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Lenovo goes crazy, lets you switch Fn and Ctrl keys in BIOS

by Vladislav Savov posted Nov 5th 2009 at 4:14AM

Some people, including certain Engadget editors, just can't live without a Ctrl key in the bottom left of their keyboard and a Delete key in the top right. Call it Windows shortcut addiction, but the miniscule adjustment of having to step one key inwards to do our thing totally messes with our mojo. Well, after slapping on some massive Delete and Esc buttons on its T400s, Lenovo is now taking care of the Ctrl freaks by offering up a BIOS option to switch that all-important key with the Fn button. Regrettably, current Lenovo owners won't be getting it as an update, but the Switch Mode will be available "in all future ThinkPad models," giving us yet more reason to be excited about that rumored X200e machine.

[Via ThinkPads]

Lenovo's rumored ThinkPad X200e gets two more spy spots, another shot of believability

by Darren Murph posted Nov 3rd 2009 at 10:56AM

Aw, snap. We'll be frank -- we didn't have too much hope that the supposedly leaked ThinkPad we spotted over the weekend was a legitimate product, but now that the evidence is mounting, we're finding it difficult to contain our excitement. Two new spy shots of the purported ThinkPad x200e (or ThinkPad x100e) have emerged over in China, and we're being told that Lenovo's not going out of its way to deny their genuineness. Are we really looking at a ThinkPad netbook? And will the Earth really continue to spin if Lenovo deviates from the tried-and-true ThinkPad design that has held things in balance for so long? Color us disquieted.

[Via Cloned In China]

Is this a next generation ThinkPad, or the cruelest Photoshop ThinkPad fans have ever witnessed?

by Paul Miller posted Nov 2nd 2009 at 12:10AM

So, before we get ourselves in a tizzy, we'll caveat that there are some seeming signs of Photoshoppery here, namely the edge around the keyboard and of course the pure insanity of putting chiclet keys and a white skin on a ThinkPad (Cloned In China thinks it might be an outright KIRF). That said, there's something about the laptop that smacks of ultraportability and simplicity which we're not entirely averse to. And for the purists there's still that nipple and the third mouse button to be smug about, which is something for them to think about while the burn down the Engadget HQ in a rage for us even suggesting this could be a good direction. Check out another shot after the break, and shots of another even odder design at the read link.

[Via Cloned In China]

Continue reading Is this a next generation ThinkPad, or the cruelest Photoshop ThinkPad fans have ever witnessed?

Lenovo's all-business ThinkPad SL510 gets reviewed

by Darren Murph posted Oct 25th 2009 at 4:35AM

Lenovo's ThinkPad SL510 is just one of many new lappies hitting the market with Windows 7 in tow, but unlike most of the consumer-oriented machines, this pup is aimed squarely at that fellow over there looking mighty uncomfortable in the suit. Their test version, which included a 2.53GHz CPU, 3GB of RAM, a 320GB HDD and a $1,024 price tag, was found to be a real champion in terms of performance. The machine itself starts at just $520, and while the upgrades here definitely had an impact, they were also pleased with the multitouch trackpad, overall typing experience and bundled business tools. The only knocks? The "bulky, staid design" and low screen resolution, but something tells us a few of you won't see the former as a negative. Hit the read link for the full skinny.

Lenovo slaps Windows 7 onto ThinkPad SL410 and SL510

by Darren Murph posted Oct 21st 2009 at 11:00AM

Lenovo's ThinkPad SL410 and SL510 managed to sneak out a touch early overseas, but now the outfit is making 'em both official here in the States -- and on the day before the launch of Windows 7, no less. Unfortunately, detailed specifications are nowhere to be found, with Lenovo simply telling us that these will boast 16:9 displays, Core 2 Duo processors, HDMI and VGA outputs, a multitouch trackpad, 3G WWAN, WiFi, Ethernet, optional Bluetooth and Windows 7 runnin' the show. Both rigs can supposedly be ordered today starting at $529, so we guess it's on you to poke around and see if either suit your fancy. Full specs lists is after the break.

Gallery: Lenovo slaps Windows 7 onto ThinkPad SL410 and SL510

Continue reading Lenovo slaps Windows 7 onto ThinkPad SL410 and SL510

Lenovo intros SL410 and SL510 ThinkPads overseas

by Joshua Topolsky posted Oct 11th 2009 at 11:34AM

Do you love Lenovo laptops, but at a distance? We thought so. That's why we're happy to report that a variation of the company's SL400 and SL500 laptops have been announced for non-US markets. The devices, creatively dubbed the SL410 and SL510, will be offered with a choice of a Core 2 Duo T5870, T6670, P7570 or Celeron 900, T3000, or T3100 CPUs, a 16:9, 14- or 15.6-inch LED display, GMA 4500MH, 4500MHD or AMD M92-S2 XT GPUs, a range of hard drives up to 500GB, 1GB to 4GB of RAM, and both contain multitouch trackpads. The laptops are said to be retailing starting at 5600 Yuan (or around $820) for the SL410 -- we haven't heard a price on the SL510 yet. No word on when these models will be headed stateside, but we're certainly going to do our best to find out.

[Via Cloned In China]

Lenovo's Lost & Found looks to guilt trip thieves into returning your ThinkPad

by Darren Murph posted Sep 30th 2009 at 7:36PM

So, a little situation for you. You leave your ThinkPad in the third row of waiting seats at Jackson Hole Airport, already distraught that you're departing Winter Wonderland and heading back to reality. A kindhearted Wyomian happens upon it, and clearly recognizes that he / she should figure out a way to return it. If you're signed up for the gratis Lost & Found service (which does require a subscription to Absolute Computrace), the finder will spot a 1-800 number on the outside of the ThinkPad or on the display as it's powered on. From there, he / she simply dials the aforementioned number, waits for the free pre-paid box to arrive, ships it off to Lenovo (to protect your address, naturally) and basks in the satisfaction of knowing that Lenovo will handle the shipping to you. Sound good? Great -- it's now available on all ThinkPads enabled with Absolute Software's Computrace. Phew!

Continue reading Lenovo's Lost & Found looks to guilt trip thieves into returning your ThinkPad

Lenovo introduces multitouch ThinkPad X200 Tablet and T400s laptop

by Nilay Patel posted Sep 15th 2009 at 12:01AM

Lenovo's getting a little jump on the wave of Windows 7 machines due to hit next month with a multitouch update to the X200 convertible and a new multitouch version of the T400s. The new X200 Tablet is pretty much what you'd expect, bringing some newer, faster Core 2 Duo processors into the mix along with a two-finger capacitive multitouch screen, but we're a little more intrigued by the multitouch T400s update, since the screen is actually a little nicer and can register up to four fingers. To take advantage of all this new functionality, Lenovo's bundling in a new app called SimpleTap, which brings up an icon-based control panel for settings like volume, screen brightness, and other system functions, as well as quick app and web bookmark launchers. It's pretty cool stuff, but it'll cost you: the multitouch T400s will start at $1,999, while the multitouch X200 will open at $1,729. (There's also a new X200 outdoor screen option for $1,779.) Check a video of SimpleTap after the break, as well as the full press release.

Continue reading Lenovo introduces multitouch ThinkPad X200 Tablet and T400s laptop

New ThinkPad keyboard features crowdsourced design, lower price

by Nilay Patel posted Sep 6th 2009 at 8:06AM

Hey, remember last year when Lenovo's UltraNav keyboard made a (re)appearance on Flickr because the company was soliciting feedback on how to make it better? Well check it -- there's a new version in town, and it incorporates all those user suggestions. Lenovo says people mostly wanted the exact same feel as their ThinkPad laptop keyboards in the desktop unit (no surprise there), but almost no one wanted wireless, a number pad or a trackpad -- so the new model pictured above is more or less a faithful wired replica of the T400s board, right down to those liquid drainage holes. What's more, cutting the numeric keypad and trackpad allowed the company to reduce the price by $40, so this little slice of hotness is now just $60. Not bad, but we'll be honest -- we'd still throw down for a wireless version of the old UltraNav in a heartbeart.

[Thanks, Tian]

Read - Lenovo DesignMatters blog post on the keyboard design process
Read - ThinkPad Keyboard at the Lenovo online store

Lenovo issues battery "service and warranty extension" for six ThinkPad models

by Laura June posted Aug 14th 2009 at 10:32AM

Lenovo's issued a recall for the batteries on six of its ThinkPad models. The batteries are apparently causing a range of problems, including bringing up the error messages "irreparable damage" and "battery cannot be charged," and causing overall short capacity batteries, or those than cannot be charged or experience massive drops on the fuel gauge quickly. The recalled models are the R60, R61, T60, T61, X60, and the X61, and Lenovo's got a free diagnostic tool on its website that you can use to check and see if your model is one of those affected. While there's no word on how many users have been affected, If you are one of the unlucky, the company is offering free replacements.

Update: A representative for Lenovo has contacted us and let us know that the company has not, in fact, issued a recall for the batteries associated with the models listed. "This is a service extension program to provide (bonus 12-month) coverage above and beyond the normal warranty to ensure complete customer satisfaction. Recalls tend to imply a safety issue, which is not the case here, as you noted in your article."

[Via SlashGear]

T400s disassembled, documented, found to be full of components

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Jul 10th 2009 at 11:34AM

When one of our editors got his hands on the ThinkPad T400s, he saw a serious machine for sane, sober business-types. But as any ambitious Engadget reader knows, purchasing your new laptop is only half the fun. To this end, the kind folks at thinkpads.com have put together a rough and ready guide to upgrading your new Lenovo that includes the low-down on all the technical odds n' sods that you crave. Since that's all out in the open, how about you guys get cranking on some truly insane mods? We'll be eagerly awaiting your tips.

Lenovo is possibly maybe thinking about an OLED ThinkPad T500

by Tim Stevens posted Jun 24th 2009 at 11:32AM

Laptops of all sorts are getting thinner, even the decidedly stoic and business-minded ThinkPad series. Hot on the heels of impressing us with its T400 refresh Lenovo is letting slip that it's having thoughts of putting its T500 series on a diet as well, with marketing manager David Critchley indicating that the company wouldn't be opposed to making a super-thin OLED version of the laptop -- "if demand is there." That's not really saying much since just about any company would do the same if they thought they could sell enough of the things. Well, maybe not Toshiba. That might be a little too exciting to fit in with the rest of its lineup.

Lenovo ThinkPad T400s hands-on and impressions

by Nilay Patel posted Jun 23rd 2009 at 11:00AM

We know a lot of people out there who take any changes to the ThinkPad line very seriously, so it's easy to see why Lenovo didn't make any huge revisions to the T400 formula when designing the new T400s. Sure, it's slimmer, lighter, and all around sleeker than big brother, but it's still a ThinkPad, and it's still tough as nails. You might think of it as the internals of the T400 stuffed into a slightly thicker version of the X300's case -- it might not quite fit into a manila envelope, but it's still pretty easy to forget you've got it in your bag. Of course, it's hard to cut down on size without sacrificing performance, and the T400s is no exception -- although our tester's 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo was more than capable of handling our day-to-day workload, the only graphics option is Intel's integrated 4500MHD chip, and that means hardcore image processing and most intense gaming are out. Good thing ThinkPad owners are all business, right?

Continue reading Lenovo ThinkPad T400s hands-on and impressions

Lenovo intros well-connected 0.83-inch thick ThinkPad T400s

by Darren Murph posted Jun 23rd 2009 at 12:01AM

Thinner than some netbooks and more potent than four or five of them combined, Lenovo's ThinkPad T400s aims to hit some sort of sweet spot in between weak ultraportables and battery-draining 15-inchers. The 14.1-inch lappie measures in at a remarkable 0.83-inches thin and boasts a starting weight of under four pounds. Within, you'll find Lenovo's heralded roll cage technology, a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo processor, your choice of a 128GB SSD or 250GB HDD, a 9.5mm slim DVD burner or Blu-ray player, a multitouch trackpad, Ethernet, WiFi, optional WiMAX / WWAN / Bluetooth / ultra-wideband, a 34mm ExpressCard slot (or 5-in-1 card reader), a battery good for six hours and VGA / DisplayPort outputs. There's also support for the company's ConstantConnect and Protect technology as well as a built-in USB / eSATA port. In a surprising move, Lenovo decided to actually tweak the keyboard that has become a staple of the ThinkPad line; it increased the size of the Delete and Escape keys and tightened up the spaces between the keys to "help avoid crumbs that would otherwise fall below the keyboard." You can check the full release just past the break, and you can call one your own starting today for $1,599 and up.

Gallery: Lenovo intros well-connected 0.83-inch thick ThinkPad T400s

Continue reading Lenovo intros well-connected 0.83-inch thick ThinkPad T400s

Leaked Lenovo roadmap shows Calpella laptops coming January 2010?

by Ross Miller posted Jun 19th 2009 at 12:49AM

Our compatriots at Engadget Chinese have happened upon what looks to be a roadmap for Lenovo's upcoming laptops between now and March 2010. Recently in the wild T400s is on there, slated for mid-July or so, with a pair of new SL models following in August. More interesting than all that, however, is the sheer number of new X, T, W, SL, and SLc laptops listed for the beginning of 2010 that utilize Intel's upcoming Calpella platform. We're not gonna put too much stock into these pictures right now, but it definitely raises a few eyebrows. More slides after the break.

Continue reading Leaked Lenovo roadmap shows Calpella laptops coming January 2010?