Lenovo Announces New ThinkPads

Lenovo today unveiled nine new ThinkPads, including a completely new line of ThinkPads designed specifically for small-to-medium business (SMB) users: the new SL series of ThinkPad notebooks.

The new SL series includes the SL300, SL400 and SL500, all of which feature new technologies, such as built-in high speed mobile broadband connectivity, integrated Intel or dedicated NVIDIA graphics, an optional Blu-Ray DVD player on select models as well as a black glossy cover. To help simplify your productivity, Lenovo also combined software that helps with everything from data recovery to setting up an Internet connection with a new optional service package featuring on-line data backup and on-site warranty repair.

ThinkPad SL400. (view large image)

In addition, Lenovo also announced six new notebooks - the ThinkPad R400, R500, T400, T500, X200 and W500. This new ThinkPads include many of the technologies seen in the popular ThinkPad X300 notebook, such as solid state drive storage, LED backlit displays and GPS functionality to select models in the line. The new T Series includes models with technologies like switchable graphics and support for Display Port. The notebooks also expand Lenovo's portfolio of environmentally-responsible notebooks with many of them being rated Gold by the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool. All the newly announced ThinkPad notebooks, including the SL Series, are based on Intel's latest Centrino 2 (Montevina) processor technology.

ThinkPad X200. (view large image)

All of the latest ThinkPads now follow a new naming convention. The first number of the name refers to the display size of the ThinkPad, making it easier for you to understand the different offerings (eg.: ThinkPad X200 = 12.1" display, ThinkPad SL300 = 13.3" display, ThinkPad SL400 = 14.1" display and ThinkPad SL500 = 15.4" display). Also, all ThinkPad systems are now transitioning to widescreen offerings.

Related Articles:

Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Review

Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 First Look

 

I want a 15.4", so that would be the SL500, correct?

 

This happens the DAY AFTER I break down and order a Dell XPS M1530. If these turn out to be sweeter at the 1800-2000 point, I might cancel my order-- I love the Thinkpad aesthetic.

 

The Ideapad also got refreshed.

 

Lenovo is really making good laptops now. Just read the X200 mini preview....9 hours and 53 min of battery life....WOW

 

Hopefully you get some sleep tonight Andrew!

 

The SL400 looks fat based on the mini review. Can't wait for details on the T400

 

Andrew isn't the only one on our staff getting VERY little sleep.

 

I updated the article to reference the new naming convention for all of the new ThinkPads. The first number of the name refers to the display size of the ThinkPad, making it easier for you to understand the different offerings (eg.: ThinkPad SL300 = 13.3" display, ThinkPad SL400 = 14.1" display and ThinkPad SL500 = 15.4" display).

 

Engadget's pic shows an off-centre screen and colour-less trackpoint buttons...hopefully those are pics from earlier rumours because their X200 pic has the 51nb logo in the corner...

 

Yuch, 1280x800 on the X200? Where is the X61 Tablet's 12" 1400x1050 option?

Only widescreen in the 14" segment? Do we finally get 1680x1050 or still only 1440x900? (1440x900 sucks and it is the biggest mistake I made so far with expensive electronics, I should have waited for the 14" 1400x1050 instead).

But the X200 looks nice.

I wonder what the real-life prices will be. $1200? That's €920 with 19% VAT.

 

14" widescreens top out at WXGA+ resolution - holding out for WSXGA in a 14" screen is not going to happen. Sorry to dissapoint you.

Also, about the res on the X200, 12" widescreens come only in WXGA resolution, your SXGA+ is only on the 4:3 models.

 

any word on weight or screen resolution for the sl300? i hope it has wxga+...

 

New SL series is supposed to be between R and T?

 

Performance wise, I think so. Quality wise, it's worse than R.

 

Given this, I think I'm still preferring the X300 over the X200.....

 

Is there any news on when the new T-series is going to be able to be ordered? I see the SL series is already available on their website... sort of, it's still kind of screwy.

 

I hope so. It's really 'fat' based on today's standards.

I hope the T series has eSata, if so that would definitely go well with my new 1TB mybook home edition. The speeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed!

 

I'm puzzled about use of the Intel 5100 WiFi Link versus the 4965 as both use the Draft-N technology. The only difference I can see is that the 4965 is embedded while the 5100 isn't, but I'm not sure. I originally thought the 5100 is a later design chip but this may not be true either. Can someone clarify this issue?

 

More AMT functions. And I guess also lower energyconsumption.

The 5300 has a more antenna option for 450 Mbps (in theory) 802.11N

Also check this page:
http://www.hardware.info/nl-NL/articles/amdnZmpuZGSa/Centrino_2_Intels_nieuwe_notebookplatform/4

I'll translate it for you guys:

One page further you get:

 

SL300 will not have WXGA+, it's a lower end model (as opposed to the X300) and will have WXGA LED as its highest option.

From the spec sheet, no eSATA, which makes me sad

 

This is not on topic per se, but anyone know how to remove the large ThinkVantageTechnologies label on the left-front of the top (lid) of a new T-series Lenovo? The label doesn't have a pull-tab to remove, and it's not one of the clear-type easy-to-remove labels, but a solid white paper-type label. Since the T-series has the rubberized top, I can see the top really getting messed up by trying to remove the label, especially with the possible adhesive residue it may leave.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

Goo Gone ... the magic solution to all sticker removal issues.

I have NEVER found a sticker (and sticker residue) that couldn't be removed with some elbow grease and plenty of Goo Gone.

 

that label with one round corner? On my T61 was also such a label. I simply took it off, it didn't leave any adhesive. (Whould be a shame for Lenovo if it did..)


The windows label is quite funny. The paint comes of very easy and it leaves a small mirror

 

In some of the "first look" reviews I've read, the SL400 has had a WXGA+ panel in it (1440x900). But when I go on Lenovo's site, I have had no luck finding an SL400 that has a WXGA+ panel in it. The SL500 readily has a WSXGA+ option, but all the SL400s are WXGA. Anyone know if a WXGA+ screen is actually an option on the SL400?

I'm also hoping that the new T series are realesed soon. It would be great to have a look at all of Lenovo's new line.

 

Should be available tomorrow! August 5th.

 

Have you looked at the SL400/SL500 tech spec sheet? It lists 14.1" WXGA+, Anti-glare (1440x900, 200nit) as display option for the SL400.

Have a look here, the page you get to when you click on the link in "What is new" on the right side of lenovo.com main page (in the US at least). Spec sheets galore.