I agree that part of our criticisms during years helped make the retro thinkpad.
However, they were constructive critiscisms: bring back this, that, etc.
Now, i read a lot of criticism which is: the retro will fail, failed, i wont buy it, etc.
Why? What does that give you? Nothing! Try to be cautiously supportive. We surely will judge when we see the real product. I am eager and afraid to be disapointed of course, but I dont kill it even before knowing exactly what it is!
I think most of us agree there on the main feature we want back:
-build quality/robustness
-expandability
-7 row keyboard
-non 16/9 screens.
Yes, they screw up most of it, but unlike you, i dont think it is to screw me personally, but because there are reasons - i don't agree with but i understand:
1) price. yes, Thinkpad are cheaper than in the IBM area. Way more.
2) people want slimmer laptops. Luckily, our voices have been heard sine they chose the T470 base for a reason - not the slimmest laptop, and customability is a bit better than for others. While i would have preferred another base, i think this makes sense.
3) I think the main culprit of the bad decisions is 16/9. Several reasons for 16/9. First, it is the de facto standard. Hence it is easy to get 16/9from panel manufacturers (read uneasy to get anything else). Then you have stupid people wanting 16/9 to not have black band when they watch movies. I don't remember which website (wired, gizmodo, this kind) had this complain when testing a 3:2 screen (google pixel whatever). When i read it, i thought we were screwed, because that's what the mass thinks. Hence narrower keyboard area. Then you have people wanting bigger trackpads.
At the end, something had to go on the keyboard area, and it was the 7th row
.
I really believe the retro project is a step in the right direction (at least for the 7th row), even if i may (or may not) be disappointed in the end by the overall machine.
I hope this is a success to push them to rethink some decision for the mainstream lines of thinkpads (at least to provide as expansive option)...
I bought a X40 new (my first thinkpad, my only one bought new - later i bought a second hand x60s (on this forum, the 1400*1050 IPS customized one on which i am now typing) as what was available was ugly 16/9 - X220 area).
If it is non 16/9 with french keyboard, i will certainly buy the T25 new (and expansive).
Worst case scenario (no good features on the usual thinkpad line), i make it live 5 years (as my previous laptops), and i can wait till the 30th anniversary.