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.

[tp4tissue]

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.

the won't happen..

t420 is the go to if you want cheeeep..

[xtrafrood]

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/09/retro-thinkpad-image-2017

[tp4tissue]

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/09/retro-thinkpad-image-2017

it looks like we're not getting 16:10,   sigh...........

[Shapey Fiend]

Colouring half the lettering on the logo looks odd. It looks like a bit of a mongrel in general mixing the old with the new like that.

[tp4tissue]

Colouring half the lettering on the logo looks odd. It looks like a bit of a mongrel in general mixing the old with the new like that.

i was rootn' for the release hook,  but it probably doesn't work well with their current hinge design.

[tp4tissue]

a 4x lane pciexpresscard slot would be cool..

some sort of pcie out..  i guess thunderbolt is ok...  but it has to have at least 4x pcie3.0 lane worth of bandwidth

[dante]

SCISSORS

[tp4tissue]

SCISSORS

/Mr.Garrison

[xtrafrood]

SCISSORS

/Mr.Garrison

jk

[Rodde]

Torn about this one. Seems like no matter what you do, you'll be disappointing *someone*.

[tp4tissue]

Torn about this one. Seems like no matter what you do, you'll be disappointing *someone*.

Yea,  no parallel port, WTF right ?  I am outraged.. !!!  OUTRAGED .. !!!


what about CD drive.. I want a cd drive for my  SACD collection.. yea...


Optical miniplug or toslink would be really awesome ..


Because modern boards are so dense, dc inductance everywhere. 

[C5Allroad]

I just want the layout of the old keyboard on the new keyboard. I ordered a T470 cause I needed something quickly for school, but the layout of the new keyboard has me wanting it..

I wonder if in lazy Lenovo fashion I can buy the top plate with the track pad, and keyboard to put on a t470. I feel like most things would be compatible cause it's based on the t470.

[tp4tissue]

The possibility for Quad core is there now..


It really wouldn't be that hard to make it a little thicker, and get a big and flat cooler in there for epic performance..

probably something like a 1050ti  would do just fine..  1060 would be nice,  but it'd be a 15 incher for a 1060.

[C5Allroad]

The possibility of quad cores is more for the 80' series thinkpads when they come out next year I think.

I don't think they're going to put anything more powerful than a 940mx for a while.

[tp4tissue]

The possibility of quad cores is more for the 80' series thinkpads when they come out next year I think.

I don't think they're going to put anything more powerful than a 940mx for a while.

We don't know if they're targeting absolute size,  or features right now..

if it's size, they'd prob just use integrated.

if it's feature,  i think 1050 or even ti is possible.

[tp4tissue]

I keep thinking.. 940mx.. this thing is 1230 passmark.. so it's 28%  the speed of 1050..

Why bother.. it's not going to do jack.. is it really better than integrated.. hrrrrmm....  what feature does it bring to the table,   it can't really even run dota or league..

What would its purpose be.

[C5Allroad]

I mean you don't really need much to run league. I was able to run it just fine on my inspiron 14 3000. It wasn't great, but it wasn't impossible.

It's not that much better than the integrated. So you gotta factor in the battery usage for having that card, and then it's uselessness in a system. Not werf




Also, using the nipple on the keyboard is the best thing ever.

[tp4tissue]

I mean you don't really need much to run league. I was able to run it just fine on my inspiron 14 3000. It wasn't great, but it wasn't impossible.

It's not that much better than the integrated. So you gotta factor in the battery usage for having that card, and then it's uselessness in a system. Not werf




Also, using the nipple on the keyboard is the best thing ever.

I think the 940mx is faster than most integrated,   but not faster than iris pro 6 series and up.

But it might be cheaper depending on which chip lenovo is using for cpu.

[dante]

https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/5/16428720/lenovo-retro-thinkpad-25th-anniversary

What do you think?  I haven't bought a a laptop in around 10 years.  Its probably pricey but well specced?

[ideus]

If the retro keyboard is enough motivation for you, go for it, otherwise you can get a T series with same specs for some hundreds less.

[xtrafrood]

Good lord, I had the impression that if Lenovo went through with the idea they would piece together a budget laptop. Holy moly

[tp4tissue]

I don't think this is priced right.  for a dual core 7500u and 940mx


the igpu 620 on the 7500u is almost equivalent of the 940mx..  So together, why not just use a quad core with a higher igpu.. it's not going to run crysis either way.


I think this was just bad timing,  because the next t480 will blow it out of the water with 4core or maybe even 6 core intel refresh.

[iLLucionist]

I get it, but it is overpriced. It is not even a homage, because the Thinkpads back in the day WERE THE BEST.

What they should have done, is make an X1 Carbon with XPS 15"specs, like a MacBook Pro, with proper dGPU, 4K screen, 10 hour battery life, etc.

Make it the most perfect, sickest, badass machine. And then charge $$$. I would buy it.

[ideus]

The 25th anniversary Thinkpad is a plain disappointment.

[iLLucionist]

If the retro keyboard is enough motivation for you, go for it, otherwise you can get a T series with same specs for some hundreds less.

I have an X1C5 but I want something in between the T and the X1... that would be awesome.

[davkol]

It's a joke. A poor marketing stunt. I was hoping for something better… call me naďve.

EU distribution is messy/nonexistent too.

[iLLucionist]

It's a joke. A poor marketing stunt. I was hoping for something better… call me naďve.

EU distribution is messy/nonexistent too.

Well, they messed up almost the whole line up this year. For instance, the positioning of the TB port on the T470s on the right side, still no high nits quality panels on most of the higher end models (coz you only office user right?).

Would've bought a T470 if the screens weren't so horrendous (IMHO of course).

[tp4tissue]

It's a joke. A poor marketing stunt. I was hoping for something better… call me naďve.

EU distribution is messy/nonexistent too.

Well, they messed up almost the whole line up this year. For instance, the positioning of the TB port on the T470s on the right side, still no high nits quality panels on most of the higher end models (coz you only office user right?).

Would've bought a T470 if the screens weren't so horrendous (IMHO of course).

T470p is pretty pwahful..

It got dat 7700hq and 940mx for only $1200

2560x1440 screen for only $100 more.

[dante]

This guy is usually pretty spot on:

[iLLucionist]

It's a joke. A poor marketing stunt. I was hoping for something better… call me naďve.

EU distribution is messy/nonexistent too.

Well, they messed up almost the whole line up this year. For instance, the positioning of the TB port on the T470s on the right side, still no high nits quality panels on most of the higher end models (coz you only office user right?).

Would've bought a T470 if the screens weren't so horrendous (IMHO of course).

T470p is pretty pwahful..

It got dat 7700hq and 940mx for only $1200

2560x1440 screen for only $100 more.

I must say, though, Lenovo Thinkpads come of as extremely sturdy. I don't even have a case around to carry it places.