ThinkPad T420, T520 & X220 Sandy Bridge 2011 pre Launch Review
January 21, 2011
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The new ThinkPad T520, ThinkPad T420 and ThinkPad X220 should be with us by the end of March with the new Sandy Bridge architecture, and boy do they look good. We did grill ThinkPad Engineers at CES and whilst they were keeping their cards close to their chest we are going to stick our necks out and go on record with the following ThinkPad T520, ThinkPad T420 and ThinkPad X220 predictions.
STOP PRESS: March 18th ’11 The ThinkPad T420 and ThinkPad T520 with Intel HD 3000 Integrated Graphics are now available on the Lenovo site. With the new Sandy Bridge Architecture with the 12EUs Graphics cores, the Intel 3000 HD Graphics option is going to be more than adequate for most business applications.
Visit Lenovo to configure your superb new ThinkPad T420 and T520
One thing is for sure, the new ThinkPads designated T420, T520 and X220, will feature Intel’s revolutionary new “Sandy Bridge” iCore processors, and seamless integration with NVIDOIA’s Optimus Technology.
We’ll examine the individual machines in later articles. For now, though, let’s take a peek at the broad enhancements that are coming for Lenovo’s latest high-end machines.
“Sandy Bridge” 2nd generation iCore Processors
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Particularly exciting about this new batch of ThinkPads is the company’s use of Intel’s new iCore processors, which have been dubbed the “Sandy Bridge” series.
Five years in the making, these processors are intended for both mobile and desktop machines, and will provide vastly superior processing than the already staggering first-generation models.
Not only will the new iCore processors feature increased performance, but they will also include new dual-core integrated graphics cards that are more than capable of handling 3D graphics. That’s virtually unheard of in current models, so gamers, designers, and animators will really appreciate the changes.
Also notable with the new processors is the reinvigorated Turbo Boost that was so popular with the first-generation units. In fact, the company says that the new chips will be able to increase output to 37 percent above listed capacity for up to a minute. That’s exactly what you’ll need to make sure that you don’t suffer from lags or processer sputtering.
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Both the ThinkPad T420 and T520 will feature the full line of iCore processors, topping out with the Core i7-2820QM, which features four cores, a stated capacity of 2.3GHz, but which could achieve bursts as high as 3.0GHz with the Turbo Boost technology.
The ThinkPad X220 will feature similar offerings in terms of processors, but, if current trends are any measure, will not likely include the quad-core processor option.
Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 with Rapid Drive Technology
There is absolutely no doubt that you will be staggered by the boot times of the new ThinkPads. We saw Lenovo Enhanced User Experience 2.0 in action at CES and combined with Rapid Drive, it just blew us away!
Originally created as a workflow improvement for the first release of Windows 7, the Lenovo Enhanced User Experience has grown to include an array of tweaks to software and hardware integration that make ThinkPads the envy of the business laptop market.
The highlight of this generation’s suite of innovations is the Rapid Drive Technology, which creates blazingly fast startup times and incredibly nimble program interaction.
Some computer systems come outfitted with solid-state drives for the operating system and regular disc-drives for applications. This isn’t new. What’s striking about Lenovo’s technology is the way in which it incorporates dual drives which operate as a single unit, making data transfers and program use seamless and lightening fast.
ThinkPad NVIDIA Optimus Graphics
Should you want an additional discreet graphics card instead of the incredible ‘Sandy Bridge’ dual-core integrated graphics GPU, you’ll be staggered by the new ThinkPad T420 and ThinkPad T520 graphics capabilities.
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Both the ThinkPad T420 and T520 will feature NVIDIA Optimus graphics cards as an option and that means that you’ll have truly high-end performance on demand. It also means that you’ll get seamless switching to less power-hungry modes when you are surfing the Web, checking e-mail, or conducting business that isn’t graphics-intensive. Your battery will love it.
The ThinkPad X220 we believe should be equipped with the Intel 3000HD integrated graphics chip, but that doesn’t mean that it will be the only option. In fact, judging by current offerings, it’s highly likely that more robust systems will be available here as well.
ThinkPad T520, ThinkPad T420 and ThinkPad X220 – Conclusion
Though there may not be much in terms of detail right now, what we do already know is cause for excitement. There’s sure to be much more detail to come so the ThinkPadToday rumor mill will keep you posted as soon as more information becomes available. Stay tuned and watch out for our pre-launch and extended ThinkPad T520, ThinkPad T420 and ThinkPad X220 Reviews coming soon!
What’s it all worth? They have chopped the head off the screens, going from 16:10 down to 16:9. They have no height. All these new laptops look like sausages. If DELL or HP would offer 16:10, I would jump ship to buy one of them.
Nobody will offer 16.10 Avi, nobody is manufacturing them! The LCD factories have stopped making them.
I’m ready to see BluRay R/W compatibility built into these things, without having to buy an external drive.
Will there be a delay with the T420 and T520 because of the sandy bridge bug that Intel is currently working on fixing??
I would think that is a firm yes Michael, some IdeaPad models have already been withdrawn. Hopefully it wont take them long to work this one out. In the meantime there are some exceptional offers on the current ThinkPad models
Couldn’t agree more Brian, we keep hearing the promise. I think we are likely to see Blu Ray in the Edge range first
“Nobody will offer 16.10 Avi, nobody is manufacturing them!”
Like a communist market, where the consumer has no choice!
((
I’d still like to get back the classical 4:3 ratio…
“with the Core i7-2820QM”
Okay, but how will the battery work 7-8 hours with this 4-core CPU?
>> Ian Orford on February 2nd, 2011 3:05 pm
>> Nobody will offer 16.10 Avi, nobody is manufacturing them! The LCD factories have stopped making them.
Yep, Ian, I know. Well, we can dream can’t we…?
First, 16:9 is inevitable, get used to it or buy a T60. Second thing to keep in mind, is that the T/X/W series are business laptops, not consumer grade, so I wouldn’t be surprised by the lack of Blu Ray technology. Like Ian stated, look to the Edge for that. This may come off heated, but I keep seeing the same complaints over and over by people who still long for the days of IBM. Those days are gone, but Lenovo is still doing a great job. This is coming from someone who drank too much vodka and vomited all over his X200 a week ago and didn’t clean up until the morning. This post is sent from that machine. Godlike.
OH Ryan, I love that post! We have had a good laugh about this in the ThinkPadToday offices! The thing is, Blu Ray was an option on the early T400 and T410 but at $400 it had no takers! But ‘after hours’ consumer features are slowly coming to business grade ThinkPad’s because users are asking for them! Have a look at the comments re the Audio on the new ThinkPad T420s in out 2011 ThinkPad T Series Launch Review Keep up the good work Ryan, come back and see us! Ian Orford, Editor – ThinkPadToday
“Nobody will offer 16.10 Avi, nobody is manufacturing them!”
I wish LCD manufactures were enlightened by somebody with the fact that MANY people are actually WORKING on their laptops and not just watching movies, youtube crap, or playing insane 3D games! We need HIGH screens to see documents, spreadsheets, emails, schemas, drawings source code, and tons of other important business stuff!
I saw the video, but there is no touchpad on x220.
Only I wish it with 16:10 screen and the hooks
[...] have had a lot of readers asking what we know about the new ThinkPad x220 and ThinkPad x220 Tablet release date and specifications. What we can say is that it is close. We [...]
Well Ondrej, we know that a lot of people agree with you, its falling on deaf ears however!
All my used laptops are Thinkpad. Especially, the X31 and X32 are my favorites. I ever used 2 X31 and 1 X32, all these 3 are still work now. They are really high quality and portable. Even for my carelessness to spilled water on the keyboard more than 2 times, they still work well. But now, they seems a little out-of-date for the speed and capacity, I really want to change another Thinkpad.
[...] Release Date article, instead going for the same range of 2nd gen iCore Processers found in the 2011 T Series. Let’s take a look at each model [...]
I’m going to be saving up this summer to buy an X220 (buying it before i even buy a car!) I’m an engineering student on the go and starting up a computer-repair house-call business, so I was looking for something with serious power and portability, I already know what processor and storage, I want an i7-2620 and Intel 128GB SSD, and 8GB ram, and I’ll def need the 9-cell battery. The beast is gonna be hecka expensive but it think it’ll be worth the premium
Also hoping thinkpadtoday.com will give me a sweet deal on aforementioned system when it becomes available =D
Hi, i want to buy T520 but not available in Dubai. Anyone know where to get it. Please give me number and address of dealer….