Lenovo's ThinkPad line goes under the knife: X13 models look a bit taller but worry not, the 'nipples' are still intact
- Reference: 1614173508
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/02/24/lenovo_refreshes_thinkpad_line/
- Source link:
With the X13 and X13 Yoga, Lenovo has adjusted the aspect ratio to a slightly taller 16:10, rather than the squat 16:9 ratio used previously. Lenovo is a [1]bit of a latecomer here as rivals Dell and Acer already build taller displays. Microsoft has gone further still, using a 3:2 aspect ratio on the Surface Book lineup.
[2]
The jump to 16:9 from 16:10 sounds minor. The slight improvement in vertical space should make running apps side-by-side feel more natural. When using full-screen apps, content should feel less cramped and users may find themselves scrolling slightly less than usual. Users will also be able to see more stuff within the bezels of the display.
[3]
ThinkPad X13
[4]
Specs-wise, the X13 and X13 Yoga have been fitted with the latest Tiger Lake Intel Core silicon, and an AMD Ryzen 5000-series model has also been thrown into the options mix. Wi-Fi 6 comes as standard, with optional sub-6 5G on both flavours of the X13. While the X13 Yoga has a cellular connectivity option, it's sadly limited to LTE 4G, pehaps an oversight given its ultraportable 2-in-1 status. Separately, Lenovo has enlarged the trackpad, but kept the physical mouse keys and "nipple" pointing device.
[5]
ThinkPad X13 Yoga
As for the classic T-series line, historically the mainstay of the ThinkPad, the form-factor has remained the same. Lenovo has upgraded the processor options across the board to include 11th-gen Tiger Lake processors, as well as AMD's Ryzen 5000 series. Wi-Fi 6 (customizable to 6E on Intel models) has also made an appearance, as well as optional 5G and 4G connectivity.
[6]
ThinkPad T15
For germaphobes and those working in healthcare, Lenovo has added an optional antimicrobial component. This may give a bit of reassurance for people using shared machines. It might not.
ThinkPad T14S (Intel) – $1,499
ThinkPad T14s (AMD) – $1,279
ThinkPad T14 (Intel) – $1379
ThinkPad T14 (AMD) – $1,159
ThinkPad T15 – $1,369
ThinkPad X13 Yoga – $1,379
ThinkPad X13 (Intel) – $1,299
ThinkPad X13 (AMD) – $1,139
ThinkPad P14s (Intel) – $1,389
ThinkPad P14s (AMD) – $1,169
ThinkPad P15s – $1,389
Last but not least, the P-series workstation machines. The P14s and P15s, got the aforementioned boost to Tiger Lake and AMD Ryzen 5000. For anyone building complex AI models and doing CAD tasks, there will be the option to add an Nvidia T500 discrete graphics card on the Intel models, which comes with 4GB of VRAM.
The models also got the same Wi-Fi 6 upgrade, with Wi-Fi 6E available on the Intel variants. There's no 5G option, although users can add a 4G modem on the smaller 14-inch (and thus more portable) P14s if they are so inclined.
[7]
Lenovo said it will roll out this refreshed portfolio in the coming months. It has yet to confirm UK pricing, although readers can see what customers stateside can expect to pay. Where there is a stated difference in price by processor configuration, we have noted it. ®
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[1] https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/03/thinkpad_t14_amd_gen_1/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_personal_tech/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YDaGLuvvpcp0thJHgWGqpQAAAAk&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://regmedia.co.uk/2021/02/24/thinkpadx13.jpg
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_personal_tech/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YDaGLuvvpcp0thJHgWGqpQAAAAk&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://regmedia.co.uk/2021/02/24/thinkpadx13yoga.jpg
[6] https://regmedia.co.uk/2021/02/24/thinkpadt15.jpg
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_personal_tech/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YDaGLuvvpcp0thJHgWGqpQAAAAk&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[8] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
I'm just thrilled that it took two paragraphs to explain the difference in aspect ratio to the readers of an IT-themed website.
even though I don't understand why in one of those it says that the screen being taller helps with side-by-side applications, maybe it was meant to be top-to-bottom? :)
It's one reason I still use a fantastic Dell Ultrasharp monitor for my desktop. No stupid 16:9 format.
Oddly enough, my Dell laptop from around 2010 has a 16:10 screen, and it was after I bought it that I noticed 16:10 screens were becomm8bg almost impossible to find (outside of a MacBook, of course).
Dell laptop is still fit for purpose, but I've welcomed news of 3:2 and 16:10 laptops trickling in over last couple of years.
Huawei, Microsoft, Lenovo - stand up and take a bow. My apologies to any other 16:10 / 4:3 vendors I've missed.
Other exciting news in the world of laptop screens: Samsung Dispay is ramping up production of OLED screens for laptop OEMs. Meanwhile, Apple is rumoured to be delivering black blacks and high contrast to laptops soon with Mini LED displays.
I'd like to see laptops start up when first turned on, or after a factory restore reboot, and ask the user; "Do you want to install Windows 10 or Linux?" and then set it up in the environment chosen.
Then which flavour of Linux? What about Android? ChromeOS? And what's BSD done to upset you?
Those who would get the most from Linux don't need such hand-holding. Don't they carry thumbsticks containing their preferred distribution and favourite applications?
At the same time it might confuse some Windows users and they'll start asking where Office and Netflicks has gone. Calls that Lenovo's support lines don't need.
[No great advantage for small percentage of users, delayed start and faff for majority of users.]
I hope it takes them less time from announcement to actual availability than it did for the previous Ryzen, some of which took more than 6 months. Also, keep in mind not all mobile Ryzen 5000 are zen3 based, some are still zen2 with significantly lower IPC scores.
>Also, keep in mind not all mobile Ryzen 5000 are zen3 based, some are still zen2
Well given it seems the only AMD variant of the Thinkpad L15 & P14s that Lenovo have been selling use the Zen2 Ryzen 7 Pro 4750U (*), which according to some reviews "destroys the Core i7-10810U" and "Intel have nothing in the pipeline"; I would suggest if you need to buy now, not to worry, just grab an AMD version with 16GB RAM. If you are looking to buy later in the year (ie. you really want a Ryzen 5800x series Zen3 CPU) then obviously it is something to lookout for and factor in.
For germaphobes
Don't mention the wore! ;)
and for those who are into REAL ibm/lenovo experience ;)
(but don't get too excited, it's not exactly one-click amazon prime delivery ;)
geoff.greer.fm/2019/03/04/thinkpad-x210/
I would definitely like to see the 3:2 aspect ratio trend continue : I read more documents than I watch movies on my laptops. I suspect that those wanting to watch movies in bed do so with a tablet/phablet these days. Even so, I can only pray that we quickly get to having 15-16" screens with a resolution that that allow true A4/Letter 100% presentation.