X61/X61 tablet announcement planned for 31 May

[tomh009]

OK, now there is "official" confirmation of the end-of-May X61 (including tablet) launch on the IBM web site: an embargoed announcement letter is already visible:
X61 letter
X61 tablet letter

Here is the overview; note that at least these models all have 4:3 XGA displays.

o New ThinkPad(R) X61 ultraportable notebook computer
- New processors and chipsets
-- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor family
-- Mobile Intel GM965 Express Chipset
-- Intel GMA X3100 Integrated Graphics
o Choose a new 32- or 64-bit Microsoft Windows Vista or XP Professional operating system depending on model or country
o 12.1-inch XGA TFT with 1024 x 768 resolution
o Improved communications
- Next generation of WLAN performance through 802.11n through 2x3 or 2x2 MIMO on selected models(1)
- Wireless Broadband Access depending on model or country(2)
- Integrated Bluetooth wireless technology on selected models
o Lenovo Active Protection System(3)
o Lenovo Rescue and Recovery(4)
o Shock-mounted hard drives(5)
o Hard drives for different needs
- Up to 160 GB, 5400 rpm
- Up to 100 GB, 7200 rpm
- Intel Turbo memory 1 GB card to boost hard drive performance(6)

[pianowizard]

Here is the overview; note that at least these models all have 4:3 XGA displays.

And hopefully some will have SXGA+ later.

[tomh009]

Here is the overview; note that at least these models all have 4:3 XGA displays.

And hopefully some will have SXGA+ later.

Mea culpa -- there is indeed an SXGA+ option (on the tablet only).

[pianowizard]

Mea culpa -- there is indeed an SXGA+ option (on the tablet only).

And I wasn't clear: I meant to say "hopefully some non-tablets will have SXGA+ later". Do you know if that will ever come true?

[tomh009]

Alas, I have no info on SXGA+ for non-tablets. It would be nice, but the announcement letter does not make any mention of it, so I'm not getting my hopes up.

So, if the Latin American letter is the full scoop, basically the X61 will add more memory capacity (4GB+), better graphics and the 1GB flash memory cache. No new displays, no new disks, no new slots. Not really a dramatic difference in the X series -- assuming that's the whole story.

[gunston]

thanks for the info....
great to hear that it is rolling out soon...

time to save $$$ for a new set.

[DanJ]

So, if the Latin American letter is the full scoop, basically the X61 will add more memory capacity (4GB+), better graphics and the 1GB flash memory cache. No new displays, no new disks, no new slots. Not really a dramatic difference in the X series -- assuming that's the whole story.

I was emailed by a few people that the X series is staying with the same form factor for now (but that it may change later in the year).

I'm disappointed, but not surprised, when looking back at the history of the X series.

I think two things were in play here - one, cost of a new design, and two, impact on the Tablet. I would not be surprised if the Tablet portion of things held them up - they may not have had a screen that they were happy with, either design, engineering, or cost wise, for the Tablet, and it doesn't make a lot of sense cost wise to split the X60 series into two form factors - one widescreen, the other non-widescreen. I don't know that the revenue for the X series justifies two form factors.

Chances are, by this time next year, they'll have a widescreen touchscreen they are happy with, and the X series will go widescreen only across the board.

One never knows, if the Tablet side of things held them up, and they come across a widescreen touchscreen setup they like, they could release it later this year if they thought it would be good for the market. If sales of the X61 series is brisk, they may decide to wait until 2008.

[rkanazawa]

This is the first time I have posted here. I just went to order an x60s through my local Lenovo dealer. Here is what he came back with since everything I looked at was on backorder/discontinued.

Lenovo replied because I couldn't find any.
They confirmed what they have so far and maybe from now on are Vista Business machines.
So you know, you can order these and downgrade to XPP for free(see above)
and then go back to Vista when your software products are ready and willing
for Vista. Buy one o/s, get one free, a BOGO!

Here's 2 models to consider:

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate

ThinkPad X61s 766945U $2,299
12.1-in TFT (1024X768),
Bluetooth Wireless Technology,
Integrated Fingerprint Reader,
Intel Core 2 Duo processor L7500 (LV),
Mobile Intel GM965 Express Chipset,
Intel GMA X3100 Integrated Graphics,
100.0GB / 7200rpm,
Ultrabase + DVD Recordable, 2 GB (2 x 1GB),
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG, 8-cell battery,
Verizon Wireless Broadband Access,
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate)




Description
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate

ThinkPad X61s 766945U $2,299

(12.1-in TFT (1024X768),
Bluetooth Wireless Technology,
Integrated Fingerprint Reader,
Intel Core 2 Duo processor L7500 (LV),
Mobile Intel GM965 Express Chipset,
Intel GMA X3100 Integrated Graphics,
100.0GB / 7200rpm,
Ultrabase + DVD Recordable, 2 GB (2 x 1GB),
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG, 8-cell battery,
Verizon Wireless Broadband Access,
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate)

[jkat]

A lenovo USA sales rep told me that the X61 tablet would not be available until August. Does anyone have any informtion on this or expect that the real release will be end of this month? (I notice that their labor day sale for US purchasers ends May 30th, which might make one feel some pressure to go ahead with the x60 tablet, but I also notice that the available options on the x60 tablets seem more limited than before suggesting the release of the x61 tablet is imminent.)

[gdavis]

A lenovo USA sales rep told me that the X61 tablet would not be available until August. Does anyone have any informtion on this or expect that the real release will be end of this month? (I notice that their labor day sale for US purchasers ends May 30th, which might make one feel some pressure to go ahead with the x60 tablet, but I also notice that the available options on the x60 tablets seem more limited than before suggesting the release of the x61 tablet is imminent.)

I wouldn't be surprised if both were true- that they will announce the new models x61t etc, and allow us to start ordering them, but that they won't actually ship them until August. That's at least how they've been running much of their ordering and actually shipping.

Part of the problem they seem to have is that they would need to backlog a large number of models in order to fill immediate orders, but they announce them and try to ship as they can produce them.

But to continue your original question- does anyone have any accurate info on when the x61t will be launched/able to be ordered, and then when would they actually ship?

[SkiBunny]

That pricing seems quite high on the X61. But no doubt they should be about 25% off during a summer sale, much like the T61 is 25% off now.

The bigger question is, have they made any design changes to mitigate the hot right-palm-rest.

[proaudioguy]

Could you tell me "how" to downgrade the Tablet to XP Tablet from Vista Business? Maybe you could ask your dealer.

This is the first time I have posted here. I just went to order an x60s through my local Lenovo dealer. Here is what he came back with since everything I looked at was on backorder/discontinued.

Lenovo replied because I couldn't find any.
They confirmed what they have so far and maybe from now on are Vista Business machines.
So you know, you can order these and downgrade to XPP for free(see above)
and then go back to Vista when your software products are ready and willing
for Vista. Buy one o/s, get one free, a BOGO!

Here's 2 models to consider:

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate

ThinkPad X61s 766945U $2,299
12.1-in TFT (1024X768),
Bluetooth Wireless Technology,
Integrated Fingerprint Reader,
Intel Core 2 Duo processor L7500 (LV),
Mobile Intel GM965 Express Chipset,
Intel GMA X3100 Integrated Graphics,
100.0GB / 7200rpm,
Ultrabase + DVD Recordable, 2 GB (2 x 1GB),
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG, 8-cell battery,
Verizon Wireless Broadband Access,
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate)




Description
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate

ThinkPad X61s 766945U $2,299

(12.1-in TFT (1024X768),
Bluetooth Wireless Technology,
Integrated Fingerprint Reader,
Intel Core 2 Duo processor L7500 (LV),
Mobile Intel GM965 Express Chipset,
Intel GMA X3100 Integrated Graphics,
100.0GB / 7200rpm,
Ultrabase + DVD Recordable, 2 GB (2 x 1GB),
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG, 8-cell battery,
Verizon Wireless Broadband Access,
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate)

[oconnell]

Here's 2 models to consider:

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate

ThinkPad X61s 766945U $2,299

. . .

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate

ThinkPad X61s 766945U $2,299

. . .

You repeated the same type-model: would you please post the second?

tia

[MeaninglessNick]

See the other thread http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=42577; second page.

[oconnell]

See the other thread http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=42577; second page.

Thanks!

[rkanazawa]

Here is the information he sent me for downgrading Vista.

http://www.dcom.com.sg/pdf/downgradeOEM ... 020707.pdf