recommendations for future models

[fr0zenmon]

If you have a idea, improvement or deduction that can improve the model then post your idea here.

[kev009]

LED screens in the W5xx, return to better panel technology (wishful thinking), higher end graphics (FireGL v5700 isn't that impressive), 7k300 hard disks (c'mon 7k200s are really old now....), red/blue stripes on mouse buttons, better quality keyboards.

Other than that my gripes aren't with Lenovo but Intel and will be fixed with Core i7. I want 4+ cores and higher memory bandwidth.

Here's to hoping the W500 successor will address at all of these concerns.

[fr0zenmon]

I am going to reiterate what radioguy said in another post. Which is to integrate the wacom tablet into the touchpad. The reason is that this is a simple change but palm rests are important to typerers.

This is a place for all the wishes. Those on the horizon and those ideas beyond.

[Radioguy]

I am going to reiterate what radioguy said in another post. Which is to integrate the wacom tablet into the touchpad. The reason is that this is a simple change but palm rests are important to typerers.

This is a place for all the wishes. Those on the horizon and those ideas beyond.

Thanks for backing me up.

I'd also like to reiterate my request for the Ultrabay option version of the a WACOM pad. If they can do a drawer option for PDA cradles and numeric keypads, then this is more than possible. It would allow other W series, hell T series and beyond, to also have WACOM capability.

The Ultrabay used to be great for so many things. Let's make it great again!

Hey, remember that TV tuner.....

[Asphalt]

1. Option for high-color gamut screens (74% RGB is okay but 100% would be better)

2. Option for wider viewing angles (like the Flexview). No sense in having a color-corrected high-color gamut screen if it color-shifts on you every time you move your head or try to show a client sitting next to you.

3. Option for high-end professional graphics cards. The FireGL v5700 is really just a medium-end pro card.

4. Smaller screen bezels. Not critical, but the old Thinkpads were able to do this nicely.

5. Return to the old "quality" keyboards. It'd happily sacrifice a few grams to get back that keyboard feel that made Thinkpads famous. I spend thousands more hours typing than I do carrying it around.

6. Option for Wacom with tilt sensitivity like the Intuos line. Currently the tablet works like the low-end Bamboo or Graphire.

7. An audio card that can record the line-in channel like the old T42's before SoundMax crippled this feature.

8. Better, louder speakers. Yes I know it's not a HTPC, but showing clients any sort of multimedia work is pretty embarrassing with these speakers.

[Asphalt]

If the sky's the limit for this wish list...

Something like a mini 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator option. Perhaps this could be an enhancement to the TouchPoint. Something like a TouchPoint with additional axes of control (rotation, x, y, z, and tilt).
This would be very useful for anyone working with 3D...including Google Earth.

[fr0zenmon]

Also I would like to see a monitor port that allows you to work on two seperate screens simultaneously. One external monitor and the tp screen.

I would also like to see more ibm software integration. Adding value to the tp, but I wont limit it to any particular industry.

[Isaac000]

With all due respect, are you guys buying a laptop? Or a desktop?
We'd all love to have a super-computer tucked under our arms, but realistically, there are going to be tradeoffs. What is MOST important in a laptop? (Yes, even though the W series is a portable "workstation", it's no replacement for a big desktop).
There's no point soliciting suggestions if they're not realistic!

Give me:
- Enough battery life for a real, full day of work. Is 8 hours asking too much?
- How about a screen that I can read outdoors?
- Lighter weight (but not at the expense of durability)
- Better screen quality, I'd prefer even higher resolution. (At the risk of offending many, if you find the fonts too small, then increase the font size or change Windows DPI setting! A paper magazine has even higher DPI, I don't see anyone complaining about that)
- Bring back the SERIAL port. If this is meant to be a portable workstation, well I've got news for you. Engineers the world over are _still_ using serial ports everywhere.
- My one frivolous request: Better speakers. My old 770X had wonderful sound, the current Thinkpads, so much crap compared to competitors.

[comptiger5000]

Seconded on several points. 15.4" WUXGA is minimum, I wouldn't complain about WQXGA. The speakers could stand to be improved, but that's not as critical. Battery life could stand for some improvment, but its pretty good already.

FWIW, on my W500 (9-cell), if the room is dark enough to dim the screen all the way, and I don't need wifi/bluetooth, she'll run 8 hours at minimal load.

[fr0zenmon]

should we set some common ground rules? This thread encourages people's opinion and that is a very good thing. However, not at the expense of discouraging others. Please, be mindful of others. So, does anyone have any recommendations for common rules that might facilitate productive discussion?

Welcome guys,

Isaac000 - Good points, I agree mobility issues need to be improved. I do think speakers must be improved, even if its a business-focused product.

comptiger5000 - Your right, the screens could stand to be improved.

[comptiger5000]

Fr0zenmon - The W500 screen isn't bad at all, and is actually quite good for TN. However, IPS, AFFS, or even PVA would be appreciated, if only for better viewing angles.

[kev009]

Isaac000 - all of our requests have been minor tweaks that are totally plausible - most not even significant as yours.

[Oaklodge]

eSata slot so I can have lots of FAST external drives for video/music/photography

[fr0zenmon]

Welcome oaklodge - thanks for the input.

back to point. one on inside one on outside of laptop.

[eecon]

An option for an ATI 4850 based GPU rather than the lame-o 3650 based GL v5700 (a little bird has told me that it's coming with next year's product line along with better overall W5XX cooling design ....... so I'm holding my money back for now).

[comptiger5000]

No way for a 48xx in a 15.4". Probably a 4670 or it's equivalent, the FirePro V5700.