Upgrading from a T410.

[WBruce]

Some years back, I switched from Toshiba Tecras to Thinkpads. I've been happy with the switch so far, my current iteration is a T410 for me and a T430 for my wife. I've been ready to upgrade for a while, but holding out for a T450. They were recently released and I went online to checkout the configuration options, and everything was just what I wanted, except for one thing. No optical drive! They even brought back the physical "click" buttons for the trackpoint that they dropped in the T440.

I don't use the optical drive every day, but when I need one, I need it. I noticed that they haven't released a T450p and was wondering if the "P" variation has been discontinued? If not, and it is pending, does anyone know if that might have an optical drive?

If the answer is no, then it looks like I have three options:

1. Buy an external USB optical drive. I'm not crazy about this option because it takes up space on the desk, and it is another thing to carry around. It's probably my last choice but I'm still thinking about it. If I could get a docking station with an optical drive in it, I might be OK with that, but it doesn't help me much when traveling and have some kind of emergency where I need to boot from the CD.

2. Switch back to Toshiba Tecra. Not crazy about this idea either.

3. Buy a different Thinkpad model outside the T series. This is the option I'm leaning toward, but I need help choosing one if I do. The requirements I have include: Trackpoint, 14" screen (that's why I'm not looking at the T550), and dockable (I'm using a port replicator now). I've looked at various other Thinkpads, but I'm wondering if anybody has any idea which one is the closest to the T Series in specs that might meet those requirements.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Ibthink]

I have no doubt in my mind that the T4xxp line will be continued, but there are no CPUs yet for a potential T450p - Broadwell Quad-Cores are still missing, and Skylake is around the corner in late summer already, which might mean they could skip a potential T450p and just jump right to Skylake and maybe a "T460p". Though I don´t know that of course, its all speculation. Only Lenovo knows whether this successor will have an ODD or not. I guess the chances are there, but they might decide to drop the optical drive vor all 14" systems, like they did with E450 and L450 as well. We will see I guess.

Probably the most future proof option would be 1. , as the optical drive is becoming more and more obsolete, and the vast amount of Notebooks won´t have one, even more so than today.

What might be an option for you: Buy the T440p and switch out the ClickPad for the new Tx50 UltraNav unit, see: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads ... od.769254/ The downside of this, any potential warranty could be lost of course...

Good luck choosing. Its a difficult time for those who still need an ODD...

[RealBlackStuff]

I have an X200s (has no ODD), which I use for travelling.
In over three years I never had the need to use any CD/DVD.
Instead of an external drive, buy some USB memory sticks with enough capacity to contain your required stuff.
Use a program like Rufus to make those sticks bootable if required.
Then boot from a USB key when needed.
Very little storage space required!

[bit_twiddler]

Unfortunately, the T440p is the lightest 14" Thinkpad to have an ultrabay.
Personally, I'd hold out for the T450p or T460p because of the lack of
discrete trackpoint buttons on the T440p, or go to another brand.

I use an X200s as a lightweight and compact laptop. I take a very lightweight DVD writer
made by LITEON with me - it is very light compared to all of the other stuff
that I have in my backpack when travelling. If you want to buy a machine
without an ultrabay, I highly recommend this option.

[WBruce]

I have an X200s (has no ODD), which I use for travelling.
In over three years I never had the need to use any CD/DVD.
Instead of an external drive, buy some USB memory sticks with enough capacity to contain your required stuff.
Use a program like Rufus to make those sticks bootable if required.
Then boot from a USB key when needed.
Very little storage space required!

So, do I buy a USB for every one of the DVDs and CDs I've got? Then how do I copy stuff to the USB without a DVD player? We burn documents to DVDs for work purposes, we send DVDs by FedEx when the files are too big to send via email. Sure there are workarounds for this, but that's what they are workarounds. There's no way I can be without an optical drive. It would be like asking me to live without a car. I work in all 50 states, and my home is a 20,000 lb trailer that I can't ask the bus company to pull for me, and many of my jobsites are remote where there is no public transportation. I use the DVD burner/player. So living without one just isn't an option. My three options are the ones I mentioned.

What I'd really like to know is
1. Will there be a 450p or not?
2. If the answer to number one is yes, will the 450p have an optical drive.

If the answer to both is no, I'm reverting to my original three options, with a possible 4th option of getting a 440p and changing the track point clicking device, whatever that is called.

[ajkula66]

What I'd really like to know is
1. Will there be a 450p or not?

In some shape and form, most likely. I don't believe that anyone can give the precise answer on how soon, though.

2. If the answer to number one is yes, will the 450p have an optical drive.

My guess is "yes", but that's just a guess.

with a possible 4th option of getting a 440p and changing the track point clicking device, whatever that is called.

If you need a system sooner than later and are intent on staying with ThinkPads, this is likely your safest bet. Make sure to get the FHD screen, though.

[WBruce]

If you need a system sooner than later and are intent on staying with ThinkPads, this is likely your safest bet. Make sure to get the FHD screen, though.

I can probably hold out for a while, what is your best guess for how long? More than a year?

[ajkula66]

I can probably hold out for a while, what is your best guess for how long? More than a year?

My best guess will still be just a guess.

Intel holds the key. If there is a Broadwell-based "p" system we should see it before the end of the year.

If Lenovo chooses to wait for Skylake...likely more than a year.

Please do bear in mind that I'm not basing these presumptions on any inside information, since I don't have any to begin with.

[Ibthink]

According to Intel, they want to release Skylake on time, in contrast to Broadwell, which should mean Skylake would be ready in late summer/early fall. So I guess we will see a T440p successor before the end of this year at least.

[bit_twiddler]

Intel seems to be focusing on the lower power CPUs for initial products lately.
That's why the Broadwell quad cores haven't shown up yet.

Perhaps there is a way that the useful life of your T410 could be extended?
How are you outgrowing it?

[Dekks]

Intel Roadmap as per Feb 15

http://hexus.net/tech/news/cpu/80206-ne ... ll-due-q2/

[excal32]

I have an X200s (has no ODD), which I use for travelling.
In over three years I never had the need to use any CD/DVD.
Instead of an external drive, buy some USB memory sticks with enough capacity to contain your required stuff.
Use a program like Rufus to make those sticks bootable if required.
Then boot from a USB key when needed.
Very little storage space required!

So, do I buy a USB for every one of the DVDs and CDs I've got? Then how do I copy stuff to the USB without a DVD player? We burn documents to DVDs for work purposes, we send DVDs by FedEx when the files are too big to send via email. Sure there are workarounds for this, but that's what they are workarounds. There's no way I can be without an optical drive. It would be like asking me to live without a car. I work in all 50 states, and my home is a 20,000 lb trailer that I can't ask the bus company to pull for me, and many of my jobsites are remote where there is no public transportation. I use the DVD burner/player. So living without one just isn't an option. My three options are the ones I mentioned.

What I'd really like to know is
1. Will there be a 450p or not?
2. If the answer to number one is yes, will the 450p have an optical drive.

If the answer to both is no, I'm reverting to my original three options, with a possible 4th option of getting a 440p and changing the track point clicking device, whatever that is called.

I have a t420 and also use the optical drive all the time. however i have lots of audio CDs to go thru all day constantly.
as someone who uses optical drive constantly here is my advice. i have a usb powered one and i also have a usb 3.0 SATA to usb adapter I can use with a normal size DVD drive.

but, also, it's 2015, you still need to fedex DVDs for files too big to email? you know services like mega, mediafire, dropbox exist?

don't expect to see optical drives in new models. optical drives are already phased out and seeing one in a new machine would be past its time so in my opinion maybe shouldn't count on seeing optical drives in new machines if it has to be built in.