Lenovo is Planning a Retro ThinkPad Laptop and It Wants Your Help

Tech brand Lenovo is planing to make a retro version of its famous ThinkPad laptop and has asked for suggestions on how what features it should include.

Initial design concept images feature familiar ThinkPad design elements such as the blue enter key and 7-row classic keyboard alongside updated tweaks such as the 16:9 widescreen display.

In a blog post, Lenovo’s VP of design David Hill said:

“Imagine a ThinkPad that embodies all the latest technology advances, however, embraces the original design details in the strongest way possible”.

The original 700c ThinkPad laptop was designed by Richard Sapper back in 1992, inspired by the Japanese Bento lunchbox. It was originally sold under the famous IBM computer brand until this was acquired by Lenovo in 2005.

The ThinkPad has been used on space missions since 1998 and is still the only laptop officially certified for use on the International Space Station.

Hill acknowledges that the retro laptop isn’t for everyone, but is certain that “there’s a group of people who would stand in line to purchase such a special ThinkPad model”.

He also points out that the modern reworking of retro designs has proved to be a big success in the car world, with popular models including the Mini Cooper, Ford Mustang and Fiat 500.

Customers can have their say on whether the retro ThinkPad should go into production and what features it should include on Lenovo’s website.

(Image credit: Lenovo/David Hill)