Has any of the newer ThinkPad models been upgraded to use a metal case or they are still made out of plastic? Asking as that is the main deal-breaker for me

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jeswin 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I've been a ThinkPad user forever, and I wouldn't buy another one if they "upgraded" to metal like everyone else. If I were to guess, most serious ThinkPad users would want the current shell, the dated appearance, and the keyboard to not change much or at all.

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captain_coffee 2 hours ago | parent [-]

Any particular reason for avoiding the metal cases? I was under the impression that a metal case - making the laptops more durable and resistant to potential damage - would be a desirable thing.

	▲	mft_ an hour ago \| parent \| next [-]
		It’s common that the right plastic can be more durable and resistant to damage (up to a point) than metal - the right plastic doesn’t show small marks as clearly as metal, and for larger impacts (again, within reason) plastic flexes, absorbs energy, and returns to its original shape, while metal dents and bends.
	▲	jeswin 2 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		Personally I think hard plastic (like on ThinkPads) is more resistant to damage than metal cases. Also, the textured surface is less slippery. And - ThinkPad repair (especially old models) is usually cheaper because businesses by so many of them.
	▲	zwaps an hour ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		The internal structure has been metal since a long time afaik The outside is a very durable rubber material. Certainly more durable than my Macbook Pro

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teknopaul 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I read somewhere that in Shenzhen you can get metal thinkpad clones with any modern hardware you like, made to order, one at a time for a resonable price.

Not sure if it still exists

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ofalkaed 3 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

They have some metal cased models, I am currently on an aluminum cased X13. There are a few others (or atleast were) but don't recall which.