Lenovo already offers a glimpse of the company’s plans for the next year, ahead of CES 2017. The ThinkPad line of devices gets fully refreshed with much better hardware across the board.
The revamped lineup includes ThinkPad X270, ThinkPad Yoga 370, ThinkPad 13, ThinkPad T Series (T470s, T470, T570, T470p) and ThinkPad L Series (L470 and L570). They will all come with Microsoft Precision TouchPads to replace the current TouchPad models.
In addition, the new ThinkPads will run on the newest 7th generation Intel Core processors with Kaby Lake architecture. Lenovo also put a lot of thought into security, adding authentication features like Windows Hello, an infrared camera for facial recognition and a fingerprint sensor.
Furthermore, the 2017 lineup will come preloaded with Microsoft Signature Image no-bloatware installation. Here is Lenovo´s complete summary of improvements for the ThinkPad-line:
- A cleaner, premium TouchPad supporting the Microsoft® Precision TouchPad has been designed to offer a more consistent trackpad user experience.
- Classic ThinkPad black and a new silver color on selected models for design-conscious end-users.
- Infrared camera option with facial recognition software for fast, secure and password-free login with Windows Hello.
- Latest 7th generation Intel® Core™ processors.
- USB Type-C ports across many systems including ThunderBoltTM 3 with a new protection circuit to guard against incorrect power levels.
- Biometric Match on Chip Fingerprint sensor securely processes enrolled data within the sensor and all fingerprint images are handled inside the fingerprint processing unit.
- Broad connectivity options including LTE-A WWAN and WIFI CERTIFIED WiGig™ docking.
- All ThinkPad models in 2017 with Windows 10 will come preloaded with an optimized Microsoft Signature Image ensuring a clean and fast system, right out of the box.
Bimodal IT
With the improved line of ThinkPad devices, Lenovo is putting a lot of effort into the bimodal IT approach. It is the practice of managing two separate, rather coherent models of IT that focus on stability and agility.

Image credit: Lenovo
The company states that the new ThinkPad notebooks are ideal for users with flexible workplace nature, offering “both agility and stability to embrace workplace transformation and personal workstyles.”
Lenovo could certainly use a boost in its PC sales. The world’s largest PC maker by shipment saw a decline in sales this year. Hence, seeing as the ThinkPad line is company’s biggest business, the revamp is the logical next step for Lenovo, with likely more to come at CES.