ThinkPads in the movie Gravity

[jayton4]

I couldn't help but notice the laptops portrayed in use on the International Space Station in the new movie Gravity. The screens appeared to be 5:4 ratio and very bright.

They should release a NASA edition to the public. Latest Intel Processors, classic keyboard, and huge crazy resolution screen. I bet they would turn a profit on it.

[tipo33]

I don't think the TP's abord the ISS are modernized in any way (hardware wise.)

[Adda]

I agree, the ThinkPads in the ISS is more then likely exactly what they appear to be, quite old.
They where set up to do a certain task, as long as that task doesn't change, transporting new laptops to the ISS would be a waste of cargo space/funds.
Don't fix what isn't broken, besides, I don't think NASA would go with ThinkPads the way things are now.

[ThinkRob]

Don't fix what isn't broken, besides, I don't think NASA would go with ThinkPads the way things are now.

The way things are now?

[Adda]

The way things are now?

With the changes Lenovo has made starting 2011.
Dell Precision workstations are more ThinkPad like then the new stuff Lenovo is putting out these days.

[Cunha]

You got that right Not a fun thing to agree on though.

[kony]

NASA wouldn't use modern thinkpads for security reasons because they belong to China now. Superpowers love to spy on each other and on lesser countries.

[ThinkRob]

NASA wouldn't use modern thinkpads for security reasons because they belong to China now. Superpowers love to spy on each other and on lesser countries.

"Belong to China"? Please...

You know that the ISS recently (c. 2008 IIRC) was outfitted with a bunch of T61p models, right?

[A31]

It does look like NASA are still using ThinkPads on the ISS. I read this on Wikipedia:

Throughout 2006, a ThinkPad A31p was being used in the Service Module Central Post of the International Space Station and seven ThinkPad A31p laptops were in service in orbit aboard the International Space Station.[12] As of 2010, the Space Station was equipped with 68 ThinkPad A31 computers along with 32 new Lenovo ThinkPad T61p laptops plus a dedicated IP phone which also has limited video phone capabilities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thinkpad#Use_in_space

I also read this on the same page:

ThinkPad laptops have been used in space, and was by 2003 the only laptop certified for use on the International Space Station.

Obviously that's from Wikipedia though, so don't quote me on it. It is referenced though. The author gives this page as a reference: http://web.archive.org/web/201106051042 ... nkpad.html

So as far as I'm aware, there are older and newer ThinkPads on the ISS. Obviously they're not going to replace their fleet every time a new model comes out. They were using A31s but it looks like they upgraded to T61s when those came out.

Quite an age gap between the A31 and the T61p, I believe. I think they'll be waiting a few more years before they upgrade, if they do.

[Temetka]

Dell Precision workstations are more ThinkPad like then the new stuff Lenovo is putting out these days.

Hence, the latest addition in my signature.

[emeraldgirl08]

OMG how can you all talk about laptops when there is a movie star floating around in space! Someone help her!

[thePCxp]

The way things are now?

With the changes Lenovo has made starting 2011.
Dell Precision workstations are more ThinkPad like then the new stuff Lenovo is putting out these days.

Sorry, but I beg to differ. ThinkPads are just as good now as they've always been. I've demoed some of the new units and I can affirm this. Seriously, I'm so sick and tired of hearing stuff like this.

NASA wouldn't use modern thinkpads for security reasons because they belong to China now. Superpowers love to spy on each other and on lesser countries.

"Belong to China"? Please...

I'm with ThinkRob on this one. The fears about China spying are overblown and overrated. In fact, it is the US doing all the spying as you can see by reading this article: http://arstechnica.com/information-tech ... nce-magic/. We should be more worried about the US spying than with China.

OMG how can you all talk about laptops when there is a movie star floating around in space! Someone help her!

[Temetka]

OMG how can you all talk about laptops when there is a movie star floating around in space! Someone help her!

Brilliant!

[Adda]

Sorry, but I beg to differ. ThinkPads are just as good now as they've always been. I've demoed some of the new units and I can affirm this. Seriously, I'm so sick and tired of hearing stuff like this.

Then please do tell us why you find the changed keyboard, ultranav and lack of LED's as good a design as it has always been.
I'm not looking for a discussion, but since no one else has been able to explain this, maybe you can?

[thePCxp]

Then please do tell us why you find the changed keyboard, ultranav and lack of LED's as good a design as it has always been.
I'm not looking for a discussion, but since no one else has been able to explain this, maybe you can?

Have you even read that article by Laptop Magazine about the new keyboards? Apparently, they loved it! In fact, they loved it more than the old one (I tried them out myself and I thought that they were as good as the old ones). Not only that, but a lot of my friends love the new keyboards.

About the Ultranav: I think Lenovo is just trying out new things. In case you weren't aware, Lenovo is more entrepreneurial than IBM was, so this type of stuff is expected. If they indeed made a "mistake" by switching from the old Ultranav design to the new one, they'll change them back to how they were. But for that, they're going to need customer feedback. Remember the lack of red & blue stripes on the TrackPoint buttons of the _60/_61/_200/_400/_500 series ThinkPads? Well, they came back on the _410/_510/X30_, etc. series ThinkPads. Obviously, customer feedback had something to do with this, cause if I remember correctly, a lot of people were expressing how they missed the stripes on the TrackPoint buttons (thing is, having the stripes on the TrackPoint buttons makes it easier to spot them - so there's that). Also, keep in mind that this is the first time they've ever done something like this, so they might have some bugs to work out for the next ThinkPads. If they can't work any of that stuff out, they'll simply switch them back to the old style.

Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference. If you like the 7-row keyboards, old Ultranav, etc., fine. It doesn't mean that they're "bad" changes. It simply means that that's your thing (or in other words, its your own personal preference). And please, stop being so scared of these changes and actually give them a chance. Be more open-minded. Don't put them down just because of what others are saying - many of the people (most whom are ThinkPad "purists" - whom btw, are in the minority) making these negative comments haven't even tried these new ThinkPads out, and are just making assumptions based on what they've seen and heard, instead of making constructive, well thought out comments based on their actual experiences. Don't be so dismissive of the new features just because you don't like them - not everyone feels the same way, and simply saying you don't like them isn't enough.

If you want to know how the new ThinkPads are actually like, and if you want to see someone providing constructive feedback on these new models, then read this review of the T540p, which one of our forum members (and one of my friends) did over at the German ThinkPad forum - it is translated in English; the English words are in italics: http://thinkpad-forum.de/threads/169275 ... res-Videos

Really, in my opinion, the new ThinkPads are being misunderstood.

[Adda]

~thePCxp

I read that review, and that convinced me it's even worse then I thought, I don't understand why the reviewer came to the conclusion he did.
He basically ends up DISABLING the trackpoint because it didn't work properly, trying new things for the sake of it, and then releasing a half baked solution, is bad design.

The keys on the new keyboard may be fine, but it has less functionality then the old, functionality I and many others used.
The ThinkPad keyboard and ultranav as it was what set ThinkPads apart from other quality business laptops, now that's gone and a Dell provides more functionality.

I agree, the new "ThinkPads" are being misunderstood, they shouldn't have a ThinkPad logo in the first place.

Anyway, I have made my points quite a few times, and promised no discussion.

I hope you are right though, that Lenovo will listen, and give us an option for one or the other or whatever, I have hoped since 2011, but it has gotten a lot worse since then.

[thePCxp]

I agree, the new "ThinkPads" are being misunderstood, they shouldn't have a ThinkPad logo in the first place.

Once again, I beg to differ. I think what you're saying is very disrespectful to the brand.

I hope you are right though, that Lenovo will listen, and give us an option for one or the other or whatever, I have hoped since 2011, but it has gotten a lot worse since then.

We'll just have to wait and see.

I am not going to waste anymore of my time trying to convince people like yourself that the new ThinkPads have the same quality and reliability as the old ones. I am so sick and tired of hearing the claims that people like yourself make. I stand my ground. I'm done discussing this.

[thePCxp]

I agree, the new "ThinkPads" are being misunderstood, they shouldn't have a ThinkPad logo in the first place.

Once again, I beg to differ. I think what you're saying is very disrespectful to the brand.

I hope you are right though, that Lenovo will listen, and give us an option for one or the other or whatever, I have hoped since 2011, but it has gotten a lot worse since then.

We'll just have to wait and see.

I am not going to waste anymore of my time trying to convince people like yourself that the new ThinkPads have the same quality and reliability as the old ones. I am so sick and tired of hearing the claims that people like yourself make. I stand my ground. I'm done discussing this, as I've also made my points.

[thePCxp]

I agree, the new "ThinkPads" are being misunderstood, they shouldn't have a ThinkPad logo in the first place.

Once again, I beg to differ. I think what you're saying is very disrespectful to the brand.

I hope you are right though, that Lenovo will listen, and give us an option for one or the other or whatever, I have hoped since 2011, but it has gotten a lot worse since then.

We'll just have to wait and see.

I am not going to waste anymore of my time trying to convince people like yourself that the new ThinkPads have the same quality and reliability as the old ones. I am so sick and tired of hearing the claims that people like yourself make. I stand my ground. I'm done discussing this, as I've also made my points. I won't be replying to anymore posts.

[Cigarguy]

^^^ Good.

I agree with Adda. The new Thinkpads are crap, that's why I will not buy new Thinkpads. My opinion is not based on reading reviews. I have used a few of the newer SB and Haswell TP.

[Cigarguy]

Seeing any brand of product in a movie means absolutely nothing. It's all about product placement and how much company X is willing to pay. If Acer paid enough money there'd be Acer netbooks running a space station's super computer out in a galaxy far far away.

[jayton4]

Seeing any brand of product in a movie means absolutely nothing. It's all about product placement and how much company X is willing to pay. If Acer paid enough money there'd be Acer netbooks running a space station's super computer out in a galaxy far far away.

There is no doubt about that. However, it seems that the producers of this particular film were attempting to pay very close attention to accuracy. It has been stated many times through the years that the ThinkPad is the only laptop that is certified by NASA for use in space. It seems that if this case was a product placement thing, that they would have used an actual current model or something coming soon to advertise. But hey, I'm wrong about 50% of the time usually.

[Adda]

I am not going to waste anymore of my time trying to convince people like yourself that the new ThinkPads have the same quality and reliability as the old ones. I am so sick and tired of hearing the claims that people like yourself make. I stand my ground. I'm done discussing this.

I know exactly how you feel, I'm sick and tired of people who care more for the brand then the product, and keep defending it, even though they can't explain why.

So I stand my ground as well, I can't defend a downgrade, why would I?

If the new Thinkpads are the same quality and reliability as the old ones, can I expect the letting to wear off the keys?, the WWAN card to die?, the cooler to be incapable and poorly fitted and the replacement to have the same problem?

That is the story of my W510.

[rkawakami]

In case this icon meaning is lost on translation, it's means that the thread is drifting off topic. Please keep the discussion to the movie (which I haven't seen yet but I'm waiting for it to show up on satellite) and it's use of Thinkpads as props.

[Molybdo42]

5:4 aspect ratio screen ?

Well...

[spoiler]
Gravity does happen in some futuristic alternate dimension, where the space shuttle is still in use, the ISS is empty, and the Chinese have an entire space station being deorbited...
[/spoiler]

In our dimension, the present looks more like this :
http://cdn1.appleinsider.com/mars1208060-1.jpg

So imagine the future ! Maybe we will finally have flying cars.

[Saucey]

Technology advances over time, markets change, this brings in comprimises.
Its alot easier to fix an engine problem on a 1970's era truck than it is to fix a brand new model.
Those old dogs are still regarded as stronger in certain aspects than their newer brothers.

Back to the subject, I want to see the movie. Heard it was very good.

[A31]

Thought I'd bring this up again. I saw the film tonight (not a bad film at all!) and pretty sure I saw a ThinkPad in a (very) brief scene where the emergency alarms are going off. Couldn't make out exactly which TP it was, but I think it was an IBM one...

[PowerPC]

Here are some real images of ThinkPads at the International Space Station:

http://imgur.com/a/OGD0t

[ilakast]

Thanks for posting this ^^

The first and last photos show a bunch of A3xp, which I'd heard they were used from NASA. But what I hadn't seen before were those small devices mounted on the Ultraport. Interesting!

[PowerPC]

They should be A31p units.

Details on them are available in this document:
http://www.everyspec.com/NASA/NASA-JSC/ ... 48B_29701/