Fans of classic Thinkpads, rejoice!

[Tactile]

http://blog.lenovo.com/en/blog/retro-thinkpad-its-alive

[XMIT]

I'll believe it when I see it, but maybe I can get work to get me one so I can start carrying a Linux machine around again.

[nmur]

i'm not holding my breath for this to live up to all the expectations but i really really hope it does

i loved my x41 with arch but it was just ultra slow

[tp4tissue]

I don't really see how that thing is very _retro_ except the emblem..


I hope it's not going to be a regular ol' ultraportable

[vivalarevolución]

I'll believe it when I see it, but maybe I can get work to get me one so I can start carrying a Linux machine around again.

I am in this camp. 

[tp4tissue]

I'll believe it when I see it, but maybe I can get work to get me one so I can start carrying a Linux machine around again.

I am in this camp. 

I'm quite sure they'll make it..

But they haven't explained the thought process behind it..


What makes it RETRO.. ??

[vivalarevolución]

I'll believe it when I see it, but maybe I can get work to get me one so I can start carrying a Linux machine around again.

I am in this camp. 

I'm quite sure they'll make it..

But they haven't explained the thought process behind it..


What makes it RETRO.. ??

Probably the logo and the keyboard.  Maybe they'll have one of those butterfly keyboards!

I've become too accustomed to keyboard projects and Kickstarters that never come to fruition.  I am of little faith.

[tp4tissue]

Probably the logo and the keyboard.  Maybe they'll have one of those butterfly keyboards!

I've become too accustomed to keyboard projects and Kickstarters that never come to fruition.  I am of little faith.

The butterfly keyboard is easily built these days

But, I don't think people want machines with a screen that small, so if you build something like that, it's cool but not so practical .

[_haru]

My last Thinkpad caught fire so a massive NOPE on this one.

[SBJ]

My last Thinkpad caught fire so a massive NOPE on this one.

Whoa, it actually caught fire? Never heard of that happening to any of the ThinkPad's I've been into contact with. That's crazy!

[_haru]

Yeah. My R61 is still going (sans half the keyboard and battery) but that E440-shaped piece of crap is very dead. Lenovo refused to fix it, so I'm not going to buy any new products from them if I can help it.

[SBJ]

Yeah. My R61 is still going (sans half the keyboard and battery) but that E440-shaped piece of crap is very dead. Lenovo refused to fix it, so I'm not going to buy any new products from them if I can help it.

Seems weird that they straight up refused to fix it. What was their reasoning?

[_haru]

Yeah. My R61 is still going (sans half the keyboard and battery) but that E440-shaped piece of crap is very dead. Lenovo refused to fix it, so I'm not going to buy any new products from them if I can help it.

Seems weird that they straight up refused to fix it. What was their reasoning?

I have no idea. I had even bought extended warranty for the damn thing..

[ideus]

My T460s does pretty well for my needs. This thing should be way too better and affordable to make me to consider changing it.

[Belfong]

I don't really see how that thing is very _retro_ except the emblem..


I hope it's not going to be a regular ol' ultraportable

Thinkpads keyboard were pretty good before the mechanical keyboards came back into the scene. I remember trying tons of rubber dome keyboards but none was as good as the Thinkpads that work deployed to me. They were so good, I ended up buying a external, Thinkpad keyboards and that has served me well for many years, until I got a Razer and then a Code keyboard. My eyes were opened and Thinkpad keyboard is junk in comparison.

[vivalarevolución]

I don't really see how that thing is very _retro_ except the emblem..


I hope it's not going to be a regular ol' ultraportable

Thinkpads keyboard were pretty good before the mechanical keyboards came back into the scene. I remember trying tons of rubber dome keyboards but none was as good as the Thinkpads that work deployed to me. They were so good, I ended up buying a external, Thinkpad keyboards and that has served me well for many years, until I got a Razer and then a Code keyboard. My eyes were opened and Thinkpad keyboard is junk in comparison.

Yes, I agree.  I had a T420 and now a Yoga 260 and the keyboards are good for a laptop, but just feel like crisp with the mechanical keyboard next to it.  Even though I like the Thinkpad keyboards as laptops go, I'm considering just ditching them altogether and using a laptop with a mechanical keyboard (although that would be less portable).

Probably the logo and the keyboard.  Maybe they'll have one of those butterfly keyboards!

I've become too accustomed to keyboard projects and Kickstarters that never come to fruition.  I am of little faith.

The butterfly keyboard is easily built these days

But, I don't think people want machines with a screen that small, so if you build something like that, it's cool but not so practical .

Make a full size fold out keyboard.  Now that would be something. Different.

[Belfong]

With a HHKB, it is equally portable

[tp4tissue]

Make a full size fold out keyboard.  Now that would be something. Different.

I guess they could do that, but it would push the main keys really far to the left, and in general, people don't like that as much on laptops.

[xtrafrood]

Will this launch around the same time as the Unicomp SSK?

[vivalarevolución]

Will this launch around the same time as the Unicomp SSK?

Lol, good one.

[Belfong]

Will this launch around the same time as the Unicomp SSK?

Ha ha ha ha ha .. thanks for making my day!

[tp4tissue]

they really should make the vent port more easy to clean..

Also , DDR 4000 in high performance mode,  downclock to ddr 3000 in balance mode

quad core in the size of x220

E-gpu dock $50

VGA out is a must.

Serial port and Parallel port would be nice.

[tp4tissue]

Also,  Full set of Windoz XP drivers..

[Shapey Fiend]

E-series are just Ideapads in Thinkpad clothing. I know, I've got one and it's a dog. Going to buy a proper one next time. Only reason I got one was I wanted a graphics card and it doesn't bloody work.

In fact I'd love to just go back to desktop most of the time.

If the Thinkpad Retro looks cool I think that'll be enough. We've reached a point where laptops have gotten about as thin as is practical so a bit of 90's chunkiness is (already) rather a lot more stylish in my view. Plus silver and rose gold are played out.

[dante]

Thinkpads keyboard were pretty good before the mechanical keyboards came back into the scene. I remember trying tons of rubber dome keyboards but none was as good as the Thinkpads that work deployed to me. They were so good, I ended up buying a external, Thinkpad keyboards and that has served me well for many years, until I got a Razer and then a Code keyboard. My eyes were opened and Thinkpad keyboard is junk in comparison.

IMHO Thinkpads scissor switches are superior to the vast majority of mechanical switches available.  Even Lenovo chiclets that I have available have outlasted key-switches with a claimed "50 million" keypress rating.

I'm keeping an eye on this new development but am highly skeptical.  The new Nokia 3310 let me down so I'm more cautious.  Hopefully the fans outrank the bean counters this time.

[_haru]

E-series are just Ideapads in Thinkpad clothing. I know, I've got one and it's a dog. Going to buy a proper one next time. Only reason I got one was I wanted a graphics card and it doesn't bloody work.

In fact I'd love to just go back to desktop most of the time.

If the Thinkpad Retro looks cool I think that'll be enough. We've reached a point where laptops have gotten about as thin as is practical so a bit of 90's chunkiness is (already) rather a lot more stylish in my view. Plus silver and rose gold are played out.

Exactly. I really regret buying my E440 and wish I had just gone for a used Toughbook or something.

[tp4tissue]

E-series are just Ideapads in Thinkpad clothing. I know, I've got one and it's a dog. Going to buy a proper one next time. Only reason I got one was I wanted a graphics card and it doesn't bloody work.

In fact I'd love to just go back to desktop most of the time.

If the Thinkpad Retro looks cool I think that'll be enough. We've reached a point where laptops have gotten about as thin as is practical so a bit of 90's chunkiness is (already) rather a lot more stylish in my view. Plus silver and rose gold are played out.

Exactly. I really regret buying my E440 and wish I had just gone for a used Toughbook or something.

why though?

it's all the same stuff underneath,  e-series is just plastic shell..

[_haru]

E440 was confirmed to fully work with Ubuntu, and that's the only reason 11-year-old me bought it.

[Shapey Fiend]

E-series are just Ideapads in Thinkpad clothing. I know, I've got one and it's a dog. Going to buy a proper one next time. Only reason I got one was I wanted a graphics card and it doesn't bloody work.

In fact I'd love to just go back to desktop most of the time.

If the Thinkpad Retro looks cool I think that'll be enough. We've reached a point where laptops have gotten about as thin as is practical so a bit of 90's chunkiness is (already) rather a lot more stylish in my view. Plus silver and rose gold are played out.

Exactly. I really regret buying my E440 and wish I had just gone for a used Toughbook or something.

why though?

it's all the same stuff underneath,  e-series is just plastic shell..

Perhaps they are the same quality I just got unlucky. My E560 graphics card causes random bluescreen crashes. Happened mostly when I opened Autocad. Uninstalled the drivers entirely and use the integrated graphics that 'solved' that problem. However the screen won't turn back on when it drops to sleepmode. If it boots up in resume mode then it just runs with the fan on full for 10 seconds and switches off. The keyboard also failed.

Sent it off to be serviced under the warranty and they fixed the keyboard, with detailed notes of the other problems but they didn't bother installing the graphics card drivers or checking anything.. think I might try and send it back altogether if I can swing it before the warranty expires. I know laptops are all made of cheap junk nowadays so I expect them to deteriorate after a year or two but having one that's broken out of the box is a bit of a pisser.

[tp4tissue]

Perhaps they are the same quality I just got unlucky. My E560 graphics card causes random bluescreen crashes. Happened mostly when I opened Autocad. Uninstalled the drivers entirely and use the integrated graphics that 'solved' that problem. However the screen won't turn back on when it drops to sleepmode. If it boots up in resume mode then it just runs with the fan on full for 10 seconds and switches off. The keyboard also failed.

Sent it off to be serviced under the warranty and they fixed the keyboard, with detailed notes of the other problems but they didn't bother installing the graphics card drivers or checking anything.. think I might try and send it back altogether if I can swing it before the warranty expires. I know laptops are all made of cheap junk nowadays so I expect them to deteriorate after a year or two but having one that's broken out of the box is a bit of a pisser.

Haha.. yea this stuff happens with drivers.. and the E series doesn't go through as much internal testing.. But overall, there should be doable solutions posted on the thinkpad forums..

Certainly someone else has encountered your probs..

[kishy]

"Retro" to me says they're making a throwback to like...the 700 series. Pre-trackpad ThinkPads.

But, aren't all ThinkPads already kind of retro themed given that you can put a T21 beside a W520 and the relation is unmistakable?

I call it hype. I'll definitely be watching to see if I'm wrong though.

[PQStarLord]

http://blog.lenovo.com/en/blog/retro-thinkpad-its-alive

SOLD

[tp4tissue]

The only thing missing from the ultraportable these days is discreet graphix..


They're all pretty much up to spec on everything else..


I think a nvidia 950 would be good fit for an ultraportable.

[dante]

https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-retro-thinkpad-gears-up-for-release-06498621/

[tp4tissue]

https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-retro-thinkpad-gears-up-for-release-06498621/

i was hoping they'd have an option for parallel db25 and an rs232..

sigh...........

[ideus]

https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-retro-thinkpad-gears-up-for-release-06498621/

i was hoping they'd have an option for parallel db25 and an rs232..

sigh...........

My T460s has an nvidia card:

[dante]

https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-retro-thinkpad-gears-up-for-release-06498621/

i was hoping they'd have an option for parallel db25 and an rs232..

sigh...........

All I need are scissor switches.

No Scissors: No Sale.

[tp4tissue]

https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-retro-thinkpad-gears-up-for-release-06498621/

i was hoping they'd have an option for parallel db25 and an rs232..

sigh...........

All I need are scissor switches.

No Scissors: No Sale.

well the current island boards, ARE scissor underneath,  it's just not the full size cap, it's island..

[tp4tissue]

Oooo.. forgot,  game port/ midi port


Ooooooo...  fiber-optic Toslink port for audio..

[mrhead]

I'm really going to need a PCMCIA slot as well as an rj11 jack for those times when I really need internets but can only get dialup.

[tp4tissue]

I'm really going to need a PCMCIA slot as well as an rj11 jack for those times when I really need internets but can only get dialup.

They could easily give us a full pcie breakout solution.. 

Then it'd be compatible with everything..

[_haru]

I'm really going to need a PCMCIA slot as well as an rj11 jack for those times when I really need internets but can only get dialup.

They could easily give us a full pcie breakout solution.. 

Then it'd be compatible with everything..

I mean, you can buy adapters that turn your mini-PCI-E slot from your WiFi card space to a full X-16 slot but those are super annoying to use/set up and require an external power supply.

[dante]

https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-retro-thinkpad-gears-up-for-release-06498621/

i was hoping they'd have an option for parallel db25 and an rs232..

sigh...........

All I need are scissor switches.

No Scissors: No Sale.

well the current island boards, ARE scissor underneath,  it's just not the full size cap, it's island..

That's not the point; I want the old style.  That's the biggest selling feature to me of a "Retro" Thinkpad.  If it doesn't have that I'll just keep the Lenovo laptop that I already have until it dies.

[tp4tissue]

I'm really going to need a PCMCIA slot as well as an rj11 jack for those times when I really need internets but can only get dialup.

They could easily give us a full pcie breakout solution.. 

Then it'd be compatible with everything..

I mean, you can buy adapters that turn your mini-PCI-E slot from your WiFi card space to a full X-16 slot but those are super annoying to use/set up and require an external power supply.

that slot doesn't have 16 lanes. 

[_haru]

I'm really going to need a PCMCIA slot as well as an rj11 jack for those times when I really need internets but can only get dialup.

They could easily give us a full pcie breakout solution.. 

Then it'd be compatible with everything..

I mean, you can buy adapters that turn your mini-PCI-E slot from your WiFi card space to a full X-16 slot but those are super annoying to use/set up and require an external power supply.

that slot doesn't have 16 lanes.

Exactly.

[tp4tissue]

Oh man.. it'd be so awesome,   if we could get a solid 16x or even 20x multi port out via the docking port.. I don't think expresscard has enough pins otherwise.

[xtrafrood]

Oh man.. it'd be so awesome,   if we could get a solid 16x or even 20x multi port out via the docking port.. I don't think expresscard has enough pins otherwise.

Would finally have the power to play some Marooned On Mars!

[tp4tissue]

Oh man.. it'd be so awesome,   if we could get a solid 16x or even 20x multi port out via the docking port.. I don't think expresscard has enough pins otherwise.

Would finally have the power to play some Marooned On Mars!

well  mobile cpu are getting pretty darn fast.   we're seeing some pretty high turbo numbers..

If they did an egpu for workstation laptops,  they could use even K series cpu w full 4 core turbos to 4.5ghz.


but the classic will probably be 13 or 14 inch..    which means,  something like a 8700 cpu,  which can turbo over 4 on all cores...


That pretty much will run any game on the market with an 8x pcie linked egpu.

[tp4tissue]

Wh00t Wh00t   X-post

[Shapey Fiend]

I'm hoping the hardcore fans are absolutely disgusted with the final release for some fickle reason and then I can pick one up cheap off ebay.