If you could add one feature to your ThinkPad - What would it be?

Coming from a Macbook Pro, I'm going to say the ambient light sensor. I really enjoyed not having to manually adjust my screen's brightness due to my surroundings.

How about you?

 

I think Thinkpads should have a scanner on the bottom, so that you can just place your laptop on top of a piece of paper and scan it. Also, a mini nuclear reactor so I have 50 years of battery life.

 

a projector. being a business laptop it seems obvious. they are making those laser projectors which are pretty small in size

 

A webcam, I should have gotten one with it.

 

A more powerful docking interface on the bottom, coupled with an Advanced Dock which could let you use a fairly powerful graphics card for gaming or serious CAD work(ie: not this crippled 1xPCI-e interface). I know Thinkpads aren't really gaming machines, but being able to utilize powerful graphics solutions while docked would be a very nice feature for how I use a machine. I understand this would be pretty complex to implement, but it would be awesome.

Failing that, I'd love to see some IPS screens in the mix again, even if they're not 4:3.

 

A feature where if someone else touches the thinkpad without your permission, it gives off electric shock =]

 

I'd kinda like that one as well, but until we can do that sort of thing(I wouldn't mind bringing thieves pain, haha) here's a substitute I plaayed around with on my old T42:

http://www.musatcha.com/software/LaptopTheftPrevention/

It uses the APS feature to lock your computer and set an alarm in case it is moved/picked up/etc. If you are connected to the Net you can also configure it to send an email to your current email address detailing when the alarm is tripped. Pretty nifty piece of software, I think.

 

hey, this is pretty cool!! REPPED!

 

i want it to mow my lawn but really a webcam

 

They come close to that with Computrace which watches the due process considerations too.

 

Realistically speaking, two speakers. Not much to ask since most notebooks have stereo speakers :\

 

a decent screen

 

An LED WSXGA+ screen. HDMI-out with audio-out, instead of DisplayPort-out would be nice too.

 

Better speakers and to move the speakers to the top of all the machines. No reason to muffle a already small sound.

 

Better viewing angle and contrast screens

 

HDMI w/ audio out. That is all.

 

Any one of the following...

• HDMI
• ESata
• LED WSXGA+
• 18 cell double-stacked 9 cell battery

 

A Cure Cancer button, like the Macs.

 

GPS also.

 

The WWAN models already include this.

One can only hope.

 

More agreement with HDMI w/ audio out, eSATA, better docking station, LED 15.4" WSXGA+ (or WUXGA for that matter0.

No ambient light sensor...I hate it when items that have that try to think for me. I'll tell it what I want to do & when I want to do it.

 

DVI or DisplayPort... Without the need for a dock.

 

Ctrl Key where it should be!

 

Sadly, I think we’re more likely to see the Cure Cancer button I mentioned before the Ctrl key can be moved to the correct spot.

 

- a "real" backlit keyboard not that stupid flashlight.
- a touchpad on ALL thier models

 

I love to see the CTRL key where it's suppose to be!

 

It already IS! However, a BIOS option for swapping the control/Fn key (like some HP business notebooks) would be welcomed as it should put calls for relocating the control key to rest.

 

So are you saying that it's actually the desktop keyboards that have it in the wrong spot?? I'm gonna disagree cause desktops have been around longer than laptops, and therefore standard desktop keyboards should be the reference for what is the "correct" location of keys. QED.

And besides, everyone uses the ctrl key more often than the fn key...

 

Well, historically(and I do say that as the ThinkPad is actually one of the longest-running notebook lines currently in production) the Fn key has always been at the extreme lower left. As I've primarily used Thinkpads for the past five years, I'm more used to the key being in its current position. Actually, I have a little trouble with my M1730 with its Fn key being to the right of the Ctrl key.

Yes, it's a bit awkward for people who aren't used to these notebooks, but you do get used to the layout. If not, however, I do agree there should be a BIOS setting(and replaceable keys) to swap them out.

 

Switch CTRL and FN key positions on the QWERTY keyboard.

 

Okay, so then Ctrl key should be to the left of the A key.


83-Key IBM PC/XT Keyboard Layout

 

what a weird keyboard! i call photoshopped (jk)

 

If any of the new T series had an illuminated keyboard and eSATA, I'd purchase one immediately

 

T400s w/ integrated graphics, higher capacity (more efficient for same size?) battery options (also I hate how the battery has one leg of the notebook, making it awkward to balance when you remove it), 2.5" HDD (don't know if this already exists but if it doesn't, an option to replace the ODD w/ a 2nd 2.5" HDD).

 

Can't help with an illuminated keyboard (I personally never use mine when it's so dark I need it but understand some do).

I wondered about eSATA when I bought my T400 last August and figured if I need it I'll pick up an ExpressCard adapter.

Still haven't bought one. I just use a drive in the Ultrabay SATA Hard Disk Adapter and call it good. SATA interface and internal to the laptop. Since I rarely need to use my optical drive it's not been a problem.

 

I don't know about the illuminated keyboard. I can see why it would be useful but I feel like the machine looks cheap with it.

 

You said one thing, but others are including lists, and so will I.

To my T500 I would add / change:

1. SSD.
2. eSATA port.
3. USB 3.0 (when available); might make eSATA obsolete.
4. ECC RAM, with 3 or 4 slots. Easier access to RAM, like one screw to remove panel on bottom, rather than having to remove palmrest.
5. MVA/PVA/IPS/OLED screen.
6. Very high resolution (like 400 pixels/inch) screen, since I'm wishing.
7. Switchable graphics that allow Intel (or other integrated GPU) to output digital video.
8. Open-source Linux graphics driver that handles both integrated and discrete GPUs, and switching between them, and does H.264 decoding in video hardware for HD video.
9. DisplayPort that passes digital audio.
10. 3 buttons on touchpad as well as trackpoint mouse.
11. Physical switch to enable/disable touchpad.
12. Audio jacks on side, not front.
13. LV / ULV CPU options.
14. BIOS option to swap the Fn and Ctrl keys.
15. Eliminate the Windows key.
16. Softer touch palm rests like on 600X: rubberized surface, or maybe leather?
17. BIOS ability to boot from eSATA. (Think it's not possible now using eSATA PC Card / ExpressCard.)

 

I think also we need to remember that from a design perspective the T-series are aimed at business users even though many are sold for personal use.

An example of that is how VGA ports tend to stick around even though there are better alternatives. Sure HDMI and DVI are better in so many ways, but they don't typically match up to the VGA cable sitting on most conference room tables. (not without adapters that tend to grow legs and disappear quickly)

 

- Far better/more durable plastics so we don't get that icky keyboard shine that screams CHEAP after three months.
- Better screen options (incl. LED WSXGA+ and/or IPS panels).
- HDMI and/or eSATA ports (although Thinkpads have always been a bit behind the curve, port-wise).

Otherwise everything's pretty good for a business-class machine. Backlit keyboard might sound good, but I imagine it would require Lenovo to use a worse overall keyboard (I hate typing on Mac keyboards). Having said that, the keyboard is a big selling point for thinkpads, so maybe Lenovo could do some research and come up with a next-generation backlit jobby that blows all other notebook keyboards away and offer it as a $100 option or FRU.

 

LED-backlit WXGA+ display for better battery life. (on the T400, though a WXGA+ screen should be an option on the T500 IMO as well).
Possibly a backlit keyboard instead of the ThinkLight, but only if the same keyboard feel can be retained.

 

That's actually a pretty standard old school layout. Just ask any hardcore Unix/Linux geek and he will swear up and down that "Ctrl" should be to the left of the 'A' and the "CapsLock" should be either relocated or outright removed.

I understand this, and certainly agree. I feel that BOTH a VGA and HDMI (or DisplayPort w/ audio if necessary) would be ideal. I would happily ditch one of my 3 USB ports, the modem, accept a combo microphone/headphone port, and/or downsize the 54mm ExpressCard to 34mm to make this possible.

That and higher quality display across the board is the only thing I feel is missing from the current crop of ThinkPads.