Lenovo unveils overhauled Thinkpad T431s notebook with Windows 8

CHINESE COMPUTER MAKER Lenovo has unveiled the T431s notebook, an overhauled addition to its Thinkpad range.

Lenovo claims the T431s is the first product based on an all new design for the Thinkpad series and signifies Lenovo's move from "a PC company to a PC+ technology company with new products like smartphones and smart TVs in many countries across the world". The firm has introduced more than 26 changes to the Thinkpad's visual design, inspired by opinions from its customer base.

"We want to retain the right amount of Thinkpad-ness that satisfies our loyal customers who've always valued it while modernizing Thinkpad under the influences of consumerization's focus on simplicity, interoperability and connectedness," the firm said in a blog post.

The Lenovo T431s brings a more simple design optimised for Windows 8, while modernising the screen and bezel with an overall thinner structure. The Chinese firm says the T431s is the thinnest and lightest T series ever made, weighing 1.63kg and measuring 20.6mm thin.

On the lid there's a carbon fiber cover and magnesium exterior. On the inside, the T431s is powered by a choice of Intel's third generation Core processors with Turbo Boost, features improved Intel HD Graphics, up to 12 GB of memory and additional HDD and SSD storage options.

The T431s has a 14in HD+ 1600x900 anti-glare display, two USB 3.0 ports and is also available with Intel vPro. It also supports ThinkPad docking.

"We unified the clickpad by integrating the trackpoint buttons into the elegant glass touchpad, making it appear even larger and more streamline," Lenovo's blog said. "The trackpad now has five buttons which you can customize for Windows 8 gestures via the device driver."

The T431s also opens 180 degrees to let you lay it flat, if you ever need to. In addition to simplifying the laptop inside, it also removed the latches for a cleaner look.

"Of course, the red dot remains for all our trackpoint users," Lenovo said. "We kept the six row island-style keyboard that we introduced with the first generation Thinkpad X1, but we now have direct press multi-media buttons as the primary function over the Function row."

The T431s also incorporates a Fn lock with LED indicator in case you want F1-F12 to be your prime functions. A number of Windows 8 specific actions like settings, search, view and open apps have also been added.

In case you hadn't noticed, Lenovo has also changed the position of the Thinkpad logo on the T431s' lid, in what it claims is a big move.

"We decided now is the right time to reorient the logo so that it's visible when someone looks at the laptop from the back," it said. "At the same time we added a living element to it with a new LED in the logo middle giving it a 'heartbeat' of sorts. It's functional too, showing the PC's status of on or in sleep."

But does Lenovo's loyal Thinkpad user base actually care about the repositioning of the logo? It seems not, as many have already commented at the firm's blog to complain about the changes.

One commenter, named Corsac, grumbled that the only things people were asking for were, "a high resolution screen, a 4:3 screen, remove huge bezels around the screen", which Lenovo hasn't implemented with the T431s.

"Maybe long-lasted (IBM) Thinkpads fans weren't going away and maybe they'll stick with you for now for the lack of trackpoint elsewhere (although some Dell/HP have them), but at one point they will go," the commenter said. "Don't touch the Thinkpad anymore, you already did enough."

The screen seemed to be the biggest grumble amongst complainers.

Another named darknite39 protested, "Why does my phone have a higher resolution than this Thinkpad? I'm actually holding onto my 14in T61 because the resolutions you offer now aren't really an improvement over what I already have, and it was released in 2007!"

"You don't have to make it standard, but AT LEAST GIVE US THE OPTION! PLEASE!" µ