Lenovo ThinkPad L Series arrives for the eco-conscious professional
By Joanna Stern 
posted April 20th 2010 12:00AM
posted April 20th 2010 12:00AM
New Lenovo ThinkPad L Series Laptops Help Businesses "Do More, Save More"
Highest Amounts of Recycled Content and Enhanced VoIP Web Conferencing
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – April 20, 2010: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today is introducing a new Series of ThinkPad - the L Series. Designed for business, government and education customers, the ThinkPad L412 and L512 laptops feature high performance with the latest Intel processing technologies, military tough durability and strong web conferencing features in an affordable laptop starting under $700. Additionally, the laptops are the greenest on the market by integrating the highest amounts of post consumer recycled content.
Business-Focused Performance
The laptops come with technologies students and employees need to be productive in their daily work, like:
• Choices of the latest Intel Core i3 and i5 processors with Turbo Boost and Hyperthreading technology
• 16:9 HD antiglare displays on the 14-inch L412 and 15-inch L512
• Choices of Intel integrated or ATI Mobility Radeon graphics
• 3G/4G wireless connectivity options with Gobi 2000 module support for AT&T, Sprint and Verizon
• Multitouch touchpads
• Up to 8 hours of battery life1
• Expansion with 4 USB ports/1 powered, combo eSATA/USB port, support for DisplayPort and VGA
• Windows 7 with Lenovo Enhanced Experience featuring up to 57% faster bootup and shutdown2
The laptops also have the enterprise features businesses and IT administrators require such as global availability, image stability, a three year battery warranty and docking. They also include ThinkVantage Technologies tools like Access Connections to make the computing experience more productive for users. The L Series laptops pass the tough test for withstanding the wear and tear of the office or the rigor of the field to give users long term value. They meet eight different military specification tests for high and low temperatures, vibration, altitude, dust and more.
"Today more than ever before, customers are looking to get more out of their PC technology," said Dilip Bhatia, executive director, ThinkPad Product Marketing, Lenovo. "We designed the new L Series to give users the most important features for being productive like cutting-edge processing performance, long battery life and a VoIP-optimized design without sacrificing the reliability and durability ThinkPad is known for."
Expanded Green Footprint
Lenovo continues to expand its emphasis on green design with the L Series. The laptops use up to 30 percent post consumer content from office water jugs and used IT equipment in parts like the LCD cover, palm rests and top/bottom case. The L512 laptop contains 18 percent post consumer content (PCC) total, making it the industry's highest amount of PCC in a laptop.3 Each L Series laptop saves the equivalent of 10 plastic water bottles. Overall, Lenovo has used 42 million gross pounds of PCC since 2005 in Think-branded products.
Also, as part of the lifecycle design process, the laptops meet Energy Star 5.0 for high energy efficiency and are rated EPEAT Gold in the U.S. for their environmental attributes. The laptops are 40 percent more energy efficient than previous ThinkPad laptops, and users can deploy Lenovo's Power Manager software tool to monitor and adjust their power settings. Additionally, the laptops are shipped in nearly 100 percent recycled packaging that can simply be thrown into a customer's recycling bin. Lenovo has committed to packaging reduction, recently reducing packaging material by 20 percent of yearly volume, saving an additional 10 paper coffee cups per box shipped.
Tailored for Web Conferencing
The L Series laptops are tailored for an excellent voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) experience. First, they offer the full range of connectivity options, from Ethernet and Bluetooth to WiFi, 3G and 4G. The laptops are equipped with a high resolution camera that works well in low lighting conditions, like for conferences in hotel rooms. The camera even white balances automatically so conferences are more life-like.
A digital-array microphone with echo cancellation let users conduct conferences even in noisy rooms. The speakers are placed directly underneath the screen and above the keyboard for rich sound quality. Hardware audio control keys – speaker mute and audio mute – are conveniently located to the left of the keyboard for easy access. And by pressing the shortcut Function + F6 hotkey combination, users can navigate a simple software interface to modify VoIP settings.
A Powerful Learning Platform
Built to withstand the heavy daily use in K12 and higher education, the ThinkPad L Series laptops are equipped with the technologies to get students through the school day.
Beyond providing education-focused PC technology, Lenovo is committed to improving learning and increasing operational efficiency at all levels of academia through the Education Research Initiative (ERI). ERI joins hundreds of thousands of students, teachers and researchers from schools across the world to evaluate and quantify how technology can systemically improve education. As part of this research, the ThinkPad L Series will be deployed at institutions for student learning while promoting instructional innovation and data-driven decision making for faculty and administrators.
Pricing and Availability4
The ThinkPad L412 and L512 laptops are available starting in mid-May through www.lenovo.com and business partners. Pricing for models starts at approximately $649.
For the latest Lenovo news, subscribe to Lenovo RSS feeds or follow Lenovo on Twitter and Facebook.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building exceptionally engineered personal computers. Lenovo's business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group's acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.
1With 9 cell battery.
2Improvement claim is based on testing Windows® 7 L412 and L512 against non-configured system. The L Series laptops have been optimized. Actual times and their relative improvements vary by model, with an average boot and shutdown improvement of up to 57%. Improvements may vary according to the exact configuration of the system and may degrade over time depending on other software installed or changes made to system settings. Lenovo optimization does not impact any essential services or software features.
3According to the EPEAT registry as of 4/20/2010.
4Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice and is tied to specific terms and conditions. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.
@VanillaSperm It may not be the prettiest leptop on the block, but Lenovo knows how to make a rock-solid laptop, even at the low-end of the price spectrum. My SL410 that I just got last month is built like a brick, and the keyboard is fantastic. I've always been a fan of bland, understated design - leaves less distraction from what's important, the stuff on the screen. I'm extremely happy, especially coming from my beleaguered iBook G4 that was more trouble than good for its entire 4 year life.
Couldn't disagree more.
Plastic laptops look chintzy, especially if they are silver/ gray and flimsy. Thinkpad black camouflages it a bit and the soft coating on the cover give them a high end look and feel.
For those who acclimate to the trackpoint- it is a far superior method than accidentally clicking every time you lay your finger on a touchpad. Touchpads drive me nuts, trackpoint is as good as a mouse.
@VanillaSperm HP Elitebooks have trackpoints, Dell Latitudes and Precisions have trackpoints, Thinkpads have trackpoints, Sony Vaio P has a trackpoint.
@VanillaSperm Don't move the goalposts. You said no other laptop maker has a trackpoint. You are utterly and completely wrong.
@VanillaSperm
Yes as a matter of fact I studied "diligently" to master to ancient art of trackpoint navigation."
Dell still has some.
Your second point is irrelevant- mass adoption does not always equal superior technology. I am not sure why you think Lenovo would go to the trouble if no one wanted them- many people prefer the trackpoint.
@nfusion770
Another benefit is that you don't have to move your hand far from the keys, making it better for anything that involves a lot of key input while mouse navigation, for example CAD.
@VanillaSperm
I have to agree with you. Lenovo is pretty dumb when it comes to design. Although their largest stock share holder is the Chinese Government so I can see why.
@VanillaSperm wow you're such a tool.
Sigh. Lenovo's Thinkpad line is mainly designed by the Americans who designed Thinkpads when they were part of IBM's product line. Almost nothing has changed for the worse, and I happen to love the solid black look. Sure they could make them prettier but it's meant for businesses mostly, not regular consumers who love flair and style. I'm just a college student but my T61's sturdiness has made itself last almost two years without almost any issues, unlike my previous two Dells that I had to fix many times, and that completely broke after 2-3 years of use, not abuse. I've dropped this a few times, not from too high but still, and it took zero damage. If I had a Dell, HP, or pretty much any other manufacturer's laptop, it would almost definitely not have lasted me this long, and surely not in good condition. Lenovo is awesome and you won't see such innovation by other companies until years after Lenovo pioneers it.
@rhomaion I'd have to disagree with you. This is a design that has worked for almost 20 years when first used by IBM and subsequently, Lenovo. It's a business machine first and foremost. Underneath that dull exterior (to some - I rather like how svelt it is) is some fantastic engineering. Very rigid, legendary keyboard, and the right technology to give it varied performance depending on one's needs. All packaged for a reasonable price considering the competition.
@nfusion770 Would perfer the lenovo 15 series.. Anyway its core-specs is somewhat good already. Reactions-- http://bit.ly/lenovo-thinkpad-14-15-impressions
@VanillaSperm
Some people prefer functionality over form. It's not likely that I'll drop my laptop off a table or chuck it against a wall, but my Lenovo's saved my ass a couple of times with its robustness when somebody trips over my power cord. You find me an HP that'll survive a fall of 4 feet and turn back on like nothing happened.
Lenovo > *
@VanillaSperm I freaking love the nub pointer. It's the only way I can have my hands in typing position and simultaneously operate my cursor. Very very awesome and convenient for me.
@VanillaSperm
Dell is NOT better than HP mister.
It's pretty funny how companies are up-selling crappy specs by claiming it is eco-friendly. It just goes to show that most people are idiots.
@VanillaSperm
Sony = Asus = Dell = HP = Toshiba = Acer = Gateway = Lenovo
It's all about your preferences and what you want in a machine. Welcome to second grade.
@JW No, they are most certainly not all the same.
Dell=Kia
HP=Hyundai
Toshiba=Chevy
Acer=Subaru
Sony=Audi/VW
Lenovo=Mercedes
Panasonic=Volvo (or Freightliner)
Apple= BMW
In my EXPERIENCE the only ones worth looking at are Acer and above. Dells and HPs can be accepted as gifts for fooling around, but if your company offers one turn it down. Lenovo is the right machine for 90% of budget buyers. Buy a used Lenovo before a new Dell. Buy an Apple if you can afford it, unless you prefer pc then stick with Lenovo. Panasonic if you have a specialized need, ipad if your needs are minimal. It's simple enough. But they are anything but equal, and really there's not a single decent machine you can grab at Best Buy.
Actually these are low end Thinkpads designed to replace the SL series that is being discontinued. These will be cheap. I saw this news a few days ago on a Chinese site.
@VanillaSperm
"The truth: I've actually witness people look at a Lenovo laptop and run away"
HOLY CRAP THAT LAPTOP ISN'T SHINY RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@VanillaSperm
"It's not like even the cheapest sony brand laptop would fall apart if you moved it around from one table to the other. "
Except my white macbook 4.1 did exactly that. Never thrown around and never really taken outside the house, yet has pieces of plastic from the palmrest and bezel falling off. We have some 5-year old thinkpads at work. They're built like tanks unlike my macbook.
@VanillaSperm
In your social circle, 90% of the time a laptop is well taken care of, 10% is mishandled, accident happen.You and your friends are welcome to join the club who break their LCD, and believe that's under warranty, thus manufacture should replace.
For those hating on Thinkpads, hold a T400s once. Amazingest laptop and I got one.
Not to mention that Thinkpads age really well.
VanillaSperm is a certified troll.
650$ for a Celeron? Wow, that's green.
@Atkins Lenovo has 20-30% off about 95% of the time. Not to mention the countless coupon sites that have additional savings on top of that. Competition does that. You see, I can't go out and legitmately by OSX on a competitor's machine because Jobs won't allow it. Therefore Apple is free to overinflate their margins. That allows Apple to "control" the user experience and pawn it off as being a well-built OS. If you limit the hardware to only a few configurations it's relatively easy to develop an OS. I digress. Lenovo competes with other PC manufacturers, and that competition allows you to save a lot more. If you don't bother searching for deals out there then you're doing a disservice to yourself.
@lerxst True, true. I am completely drunk, but still I am pretty sure I agree with you :)
@VanillaSperm
4ft? Wow, how did your laptop get to those height? You might as well say 40 or 50 ft.
@VanillaSperm
Jesus, did a Lenovo touch you inappropriately when you were a kid or what?
Ugly. Yikes...
@VanillaSperm
lenovos are built for quality, they look basic and fine and are not catered to 16 year olds like yourself to look flashy there forbusiness/work. i still have a t40 from 2003(7 years if u can count) and i still use it its quality is top notch. ive spilled yogurt on it working lol and ive dropped it twice and its still in great condition with no issues. so many once u graduate grade school u may understand that when ur working u need reliability not something to show off
@VanillaSperm
If you want something shiny, poorly designed, with limited options get an iPad (or any Apple for that matter). Enjoy your crappy keyboard and glossy display, outdated hardware (Apple JUST introduced i5 and i7 laptops, lol), non-replaceable battery, and crippled OS.
LOL at you iSheep. These laptops are classics. The design methodology is to improve them, not redesign every few years to sell more crap like others.
P.S. - You're complaining about the trackpoint (nub) when ThinkPads come with a touchpad as well? Yes, options are terrible. Good thing you can't play Flash on an iPad. One less option.
thinkpads are quality.
love the understatement-attitude of this machine!
"green" on top of that? all the better!
i really like how they keep the look functional and timeless.
ARE THOSE PLASTIC HINGES? ON A THINKPAD!?
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
I suppose it is too much to ask for an i7, with the hopes of being green and all - you know efficiency and such.
I am on the edge of my seat though for the ATI Mobility Radeon, what could it be? Discrete graphics chips suck up juice so why not just throw in an i7 while your at it! Doesn't HAVE to be quadro...
No metal hinges though? I hope being green doesn't mean lesser build quality. If it ends up in the dumb faster, it isn't greener.
I find Thinkpads to be the most consistently attractive laptops out there. I appreciate them aesthetically but more importantly past experience has taught me that Thinkpads are solid and reliable and that is what I want from any electronic device.
Man, I really hope Lenovo doesn't redo the entire R-series with 16/9 screens!