Made in Japan Thinkpads + sub 2lbs rebranded ultrabook planned

[Pseudorandom]

source
Lenovo to restart ThinkPad production in Japan - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun

So. Some Thinkpads will be made in Japan. I'm going to doubt Thinkpads sold to those to (most of) us on the other side of the Pacific will be Japanese made though, considering that the Yen is rather strong, and seems to be an attempt to win market share in Japan rather than any efficiency advantage.

Lenovo is planning to sell NEC's LaVie Z overseas (hopefully that means US since any country outside Japan is technically overseas). Amazing 13 inch machine, on paper at least. Under 2lbs, 8hr battery life.

[600X]

The main advantage will be better Quality controls. Japanese are supposed to be quite strict about that, or at least so I heard.

[Tsunade_Hime]

Are all ThinkPads designed in Japan, or now they are going to be designed and partially produced in Japan? I'll take my JDM ThinkPad.

[Pseudorandom]

I doubt one factory will be enough for all Thinkpads to be made in Japan. Probably will either be just premium models, or Japanese market only. I'd definitely pay extra for a made in Japan Thinkpad though.

[XX55XX]

I think most of the models created at this factory will be for Japanese consumers only.

[hotsauce]

I purposely buy things Made in Japan if at all possible. I've found the quality to be flawless. I had a Toughbook that was Japanese made and pretty much bulletproof. I would certainly pay a premium!

[600X]

Over at the German ThinkPad Forum I just onlyread that this is exclusive to Japan.

Thinkpads werden wieder in Japan produziert - Seite 4

Post #38

[Pseudorandom]

Since its exclusive, I wonder of Dynamism/Conics/etc are going to be selling made in Japan Thinkpads globally.

[haquocdung]

It can be true.
Most of Thinkpad software are made in Japan already.

[relachs]

I don't see how the quality can be increased just by producing thinkpads in Japan. thinkpads are made by mashines and they will use these and the same processes in Japan just as in China. So how do you think quality will increase?

Also, does a 'bulletproof toughbook' made in Japan (like hotsauce said) say anything about the overall quality of notebooks made in Japan? I don't think so. As stated, it is a premium product. That is like comparing a Mercedes S class produced in Germany to a Toyota Yaris produced in Japan. Just because the S class is clearly 'better' in overall quality, it doesn't mean that all german car manufacturers produce better quality cars over Japan.

Do you actually think Lenovo (chinese!) company wants to classify their Japanese factories as better quality factories?