The Upcoming ThinkPad X230, X230i, T430, T430i, T530, T530i and W530?

[not.sure]

Somewhere someone posted comments from some lenovo guy saying that it was cheaper. And it has to be. Just think of how notoriously difficult it is (or was, R.I.P.) to make a really solid, good, non-bending traditional keyboard. Does that even exist?

x1 vs x120, sure it's not the same FRU, but the basic design must be similar, especially the much-touted key design that indeed makes it better than other chiclet keyboards.

[Pseudorandom]

I'm using the one on the x120 which is pretty much the same as on the x1 and while it's certainly not a keyboard disaster of apple-ish proportions I also still prefer the traditional one. A T61p NMB certainly ruins you for other keyboards.

The X120e keyboard has a significantly shorter throw than the X1 and traditional Thinkpad keyboards.

Other than the keycaps, the X1 and X120e keyboards share very little in common.

[WardoX]

Somewhere someone posted comments from some lenovo guy saying that it was cheaper. And it has to be. Just think of how notoriously difficult it is (or was, R.I.P.) to make a really solid, good, non-bending traditional keyboard. Does that even exist?

x1 vs x120, sure it's not the same FRU, but the basic design must be similar, especially the much-touted key design that indeed makes it better than other chiclet keyboards.

I posted it.
I chatted with one guy who runs lenovo blog in my country.
He said that the laptop makers basically outsource the keyboard manufaturing and those keyboard manufaturers make mostly the chiclet keyboards, so buying the classic keyboard into thinkpads would be more and more expensive.

He compared it to the situation when all OEM switched to 16:9 LCDs from 16:10 ones.
Anyway I have classic thinkpad and I also tried the X1. From my point of view bad is switch from 7 row to 6 row keyboard, especially when it looks like that there will be 7th row with the volume and thinkvantage buttons. There is no sense in that, cos I though that they are trying to save some space in order to make the touchpad larger...

[ThinkRob]

I posted it.
I chatted with one guy who runs lenovo blog in my country.
He said that the laptop makers basically outsource the keyboard manufaturing and those keyboard manufaturers make mostly the chiclet keyboards, so buying the classic keyboard into thinkpads

So it's second hand from a guy who runs a blog who got it from... uh. Right.

I'm not saying it doesn't sound plausible -- efficiencies of scale and all -- but that's far from a good source.

He said that the laptop makers basically outsource the keyboard manufaturing and those keyboard manufaturers make mostly the chiclet keyboards, so buying the classic keyboard into thinkpads would be more and more expensive.

It's true that Lenovo does source keyboards from third parties, but at least one of the keyboard manufacturers for Lenovo (Chicony) still produces "traditional" keyboards. I'd also be a bit skeptical of the cost claim since the keycap design is rather uncommon and the rest of the keyboard is pretty much the same, chiclet or otherwise: the back plate looks the same, the keyboards are still scissor-switch, etc. Also, since Lenovo is the only one currently producing laptops that use the TrackPoint their designs are going to be different than those of other vendors.

So yeah, I'm skeptical it's for cost reasons.

x1 vs x120, sure it's not the same FRU, but the basic design must be similar, especially the much-touted key design that indeed makes it better than other chiclet keyboards.

The keycaps design is similar, but IIRC the X1xxe use a slightly smaller keycap size. The switch assembly is also slightly different due to the backlight. So yeah, I imagine they feel *similar*, but they certainly are different -- and (at least in my experience) don't offer exactly the same typing experience. Personally I prefer the X1 a bit more, but it could just be because of the palmrest.

*shrug* Keyboard feel is pretty subjective anyways. Use whichever one feels best.

[not.sure]

*shrug* Keyboard feel is pretty subjective anyways. Use whichever one feels best.

Yeah, lets close the keyboard discussion on those words.

So nobody found any new pics or specs of the "The Upcoming ThinkPad X230, X230i, T430, T430i, T530, T530i and W530"??

[ibmthink]

So nobody found any new pics or specs of the "The Upcoming ThinkPad X230, X230i, T430, T430i, T530, T530i and W530"??

No new pics, but some specs are here: Thinkpad Shop - Die neuen Lenovo ThinkPad Modelle sind da!

Better Performance:
• 3rd Generation Intel Core Standard Volt Processors (Turbo Boost 2.0) Ivy Bridge
• Better Graphics performance Intel HD Graphics
• Rapid Drive Technology
• Supports up to four 8GB DIMMs for 32GB total RAM
• Up to 500GB HDD storage
• Up to 256GB SSD storage
• More storage upon request
• Faster startup w/ Lenovo Enhanced Experience 3.0 OS System Tuning
• Two SuperSpeed USB3.0 ports on all models

Improved HD Media & Communications:
• Dolby Advanced Audio 2.0
• Mini-DisplayPort replaces Display-Port
• Dual Array Noise Cancellation
• New Face Tracking for video conferencing
• Improved noise keyboard noise suppression
• Polycom ready for conferences

New Options For Enhanced Features:
• USB3 support for ThinkPad Mini Dock Series
• Secure External HDD protects your data

Enhanced User Experience:
• New 6-row Precision keyboard with Backlit option
• Easy to use multimedia buttons
• Simplified Windows toolbar for access to Lenovo tools
• Cooler & Quieter Thermal Design with Dual Vents

Modern Keyboard across Portfolio

[s1148625]

I couldn't find any reliable proof anywhere on the Internet, the only the pictures that were listed on Chinese websites and at other rumor mills are identical to the T430u pictures. And, it's missing from PTCRB.

It'd be interesting to see otherwise, especially if there are other new pictures floating out there--then, my question would be why Lenovo needs two portable 14" Thinkpads. They'll likely use similar/same keyboards, so would the only difference be an ODD? Doesn't make any sense.

If the T430s follows the T420s, it will also be dockable. The T430u at CES didn't have dock connectors on the bottom. For many business users, this makes the T430u a non-starter.

[Thors.Hammer]

If the T430s follows the T420s, it will also be dockable. The T430u at CES didn't have dock connectors on the bottom. For many business users, this makes the T430u a non-starter.

This also hurt the X1. At least it did in my company.

[KLF]

One guy who writes for Lenovo blog in my country said to me that the change to chiclet is because its cheaper.

The new laptops are so thin that the old type keyboard would not fit anymore. The new chiclet keyboard was designed thinner. This was _the_ reason we were told

My colleague tested t430 a lot last saturday and today he said that he might as well choose HP next. He didn't like the new kb that much (x201 user). I had my hands on couple models too but I concentrated more on the slide shows. Couple other guys who have x220's now did also try the t430 a longer period but I haven't heard their comments.

Considering the amount of alcohol consumed afterwards I think some of the memories have gotten erased already

[unreal25]

Since not all new laptops are as thin at t430u, I am guessing they'll try to make them?

I wouldn't mind chiclet keyboard as long as it has a nice feedback and isn't "shallow". And I simply don't see that happening with super-thin laptops.