Lenovo Group Ltd is unveiling a new look for its classic ThinkPad line, and is including AMD microprocessors in the laptops for the first time.
The company unveiled the new ThinkPad laptop series - the "ThinkPad Edge," - which includes 13, 14 and 15 inch models designed specifically for small to medium sized business (SMB) customers. Lenovo also announced the the ThinkPad X100e, the company's first professional-grade ultraportable laptop starting below $500 and four new ThinkPad PCs - the T410s, T410 and T510 laptops and W510 mobile workstation based on Intel's CPUs.
First ThinkPad Laptops Featuring VISION Pro Technology from AMD
Simply called "ThinkPad Edge," the 13, 14 and 15 inch models are designed specifically for small to medium sized business (SMB) customers. The 13 inch model represents the first ThinkPad laptop to offer AMD dual core processor technology and to be offered on AMD's VISION Pro Technology. The new laptops also include new rich color choices and a new contemporary keyboard. Lenovo also said that it was expanding its retail sales channel to offer select ThinkPad Edge models in Best Buy stores.
The ThinkPad Edge Series laptops reflect a new clean appearance while retaining ThinkPad reliability. For example, the laptops include spill-resistant keyboards and value-added ThinkVantage Technologies like the Active Protection System and Rescue and Recovery.
Basic features include:
- Contemporary Keyboard - A new contemporary keyboard gives the laptop a clean and inviting look. Uniform black keys and removal of the embedded number pad also help create a modern design. The Function keys have even been re-designed so that users only need to use one finger to access multimedia functions and more. Other rarely used keys like System Request have been removed. Additionally, select models of the ThinkPad Edge 14 and 15 inch versions will come with illuminated keyboards for visibility in low light conditions while adding a touch of elegance to the keyboard.
- Expanded Touchpad - A multitouch touchpad provides an oversized landing pad for fingers to pinch, zoom and scroll.
- Colorful Palette - Midnight Black in either gloss or soft finishes remain the traditional color for business, but for those who want to make a statement, ThinkPad Edge laptops come in Heatwave Red too. Additionally, a sleek silver band frames the exterior of the laptop.
- Choices of AMD Turion and Athlon Neo dual core processors or Intel Core 2 Duo ultra low voltage and standard dual core processors
- Optimized for Windows 7 under Lenovo's Enhanced Experience program
- Long battery life of over eight hours
- Wireless connectivity technologies including WiFi and optional Bluetooth, 3G and WiMAX
- Voice over Internet protocol with Skype software, high definition speakers, high resolution, low light sensitivity cameras and microphone and camera mute keys
The ThinkPad Edge 13 inch version will be available starting January 5 with models starting at approximately $549 through Lenovo Business Partners and www.lenovo.com. The 14 and 15 inch versions will be available starting in 2Q 2010. Select Best Buy stores in the U.S. will offer the 14 inch version.
VISION Pro Technology from AMD with ThinkPad X100e
Lenovo also announced the ThinkPad X100e, the company's first professional-grade ultraportable laptop starting below $500.
Equipped with choices of AMD Athlon Neo single and dual core processors and Turion dual core processors, the X100e provides strong performance needed for multitasking and running typical office applications. It also has the performance needed to support corporate operating systems like Microsoft Windows 7 Professional. The X100e comes with Lenovo?s ThinkVantage Technologies, hardware-software tools that help customers deploy, manage and maintain their PCs. The laptop features global availability and technical support along with a variety of warranty options.
Lenovo designed the small and compact X100e to be comfortable to use. It comes with a 11.6 inch high definition display and an ISO full-size keyboard with a multitouch touchpad and Trackpoint for easy navigation. The new contemporary keyboard design features enlarged keys, removal of rarely used keys like System Request and the embedded number pad. The X100e also brings color to ThinkPad with a new choice of Heatwave Red in addition to Midnight Black models.
The X100e maximizes mobility with models starting under three pounds. For wireless connectivity on the go, the laptop comes with 802.11n WiFi and optional Bluetooth and 3G.
The ThinkPad X100e will be available starting January 5 through Lenovo business partners and www.lenovo.com with models starting at $449.
More powerful ThinkPad Laptops
Lenovo also announced four new ThinkPad PCs ? the T410s, T410 and T510 laptops and W510 mobile workstation. The new laptops are based on upcoming Intel Core dual-core processors
The T410s provides a thin and light design with full performance for extremely mobile users, while the T410 and T510 are designed for full performance for mainstream business users. The high performance W510 mobile workstation fits the needs of professionals in data and graphics-demanding fields like oil and gas, computer aided design and photography.
The new PCs offer maximum processing performance with a selection of new upcoming Intel Core processors. Combined with upcoming Intel Core vPro technology and Lenovo?s ThinkVantage Technologies? manageability features, IT departments can remotely manage their PC fleet and deploy power settings, Internet connection profiles and more. Additionally, Intel Turbo Boost Technology on the W510 and T Series laptops automatically accelerates performance, dynamically adjusting to the workload to give business users an immediate performance boost when needed.
More powerful than before, the W510 can now support up to 16 GB of memory and quad core processors. The W510 has four memory slots for up to 16GB of high performance 1333 MHz DDR3 memory. It also offers Nvidia's 1GB GPU and the latest Intel Core i7 processors. As the first ThinkPad to offer USB 3.0, users can transfer data quickly reaching speeds up to 10x the performance over USB 2.0.
The T410s now comes with Nvidia switchable graphics with 512 MB of VRAM so users can balance a visually-intense graphics experience with energy efficiency and battery life. The laptops are also certified under Lenovo's Enhanced Experience program for Windows 7. This means they start up significantly faster than identical configuration, non-optimized PCs. For example, on select Think PCs, Windows 7 starts up to 56 percent faster compared to running Windows XP or Vista and shuts down in as little as five seconds.
A powered USB port comes on all the new PCs and can be used to charge MP3 players, phones and other devices when the PC is on, on standby or off (if plugged in).
The W510 gives users a new kind of power - the power of touch - for a new way to work with an optional multi-finger touch screen. Lenovo includes the SimpleTap application to help make navigating the touchscreen simple. The W510 also has added an optional color calibrator, first debuted in the ThinkPad W700 mobile workstation, to help ensure the most accurate colors on its high gamut full high definition screen.
The new laptops also improve the typing experience with larger Escape and Delete keys. Since Lenovo found users hit the Delete and Escape keys up to 700 times a week on average, the sizes of these keys have been increased starting with the T400s laptop.
To extend the workday even longer without plugging in, Lenovo offers a new nine cell slice battery on the T410, T510 and W510 laptops for up to 22 hours of battery life. The laptops also offer optional 3G connectivity leveraging EV-DO and HSPA wireless networks with Qualcomm Gobi 2000 technology. This module allows businesses to standardize on a single hardware platform that can be deployed globally and accommodate multiple carriers to simplify international deployments.
The ThinkPad T410s, T410, T510 and W510 laptops are available beginning January 7 through business partners and www.lenovo.com. Pricing for models starts approximately at $1,399 for the T410s, $999 for the T410 and T510 and $1,599 for the W510.