I like the x220 design!

[jihe]

The wider screen is going to make the tablet version very awkward to work with. Already the x200t is too narrow in portrait mode to fit a page.

[sanjuro]

I agree. It makes sense to bring back the 4:3 format for tablets, but with 220t redesign already set, there won't be any change for another year.

[Cunha]

It won't ever make sense to bring back 4:3..screens are not manufactured in those sizes, and lenovo can't afford to use unique displays at least if they want to sell laptops that compete price wise.

[penartur]

It won't ever make sense to bring back 4:3..screens are not manufactured in those sizes, and lenovo can't afford to use unique displays at least if they want to sell laptops that compete price wise.

And, anticipating iPad references, i'd want to say that there is only one model of iPad and it is sold in numbers like 65 millions in a year. Lenovo at the same time sells about 10 millions laptops in a year - that's for all models, screen sizes, and with both ThinkPad and IdeaPad counted; that means, about 1 million laptops for any given screen size/resolution combo.

[sanjuro]

It won't ever make sense to bring back 4:3..screens are not manufactured in those sizes, and lenovo can't afford to use unique displays at least if they want to sell laptops that compete price wise.

Whether future LCD/touch screen LCD will be 4:3, 16:10, or 16:9 depends on supply and demand. For now most LCD are 16:9 and cheapest in that format.

But some slate builders noticed that iPad has a 4:3 screen and selling like crazy. So some are releasing or have prototypes that are 4:3. So over time 4:3 LCD will increase again and the increase in volume means a lower price.

I would not be surprised if in few years 4:3 are in vogue again, especially in handheld slates and may be even for small to medium sized notebooks.

[pianowizard]

So over time 4:3 LCD will increase again and the increase in volume means a lower price. I would not be surprised if in few years 4:3 are in vogue again, especially in handheld slates and may be even for small to medium sized notebooks.

Well said, and I hope your prediction is correct. After Lenovo dropped IPS, many people likewise predicted that IPS would never come back, and now we know they were wrong.

For me, 4:3 is the best for 13" to 14" laptops. For smaller ones, I prefer 16:10 because it allows for a larger keyboard. For laptops larger than 14", I also prefer 16:10 because 4:3 makes the laptop a bit too tall IMO.

[jihe]

It won't ever make sense to bring back 4:3..screens are not manufactured in those sizes, and lenovo can't afford to use unique displays at least if they want to sell laptops that compete price wise.

But it makes even less sense to have a 16:9 tablet. If Lenovo makes a 4:3 tablet then that is going to be the only tablet that everyone gets.

[penartur]

But it makes even less sense to have a 16:9 tablet. If Lenovo makes a 4:3 tablet then that is going to be the only tablet that everyone gets.

Even "the only tablet that everyone gets" is not enough to get unique screens from manufacturers. "The only 12" tablet that everyone gets" may mean they will sell 2 millions instead of 0.5 millions of these tablets in a year, it is still not comparable with iPad's selling numbers.

[ThinkRob]

But it makes even less sense to have a 16:9 tablet. If Lenovo makes a 4:3 tablet then that is going to be the only tablet that everyone gets.

Even if they got 100% of the market, that still wouldn't be that much. Tablet PCs haven't taken off in the 10 or so years they've been around (primarily because desktop OSs are horrible for that sort of use), so the market is pretty small.

[penartur]

And possibly this is already the reason for X2** tablets to be priced so high.

[sanjuro]

It is possible that tablet market (like X2**) will get a boost when MS releases Windows 8, which is supposed to have a better touch interface.

Along with Win 8, price for tablets needs to go down and some innovative softwares that takes advantage of touch interface are needed as well.

It would also help if the weight of the tablet goes down and the battery lasts much longer.

Hmm, looks like I've just described an iPad...

[ThinkRob]

Hmm, looks like I've just described an iPad...

Not quite. You forgot the keyboard, the pen, and the ability to install any software regardless of whether or not it's met with Apple's moral approval.

[harrigan]

Is the only battery status LED on the back of the lid or did they incorporate that into the power button LED? Is there no longer an AC LED?

Does anyone know if these newer keyboards allow number-pad access with a simple Fn-combination or do you still have to activate numlock?