Lenovo- future Toughbook (Pics)

[ryengineer]

More to story Lenovo Ruggedized PC at lenovoblogs.

[snife]

I reckon a ThinkPad T series would stand a good chance against that in a fight

I would like to see a proper ruggedised ThinkPad though, I think it would be better to have such a model than continue with the R series now.

[dr_st]

Or, better yet - make the R series evolve into this.

T stands for Thin, R for Rugged!

[rleo25]

That´s the ugliest and outfashioned design I´ve ever seen of a notebook in its whole history, rugged doesn´t mean ugly... and what is the case, Thinkpads are one of the best built laptops, consider a 3 years useful life, notebooks arn´t meant to live forever, it would be more interesting if Lenovo´s engineers concentrate on other more significative issues, say just as an example: screens!

[ajkula66]

Stunningly ugly, to say the very least...my opinion only

[ryengineer]

Folks, it's not a thinkpad but imagine how it would look like once it has been converted into one. It's called Zhaoyang R2000, weighs around about 3.8kg, uses LV processor, known to have black all magnesium alloy to strengthen rubber packet edge and possess all features/specifications of a thinkpad. Following are some details on it:

Zhaoyang R2000 series is highly reliable laptop from lenovo after a full width of independent research and development. They are reliable solid notebook computers, based on Intel's latest mobile computing platform NAPA, with high-quality commercial aircraft advanced computing capability. Meanwhile, the casing, screen, keyboard, hard drive, it has targeted interface optimization with a waterproof dust, vibration-resistant compression, anti-drop impact, moisture-proof anti-fungal, anti - electromagnetic interference, data security and other characteristics, and has a good expansion, communications and outdoor use function.

Structural reinforcement

Full-Mg-Al casing, mesh compression, shock strengthen tendons independent suspension buffer agencies, high shock vibration damping buffer materials, the protection of the core components of Corner special rubber parcels, the effective protection of the body safety high-intensity Shaft, the opening-closing above 50,000 particular body structure design, super Reinforcement.

Waterproof dust

Motherboard and circuit completely closed, dust invaded not unique drainage system, the state 360-degree boot-spraying to eliminate any leakage special keyboard, seal and waterproof membrane to prevent the liquid into the circuit board waterproof capsule Seal doors and special media, the protection of interfaces from liquid and dust intrusion.

Environmental wide temperature range

Unique mainframe cooling ventilation systems and micro keyboard, guarantee high temperature normal work core components of heating circuit, the low-temperature environment automatic heating large capacity battery, low temperature 20 degrees below zero tolerance, electric double standby up to a maximum of 16 hours.

Security protection

Board-level and passive protection to prevent electromagnetic interference body size components comprehensive shielding against electromagnetic radiation and information leakage special three defenses with body moisture-proof, anti-salt spray, anti-fungal retrofitting security chip to protect data hardware-level security.

Calculation and expansion

Using mainstream notebook computing platform with high-end business jet advanced computing power complete high-performance interfaces, multi-function expansion slot can be inserted into a second battery, floppy drive, a GPS, and other components (optional). Various means of communication, reliable transmission of data protection support vehicle stent (optional)

Outdoor function

Highlighted 14-inch screen, the brightness up to 340 cd/m2, anti-reflective film processing, under the clear sunlight readable. Also equipped with touch screen, the touch pen plugs into the hands of outdoor use is very convenient! Hooks design, portable strap, artificial body of rubber hands, feel comfortable not slippery. Matching the second block batteries, the longest range capability up to 16 hours.

Environmental indicators

Temperature: -25-55 ° C
Storage temperature: -40-70 ° C
Work Humidity: relative humidity of 5% -95%, non-condensing.
Vibration: meet the outdoor environment, trailers environment, road transport environment impact: boot state 15 g/11ms, shutdown 50 g / ms
Fall: 91 cm high, 26 point of falling okay three defenses: moisture-resistant, anti-fungal, anti-salt spray sealed: meet IP54, 360-degree spraying
EMC: board-level main passive defense to prevent information leakage of electromagnetic interference.

Success Stories

The wild open environment:

-Scene: open field operations, the use of computer data-processing.
-Needs: environment requires a good adaptability (rain, anti-drop, high and low temperature tolerance, sunlight-readable, etc.), portable, as well as longer battery life time.
-R2000: keyboard, screen, waterproof omnidirectional interfaces comprehensive anti-dust Strengthening the body and outside the whole design, compression, anti-drop anti-reflection optical processing, clearly visible under strong sunlight high resistance, low temperature environment resistance, such as high humidity and salt spray corrosion environment easier.

Vehicle Environment

-Scene: indoor applications transferred to the vehicle environment.
-Needs: Anti-bumpy and vibration requirements, anti-magnetic interference, a vehicle power supply interface, such as car base
-R2000: LCD, motherboard and drives, and other specially designed to resist vibration, shock support multiple forms of communication, and prevent electromagnetic interference facilitate demolished car stent the installation of touch screen, ease of use of vehicle.

[rleo25]

That´s the "mother of all rugged laptops" and was born inside a tiger tank under the sands of desert storm... next mission will be in the rain forests of South America...

[pianowizard]

it would be more interesting if Lenovo´s engineers concentrate on other more significative issues, say just as an example: screens!

Exactly! Most people don't need their laptops to be that tough. IMO, even the display lid rollcage of the T61 is superfluous and makes the machines needlessly heavy. Lenovo should focus on making the T series lighter, and increasing the display resolution of the X series.

[erik]

it would go well with my iridium phone.

[BillMorrow]

lots of people need rugged notebooks..
throw your thinkpad across an airport lobby into a fountain or deep puddle and count how many times it will work after that..

the specs sure look to have been machine translated from chinese..

this thing is supposed to resist an EMF pulse..??
THAT is a little worrisome if the chinese seem to be preparing for a nuclear EMF..

all that said, who better to go head to head with panasonic's toughbook..
they need competition and thinkpads seem well poised to take the prize if lenovo puts the development $$ into the project..
all in all its not supposed to be pretty, its supposed to work when the chips are down or bullets are flying and/or the sandstorm or hurricane is at its worst..

[gator]

all that said, who better to go head to head with panasonic's toughbook..
they need competition and thinkpads seem well poised to take the prize if lenovo puts the development $$ into the project..

My thoughts exactly. A little competition is always good, but we gotta remember that Panasonic has been the leader in this segment for quite a while now. But if anything can compete with toughbooks, it is going to be a thinkpad made by Lenovo .

It would be amazing to see a well designed, all weather, indestructible thinkpad ('Indestructible thinkpad' - is that a oxymoron?). I am sure there will be a market for them.

[dr_st]

Lenovo should focus on making the T series lighter, and increasing the display resolution of the X series.

That's your personal preference. I think that Lenovo should focus on making the screens good (so that not only the Tablet has IPS) and putting a frigging optical drive into the X series.

To each his own.

[pianowizard]

That's your personal preference. I think that Lenovo should focus on making the screens good (so that not only the Tablet has IPS) and putting a frigging optical drive into the X series.

These two would be good as well, definitely much more important than making Thinkpads indestructible.

[qviri]

definitely much more important than making Thinkpads indestructible.

This isn't meant to be a Thinkpad laptop. Lenovo is allowed to have more than one product line.

the specs sure look to have been machine translated from chinese..

Looks a bit too good to be machine translated... unless machine translation into East Asian has progressed a lot lately. It's just a not-so-great translation.

[pianowizard]

This isn't meant to be a Thinkpad laptop. Lenovo is allowed to have more than one product line.

It doesn't matter whether it's going to be called Thinkpad, Toughpad or whatever. I just don't think Lenovo should be wasting money and time developing these ultra tough laptops. Instead, I think Lenovo should focus their resources on improving the existing T and X series Thinkpads. Sorry about not explaining myself clearly in my last few posts.

[ryengineer]

It was translated from an online translator and then skimpily corrected by one of the personnel at work familiar with one of the two asian languages.

As far as I know, if this project gets a green light then T-series would be dropped to a Semi-Rugged or Business-Rugged categories by removing one of the roll-cages with some other minor changes. The machine in question will be upgraded to Fully-Rugged spot. You can call it a hype or rumour, if this never happens but it would be wrong to say it wasn't thought about by Gods at lenovo.

[gator]

rye, that sounds like half a good plan - I mean making the T semi-rugged and introducing a new line for fully rugged (much like panasonic Y and CF series). What makes it half a good plan is that there might be hue and cry if they remove, say, the LCD roll cage, as you speculate ... that is unless they make the while package thinnner and stronger.

[ajkula66]

Toughbooks are not that tough...I've seen dozens of them die in the field, and they suck overall...touchpad is by far the worst I've encountered....EVER

If this is to be Lenovo's primary direction, it's time for me to sell all of my extra machines, and buy a couple of T60/p FlexViews...new, used with warranty, whatever...because I shall not be a customer for one of these.

[qviri]

This isn't meant to be a Thinkpad laptop. Lenovo is allowed to have more than one product line.

It doesn't matter whether it's going to be called Thinkpad, Toughpad or whatever. I just don't think Lenovo should be wasting money and time developing these ultra tough laptops. Instead, I think Lenovo should focus their resources on improving the existing T and X series Thinkpads. Sorry about not explaining myself clearly in my last few posts.

What if the money spent on development returns itself three times over during production, and some of the profit is directed towards improving Thinkpads?

[pianowizard]

What if the money spent on development returns itself three times over during production, and some of the profit is directed towards improving Thinkpads?

That would be nice. But like I said, I doubt the demand for these super tough laptops is that high, so I think it's unlikely that Lenovo will get a lot of profit from them. But I hope you're right.

[ryengineer]

snip.........What makes it half a good plan is that there might be hue and cry if they remove, say, the LCD roll cage, as you speculate ... that is unless they make the while package thinnner and stronger.

That will be prime focus for them. Most users were still satisfied with their T60/p without the lcd roll cage, the standard internal roll cage (Thinkpad roll cage) will unlikely be going to be removed.

At this moment T6x/p and R61 series already lies in the "Semi-Rugged" category, lenovo can push it back to "Business-Rugged" classification where X6x/t/s currently belongs, only if required.

I would love to see this project of "Fully-Rugged" thinkpad getting a final go.

[Troels]

lots of people need rugged notebooks..
throw your thinkpad across an airport lobby into a fountain or deep puddle and count how many times it will work after that..

With the crowd of people buying desktop replacement laptops, only a minority needs ruggedness in the form or Toughbooks or Lenovos latest offering.
In the notebook industry, quality has been dropping with all brands, while some still retain their overall philosophy of making durable notebooks.

Furthermore making a modular notebook like a Thinkpad durable at the same time, while decreasing the costs all the time is an extremely hard task.

All the examples of these extra tough notebooks are not great. Often, the LCD is cracked because one quickly had to close the notebook not realising he/she forgot to remove a pen/eraser first. Regardless of toughness and price of the notebook, the LCD will just as easy.

Just my opinion

[ryengineer]

snip.......All the examples of these extra tough notebooks are not great. Often, the LCD is cracked because one quickly had to close the notebook not realising he/she forgot to remove a pen/eraser first. Regardless of toughness and price of the notebook, the LCD will just as easy........snip

Perhaps little care is a better solution for that OR when one is willing to invest thousands of dollars on such a machine then why not spend few more to buy Thinkpad protection plan?

No matter how hard you try, it is impossible to predict the unexpected. You know you can count on your limited warranty that comes standard with every new ThinkPad notebook, but what about Life's little accidents; like spilling your coffee on the keyboard or simply dropping it? These accidents are not covered in your standard warranty coverage. Help protect yourself from potentially expensive repair or replacement costs, protect your investment by taking the next step in warranty coverage....Get ThinkPad Protection.

[pianowizard]

when one is willing to invest thousands of dollars on such a machine then why not spend few more to buy Thinkpad protection plan?

Another problem with super rugged notebooks is that they are usually super heavy. Few people, especially frequent travelers and people who walk to work/school everyday, are willing to carry such notebooks.

[dr_st]

lots of people need rugged notebooks..
throw your thinkpad across an airport lobby into a fountain or deep puddle and count how many times it will work after that..

Yeah, but why would you do something like that?

The chances of something like that happening accidentally to a normal user are very very small. Way too small to justify spending extra $$$ on a thick, heavy, ugly-looking and clumsy machine. Someone who wants extra protection would just pay for the Thinkpad protection service that will cover basically anything except direct and repeated application of a hammer to the laptop (and maybe even that, I dunno).

Super-rugged notebooks are a niche, and a fairly small ones. There will _always_ be people who need them, and they will _always_ be a very small minority.

all that said, who better to go head to head with panasonic's toughbook..
they need competition and thinkpads seem well poised to take the prize if lenovo puts the development $$ into the project..
all in all its not supposed to be pretty, its supposed to work when the chips are down or bullets are flying and/or the sandstorm or hurricane is at its worst..

I agree with you completely. I don't think that investing in the rugged notebook area is necessarily detrimental to improving the existing notebook lines.

[Rochefort]

hurricane is at its worst..

Right !
That's why I'm looking for a inflatable NBook

[ThinkPad R]

I'm thinking that the rugged notebook would be a ThinkPad brand.

I don't like that design - the "x" & other toilet-shaped curves that are completely unnecessary.

Can't they just make a rugged notebook that looks just like the ThinkPad,

with the keyboard similar to the one on the MacBook with plastic grids going over the keys

(because the ones on that rugged one can pop w/ finger nails, accidentally, etc., or if something really heavy glides over)

[snife]

The macbook keyboard design does not make it rugged by any stretch of the imagination, if i was making a keyboard for a rugged thinkpad, I would keep it the same but simply change the key sensors to magnets to the bottom half could be completely sealed, this would allow for the same sort of feel but protect the system, it would mean that the keyboard could still be damaged but I think it was be a good compromise.

Unfortunately you couldn't make a fully rugged notebook that looked like a standard ThinkPad I don't think, while this design is uglier than it needs to be, you need the corner padding ect so that it conforms with the rugged specs which will change the way it looks.

[ryengineer]

snip....Unfortunately you couldn't make a fully rugged notebook that looked like a standard ThinkPad I don't think, while this design is uglier than it needs to be, you need the corner padding ect so that it conforms with the rugged specs which will change the way it looks.

One thing that is deliberately overlooked on purpose while designing such a notebook is the "looks" since most of the focus is put on making the whole package more and more tougher by stuffing in all sorts of strong light weight metals to reach the fully-Rugged level that indeed makes it heavy which is a standard practice for a notebook of this category in computer industry. In this whole process, making it eaxctly like a thinkpad is very hard to achieve but fair amount of closeness like keyboard feel, trackpoint etc. are not entirely out of context.

[ThinkPad R]

Maybe "exactly" was not necessary. I meant to say "simple" "plain" "purposeful".

Those folds & slopes & bumps are I think unnecessary.

I meant to say - why can't they carry that sense of purpose to the design? The ThinkPads look cool especially b/c you know the designs actually serve some purpose - even if they might look all squarely (& perhaps old-fashioned to some ppl)

I don't like computers with random flowers & butterflies put on them, no matter how pretty they might look. Too distractive.