SURVEY ENDED WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 - Results in this thread
*** ThinkPad lovers! ***
Please take this survey about which features are important to you in a business-class notebook.
A major motivation for the survey is to convince Lenovo to build at least some ThinkPads with premium screens. But please fill out a survey even if you don't care about that. It's an opportunity to tell Lenovo what other features are important to you.
776 people filled out surveys.Thank you very much for your help! 
IMPORTANT: Please note that Lenovo is not associated with the survey in any way, other than allowing me to post the link and results in this forum.
How many laptops have you been responsible for purchasing over the past year? Please include machines that you purchased as well as those purchased by your employer or others based on your recommendation.
Results:
None 59 8%
1 205 27%
3-5 329 43%
10-99 136 18%
100-999 24 3%
1000-9999 6 1%
>= 10000 4 1%
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Total 763
This question has two unfortunate errors: there is no way to answer "2", or "6-9", laptops purchased. Oops.
Which of the following laptop brands have you used?
Results:
Have Used Both
Have Used ThinkPad And
Apple MacBook Pro 216 28% 27%
Dell Latitude 341 44% 43%
HP Business Laptop 224 29% 29%
Lenovo / IBM ThinkPad 701 90%
Panasonic ToughBook 32 4% 4%
Sony VAIO 156 20% 20%
Toshiba Portege 100 13% 13%
Others 173 22%
Total Responses 776
Question 3:
Please rate the importance of each feature for your business-class laptop.
Results:
Importance Rating Importance %
Crucial 1 100
Very important 2 75
Important 3 50
Somewhat important 4 25
Note: Error bars show standard deviation; 68% of survey respondents rated importance in this range. The uncertainty in mean importance (standard error) is much smaller than shown: 1% for each feature.
Importance %
Feature Mean +/- StDev Responses
High build quality 89 16 761
High durability 88 17 761
Screen quality 86 19 757
Keyboard quality 83 21 754
Long battery life 73 23 761
Long warranty 65 26 758
Cool operation 65 25 762
Silent operation 64 26 757
Track point mouse 63 36 757
Processor speed 61 25 748
After-sales support 59 30 753
Light weight 57 26 756
DVI-D/HDMI/DisplayPort 57 30 766
Bluetooth 52 32 765
Docking port 50 34 755
USB 3.0 port 50 31 755
Flash card (SD) reader 49 31 753
Analog video out (VGA) 49 33 751
Small size 48 27 750
eSATA port 44 31 747
ExpressCard slot 44 30 753
Touch pad mouse 39 35 757
Low cost 38 24 752
Sleek design 37 27 691
CardBus expansion slot 37 29 750
Illuminated keyboard 36 31 762
WWAN (cellular Internet) 35 32 753
ECC memory 34 29 751
FireWire port 33 30 758
Integrated camera 30 31 764
Fingerprint reader 28 31 759
Touch screen (tablet PC) 19 25 757
Results p2: Other important features
How many buttons should the integrated mouse have?
Results:
Buttons Votes
1 4 1%
2 256 33%
3 487 63%
Other 22 3%
------------
Total 769
Comments for "Other"
Vertical and horizontal scrolling.
2+1 layout (see A22p) is best. Then middle-click and scroll are distinct.
At least two, plus some option for scrolling.
3-4.
2, but 3 is a bonus.
Only 3 like in ThinkPad X200s.
L + R + easy-to-use scroll functionality.
Don't understand what it means.
4.
Don't understand your question.
2+1(w/scroll).
3 buttons, would be nice if the buttons would lock, like on my ThinkPad 760xd.
5 buttons and some scroll wheel function.
At *least* 2. While I do not need more I can see why it might be useful for other users.
9.
6.
Standard two-button with scroll.
Define integrated mouse... Trackpad?--it depends... an external bluetooth/wireless/corded will probably be worthless.
Touch sensitive like MacBook's.
Don't care.
Three for TrackPoint and 2 for touchpad.
The ThinkPad T series is perfect.
Question 7*:
Your local Laptops Unlimited stocks 20 different business-class laptops.
There are 4 base models that differ in size, weight, graphics speed, and price:
- ThinkPad X301: 13.3" screen with space for 135x42 text characters, 3.3 pounds
- ThinkPad T400: 14.1" screen with space for 143x45 text characters, 5.0 pounds
- ThinkPad T500: 15.4" screen with space for 157x49 text characters, 5.9 pounds
- ThinkPad W500 graphics workstation: 15.4" screen w/space for 157x49 text chars, 6.2 pounds
Whichever model you choose, you can upgrade the processor, memory, disk, operating system, and application software to suit your needs. Each has the same factory warranty.
For each base model, you can choose from 5 different screens. The cheapest option is the base screen. There are also 4 premium screens with different resolutions. Compared to the base screen, each premium screen has:
- Higher contrast ratio
- Wider viewing angles
- Superior color accuracy
- High brightness
- Non-reflective surface
- Higher cost ($50 - $140 more)
When comparing screens with different resolutions, here are some things to keep in mind: A screen with higher resolution has higher Mega Pixels (MP) and pixels per inch (ppi), and:
- Shows more information (like more spreadsheet cells) at a time;
- Can show smoother text and more-detailed images;
- Shows smaller text, desktop icons and window buttons in many operating systems;
- Costs more.
Which one of the following laptops are you most likely to buy?
Results:
Question 7 Results p2 shows how the above histogram has changed over the course of the survey.
ThinkPad Votes
--- ThinkPad X301: 13.3" screen w/space for 135x42 text chars 3.3 pounds ---
$2250: X301 with Base Screen 1280x800 1.0MP 113ppi 9 1%
$2300: X301 with Premium Screen 1 1280x800 1.0MP 113ppi 10 1%
$2330: X301 with Premium Screen 2 1440x900 1.3MP 128ppi 42 5%
$2360: X301 with Premium Screen 3 1680x1050 1.8MP 149ppi 30 4%
$2390: X301 with Premium Screen 4 1920x1200 2.3MP 170ppi 58 7%
---------
149 19%
--- ThinkPad T400: 14.1" screen w/space for 143x45 text chars 5.0 pounds ---
$850: T400 with Base Screen 1280x800 1.0MP 107ppi 8 1%
$900: T400 with Premium Screen 1 1280x800 1.0MP 107ppi 17 2%
$930: T400 with Premium Screen 2 1440x900 1.3MP 120ppi 83 11%
$960: T400 with Premium Screen 3 1680x1050 1.8MP 141ppi 66 9%
$990: T400 with Premium Screen 4 1920x1200 2.3MP 161ppi 83 11%
--- ThinkPad T500: 15.4" screen w/space for 157x49 text chars 5.9 pounds ---
$900: T500 with Base Screen 1280x800 1.0MP 98ppi 4 1%
$950: T500 with Premium Screen 1 1280x800 1.0MP 98ppi 9 1%
$980: T500 with Premium Screen 2 1440x900 1.3MP 110ppi 23 3%
$1010: T500 with Premium Screen 3 1680x1050 1.8MP 129ppi 57 7%
$1040: T500 with Premium Screen 4 1920x1200 2.3MP 147ppi 72 9%
--- ThinkPad W500 workstation: 15.4" screen 157x49 text chars 6.2 pounds ---
$1250: W500 with Base Screen 1280x800 1.0MP 98ppi 2 0%
$1300: W500 with Premium Screen 1 1280x800 1.0MP 98ppi 5 1%
$1330: W500 with Premium Screen 2 1440x900 1.3MP 110ppi 10 1%
$1360: W500 with Premium Screen 3 1680x1050 1.8MP 129ppi 34 4%
$1390: W500 with Premium Screen 4 1920x1200 2.3MP 147ppi 98 13%
None of the above. I'd buy a different laptop. 56 7%
--------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 776
People choosing to buy another laptop would buy:
--- ThinkPad X200/s: 12.1" screen w/space for 123x38 text chars 3.0 pounds ---
$1150: X200 with Base Screen 1280x800 1.0MP 125ppi 4 1%
$1200: X200 with Premium Screen 1 1280x800 1.0MP 125ppi 3 0%
$1230: X200 with Premium Screen 2 1440x900 1.3MP 140ppi 4 1%
$1260: X200 with Premium Screen 3 1680x1050 1.8MP 164ppi 0 0%
$1290: X200 with Premium Screen 4 1920x1200 2.3MP 187ppi 2 0%
--------
X200/s votes counted above:
Either x200/s or Fujitsu or new T400s
x200
X200s
X200
X200s with Premium screen, 1280x800 (maybe 1440x900)
x200 sized with high quality screen premium 1280x800
x200 with a Premium Screen, 1280x800 or 1440x900
X200s 1440x900 with wide viewing angles
X200s with Premium Screen 1440x900
X200s with high resolution screen
x200s 1440x900 (140ppi)
Lenovo x200 Tablet with Premium Screen 4 NO MULTITOUCH
X200s with Premium Screen 4 1920x1200
Explicit X200/s choices are not included in the survey, respondents must select "None of the above. I'd buy another computer." and write in X200 or X200s. Further discussion is in this thread at NotebookReview.com.
All Others:
I don't like wide-screen, I would buy a T400 Premium Screen 4 with a 4:3 ratio
MacBook Pro until ThinkPad build quality equals the T4X models
T60p with UXGA IPS
Not available: 13.3" ThinkPad that is more consumer priced while having the same ThinkPad quality (not SL300).
ThinkPad SL400
ThinkPad SL500
sager
I am not interested in widescreen laptops.
Lenovo seems to be slipping with new ThinkPads. Other choices would be from HP or Dell <5lb ~13 *vertical* height (I don t like widescreen format in a small laptop.)
Apple MacBook Pro 17
Two separate units: mobile t400s 1680x1050 + workstation w700 2560*1600 for high demand computations.
X61
T60 series
Axiotron ModBook Pro or Apple Macbook Pro
I'd look for an ARM-based machine, perhaps an Acorn.
netbook
T400 with Premium Screen 3 without the camera.
I would buy some of each model, typically with the best or next to best screen.
Lenovo X61 Tablet
T500 with 4:3, 1400x1050 premium screen.
ThinkPad T61 with a 14.1" 4:3 aspect ratio screen.
IdeaPad y550
If Lenovo had the same quality of service (NBD, on site) as Dell has, I'd buy the 2360 X301. Otherwise, I would get a Dell 4200 or 4300 (or an XPS 1330, but only with XP), although the Dell E series is not as reliable as the D series.
T61 with 1600x1200 screen and Core 2 Duo or quad processor.
Weight and cost are my main factors. While the X301 fits the bill re: lbs (all I expect from a 13.3" is the base or premium 1 specs) the cost is far too high. If there was an option around the T400 price with a 3.7-4.0 lbs weight that is what I'd want.
I do not care for your selection.
ThinkPad with 1600x1200 (4:3) premium screen.
Tablet with wide viewing angle.
14.1" with 4:3 ratio in SXGA+ (1400x1050).
T400s 14.1" 1440x900.
ThinkPad T400s.
Ultraportable with 12" screen, 4:3 aspect ratio, 1440x1080.
I would base my choice on the availability of open-source Linux video drivers.
4:3 ratio screen 1400x1050 or higher resolution, non-glossy!
Dell Latitude or XPS.
Would prefer 4:3 aspect ratio, 14" or 15", 1400x1050.
Samsung.
MacBook Pro 17" unibody.
ThinkPad T400s.
Thinkpad T60 with 4:3 screen, or similar.
Question 9:
The laptop should come with the following Operating System pre-installed:
Results :
Operating System Votes
No Operating System 137 18%
Linux - Debian 60 8%
Linux - Fedora / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 17 2%
Linux - OpenSUSE / SLED / SLES 16 2%
Linux - Ubuntu / Kubuntu 73 9%
Mac OS X 6 1%
Windows 2000 1 0%
Windows XP Home or Pro 32-bit 73 9%
Windows XP Home or Pro 64-bit 25 3%
Windows Vista (any variety) 32-bit 9 1%
Windows Vista (any variety) 64-bit 43 6%
Windows 7 (any variety) 244 32%
Other 65 8%
----------------------------------------------
Total 769
Other Pre-Installed OS
XP64 by default, but give me a refund when I wipe it for Linux.
Whatever makes the thing cheaper.
Linux - Gentoo.
Windows 7 / Gentoo Linux dual boot.
Windows Vista Business 64-bit. No cutting corners w/ Home Basic. Windows 7 when available.
Windows 7 64-bit, with downgrade rights to Windows XP.
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit.
Just support the hardware and publish API documentation for it. Stay out of the SW business.
Your choice, with the option of a clean install.
Windows XP Pro / Ubuntu. Why can't you have both?
Current -STABLE branch of FreeBSD; that or no OS.
Linux - Mandriva.
Depends on the need.
Windows 7 or Vista, as long as both are 64-bit.
W7 x64.
A preinstallation environment which permits installation of the OS you have bought or received along with your laptop.
No operating system, with CD of Lenovo/IBM add-on utilities and applications.
An option should be provided for the consumer to choose between Windows or Linux and given the appropriate CD(s) with instructions upon receiving/delivery.
Let user choose between Windows and various flavors of Linux. I prefer XP, but Windows 7 should be good too.
Windows XP Pro 32.
Sun Solaris 10 (or OpenSolaris) or OS X (industrial strength UNIX core to the OS).
Have not thought about it yet.
[Any OS,] as long as it can support Microsoft Office.
Windows 7 Professional.
Windows Vista x64 or Windows 7 x64.
Windows XP-Pro today, Windows 7 in about a year.
I'll put on it what I feel best suits my current needs.
Win 7 64-bit.
Don't care, as long there are drivers for actual Windows versions available (right now including XP).
I'm all about 64-bit. So as of now since 7 is still in RC, laptops should have your choice of OS(es) installed. Mine would be Vista Ultimate x64.
Windows Vista or Win7 64-bit.
Vista or 7, 64-bit.
Any 64 bit operating system.
Multi-boot system with Windows7 / Mac OS X / Solaris.
Dual boot Linux / Windows XP (or Windows 7).
If the customer orders > 3GB of RAM, they must be presented with a 64-bit option.
If the release of Win 7 goes well then I would say that, with the choice of 64 bit and 32 bit versions offered upon sale for any configuration over 2GB of RAM.
Either XP Pro 64 or Win 7.
Don't care.
Windows dual boot with Fedora, or no operating system.
Offer the choice, [with] default: No Operating System. (I'd choose Ubuntu / gNewSense.)
Give people the option of their choice. I personally am getting tired of having the option [of only] one type of OS (currently Vista, or Vista with a downgrade to XP). I would use any of [the listed OSes] on a Lenovo except Mac OS X due to the [questionable] legality of a hackintosh.
eCS (PS/2); multiboot with XP Pro and RHEL.
An option of eComStation would be my preference, or no OS would be OK.
eComStation.
eComStation [a.k.a. OS/2 as enhanced by Serenity Sys. Inc.].
eCS 2.0.
Options: an *nix; none; and a stable, workable Windows version (not Vista).
FreeBSD.
It *must* support Linux, but offer the choice of OS based on its use.
Don't care - handled by corp purchasing.
Available without an OS for the zealots; with any of several mainstream Linuxes so hardware is known to be widely supported; recent Windows (larger production runs); and dual boot (making a living can trump OS favoritism).
Dual boot Windows XP and Linux Fedora.
Windows 7 SP1.
From beta testing of Windows 7 64-bit, it seems to be a runner.
My laptop, my choice please.
The hardware and available drivers should support Windows and Unix / Linux.
Give me the option to select from various options at purchase time, don't just give me a limited option of what OS to pick based on what has been installed at the factory.
Dual boot Kubuntu / Vista.
Mac OS X + Linux + Windows.
Windows 7 (Any) x64-bit.
Debian or a preinstallation environment with choices. Maybe with a choice of 2-3 different Linux distributions.
Ubuntu or Debian Linux.
