Sydney, Australia – 10 March, 2011: Lenovo today announced the ultraportable ThinkPad X220 laptop and the X220 convertible Tablet PC. The ThinkPad X220, the next generation of the best-selling laptop of 20101, and the X220 Tablet provide mobile business professionals with the full performance and usability found in larger laptops, but in an ultraportable design.

The PCs run up to 75 percent faster than their ultraportable competitors that use low-powered CPUs2. They also feature smart PC technologies for incredibly long battery life, with up to 24 hours3 on the ThinkPad X220, and sport a revamped design with hinge-based latching and a giant touchpad in a thinner portable design. Additionally, they feature improved durability with wider drain-holes in the spill resistant keyboard, as well as a 50 percent improvement in drop test performance4.

“Put simply, the ThinkPad X Series has everything a modern road warrior needs without compromises. This includes low weight, long battery life and high performance,” said Chris Kelly, Director, SMB and Consumer, Lenovo Australia and New Zealand. “We’ve refined the mobile computing experience to make it more productive and enjoyable with features like smart PC technologies and enhanced video and voice calling.”

24 hour Battery Life for Around the Clock Computing

The ThinkPad X220 offers up to 15 hours of battery life with a standard 9-cell battery, which is extended to 24 hours by adding the new ThinkPad external battery. The convertible tablet weighs approximately 1.8 kilograms with the higher capacity 6-cell battery that is typically bundled. A 4-cell battery is available for a lower carry weight. When the tablet is combined with a 6-cell battery and the external battery pack, it can run for 16 hours continuously on one charge. Users can either charge the PCs on the external ThinkPad Battery that is connected to the PC, or they can charge it separately. A charge indicator will show when the battery reaches a full charge.

Full-Performance

While similar weight competitors offer only low-powered CPUs, these speed-optimised PCs fit the same full-powered CPUs as larger 14 and 15-inch laptops. Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 equips the PCs for rapid boot, shut down and resume from sleep ability by tuning the BIOS and other hardware settings. With Intel™ HD integrated graphics, the PCs perform twice as quickly in streaming video, editing photos and loading web pages. Additionally, USB 3.0 technology on select models transfers data lightning fast, up to 10 times that of USB 2.0.

Smart PC Technologies

Equipped with second generation Intel™ Core®i5 or i7 processors, applications run fast and make multi-tasking hassle-free. The PCs come with self-aware and adaptive technologies to ensure priority components receive power for the highest levels of performance and battery life. Intel™ Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 boosts processor speed during intensive tasks. Furthermore, with Lenovo Turbo Boost+, the PCs can stay in Turbo Boost mode longer by keeping processor temperatures below certain thresholds. By reducing power to non-essential hardware, the laptops achieve up to 30 percent longer battery life while playing multimedia. This enables users to watch DVDs, listen to MP3s or stream web content longer.

Loud and Clear Voice and Video Calling

Lenovo’s “no compromise” performance experience continues with technologies that solve everyday challenges. They incorporate several technologies for excellent voice and video conferencing, such as private chat and conference call microphone modes, keyboard noise suppression technology, and a dedicated LED-lit microphone mute key.

The PCs also keep corridor warriors connected longer with Lenovo’s new Instant Resume function. This function maintains connections during sleep mode for up to 99 minutes, eliminating the need to login and reconnect between meetings. Furthermore, tablet users don’t have to worry about losing their pen with the new “never-lost-pen” technology. It notifies a person when he or she moves the tablet without the pen in the pen-holder.

ThinkPad Remodels with Clean, Sharp & Durable Design

The new ThinkPad X Series boast a cleaner and sharper design than previous models. Both the ThinkPad X220 laptop and X220 Tablet feature a 12.5-inch HD screen and self-closing hinges that shut the PCs. This space-saving hinge design brings several key benefits: superior antenna and speaker placement for stronger throughput, a 45 percent larger touchpad and a cleaner visual design. The larger, buttonless touchpad gives extra room for fingers to scroll, highlight and carry out multi-touch gestures.

The new PCs are ideal for students, mobile sales forces and other mobile professionals working inside and outside. Available as a multi-touch tablet or as a special Outdoor version that now includes Gorilla Glass, which adds a durable quality to the super bright screen (both versions boast a 300-nit screen). Gorilla Glass meets military specifications for extreme conditions and can withstand scratches, scrapes and abuse from the field.

Ready for Business

The PCs are also business-ready. They are easy for IT administrators to use thanks to their second generation Intel™ Core® processors with vPro technology. Common ThinkPad docking stations and batteries also allow companies to swap hardware among employees to maximise their resources and minimise cost.

Pricing and Availability5

The ThinkPad X220 laptop and X220 tablet will be available from April through Lenovo business partners and www.lenovo.com.au. Pricing for these models starts at approximately AU$2749 and AU$3699. All prices quoted include GST.

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 centres in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.au.