ThinkPad X1, X230, X230t, T430, T430s, T530, W530, L430, L530 Official

[Thors.Hammer]

LOL, sadly most product images for laptops have "simulated" screen images.

There is no disclaimer stating it is simulated.

[XX55XX]

At first glance I have to admit, I'm not happy with the switch to chiclet keyboards and the elimination of the 7th row on the x230 and the other core ThinkPad lines.

Now I may be exaggerating here, and I realize I don't speak for every ThinkPad user. But it seems that every refresh brings along new complaints with how Lenovo is slowly chipping away at the good will of the ThinkPad brand. If you took a look at every blog post on the old Lenovoblogs, you'd always see at least one comment about these changes. I think that the keyboard layout switch may finally be the straw that breaks the camel's back for a lot of users. You can argue keyboard flex or lid materials, the durability of plastics vs. roll cages, and the screen quality and 16:9 vs. 16:10, or even 4:3. But changing to the 6-row chiclet keyboard may finally be the one sticking point that alienates a lot of ThinkPad users. But then again, who knows? Maybe Lenovo will report record sales from this refresh. This is just my speculation.

Personally, I'll still consider ThinkPads when it comes time to upgrade from my x200. But it probably won't be as clear a choice as it was before.

You always have other options. HP, Dell, Samsung, Apple, Acer... I'm upset by the lack of a seventh row, too, but it's a minor sticking point for me.

If you were upset by the move from 16:10 to 16:9, Apple still makes laptops with 16:10 screens - chiefly, these are the MacBook Pro and the 13-inch MacBook Air, but I think they will eventually move to 16:9 in the next refresh, too.

[bdoviack]

Is it me or did I not see any Ethernet port on the X1? Does that mean we have to use WiFi exclusively? What happens when you check in a hotel that only has Ethernet based connectivity? USB Dongle converter perhaps? Not sure if this is a Road Warrior's dream just yet.

[XX55XX]

Is it me or did I not see any Ethernet port on the X1? Does that mean we have to use WiFi exclusively? What happens when you check in a hotel that only has Ethernet based connectivity? USB Dongle converter perhaps? Not sure if this is a Road Warrior's dream just yet.

Yeah, it's too thin to have an ethernet port. Then again, the new MacBook Pros have been rumored to drop the ethernet port, too. I suppose you will have to deal with the dongles - though I personally have never had to use the ethernet port on my T420 ever.

[ALLurGroceries]

Some ultrabooks come with USB ethernet adapters. Maybe the X1 will include one.

[bdoviack]

Lack of a ethernet port will be a major disadvantage (for me at least) as sometimes you need real Gigabit performance that a WiFi connection cannot provide especially when using today's faster SSD drive. I don't think a USB to Ethernet can provide Gigabit performance either due to increased overhead and latency in addition to USB's inherent limitations.

[XX55XX]

Lack of a ethernet port will be a major disadvantage (for me at least) as sometimes you need real Gigabit performance that a WiFi connection cannot provide especially when using today's faster SSD drive. I don't think a USB to Ethernet can provide Gigabit performance either due to increased overhead and latency in addition to USB's inherent limitations.

What are you downloading onto your laptop, if I may ask?

[AboutThreeFitty]

I'm glad I didn't buy that x220 the other day. Assuming the x230 turns out well, I think I know where my money is going...

[bdoviack]

I'm not downloading large files but rather transferring them between servers and my laptop. We have many large CAD/CAM files that I often need to view (but not necessarily modify).

Plus more and more files are coming in ISO format whether it's Windows 8 previews or software images I need copy and/or move around. Plus, files are only getting larger as video content becomes a larger part of media (due to cell phones, etc.).

Here is an interesting picture (if I can get it to post) of true bandwidth per media:

http://images.appleinsider.com/exploring-tc-part2-1.gif

[lenardg]

What are you downloading onto your laptop, if I may ask?

I agree that loosing the ethernet port hurts.

When dealing with very large files or large amount of data, gigabit ethernet is the fastest solution in my experience (moving ISO files around, moving RAW photos to backup, etc). I usually use Wifi, but for some of these special transfers I like to plug in a gigabit ethernet cable.

Besides, wifi is not available everywhere. Sometimes when you are at a customer or maybe travelling in a hotel, all they provide is wired internet. Granted, this is less and less common.

Hopefully they have the sense to provide the ethernet adapter in the sales package and not make it a ridiculously priced accessory.