Lenovo ThinkPad Z Series Announced (pics)

Some of you may have heard rumors about an upcoming Z series ThinkPad model coming out in September. So far I've gathered that it's going to be more consumer-oriented: widescreen and a better graphics card (Mobility Radeon X700 it seems ). Do any one of you have other hints and/or confirmation of this?

 

I would also like to know any information anyone has about this... don't want to go buy a T43 now and find something better right around the corner.

 

Your information is pretty much so right on. September, X700, Pentium M Sonoma, silver finish, widescreen, some links that refer to this machine:

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1843597,00.asp

http://chinese.engadget.com/2005/07/18/thinkpad-intro-widescreen-laptop/

 

Do you have any information relating to the size and weight of the Z series?

 

http://www.sundigi.com/files/2005/07/15/news/050715_ibm_wide_01.jpg

it LOOKS to be 15.4 and fairly thick. but it still has the metal hinges and all that good stuff

 

Well that's beyond my desired weight and size range, so I'll stick with the T43, thanks for your help.

 

looks slick...i am waiting for the offical specs before i decide if i'll get the T or Z series.

Scott

 

Well, it's certainly a new approach for IBM, but nothing out of the ordinary for Lenovo. I think we're going to see plenty of new notebooks now that Lenovo has taken over. More consumer oriented models like this should play extremely well, especially if they can keep prices reasonable.

 

Z60T

- Pentium M 740 1.73Ghz
- 2MB L2 Cache, Intel 915GM
- Win XP Pro (Eng or Trad Chin)
- 256MB DDR2 RAM
- 40GB Harddisk (5400rpm)
- 24x/24x/24x/8x CDRW/DVD Combo
- 14" TFT WXGA (1280x768)
- Graphics : Intel GMA 900
- Model, LAN, 802.11a/b/g
- 3xUSB 2.0, SD slot, IEEE 1394, IR, VGA
- 4lbs
- 13.1" x 9.2" x 1"
- Battery 3 hrs
- 3 year international warranty[/b]


Z60M

- Pentium M 760 2.0Ghz
- 2MB L2 Cache, Intel 915GM
- Win XP Pro (Eng or Trad Chin)
- 512MB DDR2 RAM
- 80GB Harddisk (5400rpm)
- DL DVD+-RW Multi-burner (2x max)
- 15.4" TFT WSXGA+ (1600x1050)
- Graphics : ATI Radeon X600 (128MB)
- Model, LAN, 802.11a/b/g
- 3xUSB 2.0, S-video out, SD slot, 3-in-1 card reader, IEEE 1394, IR, VGA
- 6lbs
- 14.1" x 10.3" x 1.6"
- Battery 4 hrs
- 3 year international warranty

 

Where did you find this information? And also, will there be further configurations of these models besides the two you gave as examples?

 

its a paste of someones post on thinkpads.com

i cant say the information is accurate either.

 

Well, so far every series from the ThinkPad line has dozens of configurations to choose from. Also, the Chinese site mentions a Mobility Radeon X700, so I suspect that would be an option too, though it is pure speculation. What's curious to me is the weight difference of the 2 types mentioned.

 

Apparently, the planned date for the release of the Z series is set for Sept. 20th. The Z series laptops will include the windows key so stubbornly excluded from other IBM laptops, and will also have speakers on each side of the keyboard. I can't confirm any of this, but this is as much information as I could find anywhere about the Z series. It's rather suprising how little information they've released about this.

 

http://home.netteens.net/~billyy/Print Version.mht

This site has specs for both Z series models (same as previously provided) as well as a picture of the Z series model it it's finished form (essentially same as other thinkpads, but wider.) The silver was just for the prototype.

It also has prices in HK dollars, which isn't really a definate representation of what their going to cost in the US, but should give a general idea of their prices relative to other thinkpad models.

 

Wow looks wonderful. Hope this really is the real thing!

 

in that pic it looks as though the touchpad has been removed

 

I don't think your looking close enough, the touchpad is cleary visible.

 

so it is...on the crappy 15" crt i was originally viewing the webpage it wasn't as distinct.

 

is it just me, or do others get a page of codes when clicking that link?

 

try with explorer

 

got it, thanks! looks nice! wish they had a 14' widescreen model with an x600 though

 

I don't see why not. These shouldn't be the only models out there when it's released. Doesn't Lenovo usually put out options galore with each series?

 

great pics! I'm guessing that's the 15.4" model.

*crosses fingers for pics of the 14 wxga model witha dedicated GPU *

 

Looks like a very promising machine... however, is anyone else worried about the overall build quality?

 

The build quality will definitely be interesting as it seems that this is an adapted Lenovo machine (although, I'm really not sure on that, I'm hoping to find out more from IBM). We've been promised a review unit very soon and I can't wait to get my hands on one of these. It'll certainly be interesting to see if Lenovo is going to limit the config options and just offer a couple of versions of the machine, I doubt that though.

 

Priced similar to the T-series of similar spec, and promising the same warranty, one would hope the Z-series' build quality would be similar.

This new line looks really promising. It's certainly a step in the right direction IMO.... just wishing there were more customisable options aside from the 60T and 60M mentioned.

 

I'd say there's a 90% chance there will be.

 

Any idea if they will be using a glossy screen anyone????

 

I doubt that it would have a glossy screen. Business machines rarely do. Then again, this Z-series is widescreen and suited for all kinds of people.

 

This really isn't going to be marketed as a business machine though, we're speaking with IBM on 9/6 and we'll ask them what type of screen this machine will have in regards to glossiness.

 

what' with LENOVO? the guys there need some lessons on DESIGN! Build something else and put LENOVO! Never a THINKPAD!

 

There's nothing wrong with the design, it's just made to capture a different market.

 

I don't much care about the minor design differences. I mean, they tried their best to make it look like a ThinkPad, right? What's more important is whether the quality of this machine can justify the high price (I've seen price points on some websites that place the Z a little above the T43).

 

I hope it is the laptop that will give Lenovo the ground is the U.S>

 

So abaxter, any news about the Z series? This one looks like a winner!

 

we're still waiting on further details from IBM, I'll certainly post when I know more!

 

Engadget has some pics up!

14" Z60t



16" Z60m






looks like there's only going to be 2 usb ports again!

 

This will be a bit similar to the Tecra A-series, ie lower quality than the "true" Thinkpad I am afraid.

 

Lenovo (formerly IBM PCs) today announced the new widescreen ThinkPad Z series of notebooks will be available on September 20. The Z series will come in two flavors, the Z60t and Z60m. The Z60t will have a 14-inch WXGA screen while the Z60m will have a 15.4-inch WXGA screen. The Z series is the first widescreen and consumer oriented/small businessThinkPad to be released.

ThinkPad Z series with Titanium lid (Titanium lid is optional extra)back right side view (view larger image)

Outside of the widescreen, some other consumer oriented features the Z series will include is a FireWire port andthree-in-one media card reader -- neither are usually found on ThinkPad laptops. What will stay is the distinctive ThinkPad look and feel with the black case and red pointing stick, although the shape will be less squarish and feature rounded edges and a few wisps of white will appear on the casingto highlight certain ports and connectors. If you're willing to get a high-end configuration, you can get a Titanium lid for extra protection, ThinkPad Z configurations with a Titanium lid will start at $1,999 USD.

ThinkPad Z Front side shot (view larger image)

One unique and not so common feature worth mentioning is the fact that all Z60 models will incorporate a wide area network antenna(WWAN). The antenna will be located on the right side of the screen for better reception.

ThinkPad Z60m Product Sheet, notice a MAXBright option screen which is 100NITs more bright than the average screen

The Z60 will be somewhat configurable, the option to select an Intel Celeron or Pentium M processor will be in place and either Windows XP Home or Windows XP Pro will be available. The Z60t will have an integrated Intel 900GMZ graphics processor, while the Z60m will have an ATI M-22 or M-24 graphics processor. Both laptops will have 100GB 5400 RPM hard drives standard, with the option of smaller if you wish. The optical drive will be either DVD-RW or DVD-ROM/CD-RW. AnAdvanced Mini Dock will be available for $219 for easy docking and extra connection ports, such as a DVI port, PS/2 andparallel port.

IBM Z series keyboard overview -- LOOK it's a Windows key on a ThinkPad (gasp!) .

The Z60t (14-inch screen)will weigh 4.4 pounds and the the Z60m (15.4-inch screen) will be significantly heavier at 6.6lbs. The Z60t willhave a starting price of $1,049 while the Z60m will have a starting price of $799.

The ThinkPad Z chassis will be Magnesium and is the Next Generation Formula One Chassis design

Worth noting,a new magnesium chassis will be included in the Z-series called a "Formula One" type build that gives the ThinkPad Z 30% better protection than the T-series. A better more spill proof keyboard is also being used and it has the Windows key and more built-in multimedia functions than in the past.

 

How soon can we expect a review of the Z series? I'm curious to see the quality of it.

 

Wow I really love the IBM thinkpads and I was afraid when Lenovo bought the Thinkpads lines they will ruin it. I guess I have nothing to worry about, looks like Lenovo knows what they are doing.

I just recently bought IBM thinkpad 2373 KXU which I really like and got a good price on by using a comparison shopping service from. Here is the link directly to it:

I wonder if Lenovo will try to innovate away from the classic thinkpad with new features like biometric security and others.
What do you think?

MotoDut :decision:

 

"What about the keyboard"

My Fear Factor paranoia says the keyboard is not as good as the T series keyboard. If Lenovo messed with the keyboard travel or any other aspect of the "feel" of IBM's keyboards, many many writers are going to be bummed.


Hopefully they didn't skimp on the keyboard!!!

 

Too early to tell, production units aren't out yet. We'l have full reviews on both units though.

 

It's clear that Lenovo is trying to stick as close as possible to the IBM thinkpad design so as to maintain brand recognition. I'm just not sure that same look works as well on a 15.4 widescreen model.

 

it's the same keyboard but better, they added the Windows key and some multimedia keys and added better spill proof protection. This product started design 18 months ago, long before the Lenovo buyout, it is a pure IBM product and design.

 

Just spoke to Lenovo, they'll be sending the review units out next week most likely and I'll put up pics and first impressions the same day or next day.

 

I have to say, the notebook looks great!!! They didn't change the styling that much, and I think the rounded corners gave it a more attractive design.

The widescreen looks great, and I think many business users will appreciate this, because you can view two excel spreadsheets side by side much better than on a regular 4:3 screen.

I don't like that titanium lid option though, that takes away from the look of the thinkpad!! Kind of makes it look like an Asus....sort of.

 

Actually that's not the case, in fact, it looks to be the best built ThinkPad yet:

1) Optional Titanium lid (+$35)
2) New sturdier Magnesium Formula One build Chassis, 30% more sturdy and better protection than the T series.
3) New better spill proof keyboard, two drains instead of one.
4) Otherwise same quality build as ever, this laptop has been in the works for 18-months and is the work of IBM designers.

 

It would be kind of odd having a silver top ThinkPad, although it would offer better protection for just $25 - $30. Kicker is that it's only going to be available starting at the high end $1,999 configuration...so only the really "cool" people or those with too much money will have those.