Most laptops will be 16:9 by 2012…thoughts?

[killer]

@AlphaKilo470. Blimey, if your eyes hurt then you need an ophthlamo ... optomotr ... opticie ... Oh, s*d it, an eye doctor.

He'll probably say that you need to stop doing something that causes blindness ... no, not that (how could you think that?) ... like looking at a screen.

Wouldn't we all have better eyes without viewing our screens?

Now where did I put my spectacle case?

[beGi]

http://lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/?p=220

There is some interesting info in the provided link...other will just make you laugh/cry...

[dsvochak]

From the link posted by beGi:
“PC vendors have almost zero say in this change. We simply have to adapt.”

That’s somewhat difficult for me to believe. If PC vendors demanded lcd suppliers provide 4:3 screens, would every supplier say no?

I think it’s likely the issues for vendors are, in reality, somewhat different. For example, will customers pay more for a 4:3 (or IPS) screen? Do we lose sales by not offering a 4:3 screen? If so, how many sales do we lose? If the answers are no, yes, and not many then it’s reasonable vendors simply adapt. If there answers are yes, yes and a lot, then vendors look for someone to provide 4:3 screens. If there was a large enough market someone would do it.

Given what’s happening, I think the answers must be no, yes and not many.

[ajkula66]

dsvochak wrote:

If there was a large enough market someone would do it.

Someone is doing it, but sadly it's NOT Lenovo. And these machines sell at prices that ThinkPads used to sell for...

I've posted my comment on the blog, let's see if it finds its way past moderators...

Lenovo knows how to build a very good laptop, but misses the finishing touches (and magic) of IBM-era ThinkPads.

Just like Ford knew how to design, build and sell cars, but proved to be clueless on how to design, build or sell Jaguars...and yes, we've heard the "reliability" excuse from them back then as well...

[Puppy]

This is related to the topic http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=75483

[GomJabbar]

I've posted my comment on the blog, let's see if it finds its way past moderators...

George, we may not agree on Gun Control, but I am definitely with you on this one.

Oh, what a world! What a world! Who would have thought a good little conglomerate like Lenovo could destroy my beautiful ThinkPadness?

I see your post made it. I just added some not-so-kind comments myself (awaiting moderation).

[archer6]

Oh, what a world! What a world! Who would have thought a good little conglomerate like Lenovo could destroy my beautiful ThinkPadness?

Very....Very Well Said!

Thanks for expressing those thoughts, as I share them with you verbatim. I have never been more concerned about the "Future of ThinkPads" than I am right now. As much as I truly enjoy being a very positive _and_ realistic person, there is no looking past what is going on, and _not_ going on at Lenovo.

To think that the very machine that I have enjoyed all these years may be going down the tubes is beyond disgusting.

I've had a couple of very discouraging experiences recently with Lenovo, and the web site errors. I could write for an hour and create quite a rant, but suffice to say that they refused to do the right thing with a problem on my order. Well, I'm no shrinking violet and would not take "tough luck" for an answer. So I escalated the call and pushed my way up to the highest supervisor on duty. Long story short, only my years of negotiating and burning determination to not be turned down, allowed a solution to be reached. For a company to treat a customer like that is unacceptable. It speaks volumes about who they are today, compared to who IBM was, not all that long ago.

I ask myself this question if not a ThinkPad? What would I buy?... as there's not much out there.

Unfortunately I know that first hand, as I've had most of them. What a scary thought....

[ajkula66]

archer6 wrote:

I ask myself this question if not a ThinkPad? What would I buy?... as there's not much out there.

I have been at the very same point where you're right now just a few weeks ago...looking for a machine that would be my daily "carry everywhere" laptop. Would've loved a 240Z or a S30/31 with a newer planar...however, we all know that's sheer daydreaming. And Pentium III with under 512MB RAM just doesn't cut the mustard for my daily needs...

So, for the first time in my life, I've bought a non-ThinkPad for my personal use.

I miss the trackpoint and the keyboard feel of ThinkPads, but have gotten a lot in return...and it's a well-built machine by any standard...

Before I leave you guessing, I'll say that it's a X41-era laptop, with a 10.4" XGA LCD that is actually usable outside. Weighs under 1kg with battery inserted, and the manufacturer had boasted a 9-hour battery life at the time. I'll be very happy with half of that with the wireless on...

[archer6]

Before I leave you guessing, I'll say that it's a X41-era laptop, with a 10.4" XGA LCD that is actually usable outside.

There is either something wrong with me (quite likely.... ) or I missed the hint...

Now I'm really curious... just what did you buy?

Cheers...

[ajkula66]

@archer6:

When I'm tired my posts sometimes tend to confuse people, but given your knowledge and laptop stable (I'm being perfectly serious here) you should be able to figure this one out...call me a Riddler, and be a Batman, like most of us wanted to be when we were kids...

the basic specs:

Pentium M LV 753 CPU
512MB RAM soldered (expandable up to 1.5 GB with a proprietary 173-pin micro-DIMM)
10.4" XGA LCD
Intel 2915 ABG
No trackpoint or media drive
2.2 lbs

additional hints:

- Never officially imported in USA, although the manufacturer maintains presence in this country
- Not manufactured in China
- No fan so some users have complained of left side of the palmrest getting hot
- Available in one colour only, and it's not black

It should be a reasonably easy guess...and if not, I'll reveal it in my next post in this thread...

[archer6]

you should be able to figure this one out...call me a Riddler, and be a Batman, like most of us wanted to be when we were kids...

Oh.....great clues, I like a good mystery and I agree with you, I _should be able to guess, yet I'm drawing a blank. Give me a few minutes to think....ha..ha...

[archer6]

If not for the fact it was not available in this country, working purely from memory I would say Sharp MM20, but those were sold here.... I give up.... Yikes... did I say that? Yes I did.

[Marin85]

Are others allowed to take part in this riddle?

[ajkula66]

Everyone is...what do you say, Marin?

Another hint: you can use a ThinkPad 16V AC adapter with it...

[GomJabbar]

I don't know the exact specs of the following, but here is my guess.

Fujitsu Lifebook P1510

[Marin85]

I can only think of Sony VAIO VGN-X505VP with somehow (?) upgraded wifi. I am not sure whether its memory is expandable. Also, it comes with the ULV version of your cpu, not just LV, so I guess I´m wrong That has been my reference for my final guess, I don´t know in how far this list is complete. The fact that this laptop is 10.4'' and non-ThinkPad pretty much reduces the possibilities.

A side note: I have excluded Toughbook-08 as the rugged outer parts are in black color.

So, what laptop is it?

EDIT: Further research excluded Acer Travelmate C113TCi / C113 / C110...

EDIT2: typos...

EDIT3: The Sony has a Trackpoint... I´m clueless

[archer6]

I was thinking about a certain Panasonic, whos model name escapes me, but there again it was sold in the US.

[Harryc]

My guess - Panasonic ToughBook CF-18, but the weight is wrong ... awesome looking laptop eh?
http://www.portafixe.com/images/cf18_3_800x600.jpg

[GomJabbar]

I just looked up the Fujitsu Lifebook P1510, and it's display is too small. I'm still guessing it might be one of the other Fujitsu Lifebook models.

[Marin85]

Panasonic CF-R4 (thanks to my poor Japanese) The only difference from your specs is that it uses the ULV version of your cpu, not LV.

[ajkula66]

Kudos to Marin who got the baby's name right

And when I get back to Europe we have to get together and...

I have a CF-18 as one of my "field" machines at work and it's a great unit but...the weight is...well, "fully-rugged" as Panasonic would have it...

[Harryc]

Does the small spacebar bother you?
http://www.cs-e-shop.com/images_goods/l ... 0214_0.jpg

[Marin85]

For you to buy a non-ThinkPad for personal use, it must be truly an amazing machine , and it is indeed such (judging by the very scarce reviews and comments on it). I actually wonder why they didn´t sell it anywhere outside the Japanese market, it could have been very successful. I´m sure you are enjoying it very much, which reminds me that you perhaps could post some pics of it with detail some day when you would have time to

Regarding the part, with great pleasure

Now, how about the cpu specs? Has the cpu been upgraded for performance (as the machine doesn´t have a "classic" cooling system with a fan etc) or this was some sort of "disinformation" from your side?

[ajkula66]

Harryc wrote:

Does the small spacebar bother you?

Not really. I have been given quite a delicate pair of hands for a male, and thirty-something years of playing guitar and bass had made my fingers quite precise and adaptable...even though a hereditary ailment threatens to take all of that good stuff away but I'm not letting it just yet...

For those who like the format, here's an older example on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0346108659

[Harryc]

Well, it looks like a great machine, good luck with it George. I'd be a crappy Mod if I didn't say lets get back on topic now How about those 16:9 LCD's ...

[pianowizard]

I'd be a crappy Mod if I didn't say lets get back on topic now How about those 16:9 LCD's ...

As the OP of this thread, let me say this: Don't worry about it, Harry! This discussion about the Panasonic CF-R4 has made this thread more fun!

I had not heard of the CF-R4. At 2.2 lb and with the RAM upgradable to 1.5GB (versus the 512MB of the 2.0lb Sharp MM20), it does sound like a great ultraportable notebook. However, for me, its Japanese/English keyboard would be a huge problem. So, I'm going to stick with my heavier and slower 240Z, which has a U.S. English keyboard.

George, have you considered getting a netbook with 10.1" 1366x768, e.g the HP 2140? I know you usually prefer 4:3, but such a netbook gives a lot more real estate than your Panasonic and is probably smaller in size (though 0.4 lb heavier). As I said earlier, this is an instance where I actually like the 16:9 aspect ratio.

[ajkula66]

I'll try to compromise here a bit, so Harry doesn't skin me alive for drifting OT again...

Many times I've expressed the opinion that it's the (lack of) quality of LCD more than resolution itself that leads to eyestrain, and I still firmly believe that. As much as newer ThinkPads (T400/500, W500/700) are capable machines in every way imaginable, their LCDs leave an awful lot to be desired in my opinion. So going from 16:10 to 16:9 will not make things much worse in that respect.

I've stated my "contingency plan" in one of my previous posts...however, for the first time since 1992 I'm actually weighing the option of acquiring a desktop computer, since good quality monitors are more readily available on that market, be it a second-hand S-IPS or whatever else I can come up with...most of my ThinkPads were 15" units used as desktop replacements anyway, so it may just be the time to replace the replacements...

Kwoon, I have chosen a Panasonic for several different reasons, the main one being that I'm very familiar with the amount of abuse they can withstand which I doubt any netbook could. Sitting in a toolbag with roughly 25lbs of various telecom equipment is a worst nightmare for most laptops, but not for these babies, and this particular example shows that it's been treated roughly and then some, so I could care less about additional scratch or two or five dozen on it. Also, the LCD is surprisingly useful in outdoor conditions-something that I doubt can be said for too many netbooks. Granted, by the time I'm done refurbing this unit it will cost me more than a brand new S10 would have, but I'm OK with that. It's a machine that does everything that I require from it, and unusual enough to be interesting for quite a while...now a question for you: why would the keyboard bother you? The English characters are large, and Japanese are small...personally, I have zero knowledge of Japanese language (not something that I'm proud of FWIW) so ignoring these on the keyboard entirely is not something that gives me trouble...

@Marin: You were correct, I've stated the incorrect specs for the CPU, which is an ULV one indeed...

[pianowizard]

now a question for you: why would the keyboard bother you? The English characters are large, and Japanese are small...

Many symbol keys are located differently, so it's often hard to find them. That's why I replaced the original keyboard of my 240Z with a U.S. keyboard from a 240.

George, when we get together in NYC during Johan's visit, would you mind bringing this Panasonic with you?