need one. If not, I really don't see the harm in waiting until the end of the summer to purchase your machine.

 

Hey Matt, why such an affinity for 4:3 display? Once you start using the widescreen, you won't even notice how much of a difference it is. You might even like it more. I love my friend's Dell widescreen. I work a lot with multiple spreasheets and word processing documents, so I find that I can look at many screens side-by-side. Anyway, to each his or her own. I just think that if its a matter of screen size and you're like the 4:3 display so much, then you should definitely get that before Lenovo completely phases it out.

 

I'm looking to maximize screen space while minimizing overall notebook size...to a point. I wouldn't want an insanely high resolution in a 12.1" screen for example. The 14.1" widescreen displays out there are WXGA+ at best, which offers less screen space than a 4:3 SXGA+ display. 15.4" widescreen units also just seem slightly too large. I'm not totally opposed to a widescreen, I'd just prefer a 4:3 display if possible. The T61P seems to be my best option at this point since the other model I'm considering, the HP 6910p, isn't DX10 capable.

 

Historically they have announced new models in the spring and struggled to get them out the door in quantity before the end of the summer.

I suspect we'll see an announcement this spring. I would be surprised if the T series gets anything more than a sprucing up. I expect to see:

1. Updates for the latest and greatest chipsets.

2. Improvements for items that have been problematic or subpar like restoring the Thinklight to its former glory. I think the red stripes will return on the mouse buttons.

3. Product adjustment for technology trends. Perhaps they will drop the firewire port and I would not be surprised if they dropped the parallel port as it is getting very long in the tooth is more expensive than a USB port and is taking up a lot of valuable real estate. I would also not be surprised to see an option for glossy screens.

4. Continued decline of the overall feel of machines as they try to hold or lower prices. However I expect prices to creep up a bit as raw materials costs seems to be rising everywhere.

I don't expect any LED screens on the T series. Instead I think they will keep it on their high end line, i.e. the X300. In the late summer of all I expect them to announce X300s with a hard drives option. If they don't do this you might see an LED screen option on an X62s.

 

Seeing as how this thread is getting more life than I anticipated and moreover, I don't want to open a new thread, I was wondering if someone can tell me if what I am getting will be decent considering I am using the computer for word/powerpoint, email, and internet browsing.


Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)
Windows Vista Home Premium
14.1 WXGA+
Intel GMA X300
2 GB of ram
Trackpoint, trackpad w/fingerprint reader
80GB 5400rpm hard drive
DVD Recordable
Bluetooth
6 cell battery


All for $848.99 (student discount + 10% off coupon)

In order to keep costs even lower, instead of dropping another $90 for a student copy of Microsoft Office, I will download either open office or staroffice. Staroffice is offered for free from google.

 

Speaking of newer Thinkpads, it will also be interesting to see if Lenovo will continue with the numerical pattens that IBM has with the T-Series (T40, T41, T42, T43, etc). Will be interesting to see if the next T will be a T62 or a T600 or what.

 

I still think that LED backlight would help Ts to be (on paper) in line with e.g. MacBooks Pro and (on scales) to be thinner and lighter.
These changes would also help to differentiate Ts from Rs.
We will see. Anyway, I would go for such a beast...

 

That should be a fine configuration for the kind of productivity work right now. Also you can currently get Office 2007 Ultimate for $60 with a student discount from Microsoft. Here's their site for it: www.theultimatesteal.com .