Lenovo refreshes its ThinkPad lineup for 2017 – brings some welcome changes
Lenovo has expanded significantly after the acquisition of IBM’s personal computer business back in 2005. The ThinkPad lineup was around prior to that but following the acquisition it became one of the world’s most popular line of mobile computers.
ThinkPads are used by many people as their daily driver, however they are also preferred by many businesses for their versatility. The 2017 refresh of the lineup brings a gentle retouch and some new technologies.
Firstly, on the software side Lenovo have decided to switch to Microsoft Precision TouchPad drivers to ensure more consistent experience across devices. It’s good to see more and more companies switch to them as they are continuously being updated by Microsoft.
Another change in the software department is the switching to Windows 10 Signature Edition image for the whole 2017 ThinkPad lineup. That is a welcome change for both home and enterprise users as they will get a clean operating system without any bloatware, which is not always wanted. We hope that this example will be followed by the other lineups.
Things become more interesting on the hardware side. The biggest news is that Lenovo is launching some of it’s ThinkPad models with the new Intel Optane caching drives. Due to the small storage capacity, these Optane M.2 drives will be used for HDD caching. The models that will include the new technology are ThinkPad T470p, L470, L570, T470, and T570.
Lenovo is also trying to push even further the use of USB-C Thunderbolt 3. The new port will enable Lenovo to provide it’s customers with some new accessories that allow easier docking solution than traditional docking stations.
Two of the models will also come with Windows Hello cameras for facial recognition.
The company is also introducing a new color option for some models. This new silver look won’t appeal to all users as some are bound to the traditional matte black, but it’s a nice option to have.
You can check the current Lenovo models here: http://amzn.to/2ihTfZ9
Here are the new editions:
ThinkPad Yoga 370
The Thinkpad Yoga 370 is a 13.3-inch Full HD (1920×1080) version of the Thinkpad Yoga lineup. It has an integrated stylus that would come in handy for some artists. It also includes the Thunderbolt 3 port and the new silver color. It will be available in March 2017 and pricing starts at $1264.
You can check if it is already available HERE.
ThinkPad T470
ThinkPad T470 is a 14-inch which comes with the new additions of the Windows Hello camera and a Optane 16 GB cache drive. Thundebolt 3 port is also present. Additionally, the laptop will feature a NVIDIA GeForce 940MX GPU and up to 32 GB of DDR4 RAM. Dual battery configuration is present with a 23 Wh in the front and a removable 48 Wh or 73 Wh battery in the rear. Shipping starts February and prices as $914.
You can check if it is already available HERE.
ThinkPad T570
ThinkPad T570 has essentially the same hardware as T470 but with a bigger 15.6-inch screen that can come with a 4K UHD (3840×2160) resolution. It will be available in March starting at $909.
You can check if it is already available HERE.
ThinkPad T470s
The ThinkPad T470s is even slimmer and lighter than before. The 14-inch notebook now weight just 2.9 lbs. It supports up to 24 GB of DDR4 RAM as 8 GB are soldered to the motherboard and there is a single DIMM slot. It also features Ethernet, thunderbolt 3 and up to 1 TB of PCIe SSD. IT will be available in the new silver finish as well starting at $1099 in February.
You can check if it is already available HERE.
ThinkPad T470p
The p in ThinkPad T470p stands for performance. The laptop will feature a 45 watt CPU instead of the U series found in the lighter models. It will be available with NVIDIA GeForce 940MX GPU and up to 32 GB of DDR4 RAM. A 16 GB Intel Optane caching drive is also present. The manufacturer claims it would have a battery life of up to 12 hours thanks to the split batteries configuration with a large 72 Wh in the rear. We are looking forward to testing this out. The T470p will be available in March starting at $1049.
You can check if it is already available HERE.
ThinkPad 13
ThinkPad 13 is Lenovo’s budget version of the ThinkPad series with a starting price of just $674, available from January. It will feature a CPU from the latest Kaby Lake (probably one from U series) generation, up to 32 GB DDR4 RAM and up to 512 GB of PCIe storage. Also, the display will be touch sensitive with Full HD (1920×1080) resolution. It will feature three USB 3.0 ports and one USB-C which doubles as a charging port. It will also come in the new silver color.
You can check if it is already available HERE.
ThinkPad L470
ThinkPad L470 is a 14-inch Full HD (1920×1080) model that features a discrete GPU – Radeon R5 M430, a optional Intel Optane caching drive and two DIMM slots for up to 32 GB of RAM. Split batteries is also present with up to 95.5 Wh of capacity. ThinkPad L470 will be available in March starting from $799.
You can check if it is already available HERE.
ThinkPad L570
ThinkPad L570 is a 15.6-inch laptop with base resolution of 1366×768 that goes up to Full HD (1920×1080). It doesn’t support split batteries. Instead it comes with a single 48 Wh one, along with a optional Intel Optane caching drive. ThinkPad 570 features a dedicated number pad and optical drive. The laptop will be available in March starting at $809.
You can check if it is already available HERE.
ThinkPad X270
ThinkPad X270 is the smallest of the lineup with a screen diagonal of just 12.5 inches. The refreshed version adds a USB-C connector. Furthermore, model comes with up to 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and up to 2 TB of HDD or 512 GB PCIe SSD. ThinkPad split battery is present with a 23 Wh in the front and a 48 ot 72 Wh in the rear. Lenovo claims that the laptop should last for up to 21.4 hours with the largest battery configuration. We are eager to test that. It will be available in March with prices starting at $909.
You can check if it is already available HERE.
You can check the current Lenovo models here: http://amzn.to/2ihTfZ9