W701/W701ds...one week from today, 3/31/2010!

[Crunch]

Lenovo is releasing several updated ThinkVantage tools and drivers for the new W701 and W701ds models, which will be available starting one week from today, March 31, 2010.

Who is getting one here? Any W700/ds owners who are wanting to upgrade? I, for one, am psyched.

[Marin85]

Actually, I am considering a W700 or W701... The more I look at these monsters, the more I start liking them I can´t wait to see the price tags of the new W701 though. W700 is currently available at affordable prices both in US and Germany (!), but I don´t even want to start thinking about its successor. If W701 prices are reasonable in US though, I may start considering purchasing from there...

BTW, QFoam mentioned that W701 is already partly available on Lenovo Spain. I only hope Lenovo has ruled out any potential heat issues given that W701 will have to handle 35W more than its predecessor...

Cheers,

Marin

[Crunch]

Actually, I am considering a W700 or W701... The more I look at these monsters, the more I start liking them I can´t wait to see the price tags of the new W701 though. W700 is currently available at affordable prices both in US and Germany (!), but I don´t even want to start thinking about its successor. If W701 prices are reasonable in US though, I may start considering purchasing from there...

BTW, QFoam mentioned that W701 is already partly available on Lenovo Spain. I only hope Lenovo has ruled out any potential heat issues given that W701 will have to handle 35W more than its predecessor...

Cheers,

Marin

I doubt there will be any heat issues. The W700/ds models have two rather large fans at opposite sides of "The Beast". The fans are so quiet, because you really have to push the machine for them to even come on in any significant way. There is also much more room for the air to move around because the system board has components on both sides of it.

[QFoam]

Before the rollout of the W700, I kept tabs on the new ThinkPads that immediately preceeded it, to help create my ThinkPad W700 Resources Page. Those machines, which used Intel chipsets very similar to that of the W700, provided a lot of insight into the W700 when it came out. Likewise, I've been keeping tabs on the new ThinkPads that have come out just before the W701. Here's what I've found.

The rollout of this latest generation of ThinkPads has had a fair amount of glitches, many of which are still unresolved. The W701 should be based on a chipset and processors similar to those of the below machines, and thus may exhibit some similar problems (although let's hope not). Each red link takes you to the related thread:

- W510-hardware-fault-Locking-up-crashing-and-Speakers-shorting - This case seems to cover a number of problems affecting the W510, which are listed separately below. As of this writing, Lenovo has not yet responded in their W-series forum to these issues.

- W510-Overheating - These cases involve overheating of the W510 when playing DVDs, and when playing intensive 3D games.

- W510-Heating-up-while-OFF - A number of cases may be related to the left speaker-grille area of the W510 (and T410) overheating AFTER THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN. This may cause failure of the left speaker, and perhaps failure of the amplifier that drives both speakers. Paradoxically, sound still comes out of the headphone jack just fine.

- T400s-No-Sound - Here's a thread in which a nearly identical problem occurred in the T400s (which is a different machine than the T400). A BIOS update was released to fix the T400s problem, but several users have since reported the problem occurring AFTER that update was installed in their machines. (Note that the T400s uses an older chipset than the new generation of ThinkPads.)

- W510-Bios-1-12-removed - This BIOS update for the W510 seemed to help relieve overheating during DVD playback and 3D-game play, but the update apparently damaged the mechanism that Microsoft uses to authenticate Windows. So the update has been subsequently pulled by Lenovo from their website.

- T410-update-new-BIOS-SLIC-misssing - Something very similar has happened with a BIOS update to the T410.

- W510-lockup-on-startup - Boot sequence can apparently be messed up depending on what non-storage devices are plugged into various USB ports. Selecting hard drive as first boot device in BIOS may not help.

- W510-USB-Gone-AWOL - USB ports stop working for unknown reasons. And they may suddenly one day start working again. Unplugging/plugging-in battery may help.

- w510-BSOD - This involves a BSOD problem on the W510 which occurs right out of the box. It appears to depend on which SIM card is installed in the WWAN card.

- W510-checkered-pixel-patterns-while-running-on-battery - This involves a horizontal shift of every other row of pixels in the display, which produces a sawtooth effect in vertical lines and in text on the screen. It can be fairly obnoxious. It occurs when large amounts of motion occur on the screen, when a certain power-saving feature is turned on for the video card. A workaround is presented, although it requires disabling that power-saving mode for the video card.

- T510-graphics-flutter-when-in-power-saving-modes - This may be similar to the preceeding problem on the W510.

Plus here are some known significant problems that the W700 has right now. It'll be interesting to see whether these problems show up in the W701 as well:

- Notebook Powermizer Issues - Please post here (nvidia.com) -
- Stuttering on music playback (thinkpads.com) - Under Windows 7 (but not Vista), there have been reports of frequent interruptions in audio playback on the W700 (according to the above nVidia thread, interruptions may appear in video playback on many manufacturers' machines as well). This is likely due to a bug in nVidia's drivers for the graphics card, involving their "PowerMizer" feature. This glitch has been widely reported in a number of nVidia graphics cards under Windows 7. nVidia has said they know how to fix the problem, and that the fix will appear in some future version of their driver. So, the question for W700/W701 users is "when will Lenovo give us a driver for the video card containing the fix?" (Dell customers are already beta-testing such a driver.) The above two threads discuss some partial work-arounds, which may provide some relief.

- drivers for Lenovo W700 supporting a 2 button pen (thinkpads.com) -
- drivers-for-Lenovo-W700-supporting-a-2-button-pen (lenovo.com) - If you're a professional graphics artist, animator or CAD user, and are used to working with Wacom tablets, then you'll want to know the following. The tablet that comes with the W700 is made by Wacom. But the pen that comes with it is skinnier than what you're used to, is harder to grip, and has only one side-button instead of two. You CAN instead use a much nicer pen for either a Wacom Cintiq 15X or Cintiq 18SX tablet, and they will work. However, Lenovo's driver on the W700 does NOT support the second side-button on those pens. Currently, the only way to get support for that second side-button is to install a patch described in these two threads. The patch works under Vista 64, and may work under Windows 7 (but that hasn't yet been tested). Also, on many W700 laptops, you have to run the pen past the edge of the tablet and over its lip to reach some edges of the screen (in full-screen mode). Lenovo's driver doesn't provide a calibration tab to correct this. 3D_Guru/Pepe deserves tremendous credit for his superhuman efforts to provide the patch for getting 2-side-button input. But Lenovo needs to get its act together to provide driver support for pens having two side-buttons, and for calibrating the tablet to the screen. Will Lenovo ever provide that support for the W700/W701? If not, will the patch work on the W701?

- HELP-W700-color-calibration-or-finger-print-reader-and-tablet-in-Ubuntu? - Whenever someone tries to install a new operating system on the W700, finding the right drivers for the built-in graphics tablet seems to be one of their greatest challenges (followed by finding drivers for the color-calibrator and fingerprint reader). Here's a thread in which a user is trying to set up that driver support within Ubuntu. You Linux/Ubuntu users out there will definitely want to read this.

- W700-black-screen-when-using-3GB-switch-in-XP - So many people suffer grief over this on their W700, that I have to throw it in, even though it's not really a bug. I STRONGLY recommend that you DON'T run a 32-bit version of Windows on your W700/W701. It limits your available memory to 3GB. And if that weren't bad enough, it can make finding drivers for the machine very difficult under Windows 7. 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and Vista provide fairly good legacy support for 32-bit applications. But if you absolutely need 32-bit Windows for something, or if you have to have Windows XP, then check out this thread for what may be a much better solution.

So when the W701 is released, you might want to see if user reports of this new machine meet your expectations -- before buying. There have been supply problems with some W510 components (the FHD display in particular), which has caused repeated long delays in shipping orders. And Lenovo apparently has not held a sufficient number of every component in reserve for repairs (including motherboards), which has caused unusually long repair times for some customers. BTW, if any of you buy a W701, please come back here to this thread and tell us your configuration. Then tell us if you see any of the above problems in your new machine. Then we'll all know.

To be fair, a lot of new technology is coming together in these laptops, so I don't think Lenovo will be the only manufacturer having problems. It's a question of how they handle those problems, and how smoothly the experience goes for customers.

I'll soon be udpating my ThinkPad W700 Resources Page to include this info about the ThinkPad W701, and more. Good luck!

[archer6]

I had a W700 for a few months, long story short, while it was not a bad model per se, it just left me wanting much more. It's the one and only new ThinkPad that I've purchased and sold because it was so disappointing.

That said, I'm looking forward with great anticipation to the new W701. If it's available in a configuration that makes sense for me, I will definitely be purchasing one.

Cheers...

[Marin85]

I had a W700 for a few months, long story short, while it was not a bad model per se, it just left me wanting much more. It's the one and only new ThinkPad that I've purchased and sold because it was so disappointing.

Could you tell us more about what you didn´t like or found disappointing in that W700.

Thanks,

Marin

[Tableteer]

Today's the day. So where is it?

[arretium]

When are they releasing this thing now. May? When Intel comes out with their next chipset and processor?

[Tableteer]

When are they releasing this thing now. May? When Intel comes out with their next chipset and processor?

What next chip and cpu would that be?

I would think the 701 is a bigger version of the currently shipping 510 with an added pen digitizer, among a few other features.

[arretium]

What next chip and cpu would that be?

What next chip and cpu would that be?

I would think the 701 is a bigger version of the currently shipping 510 with an added pen digitizer, among a few other features.[/quote]

I was being facetious. I'm growing impatient and tired of waiting for this laptop.

[archer6]

I was being facetious. I'm growing impatient and tired of waiting for this laptop.

I'm with you, the waits a bit long. Too much focus on the new entry level consumer machines.

[Bring_back_IPS]

Lenovo is releasing several updated ThinkVantage tools and drivers for the new W701 and W701ds models, which will be available starting one week from today, March 31, 2010.

Well, it is April 2, and they are still not avalable.

[archer6]

I'm finding my patience running thin with the way Lenovo seems to be dragging their feet on the W701 release. The proliferation of "Brand - X" 17" laptops with the new 2010 Intel Core i Processors and other up to date technologies is a further irritant. On one hand, I've had a truly stellar experience with ThinkPads over quite a long time. And yet, that was then and this is now.
.
I also believe my growing impatience with the delay of the 701 is due to the fact that my T510 is so good. A machine that has truly been improved over it's predecessor the T500. Having exceeded my expectations, has caused my enthusiasm for the 701 to increase significantly. Thus sitting here wondering just when Lenovo is going to get their W701 out the door, is beginning to diminish my enthusiasm.
.
I ask myself this question, how many people have thrown up their hands, given up waiting for the 701, and bought other brands?
.
Cheers...

[pnolan]

Hi Archer

I don't think I've run out of patience for the 701 - but I have been swayed by the idea of the Dream Colour 2 IPS screen on the HP 8740W (although its going to be fairly expensive)...

Finally a display to match (and finally improve) on the quality of 6 - 10 year old IBM laptops...

Anyway it involves more waiting (at the moment not shipping with DC2 screen) - and I'd like to see some reviews to compare both models but for the first time ever, never thought I'd say this - I've found the HP laptop looks slicker and more "built for business" (just a matter of taste I know).

[Bring_back_IPS]

Anyway it involves more waiting (at the moment not shipping with DC2 screen) - and I'd like to see some reviews to compare both models but for the first time ever, never thought I'd say this - I've found the HP laptop looks slicker and more "built for business" (just a matter of taste I know).

I already mentioned this here: A very recent T400 that I saw felt as junk compared to my T43p. It was just horrible. My wife always gets medium priced HP's - they are build better than that T400 that I saw. They run cool and quiet, as well.

[pnolan]

I already mentioned this here: A very recent T400 that I saw felt as junk compared to my T43p. It was just horrible. My wife always gets medium priced HP's - they are build better than that T400 that I saw. They run cool and quiet, as well.

Yea tell me about it Bring_back_IPS - I have an x300 I use for travel, but still use the T41P w/ winxp for some routine spreadsheet work / web surfing (T41p still works perfectly btw after more than 6 years - My T60p long since bit the dust)

I bought the T41p in Shanghai from http://www.nbuser.com for about 27000 RMB at the time - back when international warranty was a given - its a shame these guys seem to focus now more on the x100e and lower end models.

I'm based in Shanghai now - and all shops are still selling older models - T400's x200's etc...Lenovo seem to ignore the chinese market and charge much more for the same product than in UK / US.


you can seem some latest models and pricing from china
http://www.nbuser.com/showtopic-194297.aspx

Anyway without going further off topic, after using thinkpads all my working life, and being stung with the screen on the x300 - it's very hard to go back to buy anything from Lenovo until they Bring_IPS_BACK.

[archer6]

@ pnolan
What happened to cause your T60 to become unrepairable?
One strong suite of nearly every ThinkPad is serviceability. Every one of mine are still working well, even dating back to my old X600. It's a characteristic that keeps me in ThinkPads. Great parts, support site resources, and well engineered latops designed for the long haul. I upgrade often to the latest ThinkPad for the improvements & current technologies. Then the old one goes into my ThinkPad Museum

[xiphmont]

Actually, I was pretty sure the site said April 7th for most of the past month. It's been possible to order the preconfigured models from retail vendors for a few weeks I think... Anyway, today is the day and they're up on the site! The configure-your-own options are.... expensive.

I just calculated I'd save almost $1000 on the machine I want by buying a topseller and just swapping parts out. That said, this is Lenovo so a sale isn't likely to be far off Just need... to... wait... longer...

[Tableteer]

Pricey yes. On the website just now, I just speced out the configuration I want and looked at the cost total...OUCH!!!

The best CPU alone was +$1200. And the price of 8 GB RAM (1333 to match the CPU ability) wasn't pretty either.

For the extra screen on the ds model, it's basically $525 more for it. On the 701, there's an option to get the 1920 RGB LED screen making it equivalent to what is standard on the 701ds for +$175 . Doing the math, you get a difference of 525. For some people, it seems at least according to whatever department at Lenovo that determines pricing the attached 1024x800 screen is worth the price of almost another notebook. If I had the ds, I'd use that for keeping my mail and chat windows open. So will it be 701 + netbook or a 701ds...

[AMATX]

Yeah, I went out earlier today and spec'd/priced a fantasy laptop...$BIG$

I really didn't like that fact that the 1333 memory is only available on the max processor
model. Only way to max out with 16G of 1333 memory is to cough up another $1000+
for the -one- proc that Lenovo uses with it.

Hopefully, things will change in the near future; otherwise, W700 boxes are lookin'
pretty good.

[Marin85]

Hopefully, things will change in the near future; otherwise, W700 boxes are lookin' pretty good.

Indeed, but there is also something else very important to consider - upgradeability! I was speculating that with the coming introduction of W701 prices of W700 units shall drop even further, and now when we have W701 out, this is in fact expected to happen soon (in any way I do hope so). But a W700 unit configured with QX9300 and Quadro FX 3700M comes near 3500$, and let us assume, if you are extremely lucky to do some arbitrage with buying a lower cpu from Lenovo, reselling it and buying a QX9300 separately, you may come at ~3000$. For comparison a configuration i7-720QM, Quadro FX 2800M (1 GB), WUXGA RGB-LED, calibrator+ WACOM is about 2500$, where it must be noted that even the slower i7-720QM is pretty much on par with the QX9300 and the slower Quadro FX 2800M comes petty close to the FX 3700M, and one still has the option to manually upgrade later to more powerful cpu, gpu and more RAM when these will become anyways cheaper. In fact, W701 may well offer even further reaching upgrade possibilities like compatibility with the next batch of Intel mobile Nehalem cpus (remember Penryn?) and nVidia gpus (I don´t like to pull the devil by the tale, but how about compatibility with the new ATI mobile gpus with DX11 support) Not to mention all the other goodies that the W701 comes with.Now, I guess Lenovo should start paying me for advertising like this

Cheers,

Marin

EDIT: I just saw the updated price tags for the starting configuration of W701... Lol, it moved from ~2200$ to ~2600$... But it still beats the $3000 box.

[archer6]

My take on the pricing of the W701 is that it will hold up for just a short time, then immediately be discounted. I'm holding back for that to occur, as I'm no longer in a rush after picking up the new HP 8740w. This will be my placeholder until Lenovo reduces the price of the W701 to a more reasonable level.

[Oliver26n]

Hey archer, you already have a HP 8740w?

[archer6]

Hey archer, you already have a HP 8740w?

Just arrived today.

[Oliver26n]

Nice. Will you be providing us salivating fellows with a mini-review?

[xiphmont]

My take on the pricing of the W701 is that it will hold up for just a short time, then immediately be discounted. I'm holding back for that to occur, as I'm no longer in a rush after picking up the new HP 8740w. This will be my placeholder until Lenovo reduces the price of the W701 to a more reasonable level.

Heh, wow, an 8470w as a 'placeholder'. What about it makes it a machine you'd ditch for a W701? It was the other note I was looking at.

I'm a longtime Thinkpad owner (all the way back to the original 700C in 1993) and although it seems like Lenovo is making some really cheesy models recently, HP has truly fallen off a cliff in the past 10 years. I have 30 and 40 year old monster HP test rigs that still perform flawlessly (all happily talking to my modern Linux boxes over an IEEE488 bridge), and 12 year old HP printers just as perfect. Everything else I've bought from HP since then has lasted the warranty period (if that) and broken. I had hoped the MIL 810G rating meant the EliteBooks were in a better class than most of the stuff HP was churning out these days.

[archer6]

No, out of respect for our forum _ThinkPads.com Support Community_ I do not review all the other brands I purchase.

In addition I keep them out of my signature below.

That said, I am happy to answer a specific question here and there, from the fine members of this forum.

Cheers...