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    Do you want a new 13 inch Thinkpad classic?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by lead_org, Nov 22, 2010.

  1. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    I personally lamented about the demise of the X30x series, like many other people whom have personally used and/or owned this particular model. I guess one things that sort drove the the X30x to its grave, was its high RRP and low consumer demand.

    So the question here is, do you think Lenovo should bring out another 13 inch laptop in the Thinkpad range (Edge is not counted)?

    Personally, i wouldn't mind a T3x0s or even a regular T series with a 13 inch LCD, obviously i am still willing to buy a X3xx laptop if Lenovo is ever going to release another one (somehow i doubt it, at least not in the next model update).

    The reason why i would prefer a T3x0s are due to the dedicated docking solution, and the Expresscard slot solution (Vidock yeah)... also, the price would be something more 'palatable' for the general consumer community.

    So i want to gauge the general community feeling towards the whole '13 inch Thinkpad' genre, and why they prefer it.

    ---------------------------

    You can opt for more than one model choice(s) in the poll
     
  2. Joel

    Joel coffeecoffeecoffeecoffee

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    Yeah, although I'm not a Thinkpad user (Wish I was though!) I would personally love to see a 13" Thinkpad. One of which is not expensive, like the X30x series, so it is affordable for students like me, without cutting too much specs - I know, very hard to do as it's Thinkpad, but one can always dream.
     
  3. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    nothing is impossible, not to a Melburnian anyway.... i think Lenovo should produce something to compete with the likes of E43x0 Latitude...
     
  4. Joel

    Joel coffeecoffeecoffeecoffee

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    Yes, exactly what I mean, a competitor to the thin-and-light Latitudes. That's all we ask, not much if you ask me. The revenue will be (hopefully) astronomical because of IBM/Lenovo's past history of such well built machines... Business would pounce on them in an instant, (hopefully) I mean, if I had a business, I'd choose Thinkpad over Latitude any day.
     
  5. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    hopefully the snowball of 'needing a 13 inch Thinkpad classic' would get big enough to overcome any barriers within Lenovo's management..
     
  6. vēer

    vēer Notebook Deity

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    Hmm, perhaps they cancelled 13" X series not only because they might have had not good enough sale numbers but also because maybe new 12" X series might get screen estate boost to 12.5"?
    I mean, why would they introduce U260 with 12.5" screen and 16:9 ratio?
    Perhaps 16:10 is slowly falling into oblivion in 12" form factor as well?
    So, if they release 12.5" X200 series then there is no use of 13" inch X series and 14" T slim series at the same time so 13" had to go?

    Just guesses.

    Oh and I would prefer 13" T series if they decide to bring 13" ThinkPad classics back, regular T not S-slim since then it wouldnt be T anymore and be more X than T series :p
    13" T could be cheaper than 12" X series and at the same time bit more portable size wise (footprint) than 14" T series giving more people more portability for lower price than current X series.
     
  7. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    The X200 series and the X300 series were different beast, since the the latter can be optioned with the built in optical drive... you are right that the 12.5 inch will start come out in the future, since that is the market trend. Not sure how Lenovo will handle the X2xx update, but i guess it most likely have on board displayport and eSATA ports.

    Who knows, the X series could be populated with a 11.6 inch machines too.

    Personally i wouldn't mind a T series with the 13 inch LCD.
     
  8. TheGreat

    TheGreat Notebook Consultant

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    I prefer a T series (T410 like) with 13 inch LCD with 1440x900 res.

    btw, a friend is offering me to buy his x301, so I might have a chance of using a 13 inch TP if ever :)
     
  9. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    @TheGreat, hopefully your friend is offering the X301 to you at a reasonable price.
     
  10. TheGreat

    TheGreat Notebook Consultant

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    Selling it to me at ~$620, no optical drive though (cover only). is this a good deal?
     
  11. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    USD? that is not bad... cheapest i can get here in Australia would be something like 900 USD.

    Do you have the spec of the machine, i.e. battery size?
     
  12. TheGreat

    TheGreat Notebook Consultant

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    yes it is in USD (converted it from PHP)

    Here are the specs:
    Intel Core 2 Duo Ultra Low Voltage CPU SU9400 1.4Ghz
    3GB Memory
    64GB Solid State Drive Storage (Toshiba)
    Intel 4500M HD Graphics Card
    UltraNav
    FPR
    Intel WiFi Link 5100
    Integrated Bluetooth PAN
    Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
    Display Port
    Built-in Camera and Mic
    13.3 WXGA+ LCD
    3 cell battery (SONY)
     
  13. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    this is a very good spec for the price.
     
  14. erik

    erik modifier

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    you might want to save a poll like this for after the new models are released.   you never know... there may be something that meets your needs.

    just sayin'.
     
  15. TheGreat

    TheGreat Notebook Consultant

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    I am making the deal now, will get the unit in a day or 2.
    will see If a 13 inch screen is just right for me (compared to my 12 and 14).
     
  16. JaneL

    JaneL Super Moderator

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    I love my X300 and X301 and think the screen is the perfect size.
     
  17. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    The X301 in terms of size and format, would probably be your baby bear's porridge, chair, bed....

    @erik... yes i am getting hints from various people that something exciting is coming to the Thinkpad classic line up... so i can only wait and hope...
     
  18. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    I would love a 13" ThinkPad and if it has - at the minimum - the build quality (after all the refitting and replacements) of my current R400, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Having handled a 12" (X200/201 in the store) and both the T and R 400 series machines, I find the 12" screen too small and the 14" size and weight combo somewhat largish in a portable role. I think 13" would be the perfect size.

    However, the build quality must be very high. The machine should feel robust - no creaks or noises of any sort -and the quality of the keyboard is critical. Rubberized lid and palmrests would be nice. The machine should be surrounded by a reinforcing roll-cage. There should be no flex of any kind.

    Oh...and the T3xx/T3XX should have a planned evolutionary cycle of around 2 yrs, which will allow me to upgrade on time!

    Price point? Around US$ 1000 would be cool!
     
  19. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    RRP of 1000 USD in India or in USA? i doubt Lenovo would move back to the screen magnesium roll cage, the X30x did not have one. Lenovo move towards increased manufacturability would probably mean the palmrest and keyboard bezel would also stay as one piece.
     
  20. vēer

    vēer Notebook Deity

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    Will they get rid of it in future TP refreshes that still kept rollcage in lid?
     
  21. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    USD1000 in India. I'm also ok with Lenovo dispensing with the mag roll-cage, if they can substitute it with something comparable but lighter. But the key point is that the machine should be robust - more than usual as ThinkPads (at least till the T/R400 series) generally are.
     
  22. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    It would be a miracle if Lenovo can land a new 13 inch Thinkpad classic in India for 1000 USD and still keep it high quality. High quality usually means high price....
     
  23. ThinkLover

    ThinkLover Notebook Consultant

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    T3xx in reasonable price would be fully awesome.
     
  24. drake437

    drake437 Notebook Consultant

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    Good poll.....

    I voted for T310....because I love my T500.

    I would also love to see a T710....affordable 17".

    drake
     
  25. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    I mentioned US$1000 as being an "optimal" price in the same way as I wish they have a 2 yr upgrade cycle. Not necessary that they will do so.

    Realistically, the price point at which I would buy a T3xx or a T3XX would be around US$1300-1500 (preferably including the OS).

    Btw, I voted for a T3xx!
     
  26. jaakobi

    jaakobi Notebook Evangelist

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    Make it like the Vaio Z. No one makes a machine as beastly as the Vaio Z, so I vote T310. Hopefully it'd have a i7 640M as an option, Blu-Ray drive, full HD 13 inch screen (option), and be under 4 lbs.
     
  27. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    erik, you're such a tease :p

    In all seriousness, if Lenovo does make a return to the 13" form factor, I'd like to see a more affordable, higher-performing, albeit likely thicker option (and therefore placement in the T-series). A 1600x900 13" screen in a machine with switchable discrete graphics and no optical drive would be quite ideal. Personally, I wouldn't mind either way whether or not it uses standard or low voltage processors, although I do hope such a machine would be compatible with extended batteries that stick out the rear, or at the very least have a battery slice option.
     
  28. MikesDell

    MikesDell Notebook Evangelist

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    YES, YES !!! I DO !!!!

    If Lenovo were to make another 13 inch Thinkpad (be it a T320, X302, etc.) no matter what the price (although, the cheaper the better), I would hands down buy one !!!

    Also, a BIG X2 on the user who wants to see a T710 (or, an affordable 17" Thinkpad). I'd buy one of those as well ! :)
     
  29. Teh N00b

    Teh N00b Notebook Geek

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    I wish they would come out with a successor to the X301, especially with its battery dock in place of the DVD drive. Chuck in some graphics switching system (maybe an nVidia 425M or slightly lesser), no Optimus, and you'll have a winner (I despise Optimus). Also chuck in a high resolution screen which is of a higher quality than usual and I will be all over it like there is no tomorrow.
     
  30. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    All I want is for them to make the X300-series, but with a ULV Core i3. Do that, and I'm a happy man.
     
  31. Renee

    Renee Notebook Virtuoso

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    Actually I'd vote for the t61p but other than an 8 gig memory limit it'll do anything the new ones will.

    Renee
     
  32. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    i would be happy with either the X30x or the T3xxs model.
     
  33. measure

    measure Notebook Geek

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    Warning, this is a bit of a rambling post, skip to basic idea unless you're as bored as I was when I wrote this:

    Having recently purchased a T410 (about a year ago, which I consider recent), I am not exactly in the market for a new laptop. However, in the future, a T3XX is exactly what I'd like. I have very specific specs in mind though, knowing the mistake I made with my T410. For my T410, I went with a Core i7 as I often do mathematical computations that benefit from the extra power. However, in my next cycle of computers, I will build opt to build a powerful workstation to handle my computations and connect to it through my laptop. I thought I could get away with the power of a 3.3GHz mobile processor. While the processor is fast enough most of the time, I am often frustrated with the thermal limits.

    For a T3XX, I'd really like to see low voltage options (which I guess would be more of an X3XX thing) as I would be handing off most cpu-intense work to the workstation. More importantly, it'd need to have some higher resolutions. The 1440x900 on my T410 is pretty nice, though of course we'd all like taller screens as opposed to wider (well most of us, anyway). I guess this makes it seem like I really want an X3XX, but I do not care too much about the weight or the thickness of the machine, and the T3XX would most likely offer a nicer pricetag.

    Basic idea: I'd like a 13" Thinkpad with decent resolution and possibly low-voltage processor for better battery life; however, the thickness and the weight are not important to me. For this, I voted for the T3XX. Sounds perfect.

    Thanks,
    Ryan
     
  34. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    Actually, I for one was not bored when reading your post!

    Yes. This is great, from-personal-experience insight that will be helpful to those who want the "biggest and baddest". :) The i3-i5-i7 marketing scheme seems to work really well as people tend to say, "Oh, it's just $100 more." Bingo!

    Right.

    Balanced suggestion! I just want to add: decent resolution and quality.
     
  35. menos

    menos Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    "♬♪♬
    Let's make it, don't waste it,
    Let's make it, come on and taste it [Lenovo]!

    ♬♪♬"
    :wink: