Thinkpad "refresh" when Win8 comes out? Or no?

[CheddarTrek]

This is probably a silly question, but a few google searches didn't answer it so I thought I'd ask anyway.

When Windows 8 is released are we going to see any upgrades or changes to the Thinkpad line? I know they're coming out with a Tablet or three, but I don't care too much about those. I'm more interested in whether or not we'll see any new laptops (X, T, or W-series) or refreshes to old ones (new options available, like different CPUs or screens or whatever, in the current lineup).

Thanks

[Neil]

The release of new models, with new features and updated hardware is an ongoing thing. So, yes, there will continue to be new releases even after the public release of Win8.

[CheddarTrek]

The release of new models, with new features and updated hardware is an ongoing thing. So, yes, there will continue to be new releases even after the public release of Win8.

Yes, I know that new things are always going to be released at some point. We certainly aren't going to be using the current models for the rest of the decade.

What I was asking is if there were any specific changes planned for the release of Win8. Dell, for instance, is apparently releasing a new XPS model when Win8 comes out.

[Neil]

Oh!...Not that I'm aware of, but that's not saying much. I don't recall Lenovo releasing new models to commemorate the release of Win7, but models began to ship with Win7 installed just about as soon as it was available.

The developement of new hardware and new software seem to parallel each other, but in my mind are not as closely related to each other as much as most people seem to think. Might just be me though...

Reminds me of the question a co-worked asked when he first started seeing Microsoft's TV commercial for Windows 7...he asked; "What is this Windows 7 I'm seeing advertised all the time? Is it some new kind of computer?" My reply was, "no it's not a new kind of computer, it's the latest version of the Windows operating system." There was a long pause, during which I could tell he was struggling to process the information. Then he asked, "So...is it a new laptop? 'Cause, they look like laptops in the commercial." I was never able to get him to understand the destinction between the OS and the hardware that runs it.

My point is, Win8 is nothing more than the next version of the Windows OS. This winter's new computers, from Lenovo, Dell, Toshiba, ASUS, etc., etc., will almost all have Win8 installed. But it's not the same kind of relationship that exists between a Mac OS, and an Apple computer, for example.

[CheddarTrek]

Thanks

Also good story, hehe.