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Lenovo on Tuesday introduced six new products to set the stage for the PC maker's Think platform for 2010. The additions to the Think lineup include five laptops and a server, all of which target both enterprise business and SMB users.
The line boasts a new ultraportable laptop and a server costing under US$400. The new models include built-in webcams, dual microphones and microphone mute buttons. Users can hit a keyboard toggle to temporarily mute the microphone and blank the camera during teleconferences.
Perhaps one of the most unusual inducements to interest buyers in the new laptops is the company's three-year warranty on battery life. Depending on the model and configuration, the new laptops can provide power up to 12.2 hours, according to Lenovo.
Lenovo hopes the new Thinkpad line up will attract SMB customers stateside and buyers in emerging foreign markets, according to Mika Majapuro, senior world wide product marketing manager for Lenovo.
"Our strategy is to protect our core and attack when we see a good opportunity almost like a boxer," Majapuro told TechNewsWorld.
Attack Targets
Lenovo is targeting buyers in the SMB and emerging markets. For Lenovo, these markets are Latin America, Russia, Turkey, India and China, he said.
The features built into this latest Thinkpad inventory focus virtual meetings and teleconferences. The economy has forced many companies to cut back on business travel, noted Majapuro, and teleconferencing is often looked at as a lower-cost substitute for face-to-face meetings.
These features include 2-megapixel cameras that work well in poor lighting typical of small and home offices. The laptops have dual microphones that capture voices in front of the computer and cancel out ambient sounds from the background.
Another business feature to make teleconferencing more convenient is a dedicated hardware button on the keyboard. A mute button allows users to silence the microphone and blank the video camera simultaneously to allow for private conversations. The teleconference resumes with the push of the button.
"We wanted to focus on innovation that matters in today's market and will continue to matter as we get out of this recession," said Majapuro.
Feature Factory
The Thinkpad models are powered by the Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) Core i7 processor family. Buyers have numerous options for RAM, storage and operating systems. Some of the models have carbon glass fiber covers to make them more lightweight and durable.
OS choices include Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Windows XP Professional, Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate. Memory options range from 1 through 8 GB. Similarly, hard drives range in capacity from 80 GB to 500 GB. Some models offer SSD storage of 80 or 128GB.
Battery configurations offer 4-cell, 6-cell and 9-cell options. Running time varies from 3.6 to 12.2 hours. With Lenovo's battery warrantee, customers can get replacement batteries if the running time after three years falls below the rated hours, according to Majapuro.
When the laptops are in standby or hibernation modes, at least one USB port remains powered. This allows users to charge other devices or run USB-powered devices while the laptop is otherwise not powered up.
Laptop Highlights
The W701 and W701ds weigh 8.973 lbs and measure 16.14 by 12.2 by 1.59. They come with a 17-inch WUXGA/WXGA+ display. A second display option is available on the W701ds, a 10.6-inch WXGA screen.
Nvidia (Nasdaq: NVDA) Quadro FX 3800M or FX 2800M supply the graphics. Both models have embedded X-Rite color calibrator and Wacom digitizer.
The X201 is Lenovo's ultra-light performance portable. The X201s is a scaled-down version for buyers who do not need the full performance delivery of the X201. Both models have a 12.1-inch WXGA LED display with a screen resolution of 16:10. Intel HD Graphics are available through external USB Optical Drive or Ultrabase. Ultrabase offers a combination R/W DVD drive.
Included are three USB ports and a VGA connector along with sockets for microphone/line-in and headphone/line-out. Also provided are an Expresscard slot (54mm), 5-1 media card reader with modem or 3-1 media card with modem.
The X201 weighs from 2.89 lbs to 3.52 lbs depending on the battery type. The X201s weighs 2.48 lbs to 3.11 lbs depending on battery choice.
The X201 models start at approximately US$1,199, and the X201s models start at approximately $1,599.
Lenovo designed the X201 tablet to allow users to change from tablet mode to keyboard mode with the flip of a switch.
The Thinkpad Tablet weighs 3.57 lbs. with a 4-cell battery and 3.95 lbs. with an 8-cell battery. Models start at approximately $1,549.
Server Side
the Think Server TS200v is built with 65 percent recycled plastic. An option besides the Intel Core processor is a choice of Intel Pentium G6950 or Intel Celeron G1101. The Intel 3450 chipset offers support for Intel AMT 6.0, Rapid Storage Technology 9.5, AT-p (TDT), Quiet System Technology, Integrated MAC and Integrated Graphics Support with PAVP 1.5.
The TS200v is configured with one PCIe and 16 slots, one PCIe and one slot, two PCI slots, 10 USB 2.0 ports, one DB9 COM port, one DB-15 VGA connector and one DP Energy Star Server 1.0.
Intel Active Management Technology 6.0 is available with Intel Core i5
processors, and standard management is available with Intel Celeron,
Pentium and Core i3 processors. The server is housed in a Tower Form
Factor that measures 14.54 by 6.89 by 16.34 inches. Models start under $400.
