Lenovo Thinkpad
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Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 14 gets Core i7 option, extra vroom vroom
We'll be straight with you, we're typing away on a Core i3-equipped Edge 14 right now and we rarely feel the need for more power, but then it's not like Lenovo can afford to keep one of its prettier models sated with just i3s and i5s now, is it? Of course not, so here we are, gazing at a fresh new Core i7-620M upgrade option on the ThinkPad Edge 14, which will set eager buyers back an extra $350 over the more budget-friendly i3-330M default. Opting to splash that hard earned cash will net you Turbo Boost up to 3.33GHz and a not too shabby 2.66GHz regular clock, plus 4MB of cache. The Edge 15, which has so far been just a slightly larger twin to the 14, hasn't yet felt the warm embrace of upgrade mania, but we suspect it too will soon start offering options from Intel's top tier. [Thanks, Jeremy]
WiMAX-equipped ThinkPad Mini 10 visits FCC
Submitted in late April and available for public consumption today, here's an exciting little FCC disclosure from Lenovo. It's that mysterious ThinkPad Mini 10 creature we've been seeing prowling the Australian outback, this time showing up as a test mule for Lenovo's new WiMAX module. The antennae in this submission are likely headed for retail inside things like the almost identical X100e and the rest of Lenovo's US line. We're liking this trend of seeing netbooks and subnotebooks leaving the factory with WiMAX already integrated, but do beware the price premium that'll come attached. Lenovo already asks for $150 extra to stick a Gobi 2000 3G chip in a ThinkPad X100e, we don't expect the 4G option to be any less dear, but we can at least expect it soon(ish). [Thanks, Vance]
Lenovo's eco-friendly ThinkPad L Series arrives cheaper and faster than expected
Lenovo may not have had its ThinkPad L Series laptops out in time for Earth Day, but the company's found an arguably even better incentive to help you help them save the environment: a nice fat upgrade and a small sale to commemorate their new availability. While we were originally told the $649 ThinkPad L412 would house a lowly Celeron P4500 inside its post-consumer-content housing, it appears Lenovo has decided against using that chip entirely -- cue applause -- in favor of the 2.13GHz Core i3-330. What's more, both the 14-inch L412 and 15.6-inch L512 also come with double the memory (2GB in total) and are presently on sale for just $599. Not bad for a slab of recycled plastic, sand and assorted metals, eh?
ThinkPad Edge beats Vostro V13 in LCD stress test (video)
They might officially be targeting the lower end of business budgets, but a quick peek at the attractive stylings of Lenovo's ThinkPad Edge and Dell's Vostro V13 would suggest that both have no shortage of consumer market appeal. So, for the sake of differentiating between these two thin-and-light machines, Lenovo has provided us with one of its torture test videos. Subjecting the V13 and Edge to (hopefully identical) pressure at varying points across the LCD lid, this procedure assesses the robustness of each machine's screen design. In spite of lacking all the fancy metals present in its elder ThinkPad siblings, the Edge comes through the test unscathed and begging for more, whereas the V13 ... well, it doesn't. Skip past the break to see the hideously disfigured LCD that resulted from its visit to the Lenovo labs.
Lenovo ThinkPad Mini 10 lives, but only for Aussie students
If you've been dying to get your hands on a ThinkPad netbook -- and we mean a real Atom-based, 10-inch ThinkPad -- we've got some good news and bad. The good is that Lenovo has indeed been making them, the bad is that you'll have to enroll in a school in New South Wales to get one. Yep, the official word from Lenovo is that the product was a one off deal for the Australian school district. Luckily one unit escaped from the land down under and ended up in our hands yesterday, though we must admit the little laptop is pretty underwhelming since it's just a X100e with a 1024x600 10-inch screen, rather than the original 11.6-inch one. But if an overflowing bezel is your thing, you'll want to enroll in Summer Heights High ASAP (video after the break for those that are unfamiliar with the amazing, yet expired HBO show). We also confirmed that it has an 1.6GHz Atom N450 processor, which has less power than the AMD Neo being used in the X100e, but we'd venture to guess pumps out at least two more hours of juice with the same six-cell battery. The hands-on pictures below are probably the closest you'll come to seeing one of these, so click on through. %Gallery-91447%
Lenovo ThinkPad L Series doesn't look or feel like it's made of recycled materials
Alright, so we didn't really expect the made-partially-of-post-consumer-content (PCC) Lenovo L Series laptops to feel any different than past ThinkPads, but we did get a chance to play around with the recently announced 14- and 15-inch machines yesterday. The solid-feeling chassis is on the heavier end, though that's to be expected from this mainstream line which has built-in optical drives and discrete graphics options. While you may not be getting the svelteness of the T Series, you do get that always-reliable ThinkPad quality -- the classic spill-resistant keys felt solid under our fingertips and the touchpad with its raised dots was equally satisfying. We're actually big fans of the smooth surface treatment they're using on the palmrest as well as the shortcut keys that flank both sides of the keyboard. Obviously, we didn't get a chance to test the battery life or performance in our short time with it, but our guess is those Core i3 and i5 processors won't disappoint spreadsheet and PowerPoint multitaskers. Shouldn't be long before these systems hit Lenovo.com in May, but in the meantime you have the pictures below to help you make a decision on this greener than grass business lappie. %Gallery-91455%
Lenovo ThinkPad L Series arrives for the eco-conscious professional
We told you Lenovo's ThinkPad team was up to something, and two days earlier than its predicted Earth Day launch, the ThinkPad L Series has been released into the atmosphere. While it may look like the ThinkPad R Series -- which it will eventually replace -- Lenovo says the 14-inch L412 and 15-inch L512 are the greenest ThinkPads ever made. Besides being 40 percent more power efficient than "other laptops," they're partially made from recycled office water jugs and miscellaneous used equipment. If all that green stuff doesn't stir your soul, the L Series has the standard ThinkPad chassis and can be specced up to be a pretty solid mainstream business system -- it'll be available with Core i3 or i5 CPU options along with integrated or ATI Radeon graphics. For those with a bit less cash to spare, an entry-level $649 model is equipped with a Celeron P4500 CPU, 160GB hard drive and 1GB of RAM. Pricing on the higher end models remain ambiguous, but these puppies should be available for pre-order on Lenovo's site soon enough, and then ship in what we expect to be very eco-friendly packaging early next month. Until that fateful day arrives, feel free to enjoy the gallery and press release below. %Gallery-91141%
Lenovo to launch new ThinkPads, probably on April 22
Those wily social media hounds over at Lenovo are at it again, this time teasing us with a crossword puzzle relating to a new "ThinkPad Series" of machines. Referencing our handy, and so far wholly accurate, leaked slide from February shows that the only Think-branded laptops not yet revealed are the midrange L series. Positioned to replace the aging R models, the L400 and L500 are expected to slot in as bulkier alternatives to the premier T-label ThinkPads. This puzzle tells us that whatever the new computers, they'll be firmly focused on energy and resource efficiency, and for an extra bit of PR kick, they are likely to be announced on Earth Day 2010, which just happens to be this April 22nd. Let's wait and see what Lenovo does to justify the name change and grab for green attention, eh?
Lenovo ThinkPad W701, W701ds and dual-core X100e shipping to trackpoint lovers
Not getting a rest there, huh, Lenovo? On the heels of the availability of the IdeaPad S10-3s and C200, big L has also been prepping to box and send off some fresh ThinkPads. If the 17-inch, Wacom-equipped W701 and W701ds (dual screen) caught your eye when they were first introduced two months ago we hope you set aside a chunk of change -- the Core i7 / NVIDIA Quadro FX 3800M rig rings up at $3,668.00. Add in that dual screen and you're up to $4,343. On the completely opposite end of the spectrum, that X100e which we recently reviewed is available with a 1.6GHz AMD Turion Neo X2 Dual-Core CPU. We doubt that'll do the sub-four hour battery life any good, but if power in a small package is what you're after it's definitely worth a click on the source link. As for that picture of the X100e with a floppy disk that really has nothing to do with the news, we just came across it on Lenovo's blog and really liked it.
Lenovo ThinkPad X100e review
Ever since we first met Lenovo's ThinkPad X100e at CES we've had it on a virtual pedestal as the perfect solution between a netbook and a larger 13- or 14-inch ULV ultraportable. That's because in addition to carrying the renowned ThinkPad brand, its AMD Neo processor / ATI graphics combo promise more power than the typical Intel Atom N450-powered netbook, and with an 11.6-inch screen the chassis can accommodate a wider keyboard and touchpad. Sounds like the perfect mobile computer, right? Unfortunately, there are two things that hold the $549 X100e from being all we wanted it be. Thought we were going to give it up that easily? Pssh. Hit that read more link for the full review. %Gallery-89306%
Lenovo adds Sprint 3G, 4G support across ThinkPad line
Lenovo's ThinkPads are already all available with 3G support, but the company has just announced a deal with Sprint that will not only add another 3G option, but 4G (as in WiMAX) support as well. That will be available across Lenovo's entire line of ThinkPads and, like other mobile broadband options, will come in the form a SIM card pre-installed in the device. You'll also be able to use Lenovo's Access Connection tool to manage both 3G and 4G connections, which Lenovo claims is the only such tool that can do so.
Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 14 and 15 shipping to small businesses, cupcake lovers
We knew it was only a matter of time before Lenovo finally started shipping the larger and more powerful relatives of the ThinkPad Edge 13. Available from retailers now and Lenovo's own webstore in early April, the 14- and 15-inch Edges have the same design as the Edge 13 -- including the same spill-resistant chiclet keyboard we adore -- but boast more muscle under the hood. While the $599 models pack Celeron processors, they can be configured to your heart's content with Core i3 or i5 CPUs, 5,400 / 7,200rpm drives, Blu-ray and mobile broadband options. And if having a red ThinkPad has always been a drunken fantasy of yours, the Edge 14 and 15 come in a glossy black or red, and a matte black option is there for the traditionalists. Wondering what the Edge 14 and 15 have to do with cupcakes? Apparently Lenovo sent the Edge 14 to a true small business owner -- Lev Ekster, founder of NYC's Cupcake Stop -- a few months ago, and he's been wearing out the AT&T 3G ever since as he gets work done on the go. We've no icing for you, but you can salivate over the full press release after the break.
ThinkPad X201, X201s and X201 Tablet join G455 and G555 in Lenovo shipping party
When Lenovo said the new X series would be ready in early March, it meant early March. It's only the second of the month, but the company's online retail site is already prepared to ship you any one of its Core i7-refreshed ultraportables -- whether it be the standard X201, the svelte X201s, or the multitouch-enabled X201t -- while also adding availability of the G455 and G555 machines for the budget-conscious crowd. The X201t is notable for being the first 12-inch X series unit with a touchpad, though its price is no less eyebrow-raising, with the cheapest configuration costing a cool $2,134. If you don't strictly need a swiveling touchscreen, the far saner $1,349 and $1,099 stickers are attached to the base X201s and X201 models while the new G series asks for a meager $699 investment. [Thanks, Shedd]
Lenovo ThinkPad X201 Tablet review
Oh sure, the world may be off creating underpowered, web-based tablets, but Lenovo's not giving up on those who still need an old-fashioned, fully-powered tablet PC (all 10.1 of you). Truth be told, powerful is exactly how we would describe the new X201 Tablet with its new Intel low voltage Core i7 CPU and 4GB of RAM. But beyond being one of the speedier 12-inch laptops out there, its capacitive touchscreen now lets the touch-happy among us alternate between taking notes with its Wacom stylus and putting two fingers down to zoom or scroll. Sounds like a near perfect experience to us, but before tossing over $1,900 we figured you'd want to make sure it really is. We've been putting the X201T through the paces over the last few days, so hop on past the break for our full review. %Gallery-86132%
10.1-inch ThinkPad X100e surfaces with Atom N450 processor
Well, here's a bit of an interesting development. While we've been seeing Lenovo's ThinkPad X100e out and about for a while now, it's always been with an AMD Neo processor and an 11.6-inch 1,366 x 768 display. According to a spec list that recently turned up on Lenovo's own site, however, it looks like the company may also have another version of the laptop in store that's even more netbook-like. That one not only includes a lower-res, 10.1-inch screen, but an Atom N450 processor as well -- something that had been rumored to be headed to Lenovo netbooks as far back as December. Unfortunately, there's no indication of pricing or availability, although it does seem a bit late in the game for this to simply be a slip-up of some sort.
ThinkPad W701 and W701ds specs emerge from a leaky faucet
Time to update you on another forthcoming update in the laptop world, this time concerning Lenovo's premier widescreen workstation range. Purported internal Lenovo slides from earlier this year show the new W701 and W701ds ThinkPads nonchalantly hanging out next to some pretty beefy spec sheets. The W701, which we saw passing through the FCC, is again listed alongside an Intel Extreme series CPU and a Wacom Digitizer, while its display quality has been upgraded all the way to 100 percent of the NTSC color gamut and 280 nits of brightness. Going stride for stride with it is the dual-screen W701ds, with both machines offering up to 16GB of RAM, SSD options up to a quarter of a terabyte, and Ultrabay expandability. DisplayLink ports and the like are just glazing on the cake, but we can't help noticing the frankly silly two-hour battery rating on the 701ds -- guess that CPU is going to live up to its Extreme name in every way imaginable. The announcement date listed for these machines is February 23, which is when we'll be better able to gauge the veracity of the specs before us.
ThinkPad X201's official maintenance manual reveals new models' specs
That X series refresh we've been waiting on from Lenovo seems to have become imminent as the company's website has published the latest version of its maintenance manual, which now includes the models X201, X201s, X201i and X201si. The X201 will come with Intel CPU options ranging all the way up to the 2.66GHz Core i7-620M -- a true powerhouse with 4MB of cache that is already available on T410 and T510 models -- while the slimmer X201s will plump for the lower-volted Core i7-640LM, clocked at a reputable 2.13GHz but also consuming 10W less power than its chunkier sibling. The X201i and X201si will likely prop up the pseudo-affordable part of Lenovo's range with Core i3-330M parts. And oh yes, touchpads are now an option -- not being excited about this upgrade, however, is not.
Lenovo educates us on the history of the tablet, has 'exciting products to announce this month'
Okay, Lenovo totally knows how to use Twitter. The company's press account has punched out a teasing little note, inviting us to keep a close eye on the near horizon with the expectation of exciting new products to come. We'll concede that aside from the leaked roadmaps, we have no real lead on where this might be heading, but if the video that accompanied the tweet is anything to go by, we can expect a device that (a) almost certainly has handwriting and touchscreen capabilities built in, (b) is extremely likely to sport the ThinkPad branding, and (c) may or may not have a physical keyboard. That is to say, we could just be looking at a quirky new approach to promoting the latest X-series tablet refresh (X201T anyone?), or maybe Lenovo is going way back to its roots and is about to shock and awe us with a ThinkPad slate. All we know for now is that the video is after the break and well worth watching.
Lenovo names T410i, T410si, and T510i ThinkPads in honor of Core i3-330M inside
Hey everybody, new ThinkPads! Lenovo seems hellbent on crushing its reputation for pricey hardware -- while presumably maintaining the related renown for rugged reliability -- and today it's snuck out a set of new i-appended variants of its flagship T series laptops. The T410i, T410si and T510i come equipped with the budget-friendly Core i3-330M CPU from Intel, which runs at 2.13GHz, alongside otherwise typical specs. Memory goes from 2GB to 8GB of DDR3, two megapixel webcams come as standard, and fingerprint sensors can be tacked on as well. Even more friendly to businesses on a shoestring is the option for Windows XP pre-installations on the T410i and T510i. Prices are not yet available, but the whole trio should be coming out by the end of this month, so not long to wait now. [Thanks, Peter]
Lenovo ThinkPad T410s, T510 and W510 now sniffing for your wallets
Lenovo's just reminded us that there's still a world outside CES -- their recently-announced ThinkPad T410s, T510 and W510 are now available for on-line ordering. If you're up for some of that Core i5 / i7 action, prices start from $1,389, $999 and $1,599 respectively, but hey, save some money for the rest of 2010, OK? Your dog needs it.
