Lenovo launches IdeaPad, IdeaStation laptop and desktop lines

IBM Lenovo's Think brand (ThinkPad, ThinkStation) has gotten the company far, but it was clear those boring numbers (3000, 2000) just weren't cutting the mustard. Say hello to Lenovo's new global portable and desktop computing brands: IdeaPad and IdeaStation, respectively. While details on the IdeaStation desktop lineup are still pretty sparse, the laptop lineup has three machines running the gamut of sizes -- the Y710 (17-inch gaming rig), Y510 (15-inch workhorse), and U110 (11-inch ultraportable) -- all featuring VeriFace (facial recognition software), media keys, textured lids, and flush bezels, and available in April. Too bad none have WWAN -- that really would have made our day. Check out the specs:

Y710 (above)

• 17-inch WXGA (1440 x 900) CCFL VibrantView display
• Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 (2.5GHz)
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD2600, 256MB
• Up to 4GB RAM, up to 500GB in drives
• Game Zone keyboard lighting, and auxiliary display with resource usage and performance controls
• Blu-ray reader with dual-layer CD / DVD burner
• 802.11a/b/g/n (but no Bluetooth, apparently)
• HDMI, VGA, S-Video
• (4) USB 2.0, ExpressCard, 1394, media reader
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• Dolby Home Theater sound: four speakers + subwoofer
• 15.6 x 11.2 x 1-1.5-inches, 7.9 pounds
• Starts at $1,200.

U110 (the rest of the specs are still pending)

• 11-inch WXGA (1280 x 800) CCFL display
• 0.7-inches thick, 2.3-pounds

Click on for the rest on the Y510; gallery below.

Gallery: Lenovo launches IdeaPad, IdeaStation laptop and desktop lines

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Y510

• 15.4-inch WXGA (1280 x 800) CCFL VibrantView display
• Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 (1.83GHz)
• Intel GMA X3100 graphics (up to 256MB)
• Up to 4GB RAM, up to 250GB drive
• Dual-layer CD / DVD burner
• 802.11a/b/g/n (but no Bluetooth, apparently)
• VGA, S-Video
• (3) USB 2.0, ExpressCard, 1394, media reader
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• Dolby Home Theater sound: four speakers + subwoofer
• 14.3 x 10.2 x 1.1-1.4-inches, 6.4 pounds
• Starts at $800.

[Russ @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:05AM]

Mediocre displays have always been the worst part of Thinkpads. I hope this 'Vibrant View' is more than just a glossy screen.

[Russ @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:06AM]

Oh Hell NO! What the eff did they do with the TrackPoint?

[EEaudio08 @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:43AM]

those are flippin sexy

[Jeff @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:07AM]

They still look like basically any other cheap laptop. It's actually kind of annoying to me, as a former ThinkPad owner. The whole point of a TP is its build quality; trying to cash in on the name with a clearly inferior line (as the 3000 line was, and this line looks to be) just strikes me as disingenuous. I've seen people who don't know any better describe the 3000 as "similar to a ThinkPad", which it just isn't. This is not going to make the line demarcations any clearer.

Eventually, this blurring of categories is going to cheapen the ThinkPad lineup. They'll start cutting corners and nobody will care, because after all, why should the ThinkPad be any different than the "IdeaPad"?

[Jon @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:24AM]

But you see, these are not ThinkPads!

I will wait for a proper ThinkPad, but these looks about right for consumers.

[w @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:07AM]

i'm prety sure i will buy this.

[quiksilv3r @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:22AM]

They need to up the res on the 17" and 15" ones, especially if they 17" is to have a BR drive. Bluetooth is a must for me in ANY laptop, makes life a bit easier. :) LED back lit would be nice too, but I don't see it.
Ultraportale = Hot at under an Inch thickness.

[Superevil @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:10AM]

Definetly, if it's gonna have a 17" screen it should at LEAST have a 1680x1050 res.

[Kevin Low @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:07AM]

I want the Y710 with a 15.4-inch screen. Why are 15.4-inch laptops always so wimpy?

[John @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:25AM]

that looks pretty sexy. If I was in the market for a new laptop, I'd probably consider one of those, assuming it's got the build quality to match the looks.

[Mike @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:27AM]

What's S-Vodeo? No LED backlit displays? And a 17" with only WXGA? Pathetic and low-rent.

WUXGA
nVidia GFX because ATI/AMD can't write stable drivers for their life
SSD the day of the platter is dead, the prices are artificially high. OEMS can incorporate them cheaper.
Penryn Proc is a good touch, but only a 9300? Please.
forgo the quadraphonic with subwoofer sound which I am sure would sound craptastic. Add a dual duty TOSLINK/Analog port like apple has. Because your either going to be using your kick-ass desk stereo or your headphones really.

And will someone please KILL S-Video, VGA and PS2 ALREADY!%@#^#%@&@ F backwards compatibility, I want bleeding edge.

[dc @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:30AM]

Wow... no Trackpoint, low res screens. This is progress? Look at the number of legacy ports on this crap. I like the industrial design, but everything else is crap. Sticking to the T series for now...

[Russ @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:08AM]

some of the images have what appear to be trackpoints in the upper right hand portion of the keyboard.

[evan @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:09AM]

These are LENOVO laptops, and has nothing to do with thinkpads. notice how the naming convention is completely different. no t/r/x in front of the names.

lenovo makes lenovo laptops as well as thinkpads. these are the former. no need to fret, thinkpad owners.

[Tech^Cellfish @ Jan 3rd 2008 2:58AM]

Nice "Apple-hinge" on the display.

[zzz @ Jan 3rd 2008 6:08AM]

Oh boy, Lenovo should also introduce some 10" or 11" laptops to their ThinkPad line. If they revived the s30 line that would be my wet dream comes true.

[Billy @ Jan 7th 2008 5:44PM]

Qhy are people keep confusing these with the ThinkPad line? These are consumer products, vastly differentiated from the ThinkPads.