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Lenovo's Lost & Found looks to guilt trip thieves into returning your ThinkPad

So, a little situation for you. You leave your ThinkPad in the third row of waiting seats at Jackson Hole Airport, already distraught that you're departing Winter Wonderland and heading back to reality. A kindhearted Wyomian happens upon it, and clearly recognizes that he / she should figure out a way to return it. If you're signed up for the gratis Lost & Found service (which does require a subscription to Absolute Computrace), the finder will spot a 1-800 number on the outside of the ThinkPad or on the display as it's powered on. From there, he / she simply dials the aforementioned number, waits for the free pre-paid box to arrive, ships it off to Lenovo (to protect your address, naturally) and basks in the satisfaction of knowing that Lenovo will handle the shipping to you. Sound good? Great -- it's now available on all ThinkPads enabled with Absolute Software's Computrace. Phew!


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Lenovo Lost & Found Simplifies Returning Lost ThinkPad Laptops

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – October 1, 2009: Lenovo (HKSE: 0992) today announced Lenovo Lost & Found, a new service that makes it easy for anyone who finds a lost ThinkPad laptop to return it to its owner. Lost & Found is available exclusively on ThinkPad laptops enabled with Absolute® Software's Computrace® for Lenovo at no additional charge.1

The Lost & Found service of Computrace for Lenovo combines software and security tools from Lenovo and Absolute Software with additional alerts that make it easy to return missing PCs to their registered owners. Considering that a lost laptop can cost a company almost $50,000 on average in data breaches, lost data, lost productivity and legal and regulatory expenses, not to mention replacing the laptop itself, the ability to securely retrieve a lost laptop could help businesses save millions in the long run.2

"Lenovo Lost & Found gives the Good Samaritans who find a lost ThinkPad laptop a free and simple way to return a ThinkPad laptop to its rightful owner," said Peter Schrady, vice president and general manager of Software, Peripherals and Enterprise Products, Lenovo. "In an incredibly fast-paced, mobile work environment accidents happen, and this service can provide added peace of mind for owners who misplace their laptops. At the same time, Lenovo makes it easy for people to do the right thing."

"Through the collaboration of Absolute and Lenovo, our customers can feel safe knowing that their data is secure while Lenovo works with the finder on their behalf to get their ThinkPad laptop safely back in their hands," said Rich Cohen, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Absolute Software. "This new service combined with our industry-unique Theft Recovery Team protects ThinkPad customers from both accidental loss and the theft of their computers."

Back to Business in a Few Easy Steps

Lenovo Lost & Found provides a simple, five-step process for lost ThinkPad laptops to be identified and returned to their owners.

1. If the PC is lost, the owner can flag it with Absolute to have the PC automatically lock if turned on. If it's turned on, the screen can display a message indicating the laptop is lost and will provide a toll-free number to return the laptop. Alternatively, anyone who finds a ThinkPad laptop can call the toll-free number for Lenovo found on a sticker on the outside of the laptop.

2. Lenovo receives the call, confirms the registration of the laptop for Lost & Found and sends a pre-paid shipping box to the finder
3. The finder sends the ThinkPad laptop to Lenovo
4. Lenovo ships the laptop to the owner
5. The owner unlocks the ThinkPad through Absolute once the PC is returned to him

Customers purchasing ThinkPad laptops can select one of several Computrace for Lenovo security solutions. Select versions of Computrace for Lenovo, which is embedded in the BIOS on ThinkPad laptops, makes it possible to track and recover a stolen PC. The new Lost & Found service takes the Absolute Software offering one step further by providing an easy way for anyone who finds a ThinkPad to return it to its owner.

Pricing and Availability3

The Lenovo Lost & Found service will be available in the U.S., starting in October. Lost & Found is available at no additional cost to customers who purchase a ThinkPad laptop and Absolute Software's Computrace for Lenovo from www.lenovo.com, Lenovo sales representatives and Lenovo business partners. Existing ThinkPad laptop customers who have Computrace installed will automatically receive Lost & Found capabilities including device locking capabilities and on-screen messaging later in October.

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About Absolute Software

Absolute Software Corporation (TSX: ABT) is the leader in computer theft recovery, data protection and secure IT asset management solutions. Absolute Software provides organizations and consumers with solutions in the areas of regulatory compliance, data protection and theft recovery. The Company's Computrace software is embedded in the firmware of computers by global leaders, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, Fujitsu, General Dynamics Itronix, HP, Lenovo, Motion, Panasonic and Toshiba, and the Company has reselling partnerships with these OEMs and others, including Apple. For more information about Absolute Software and Computrace, visit www.absolute.com and http://blog.absolute.com. Computrace and Absolute are registered trademarks of Absolute Software Corporation.

About Lenovo

Lenovo (HKSE: 0992) (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.


1Absolute Software's Computrace for Lenovo is a paid, subscription-based service. Lost & Found is provided free of charge with subscription to Absolute Software's Computrace for Lenovo.

2http://www.ponemon.org/local/upload/fckjail/generalcontent/18/file/Cost%20of%20a%20Lost%20Laptop%20White%20Paper%20Final%203.pdf

3Price does not include tax and is 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.