News Bits: ThinkPad T61p Introduced, Vista SP1 Coming Soon, Intel Classmate PC

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Lenovo introduces ThinkPad T61p mobile workstation

Lenovo today introduced the fastest ThinkPad to date, the T61p mobile workstation. It features a 15.4-inch widescreen display and powerful dedicated graphics. It is cooler, quieter, and more efficient than previous models according to Lenovo. It has Ultra-Wideband technology and Lenovo's Ultra Connect II wireless that improves WWAN and WLAN performance.

The Nvidia QuadroFX 570M OpenGL graphics card raises the bar for graphics performance. The new cooling system in the T61p allows it to run 3 decibels quieter than previous models and ten percent cooler, even running at full tilt.

The T61p is certified to run Novell SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 operating system. It is also certified to run Red Hat and Turbo Linux operating systems.

For security, the T61p offers optional port disablement, 32-byte password protection, biometrics, and full disk encryption. The T61p mobile workstation will start at approximately $1,814. It is available through Lenovo Business Partners and www.lenovo.com.


Vista Service Pack 1 beta for possible release next week

Acoording to a ZDNet blog, &quot;various unnamed sources&quot; have said that Microsoft is preparing a beta service pack for a mid-July release. An exact date is not confirmed although rumors say July 16. The finalized version of  the service pack is expected &quot;sometime in November.&quot; It is said that the service pack will have more focus on fixes rather than new features.

Read More (Engadget.com)


Hands-on with the Intel Classmate PC (Linux)

Ars Technica was able to do a hands-on with the Linux-based Intel Classmate PC. The Classmate is aimed at school children; it comes with open-source programs like OpenOffice.org and has a KDE-powered interface.

Hardware comes from an Intel Celeron processor, Intel graphics, and an Intel mobile chipset. It comes with 256MB of RAM and an internal NAND 1GB flash drive. All elements of the system are supported by open source Linux drivers.

Please see this link to read on.


Acer starting to introduce Gemstone notebooks in US

Acer has started to introduce its Acer Aspire AS5920 laptop in the US through retail store Best Buy. It is similar to retail models from HP and Dell in specifications. It has an Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 processor. It is estimated that laptops being powered by the CPU could be 10-15% cheaper than models powered by the standard T7100 CPU.

Read More (DigiTimes.com)


LapWorks introduces Laptop Desk Futura notebook stand

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LapWorks today introduced the &quot;chic&quot; Laptop Desk Futura. It is designed to provide an ergonomically-sound workspace across your lap. It folds into a wedge-shaped stand for use at a desk. It will be available in multiple colors in the coming months; the first units are 'gun-metal' gray.

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The Laptop Desk Futura is constructed of high-impact ABS plastic. It weighs 16.25 ounces and folds in half to 11 x 10.75 inches and .5 inches thick for easy storage in a computer bag.

The LapWorks Laptop Desk Futura retails for $29.95 and is available directly from LapWorks (product link).

 

Spent a fair amount of time today trying to figure out - is this the IP-S display tech?

 

No... I think it's just going to be using the Samsung panel like the Dell M65's...

 

LOL! a BETA service pack! That means you'll need service packs to fix the problems of the beta service pack~!

 

MS just loves getting people to test their stuff for free...

 

No worries. You'll probably be forced to reinstall Windows after running the initial beta SP anyway.

 

I believe Intel will get nowhere with those Classroom PCs, and after a few trials no schools or colleges will buy them. A pen, text book and a write-up book are the best materials for learning. The laptops will worsen academic performance, as students will just waste their name on junk websites, instead of studying in class

Hehe. BETA service pack. It isn't even a full service pack. Sigh I've never heard of THAT berfore

That really is not chic. That lap-desk thing looks hideous

 

I don't completely agree. Laptops make a world of difference - when the student genuinely wants to learn with one.

 

How come you never heard of a beta SP? SP2 for the stupid XP was released for public testing before it went final.

 

I think we are aware that they have existed, but public consumption of a beta service pack is not likely to instill much confidence in an operating system that already has it's own share of problems (without doing further damage to Vista's image). Remember, a beta service pack may fix some issues while creating a horde of new ones as well. I don't think it would be wise to go the public release route on this one (the timing would be bad IMO).

As for XP, it took a fair amount of time to get the kinks worked out in SP2 even after final release. That was a major update.

 

Can someone link me to the t61p order page on lenovo's website? I can't seem to find it...

 

The guy who spearheaded the OLPC initiative resents the Intel classroom PC. In his 60 minutes interview he puts forth the idea that Intel created the classroom PC just to put the OLPC out of business. I tend to agree with him, as it makes almost no sense with the low prices of full laptops out there for North Americans, and it stops the OLPC program from capturing all of those emerging markets elsewhere (they do not use Intel chips).

 

The website is not quite there yet. The machine appears on a comparison chart ( http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...category-id=19C791A03AF24034A0011B825513BCED), but there is no option to customize or buy. Chomping at the bit here...

 

Its under the workstation notebook section...
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...0001BA:&smid=1F106632CBC24D2CBD23DF19644D3694

 

Anyone know what the Geforce 8xxxM equivalent is for the QuadroFX 570M?

 

8600GT I believe

 

Yes, it is the equivalent for the 8600m gt.

 

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...-category-id=1F106632CBC24D2CBD23DF19644D3694

It's the one on the right.

 

Waw!

I've been waiting for this spec from Lenovo since they canceled Z61p.
Definitively, it's a better choice than the corresponding HP 8510w:

• ultrabay Advanced Battery (doesn't stick out like HP's Travel Battery)
• ultrabay cheap SATA adapter (HP sells adapter + 80GB HD for ~$200)
• better quality (an assumption based on a direct comparison of my current nx8220 and z60t)
• ExpressCard interface

I'm about switching to Lenovo one day

 

Lenovo's website says the T61p has "WUXGA" screen resolution. Can someone tell me WTF that is? Why the hell do manufacturers keep using this stupid naming convention?

 

WUXGA screen is 1920X1200 resolution.

It looks pretty slick, although it would be more tempting if they offered a WSXGA screen too.

 

did they fix the battery life problems on the T61 series yet?

 

Right, Vista is a Beta and people are paying to test it. What a joke.
I have no problem when I hear about people Juarzing it, even though we don't talk about that here. Gates is rich anyway. Instead of giving all that money to Africa, why don't they reduce the price of their beta OS?

 

the T60P I had was UXGA 1600 x 1200. While it was ok for me, EVERYONE who saw the screen said everything was too small on it. I think for the T61p the WSXGA would be perfect.

 

Does anyone currently make a laptop w/ IP-S display? Any thoughts on Lenovo bringing it back soon? I realize that CW says that the factories are selling it as larger, more profitable screens....My interests are directed toward using the laptop in digital photography...

 

I have a wuxga screen in my 15.4. It definitely makes high def content look nice, but the same could be handled by a wsxga screen too. I'm talking 720p and 1080i content. My old Pentium M can't handle 1080p content.

And of course, I can't run many games at my screens native resolution, save for the original half life/counterstrike.

I do enjoy being able to have my buddy list on the side, and still have room to have firefox open and browse whatever site the web has to throw at me with room to spare. Still, I don't need wuxga resolution, and unless you're heavy into 3D CAD work or serious photo editing, most people won't need it either.

If only the 15.4 T61 offered an 8600GT, I would be so sold. I know it's not the kind of hardware to be considered for a professional notebook, but I think it would make the computer just too hard to pass up by a lot of people who want a do-it-all beast.

 

Quadro FX 570M=8600GT. nVidia has a history of making little to no difference between their mobile Quadros and Geforce.

 

You are right - this laptop with WUXGA resolution is not for EVERYONE!
But I'll love it for!

 

What's the Ultra-Wideband used for on the T61p?

As I recall UWB currently is the basis for wireless usb, some next-gen bluetooth, some wireless 1394/havi, and maybe other stuff...

 

Fitting I read your post a day after Pennsylvania's budget impasse was resolved. Guess what one of things the Governor demanded and got..... Laptops in High Schools!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

There will also be a WSXGA version of the T61P.

 

Any idea when that will be released? I really like the T61p, but the WUXGA may be a little too big for me. I saw a T60 in BB with WSXGA+ and I loved it.

 

I don't know when, I forgot where I read that.