Lenovo Launches Eco-Friendly L-series ThinkPad Discussion

Just in time for Earth Day, Lenovo launched its new L-series ThinkPad line. This new model contains up to 30% recycled post consumer content in its construction; items like old water jugs and used IT equipment comprise parts such as the LCD cover, palm rests, and case halves. In total the L512 laptop uses 18% post consumer content, more than any other industry model.

Read the full content of this Article: Lenovo Launches Eco-Friendly L-series ThinkPad

 

heheheheheheh

somehow the image of a laptop screen I am looking to purchase being built out of old water jugs sounds ... unpersuasive?

Ah well....

 

Well its a start I guess... but we will see other manufacturers jumping on the bandwagon in the near future.

 

And the ThinkPad line gets a little more confusing.

 

It does make their line more confusing, but this is still a great thing they're doing. ^_^

 

Not that much... they're quite obviously replacing the SL line.

 

I'm really getting concerned that Lenovo has jumped the shark.

This is not to say that the mainline products, like the T and X series, are any worse than they are before. I'm not one of those guys who is blind to the improvements Lenovo has made since they took over.

However, it really feels like Lenovo is starting to get into same "OMG, WE MUST MARKET TO EVERY POSSIBLE NICHE KNOWN TO MAN" trap which plagues, well, almost every notebook manufacturer. The more confusing your product line is, the more difficult it is to clearly express your strengths to your consumer, which in turn makes it more difficult to charge a premium for your products.

The Thinkpad line was basically the only Windows PC manufacturer which seemed to understand this. But now Lenovo has introduced the Thinkpad Edge, which is kinda-sorta-but-not-really-maybe-is a real Thinkpad, and this "L" series which is...what, exactly? Are they seriously just creating a new product line so they can market to the 5 people who care about their laptop being made of recycled milk cartoons?

Word to the wise, Lenovo - keep it simple. You have a very strong brand in the Thinkpad product, but it was strong not just because it had durable, reliable, well engineered products but because it only had good, reliable, well engineered products. If you want to market something like this, market it as an Ideapad.

 

I certainly agree with that.

 

Actually, I think it's replacing the 'R' series (the SL holds on).

Sad but true. I think IBM/Lenovo had a great thing going by focusing on corporate and enthusiast markets (e.g. x for mobility, T for balance, p [later replaced by w] for performance/worksation, and R for value). But I have no idea what they're doing with all these lines now.

 

I think both the SL- and R-series are being discontinued, with only the L-series to replace both. If that is indeed what they are doing, I don't think it's that bad of a move. The R-series was sort of a more inexpensive, bulkier clone of the T-series, but with the lower and lower prices of the T-series, I don't think the R-series really makes any sense for the bottom line of both consumers and Lenovo.

 

If this is what they're doing it makes a lot more sense. The really need to get rid of the SL line in particular. It cheapened the entire Thinkpad lineup. I can't imagine how many people got a hold of an SL, looked at the Thinkpad badge, and then felt incredibly disappointed when what they received didn't live up to the Thinkpad reputation.

 

Let's just hope Lenovo doesn't pull an Asus and put out eleventybillion tiny variations on the same product, all with extremely confusing names...

 

I agree that it is getting confusing with all the differnt names of Thinkpads now (T, R, SL, W, X, etc.). However, if they DO discontinue a model and have the "L" take it's place, I think it would be a little more clear.
As of right now, they have WAY too many models IMO.
Edit:
Upon reading and seeing what the new L series will look like, it DOES look almost just like an SL series, so hopefully the "L" WILL replace the "SL".
Confusing still though lol
Why don't they just have a model A and the way through Z ? lol

 

If Lenovo wants to make green-er machines, more (eco)power to them. Who's going to argue with that? But...

If the T is the enterprise line, the X is the mobility line, and the W is the workstation graphics line, and the new V is the small business line, and the G is the economy line . . . I'm still left wondering what the L is. And how long the R and SL will stick around.

 

The G and V series are not Thinkpads. They ARE Lenovo laptops, but not part of the Thinkpad line.
I do understand where your coming from though.
Very confusing indeed.

 

Good point.

The V line is funny. I had no idea it even existed until I wandered over to the Lenovo website. I'm not sure who's supposed to buy that machine is if it isn't a Thinkpad. Consumers already have mobility (U) & media (Y). I guess HP would have frowned on "Lenovo ProBook"

 

Wow, I completly missed the fact that the V-serie was out. It's quite sad to see that they don't offer the promised switchable graphics for now though.

This would really have set this serie apart.

 

and don't forget the S series netbooks

 

I think that is true for US market, where Thinkpads prices are traditionally very low, but not so for many other markets.

There are some Chinese bloggers whom argue that the huge price disparity between US and non-US market, is due to the fact that Lenovo is trying to use the profits generated from other market to subsidize the American market.

It is a shame that L series replaced the R series. IMHO, the use of recycled materials isn't that of a big deal, they could do that with the R series external casing too.

Also, the T510 and W510 gotten thicker with the use of ultrabay enhanced drive slot. For the W510 it could be forgiven due to the fact that now it has 4 ram slots and quad core CPU.

T510 in many way is mechanical progeny of T500 + R500.

 

First I have heard of this too ... but I have not been over to the lenovo website in quote some time.