Lenovo Thinkpad Reserve Edition
Reading time: 2 – 4 minutes
With all the talk going around the web about the iPhone (which is beautiful by the way and if I could get my Google corporate e-mail on it I would have it right now) I thought I would take a different tack today.
Some of you may know that I am as passionate about Thinkpads as the Apple guys are about their machines (I have been using Thinkpads for 7 years now) so I keep up with what is going on in the Thinkpad world via a couple of Lenovo blogs. That said, I read on the Lenovo Design Matters blog today that they are releasing a limited edition “Reserve Edition” Thinkpad.
At first I thought the machine was pretty nice looking but then I began to think more about the leather cover. While I love leather (I have Brooks leather saddles on my two bikes), and this cover is particularly well constructed from the looks of things, I don’t really get it. It doesn’t seem to do much for the look of the laptop and seems to just add heft to the overall package. What was Lenovo thinking? They are much better designers than that.
Perhaps this machine is really geared toward corporate execs some of which are, as portrayed by Apple in their commercials, stodgy and in love with things that are expensive and limited. Even the term “reserve” combined with leather as the medium makes me think of a stodgy cigar shop. This machine is not helping the Thinkpad/PCs image that’s for sure.
I suppose the big deal with the reserve edition Thinkpad is the support that you receive as an owner and that’s a big thing to think about but what does the extra support cost? I am not sure what the price point is for the reserve machine because you actually need to be invited to purchase one but I’d imagine the price tag is up there.
It seems to me that this machine is sending the Thinkpad in the wrong direction. Would Apple ever put out a product that had a poorly conceived design element simply to charge more for it and make it exclusive? I doubt it. They’d add better features in the software and hardware of the machine to enable better performance and user interaction and they’d sell as many as they can.
Update: Raoul makes some great points in the comments that I should have added to this post. Basically this could be a great business move for Lenovo since execs that have the reserve machine will probably authorize more ThinkPad purchases. I was taking a more of a design tack in this article and I let that get the best of me and forgot to address the business implications.
The big deal is the design itself, Eric. Rich or important people will want to have one, along with the service that comes along with it. The design is self-selecting its clientele, just like Apple design self-selects its foaming fanboys, who gladly pay extra for the same hardware you find in less expensive computers just so they can say they’ve got an Apple.
It’s not really about taking the company in a wrong direction. This is a limited run meant to appeal to a certain type of individual, while the company keeps going forward with its normal plans.
Truth be told, I’d kind of like to have one of these laptops. The specs aren’t too shabby, and that molded, stitched leather enclosure really gets to me. I really wish the screen were 16:10 instead of 5:4 though. Call me stodgy and stuffy…
Oh, and in a roundabout way, this does help the image of the company. If executives buy this and like it, there’s a good chance they’ll approve more Thinkpad purchases down the line.
Raoul
3 Jul 07 at 8:51 am
I see your points and while I like the leather enclosure I see the long term care issues that will come up. Leather is tough to maintain and if you are using this as a serious work machine it will get banged up. Although if you don’t mind the leather wearing then you’re probably all set.
Good points on the company side of things though. I suppose this does make sense in terms of getting more orders for ThinkPads. I just think they could have done much better things with the overall design. The specs and service are top notch though. No denying that!
Eric Olson
3 Jul 07 at 10:15 am
Not a fan. While it may have its place, leather is not known to be a breathable material. Think of how hot that would get.
It makes me think of an older generation, maybe they can put some tassles on it and market it to people stuck in the 80’s. Sorry not trying to make jokes, well maybe a little.
Bottom line is to each their own but I will never own a leather computer.
Jeff
3 Jul 07 at 9:55 pm