When talking about laptops, we certainly know that there are high-performance laptops that come with high specifications, solid construction, premium materials that put such laptops on a different level compared to conventional models. In the Lenovo computer line, ThinkPad belongs to a landmark series that is full of innovation and sophistication synonymous with its function and duty as a laptop for professionals.
The ThinkPad series is a series of high-performance laptops that was originally owned by IBM, before being sold to Lenovo in 2005. Yamato Lab was established in 1985 in Kanagawa, before being moved to Yokohama in 2011. Until now, it is still in operation and conducts various tests for laptops. We had the opportunity to see some of the tests ourselves, as well as a new test laboratory specifically developed to ensure that the ThinkPad series continues to provide the greatest performance.
DXOMark Test Lab
Our readers must have always heard about the DXOMark rating. There are various DXOMark ratings and the popular one is the smartphone camera performance score which is the standard of comparison. Interestingly, Lenovo also stated that there is a DXOMark score for webcams on laptops.
In this makmak, Yamato Lab researchers explain a little about the DXOMark test protocol to ensure that the cameras used on their laptops capture the user's face with accurate color accuracy and accuracy in the details of the user's face. The two types of mannequins provided are closely spaced, deliberately provided differently to allow optimization of the software to be done.
In another section, Lenovo researchers also showed simulations and also the performance of their cameras when used for teleconferencing. Since ThinkPads are created for professional users who frequently do teleconferencing, the color reproduction of webcam recordings during teleconferencing is important, and they also have a lighting system that can create various situations, even situations outside the office.
ThinkPad Shock and Drop Test Lab
If you look at ThinkPad computers, you may feel that their design is too minimalist, thin, but this does not reduce their strength and durability in the slightest. In this shock test, ThinkPad laptops are tested by shaking and bumping in several situations. Interestingly, they also shared that there was a situation when ThinkPad laptops were placed with textbooks by students. This not only exposed the laptop to shocks or bumps in a bag, but also when it was squeezed with thick textbooks.
Through this test, they were able to see any situations that challenged the durability of ThinkPad, and they also revealed that they also conducted the same test for competitor products, to identify the durability of competitor devices. Most of the time, competitor devices could not survive as well as the ThinkPad laptops.
Next, they also showed several drop tests if the ThinkPad was dropped on a surface with the corners falling first, or there was a centralized pressure on the laptop. Such tests were carried out continuously until there was any data showing if there was a deficiency in their construction. In fact, in one test, Lenovo employees were quite confident in stepping on the ThinkPad, and no damage to the screen display occurred.
Acoustic Lab
Next, we were also taken to the acoustic lab and they showed off the latest speaker creations used in the ThinkPad X9. Compared to speakers that usually use screws to attach to the laptop chassis, this new speaker uses a technology called ‘Fiber Loop’, which works almost like ‘velcro’ tape used to ‘stick’ the speaker to the ThinkPad X9 laptop chassis. Despite the seemingly lightweight construction, it is still able to produce excellent sound quality.
ThinkPad Battery Replacement Easily Without Compromising on Security
In one of the demonstrations, researchers at Yamato Lab also shared about the differences in their ThinkPad design that also implements the easy element to replace a component. In fact, the way to open the ThinkPad cover is also very easy, and can be done with a commonly used screw driver, rather than a special driver with a hard-to-find screw point. This allows ThinkPad owners to easily replace components, such as the battery or storage compartment, without having to send the ThinkPad in for repair.
However, when the ThinkPad lid can be opened easily, security issues arise, if it can be installed with any components that could potentially sabotage the user, or if internal components can be stolen such as storage drives. Lenovo also created a type of switch that can notify the owner if their ThinkPad has been opened without permission, or if there is any attempt to sabotage their laptop.
ThinkPad Museum
One of the main attractions that excited me throughout this visit was the ThinkPad product line that has been produced since the laboratory was first established. There are various types of ThinkPads according to the year they were exhibited, and each of them also brought its own innovations. In fact, the modular concept was also created decades earlier, where each component inside can be replaced by the user.
There are also several other ThinkPads that may be considered a little strange and foreign such as the ThinkPad that also has a printer, the ThinkPad that can be used with a light projector (Overhead Projector) commonly seen in school laboratories, the ThinkPad 'butterfly' with a separate keyboard like butterfly wings when closed to save space, but will 'pop out' when opened to provide full-size keyboard use, and many more. Unfortunately, I understand that this part of the ThinkPad Museum is not open to the public at the time of writing this article, but I hope it will be open to the public.
The end of my visit to the Lenovo Yamato Lab provides some exposure to the research, testing, and innovation brought to the ThinkPad series, which is also used and adapted in the future. My only hope is that at least this ThinkPad Museum can be opened to the public, or opened periodically to allow future generations who may live with much more sophisticated computers, to know the origins of the sophistication of previous technologies.