As part of the festivities this week at the 2011 Consumer Electronics show, Lenovo is announcing a slew of new products. Check our other posts for coverage of the other products announcing this week, but we’ll be taking a look at the new ThinkPad Edge E220s and E420s notebooks.
These new notebooks join the Edge lineup focused on small business and add a new premium segment to those models. The 12.5-inch E220s and 14-inch E420s feature soft matte finishes, aluminum-magnesium covers, and a spill-proof keyboard to help them stand above the rest.
Now that you know what type of laptop we’re looking at, let’s ramble through some specs:
| Specs | Edge E220s | Edge E420s |
| Processor | Sandy Bridge 2011 Core i5/i7 ULV | Sandy Bridge 2011 Core i3/i5/i7 |
| Memory | Up 4GB DDR3 (1 DIMM slot) | Up 8GB DDR3 (2 DIMM slots) |
| Graphics | Intel HD 2000/3000 | Intel HD 2000/3000, Radeon HD 6330M 2GB switchable |
| Storage | 250GB-320GB HDD, 128GB SSD, 80GB RapidDrive | |
| Display | 12.5-inch HD (1366×768) LED backlit “Infinity” | 14-inch HD (1366×768) LED backlit “Infinity” |
| Optical | None | Slot-loading DVD burner |
| Ports | 4-in-1 card reader (3) USB 2.0 (one with eSATA) VGA & HDMI output Ethernet Combo headphone/mic | |
| Dimensions | 12.3 x 8.4 x 0.86 inches | 13.7 x 9.3 x 0.9-1.2 inches |
| Weight | 3.5 lb | 4.14 lb |
| Price / Availability | $899 / April | $749 / April |
As you can tell, we’ve got two very similar machines here. The E220s loses the optical drive and some performance for its portability. One important detail that we are still awaiting confirmation on is the Intel HD graphics. Lenovo indicates that the 2000 and 3000 versions will be available on the E220s and E420s. The HD 2000 appears to be nearly identical to the previous Intel HD graphics, whereas the HD 3000 is a true upgrade and offers nearly twice the performance.
Unfortunately the displays aren’t looking to fly up anybody’s skirt. The “Infinity” designation likely refers to an edge-to-edge glass design, which may allow for thinner design but doesn’t necessarily help viewing angles, colors, or the all-important resolution. These should be HD resolution, which is reasonable on the 12.5-inch panel and borderline unsuitable on the 14-inch. Hopefully Lenovo is putting decent panels into their premium systems so we can all experience reasonable color reproduction, while classic ThinkPads keep their washed out look.
A true first for ThinkPad is the optional Lenovo RapidDrive. Previously only available on select IdeaPads, RapidDrive combines a high capacity magnetic hard drive with a smaller portion of Flash memory for the best of both worlds. Your most needed files are stored in the Flash memory, in essence a small SSD, for maximum performance, with your less critical files staying in the cheaper, more plentiful magnetic storage. This provides increased performance without the full cost of an SSD.
Both models also have high performance microphones, keyboard noise suppression technology, and HD low-light capable webcams. The keyboard noise suppression seems to be software based, helping filter out your typing noise while you’re conferencing.
You may also notice a slight gleam around the edge of the new models: these are “ribbon-like” metal accents that seem to be fairly well polished. Hopefully they aren’t garish chrome accents, but a more subtle brushed metal look.
Let’s not forget the “regular” E420 and E520
Lenovo is also announcing two more ThinkPad Edge models: the E420 (no ‘s’ on this one) and E520. These models are far cheaper, less sleek & sexy, and accordingly get less headlines than the premium models. The E420 gains 0.6 pounds and 0.2 inches on its sexy sibling the E420s. While it has the same features on the whole, it also loses the sexy slot loading DVD drive and has a mid-range AMD GPU option. The chubby members of the Edge E Series family will be priced starting at $599 in April.
While a Lenovo rep did indicate the prior Edge 13, 14, 15 models would continue on, it would seem that with the premium 12 & 14-inch models as well as “mainstream” 14 & 15-inch models, the SMB space would be as crowded as the consumer space.
Is this the stylish, alternative ThinkPad?
We’ve got some slick looking new ThinkPads here, aimed at filling out the premium part of the SMB market. They are more stylish and luxurious than the Edge or classic Thinkpad models, with high end feature sets carefully chosen to eliminate un-used bits and save cost. These price points are all a bit above the existing Edge models, which we are told will remain, and will certainly go up hundreds of dollars for the i5/i7, SSD, etc equipped versions.
Broaching the $1000 price point, how would your average computer shopper (or even an SMB owner) compare the new E Series against a classic ThinkPad like the T or X Series? “Classic” ThinkPads were never sold in large numbers to individual or SMB customers, so I don’t expect much if any cannibalization, but I do expect the Edge E220s/E420s to get some more people to consider ThinkPad.
With a more (commonly) aesthetically pleasing design, the newest technology & features (with USB 3.0 being the only conspicuously absent feature), and a reasonable price point, I think this is a notebook that more people are willing to invest in than a classic ThinkPad. Those of us who love the classic, simple ThinkPad design are relatively few and that does hurt ThinkPad adoption, no matter which way you slice it. Perhaps if enough people know about the Edge E220s/E420s, ThinkPad might see more adoption with the “commoners.” 
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t understand if displays are antiglare or not.
I’m not entirely sure either, but I believe they will be glare-type. The “Infinity” type displays use edge-to-edge glass with no plastic bezel, much like Apple started a while back. Thus, I’m thinking glare.
Definitely not anti-glare. Saw a photo earlier where the photographer was clearly reflected in the screen itself. Seems it’ll have to be the T420s model for no-glare screens. Definitely like this design better, although the chrome “bling” should’ve just been magnesium if you ask me
The keyboard layout completely ruins these notebooks. F1-F12 only through the Fn key? No 7 line layout? And that *thing* is called a thinkpad?
I’m waiting for the upgrades of the true thinkpads, especially the X-series.
FWIW, in every other notebook (including the ThinkPad Edge) I’ve used with the modified (read: lame) Function key row, you could change a setting in the BIOS so that the F-keys are default and Fn+ is required for the system functions.
The infinity display had me all excited hoping it was a view at all angle transflective display… sigh.
Does anyone know what the strip to the right of the webcam is?
I *would* be cool if it is a thinklight…
It’s the thinklight. Look the space key.
Being a big fan of the trackpoint is the main reason together with a finally (!) sleeker-looking Thinkpad that I’m considering buying the E420s. However, I for one wish another “higher-end/sleeker business look” Thinkpad option would be offered. You see, deep down I believe, many, many others like me want the meanest, slickest-looking, blazingly fast and reliable laptop – but with a trackpoint. Therefore I am really wishing I could get a Thinkpad E420s that would have the following attributes:
- mix of matte and gloss black surfaces, with some slight brushed metal accents
- trackpoint in black or dark grey – NOT red!
- lose all the red and blue markings on keys!
- lose the overly big “Thinkpad” wordmarks! – replace with an intuitively cool smaller logo in brushed metal or some new visual/textural material
- options in black, titanium and other cool colours
Basically, for a trackpoint laptop I want something that looks like a black Porsche 997 with gunmetal/polished-lip rims, not a Porsche with red and blue accents wheels and a overly big Porsche workmark on the hood.
IMHO, the Thinkpads have great brains but fashion-wise have been about 5 years behind – this is costing the brand market share big time.
I too am hoping the new Thinkpads will have better than average screens.
BTW, I want the same above attributes for the Thinkpad USB Keyboard – then I’ll buy one for my desktop.
I like the way you think. I wish Lenovo would release a decent competitor to such premium business laptops such as the Elitebook from HP. Trackpoint all the way, also you can buy replacement trackpoints that come in different colors if re is not your thing, I for one like the red nipple look, esipcially with the absence of that ugly blue enter key.
I think everyone’s missing the key failure here… Both of the laptops
a) Have the exact same resolution despite quite different sizes
b) The resolution is atrocious.
I really want to avoid buying an apple just to have a decent display. The only other manufacturer on an equal quality level is Lenovo. Sadly they are not competitive in resolution and quality of their LCDs. The thinkpad edge is a fabulous looking product with a great keyboard, and impressive specs.
You may have noticed, however, that the recent announcement of the X120e has brought to attention that the 11″ screen sports the exact same resolution. That’s just inexcusable. The 15″ Macbook Pro refresh will likely bring a 1900×1080 screen.
There is just no way I can justify purchasing the edge 14″ as my main laptop, when its resolution is the same as the 11″ ultraportable I plan to buy for my mobile platform. I sincerely hope Lenovo is listening.
Right now, it seems like the new Thinkpad T420 is going to have 1600×900 resolution. Put one way, the 14″ T-series laptop loses physical height while keeping the same vertical pixels, and gains some width and about 10% higher resolution overall. Not a bad tradeoff going from 1440×900 to 1600×900, in my opinion. I’ve also read that the T520 will have 1920×1080 resolution as an option, so there still is hope. The Edge series is good but it’s not quite T-series level in terms of options and display. For an extra $80 or so, they could’ve made something with 1600×900 resolution that would’ve completely destroyed any competition from Sony (Vaio Z), HP (Envy 14), Apple(well, nevermind, the 13″ Macbook Pro has 1280×800 res so Lenovo still wins there). Regardless I’m also disappointed, with 1366×768 this is more-or-less competing with Asus’ 13″ and 14″ U series, albeit with better graphics.
What’s the big deal with LCD resolutions. Why do you need a larger resolution on a small screen anyways it’s not really gonna make a difference. I usually hook up my thinkpad to a 1080p 24 inch monitor that is a noticeable difference with expanded work area in my original laptop screen. Even then the pixels are a lot smaller than you think, most people wouldn’t notice a difference if the resolution was higher, Apple has noted this fact as well and did not increase the resolution of the iPad 2 despite many Android tablets having higher resolutions as the Retina display on my iPhone 4 is not that much an improvement over the previous iPhone display.
Disappointed there’s no USB 3.0 support. I’d give up the eSATA port for USB 3.0…
I agree about the resolutions. To not even offer an option for a better resolution is ridiculous, especially when it’s the same for such a large range of monitor sizes. Hopefully when it’s (finally) released we will find this isn’t the case. Same for USB 3. At this point, no USB 3, no sale. Any laptop I’m interested in one of the first things I check is if it has it, and if not, I don’t even bother looking at it any more; I move on. Aside from these two things, and assuming battery life is good (though I’m not a fan of internal batteries, especially if they’re not user-replaceable), this would be a great laptop. I’m not sure about the keyboard, as I don’t have experience with chiclet keyboards, but it just doesn’t seem as good as the traditional scissor-style, which is one of the things I like about most of the Lenovos.
i am not sure, but it wasnt supposed to hear the customer voice? they need to improve the survey since we are looking here to option, option that we will like to pay for them. there should not be any trade, just go with best screen (at least 1440×900), usb 3, hdmi, best CPU and graphic card and less weight
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