ThinkPad Anniversary Edition 25: Limited Edition ThinkPad Goes Retro
by Brett Howse on October 5, 2017 8:30 AM ESTAs part of its celebration of the 25th anniversary of the ThinkPad lineup, Lenovo is launching a limited-edition ThinkPad Anniversary Edition 25. It feels like Lenovo might have an issue with this though, because ThinkPad loyalists are all going to want one of these exclusive devices. It features a retro look, along with some of the retro capabilities that ThinkPad has always been known for, but all built on a modern version of the device.
The original ThinkPad 700C was announced on October 5, 1992. It’s kind of hard to believe it’s already been that long. The ThinkPad name is still going strong, 25 years later, and it was only back at CES in 2015 that Lenovo had on display the 100 millionth ThinkPad ever produced.
The Retro ThinkPad offers a backlit 7-row ThinkPad classic keyboard, which the more traditional blue enter key, and of course a TrackPoint. There are dedicated volume keys, and status LEDs that tend to be missing on newer devices. The Thinkpad logo is also the more traditional multicolored version.
Under the covers, the Anniversary Edition 25 is based on the T470 laptop, and features a Core i7-7500U, paired with a GeForce 940MX GPU, in this 14-inch laptop. It features all of the modern IO and capabilities you’d expect in a laptop in 2017, despite the retro styling, and I would guess Lenovo isn’t going to have any issues selling the entire allotment.
For anyone wanting to purchase the device, they’ll have to act quickly. The ThinkPad Anniversary Edition will be available in limited quantities in select countries, starting at $1899 USD.
Source: Lenovo
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sork - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
I went to buy one and then saw the price. Damn.lefenzy - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Part of the high price is because of 16 GB ram and 512 SSD in the default configuration, but 7th gen dual-core CPUs with an old GPU is unattractive.If they're going to charge Apple-level prices though, it had better not have any flex. My old thinkpads were business-level quality, but not Apple-level.
I don't care for 4:3, but a 16:10 screen would be perfect.
gofishus - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
-Core i7, 16GB, 512GB SSD-3 years warranty
-mobile broadband + fingerprint
-dedicated graphics which normally dont appear on the t400 (or most business laptops for that matter)
-limited edition
thats why its expensive...
Tylanner - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
I think a bunch of VPs just told their admin to have one shipped overnight....I know I would...Spunjji - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
Tired of this reverential nonsense about unibody laptops. "Apple level" is consumer-grade: impractical to repair, subject to failure from shock damage and spills.Chassis flex is required for critical components not to take damage from drops, bumps, etc. This is pretty basic engineering.
lefenzy - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
I don't purchase computers to drop them from coffee tables and spill liquids on the keyboards.If corporate-grade means flexible, creaky plastic panels, no thanks. Having tried corporate-grade thinkpad and consumer-grade Apple, I know which I prefer.
lazarpandar - Friday, October 6, 2017 - link
Of course you don't intentionally make mistakes, that goes against the definition of a mistake... please use more fair language.lilmoe - Saturday, October 7, 2017 - link
Then go get whatever the heck meets your standards and spare us the whining?If you're happy with your Apple purchase, why comment at all? SMH...
lefenzy - Monday, October 9, 2017 - link
Because thinkpads have a vaunted reputation but they are mostly like corporate fleet cars. This current model was is somewhat appealing except for the 7th gen processor.Tams80 - Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - link
That's ignoring the point argument that you already have at least one choice of manufacturer who makes what you want though.It's like with the headphone jack debate. People wanting something different, and projecting that want onto every product, when they are already amply served.