New ThinkPad vs Old ThinkPad looks ?? (poll)

[christopher_wolf]

Well, if it's the pointing device that determines gender and your T43 has the TrackPoint and TrackPad, does that mean the comptuer is really trans-gender?

You just had to do that didn't you, Steve? Just *couldn't* help it, could you?

Not only did you give away a good deal of the hint, but you also had to put nasty thoughts in my head. *In addition*, you probably are going to get us in trouble too, am I right? I am taking you with me!

Besides, you *almost* had it; so cloooose, but not quite.

[archer6]

Well, if it's the pointing device that determines gender and your T43 has the TrackPoint and TrackPad, does that mean the comptuer is really trans-gender?

From time to time, I read a post here which brings great laughter, and this is one of them... thanks...

[christopher_wolf]

Well, if it's the pointing device that determines gender and your T43 has the TrackPoint and TrackPad, does that mean the comptuer is really trans-gender?

From time to time, I read a post here which brings great laughter, and this is one of them... thanks...

Yeah, that was funny. (Hardy Har Har, AK470, Hardy Har Har)

You don't want to end up like Mark, do you? Do you really?

[AlphaKilo470]

I'm not sure but after putting the numbers together, I'm still trying to figure out what this whole gender scenario makes my 750P.

I'm sorry to ruin the relationship for you but I'm sure you and the T43 can still be "just good friends." If what's in that article is stuff you fancy, I do have a PowerBook G3 Kanga on eBay right now. I'm also selling my PowerBook Duo as well.

G3: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=001
Duo: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=001

[christopher_wolf]

You are a regular *riot* AK, you know that right?


This makes me wonder how much anatomy you have had.

[MD1032]

OK, well here's my take on things. My store, Office Depot, carries both the T43 and the Z60 (or did, now it's just the T43, but I have my T60 now anyway).

T43:
+ red and blue highlights
+ better keyboard
- bigger than T60
- Mouse keys for the Trackpoint do not protrude as far as the T60's, thereby making it harder for my thumb to press them down.


T60:
+ Size
+ Cleaner looking/more geometric as a whole
+ Spillproof keyboard (though I haven't tested this obviously)
- windows key
- Cheap power button... wtf? (this is one of the most prominent buttons on the computer)

[christopher_wolf]

What a choice of a first post, especially considering the direction this thread took; please put your location in your profile ASAP.

Welcome to the Thinkpad Forums

[dsigma6]

chris, i hope i dont have to tell you to use the trackpoint in a sensitive manner. never leave your finger on it for too long- either keep it off, or keep it moving.

[christopher_wolf]

That I do, Sigma, that I do...

[MD1032]

What a choice of a first post, especially considering the direction this thread took; please put your location in your profile ASAP.

Welcome to the Thinkpad Forums

I don't get it, but anyway, I've been reading and posting for a bit here under my dad's account, "hokiedad". This T60 is the result of a purchase from Virginia Tech, and the post in Windows OS is from me.

[jjesusfreak01]

What a choice of a first post, especially considering the direction this thread took; please put your location in your profile ASAP.

Welcome to the Thinkpad Forums

I don't get it, but anyway, I've been reading and posting for a bit here under my dad's account, "hokiedad". This T60 is the result of a purchase from Virginia Tech, and the post in Windows OS is from me.

Ahh, its beginning to all make sense now...

[christopher_wolf]

What a choice of a first post, especially considering the direction this thread took; please put your location in your profile ASAP.

Welcome to the Thinkpad Forums

I don't get it, but anyway, I've been reading and posting for a bit here under my dad's account, "hokiedad". This T60 is the result of a purchase from Virginia Tech, and the post in Windows OS is from me.

Ahhh, gotcha....That explains certain things then.

[MD1032]

What'd I do...

[icefly]

Hi, This is my first reply. I´m from Brazil and the owner of one TP 570E and in 2 or 3 weeks of one T-23 (got on eBay).

About the new Thinkpad´s look, what I can say is: that´s ok, Thinkpads may have touchpads and trackpoints living together, but no way without the blue and red strips in trackpoint!

Please chinese from Lenovo get back with the blue and red strips!

[christopher_wolf]

...Or

Red and Blue fingernail polish.

[spotter]

I've been interning at IBM research for the past 2.5 months. I've had a T60p (nice machine, 2GB ram, 2.13 ghz, 7200rpm 100GB disk, 15" 1600x1200)

However, when compared to my T42p, it just seems boxier. Not that I wouldn't upgrade to it, just in style lines, it seems like a step down for no apparent reason. They made it boxy, my t42p has bevels, the t60p has no bevels. its just a cubic rectangle. It's only beveled on the front. It was funny, I had a T42 and T60p at work. The 42 was my windows/notes box, while the T60p was what we did research with. So I took the DVD+-R drive out of the T60p and stuck it in the T42 and the beveled difference was obvious.

while I liked the machine and in feel they were very similiar so it in some ways feels like nit picking, it seems like a waste.

[mfratt]

I insist that Thinkpads MUST be Female. Just look at the dock connector on the bottom!

[curiouscosy]

Please chinese from Lenovo get back with the blue and red strips!

You should know that the ThinkPad design team is still located at the Yamato design centre in Japan. Even after the acquisition by Lenovo.

I think I'll be a minority here, but I prefer the new 'cleaner' look of T60 compared to, say, T41, don't know why, just looks nicer.

[AlphaKilo470]

I'm indifferent on the looks. The colored stripes are a very nice touch but I won't keel over if they aren't present so with that, the only feature that stands between me and a T60 is my wallet.

[archer6]

You should know that the ThinkPad design team is still located at the Yamato design centre in Japan. Even after the acquisition by Lenovo.

I think I'll be a minority here, but I prefer the new 'cleaner' look of T60 compared to, say, T41, don't know why, just looks nicer.

You brought up a very valid point here about the Yamato facility, It's my understading that nothing major has changed in their operation.

I personally find the "new look" very nice. Like so many of us, at first I was put off, however my computer is for work and it's the tool that I count on. So functionality is a higher priority that aesthetics. Now that I have used my new 60 series machines for several months I find that I really like the new shape of the touch pad and it's buttons. I notice a great improvement with it's sensitivity and accuracy. That said, I prefer the Trackpoint and the "new look".

[asiafish]

I like the color on the old ones, but the difference is so minor as to mean nothing to me.

What I don't like on the new ones is the Windows key, but again, its not a big enough deal to bother me when the upgrade cycle hits.

The X60s is pretty much my dream-machine, though my X41 will hold me over for a while yet.

[bhtooefr]

I'm aware that this is a necropost, but I have a VERY good reason for doing it.

Now that it's been a year, how about we revisit the issue? We've had a year to accept the new ThinkPads, and for the old ones to go out of production.

I voted in the poll a year ago, and I'm pretty sure I voted against the newer machines.

Now, I think that the newer machines... I still think they don't look as good, but they still look [censored] good. Before, I was opposed to them. Windows key? Silver buttons? No grey trim on the keys? No red and blue trim on the TrackPoint buttons? NEVAR!

Also, I have got to reply to this stuff on the sexuality of ThinkPads.

I would say that the ones with touchpads are just... more womanly?

As for the 750P, thepenismightier. That phrase without the spaces is the closest I can get to describing the 750P's sexual organs without violating every forum rule. That makes the 750P/360P/360PE/X41t/X60t/X61t transgender, and the 700T/710T/730T/730TE male, no?

[JaneL]

Also, I have got to reply to this stuff on the sexuality of ThinkPads.

No, you didn't.

[andrewb]

I have only recently stepped up to T6X from T4X. To my surprise, I find I do not mind the aesthetic changes, and whilst the innards of my T60 are first rate, I am bitterly disappointed with the construction quality of the machine.

The non bevelled two piece top, sub-standard keyboard (the worst I have expeirenced since my last Dell, circa 1997), flimsy plastic for palmrests, the second hard drive bay in which nothing fits and everything rattles, the absence of an IPS screen option, the smaller trackpoint paddles which are hard to operate etc., all suggest cost cutting to me.

Perhaps I am overly cynical, but I cannot help but wonder whether the aesthetic changes and fripperies (spill friendly holes etc) have diverted attention from a more critical examination of construction quality and functionality etc ?

I would be interested to know if someone with a business take on design has expressed any views. Have any universities undertaken studies into the IBM/Lenovo transition for example ?

[bhtooefr]

Don't blame the spill holes... that's something that, IMO, they should've done long ago, and in fact, on some stuff IBM had done (since 1993 on the Model M desktop keyboard,) but not the ThinkPads yet.

[archer6]

While I will say that looks do matter to me, they are not number 1 on the list of priorities in what I look for. The most important aspects of a notebook computer to me are reliability, functionality and speed.

And yet I find the looks of the new ThinkPads quite nice. Are they a bit different? Yes..... but certainly not enough in my opinion to get overly serious about and judge the entire ThinkPad lineup on a few minor changes. Especially since in the final analysis, they have no negative impact on performance. Furthermore, the new ThinkPads still look so much better than many of the other brands out there.

After 10 years of daily ThinkPad usage, with a variety of models, I can speak from experience when it comes to build quality and design. In addition, 3D design work is something I do. That said, I find the "new" ThinkPads quite exemplary. So much so, I decided with the introduction of the 60 series to replenish my personal ThinkPads with new models in the X, T, Z, series. Each of these are stellar machines that perform up to the typically high IBM / Now Lenovo standard. All are quiet, cool running, fast and trouble free. I am completely satisfied with the "new" ThinkPads and will also remind those that may not be aware, that Lenovo had been making the ThinkPads for IBM, long before they purchased the PC division.

Cheers!......

[archer6]

I am bitterly disappointed with the construction quality of the machine.

Perhaps now would be the perfect time for you to switch brands.

[andrewb]

I only mentioned the spill holes because it was the first thing which sprang to mind in terms of a [cheap] solution looking for a problem. Was there really any demand, or need, for spill holes ? - serious question.

I have been a solid laptop user for over a decade and have never once had a spillage which found its way anywhere other than on the underside of the machine. Plenty of spillages over desks etc., for sure, but never actually into a machine. Is it just that I am lucky ?

Moreover, for those more machine spill- prone than me, holes or no holes, is it not still a case that recommended practice is to disconnect, shut down, dry out and then strip down and clean ?

[Troels]

Well, Dell once had a accidental spillage cover plan, so i guess this was one of the reasons why it was introduced.
If you spill anything into your laptop (say, a Dell, HP etc.), regardless of the fact that it's covered by warranty it still breaks and you will be wasting your time getting an on-site replacement.

If it's a spill proof T4x/T6x, DON'T panic by turning it around to remove the battery, if liquid is spilled onto the keyboard. Let the drain holes empty the liquid first.

I don't know what you expected from the T60 construction, but a IPS screen option is available and has been for a long time. Compared to my T42 my T60p is a lot more sturdy. Plastic quality is the same, no creaks, keyboard is about the same (Alps).
If it was cost cutting, they would leave the design as it was before.

Also, the trackpoint area on the T60p is much keener laid out than on the 15" T42 which had an inch of plastic below the lower two touchpad buttons with no use. It was a very cheap re-use of the 14" models, more or less.
The screen lid on the T60p is also more beautifully constructed, much closer to symmetry than the T42 ever was.

Of course there's still drawbacks:
- I don't want Lenovos logo with an ugly font on my indicator plate.
- The T60p font is hideous.
- The construction of the HSF cooling system ought to be better
- The LG philips drive has a cheaper and noisier sound to it than the M a t s u s h i t a drive of the T42.
- The silver volume buttons and power off/on look a little cheap.

What i don't like and probably will never like are the new T61/T61p Widescreen thinkpads:
- I would expect a business use laptop to have good battery life with a non-protruding battery.
- The assymetric LCD does not look good aesthetically.
- If they must make a widescreen 15.4" what about making the keyboard wider?
- A 16:10 touchpad would be great.
- LCD offerings aren't at the world class level like before.

I don't think the stripes on the trackpoint buttors look missing or anything actually. I think i've changed my mind after a few months of usage and now i could happily live without them.

[mattbiernat]

asymetric screen is THE major turn off for me right now. i will wait until T70 shows up. The silver cheap buttons are another thing but I am slowly trying to get used to them in the past year. Although i have never owned any other thinkpad, out of my 3 laptops that i had: toshiba satellite, apple ibook and T60, the thinkpad has the best build quality and the best keyboard.