Introduction of the "Z" is good reason not to buy

[phr]

Re those "improvements":

I don't want a windows key, I don't run windows so I don't have any use for a windows key. If they can put on a "linux key" then we can talk.

USB ports: sure, more is better, however I'm also disturbed by the removal of the 2nd pc card slot, especially since the internal wifi needs closed source code. So I still want to keep using my ancient prism-chip pcmcia wifi card. That means with 1 slot I'm stopped from ever using a 2nd card at the same time.

Widescreen: I could care less about it, I just want as many pixels as I can possibly have. The 1680x1050 (WSXGA+) is 1764000 pixels which isn't bad, but the A21p had 1600x1200 (UXGA) or 1920000 pixels as early as 5 years (?) or so ago. The new stuff is a step backwards. If they do WUXGA+ (1920x1200) then maybe that's of interest.

Size and weight: I'm getting tired of my 6+ pound A20p (yeah, just SXGA+) which is a pain on my lap. I got an X40 which I like a lot for its small size, but I miss the big screen. So I've figured I'd get a T4(1,2,3)p with UXGA sooner or later, at around 4 pounds not that much heavier than the X40.

Frankly I think they can lose the optical drive by now. It's like the floppy was a few years ago. When I got the A20p, having the internal floppy AND optical was essential, but now with gigabyte USB pen drives in the 50 buck range, I'd say relegate the optical drive to a compact external. And I was a defender of floppies for a long time but let's face it, they're obsolete.

If they want to improve some substantive area, give us more RAM slots and more address pins on the ram. The two ways old laptops become useless is maxing out on ram so they can't keep up with current software, and batteries going flat.

I do notice Thinkpads have been pretty good about keeping the AC adapters interoperable between models. The same adapter can power my 770, 240 (r.i.p.), X40, and A20p. I wonder if the Lenovos will stick with that. I've never heard of a Thinkpad with a 7 cell pack before.

[daeojkim]

I think I just read something about IBM non-innovative? May be some thinkpad models lack some features, but I am pretty sure it has everything for business purposes.

Going back to innovation, I think IBM has been number one for number of new patents for the past few years in a row. Some may say patents are all BS and you can get a new patent for a lot of BS. But it at least tells you how much R&D and innovation for new ideas are brought by IBM.

[snife]

Re those "improvements":


Frankly I think they can lose the optical drive by now. It's like the floppy was a few years ago. When I got the A20p, having the internal floppy AND optical was essential, but now with gigabyte USB pen drives in the 50 buck range, I'd say relegate the optical drive to a compact external. And I was a defender of floppies for a long time but let's face it, they're obsolete.

I do notice Thinkpads have been pretty good about keeping the AC adapters interoperable between models. The same adapter can power my 770, 240 (r.i.p.), X40, and A20p. I wonder if the Lenovos will stick with that. I've never heard of a Thinkpad with a 7 cell pack before.

<sarcasm>

Yeah get rid of the optical drive - i can't remember the last time I used a CD or a DVD

</sarcasm>

The Z series need more power so there is a new connector on the AC adapter, this is due to extra ports. pci express and preparing for newer intel chipsets.

All future ThinkPads will use this adapter with the exception of the X series which normally uses a less powerful adapter than the rest of the range. I agree that I like my ac adapter to power any ThinkPad and machines such as the G series with a special adapter just annoy me but it is required to stop people plugging in more powerful adapters which might blow systems. As long as that all the new ones are using the same adapter then its OK as I appreciate that more power is now needed.

[K. Eng]

I think the optical bay should stay. I like knowing that if I need to install software off a CD, I can just pop the disk in and not worry about connecting to an external or network drive.

Also, the optical bay can be fitted with a second battery, which is very useful to some people.