Core i7 Based Thinkpads?

I'm sure there are threads on this already, but are there any whispers or rumors of Lenovo releasing a Core i7 based thinkpad this year? I have a warranty on this T61p until March of 2011, so I am not too worried about it at the moment, but just thinking forward. I see all these sexy new laptops with better battery life etc etc, and am going to be super bummed with Lenovo cant make thinkpads anymore, it will be hard to find something of equal quality. Anywho, back on track... any info?

 

What do you mean they can't make thinkpads anymore?

 

if thinkpad carries core i 7, it will be a big joke in business class industry.

I'm sure the next gen mobile core will be released Q4 2009, not sure what name is.

 

Nope, highly highly doubt Lenovo will ever make a Core i7 based Thinkpad. i7 is a desktop CPU family, and they have TDPs of 130W (compared to an already-high 45W in mobile quadcores). i7 will only ever come out in thick, expensive ultimate gaming laptops. I believe Clevo's making one to be released May. No business would be interested.

Also, I don't know of any current-gen discrete-graphics laptop that can get the 8 hours of battery that my T500 can, while keeping anywhere close to it in graphics-intensive tasks.

 

If we are lucky, intel will release a Clarksfield quad core i7 mobile chip by the end of Q3; W700 is probably the only model that can take the high TDP (45/55W), by then they might refresh it.

Auburndale on the other hand will be dual core i7 mobile chips, with same TDP as existing dual core chips, meaning those refresh would likely to come first, given less redesign is needed. Lenovo probably got enough sense, that they'll release refresh to dual core TPs, for they are in greater demand due to being more mainstream than niche.

To support mobility Nehalem chips, we'd first have to wait for GM55 chipset - which is set to be out by late July or August this year.

 

According to Intel's plan for the notebook market there should be Calpella platform with Gilo codename processors (based on Nehalem microarchitecture)...So I guess that will be the next step for Lenovo...

45nm Clarksfield Quad Cores will probably be reserved for W700 or similar model...

 

i7 desktop. No, i dont think so. The only brands who use them are ones like Sager and Clevo. When the Mobile version of i7 comes out, im 100% sure tey will have it right away, as will all the other PC brands.

 

It was my understanding that When Lenovo bought IBM's Thinkpad line in 2005 that it was a 5 year agreement, and they were to stop making them. Or did I get it wrong, and it was a 5 year agreement for Continued Marketing and Support from IBM, and then afterward it will ONLY be from Lenovo, but they will continue the marque?

 

I think it was just the "IBM" monicker they were allowed to use for a five-year period?
I don't think IBM has anything to do with the Thinkpads at all right now, nor have they had for years. I think.

Also, and this is truly vague in my memory, but I seem to recall having read somewhere that Lenovo produced the Thinkpads even before they bought the brand/marque?

 

yeah, that's exactly how I heard it too.