The tech landscape has seen many innovations, and almost as many brands come and go over the years, but there have been a handful who successfully continue to endure the passage of time. In the case of Lenovo, it’s with the iconic ThinkPad series of laptops that has turned into a respected household name, holding over 30 years of technological marvel and counting.
It is that one brand with the red joystick-like nub, dubbed the TrackPoint, on the keyboard, which marks its most defining feature.
Like any other product line, there have been tweaks to its design – some more than others. While it may be a simple notebook at its core, the modern ThinkPad is also an amphibian that is no stranger to different form factors, having taken the shape of a tablet, a two-in-one convertible, a display mobile PC, and more. Recent models are leaner but no less meaner, and the ThinkPad X9 15 Gen 1 Aura Edition, which made its recent debut at the recent Consumer Electronics Show aka CES 2025, represents a surprising first-ever departure from the TrackPoint.
Elsewhere though, the tried-and-tested formula remains the same as the reliability and robustness the series is known for has never once faltered, making it particularly popular among business users. But every legacy has to start somewhere, and for the iconic Lenovo laptop, its origins can be traced back to the Yamato Lab in Yokohama, Japan, which Geek Culture had the opportunity to visit as part of a closed-door event for select media.
Formerly located in Yamato City (hence the name), the facility, which opened in 1985, moved to Yokohama in 2011 and is touted as the birthplace of the ThinkPad, first launched in 1992. It continues to be responsible for every model in the lineup, inheriting the tradition from its early days, and lasting through the IBM acquisition and the current market, all which are on display in the accompanying ThinkPad museum at the facility.
Going back to the very beginning, the ThinkPad museum offers a trip down memory lane, displaying models of yesteryear to the present that chart its growth over the years. The series’ first product, the 700C, sits at the left end of the showcase with its thin film transistor display, joining other notable and interesting designs like the 701C, which introduced a “butterfly keyboard” split into two pieces that slide out to the sides when the lid is opened in 1995. There’s the X41 (2005), the first in the series to have a tablet installed onboard; the dual-screen mobile workstation W700ds (2009); the X1 Yoga (2015) that packs a two-in-one convertible; and the X1 Fold (2020), which boasts a folding screen.
More than just revisiting the days of old-school innovation such as CD and DVD-ROMs, the treasure trove of nostalgia is a reminder that tech can be both exciting and functional – a contrast to today’s landscape, where users may find it difficult to differentiate one brand or model from another. But the real magic happens in the testing labs, in which more than 200 in-house tests are conducted under various conditions simulating daily usage.
The Robustness and Durability Design Lab, for starters, reinforces sturdiness by subjecting ThinkPad devices to repeated impact, free fall and corner drop tests, and LCD stress testing that employs the use of dynamic and static pressure onto the panel. To showcase the ThinkPad toughness, a Yamato Lab staff even stood on a test model and successfully turned it on afterwards, inviting applause and amazed exclamations from all in attendance.
Meanwhile, vibration testing fixes them to a randomly vibrating table and assesses their ability to withstand the jostling, a necessary precaution to prevent mechanical failure in real-world use. A smaller test that happens within this space includes base cover tamper detection to avoid unauthorised access to inside components, which is especially relevant for newer models with their easy-open base covers designed for fuss-free repair and component replacement. To increase security, a safety switch has been added to the circuit boards.
As the lid of a notebook is closed and opened regularly, the importance of hinge durability cannot be understated. There are a few considerations to keep in mind, namely that the hinge must not interfere with wiring and needs to be of a certain size – if it’s too big, airflow will be blocked – before putting both traditional hinges, as well as the 360-degree Yoga ones, through the rigours of automated LCD opening/closing testing.
@geekculture The Lenovo ThinkPad has one of the most enduring legacies in the laptop world, and a behind-the-scenes tour to Yamato Lab in Yokohama, Japan, including a tour of the ThinkPad Museum, shows just what goes into maintaining its stellar reputation. With over 200 tests conducted in the facility, here's a peek behind the curtain, including something you’ll never think of doing – a full bodyweight stepping test! #lenovo #thinkpad #japan #yamatolab #tech #behindthescenes #geek ♬ original sound – Geek Culture
The Yamato Lab pays attention to the small details, too. While hardware robustness is key, it doesn’t neglect other parts of the user experience, such as Wi-Fi connectivity, and audio and camera performance. The Wireless and Acoustic Design Lab includes rooms shielded from radio waves and sounds, with the hemi-anechoic chamber offering a quiet, isolated environment to conduct acoustic testing using high-quality microphones across various scenarios.
During the visit, two different generations of ThinkPads were deployed to compare the audio quality of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”, and the difference is clear even to the untrained ear. Similarly, wireless performance testing takes place in an enclosed room and involves rotating a test model 360-degrees to ensure signals can be received at every angle.
Rounding out the Yamato Lab tour is the Camera Design Lab, focusing on developing camera tech best suited for online meetings. To ensure color accuracy, models with varying skin tones are used for testing, alongside different lighting scenarios – from the warm yellows of hotel illumination to white fluorescent hues – to optimise white balance.
There’s also internal testing for DXOMark validation, an independent benchmarking website that scientifically assesses smartphones, lenses, and cameras, covering three main areas: skin tones, timing, and HDR, short for high dynamic range. AI processing is then applied to produce truer-to-life colours and skin tones.
This latest Yamato Lab experience is only a small slice of what its research and development capabilities has to offer, baked into over 30 years of expertise and innovation. An interesting peek behind the curtain, it’s a testament to the ThinkPad’s enduring presence in an ever-evolving scene, proving just why it’s Lenovo’s source of pride – and rightly so.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
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