ThinkPad Twist Edge Price, Specs, Features - Windows 8 Convertible Tablet
In 2006, I fell in love with a titanium-clad Lenovo ThinkPad Z61M at first sight and ended up buying one instead of a Black Macbook, which I initially planned on getting.
To this day, I still believe that it was my most important gadget purchase not only because the whole process (reading online reviews, learning the history of ThinkPads - from IBM days all the way to the Lenovo era, canvassing at laptop stores, etc.) inspired me to create TechPinas but also because my ThinkPad introduced me to this whole principle of "form follows function" and somehow helped improve my taste when it comes to gadgets.
While those who are clueless about Richard Sapper and his legendary creations call ThinkPad's design 'dated', I maintain that the form of this laptop along with all of its many identifying features including the red pointing stick and plain black "Japanese bento box inspired" chassis are a Classic that will stand the test of time and will continue to inspire designers for years and even decades to come.
I love all things classic. And the sight of new ThinkPad releases never fail to make me feel giddy.
Last week, Lenovo formally introduced yet another gorgeous model, the ThinkPad Twist Edge, which is basically a 12.5-inch convertible tablet with four unique usage modes, namely, Laptop, Tablet, Tent, and Stand Mode -- bringing the touch-optimized Windows 8 user interface to its fullest potential.
Those who are familiar with ThinkPad history should know that this "twist" or "swiveling" design is not unique to this model. In fact, one of the more popular ThinkPad releases comes with the same form, the ThinkPad X41 Tablet launched by IBM in 2005. Other convertible Thinkpads include X61t, X200t, X220t, and X230t - all made by Lenovo.
But, in my opinion, there are at least three things that make ThinkPad Twist Edge far more attractive than those ultra-pricey previous releases. First, it ships with Windows 8, the latest version of Microsoft's PC operating system, right out of the box. Second, it flaunts a 1366 x 768, 350-nit IPS display protected by a scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass capacitive touchscreen, which is a lot more touch-friendly than the resistive screens found on earlier convertible ThinkPads. And third, it comes with a surprisingly low starting price of only $849 or around Php 35,165 with current conversion and before taxes and other subsidies, which is easily less than half the SRP of its older siblings with swiveling screens.
Measuring only 0.78 inch at its thickest point when in Tablet mode and weighing only 3.48 pounds, ThinkPad Twist Edge features up to Intel Core i7 3rd Generation CPU inside and offers a choice of 320GB or 500GB hard drive, and even a 128GB SSD. The laptop also comes replete with a 720p webcam, the redesigned spill-resistant ThinkPad keyboard, Ethernet port, USB 3.0, mini Display port, mini HDMI connector, and dual-array microphones with keyboard noise suppression for hassle-free video-conferencing experience. Additionally, like all new ThinkPad Edge laptops, Twist will come with Lenovo's Solution Center for Small Business, Accidental Damage Protection, and Enterprise Level Security.
ThinkPad Twist Edge is expected to become available for purchase in the US either this month or in November. As of writing, Lenovo hasn't disclosed the official release date and SRP of this convertible laptop in the Philippines but I'm guessing that it will be launched here either this Yuletide or very early next year.
To this day, I still believe that it was my most important gadget purchase not only because the whole process (reading online reviews, learning the history of ThinkPads - from IBM days all the way to the Lenovo era, canvassing at laptop stores, etc.) inspired me to create TechPinas but also because my ThinkPad introduced me to this whole principle of "form follows function" and somehow helped improve my taste when it comes to gadgets.
While those who are clueless about Richard Sapper and his legendary creations call ThinkPad's design 'dated', I maintain that the form of this laptop along with all of its many identifying features including the red pointing stick and plain black "Japanese bento box inspired" chassis are a Classic that will stand the test of time and will continue to inspire designers for years and even decades to come.
I love all things classic. And the sight of new ThinkPad releases never fail to make me feel giddy.
Last week, Lenovo formally introduced yet another gorgeous model, the ThinkPad Twist Edge, which is basically a 12.5-inch convertible tablet with four unique usage modes, namely, Laptop, Tablet, Tent, and Stand Mode -- bringing the touch-optimized Windows 8 user interface to its fullest potential.
Those who are familiar with ThinkPad history should know that this "twist" or "swiveling" design is not unique to this model. In fact, one of the more popular ThinkPad releases comes with the same form, the ThinkPad X41 Tablet launched by IBM in 2005. Other convertible Thinkpads include X61t, X200t, X220t, and X230t - all made by Lenovo.
But, in my opinion, there are at least three things that make ThinkPad Twist Edge far more attractive than those ultra-pricey previous releases. First, it ships with Windows 8, the latest version of Microsoft's PC operating system, right out of the box. Second, it flaunts a 1366 x 768, 350-nit IPS display protected by a scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass capacitive touchscreen, which is a lot more touch-friendly than the resistive screens found on earlier convertible ThinkPads. And third, it comes with a surprisingly low starting price of only $849 or around Php 35,165 with current conversion and before taxes and other subsidies, which is easily less than half the SRP of its older siblings with swiveling screens.
Measuring only 0.78 inch at its thickest point when in Tablet mode and weighing only 3.48 pounds, ThinkPad Twist Edge features up to Intel Core i7 3rd Generation CPU inside and offers a choice of 320GB or 500GB hard drive, and even a 128GB SSD. The laptop also comes replete with a 720p webcam, the redesigned spill-resistant ThinkPad keyboard, Ethernet port, USB 3.0, mini Display port, mini HDMI connector, and dual-array microphones with keyboard noise suppression for hassle-free video-conferencing experience. Additionally, like all new ThinkPad Edge laptops, Twist will come with Lenovo's Solution Center for Small Business, Accidental Damage Protection, and Enterprise Level Security.
ThinkPad Twist Edge is expected to become available for purchase in the US either this month or in November. As of writing, Lenovo hasn't disclosed the official release date and SRP of this convertible laptop in the Philippines but I'm guessing that it will be launched here either this Yuletide or very early next year.
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