Lenovo Pushes ThinkPad Brand to the Edge

Lenovo Introduces First ThinkPad Laptops Featuring VISION Pro Technology from AMD

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA– January 14, 2010: Lenovo today announced a new ThinkPad laptop series designed to push ThinkPad design and innovation to the edge. Simply called “ThinkPad Edge,” the 13, 14 and 15 inch models are designed specifically for small to medium sized business (SMB) customers. The 13 inch model represents one of the first ThinkPad laptops to offer AMD’s VISION Pro Technology. In addition to performance, the new laptops are designed with style and affordability in mind for today’s budget-conscious customers. For example, they include new rich and vibrant colour choices and a new contemporary keyboard.

“Small to medium business customers tell us they want PCs with bold yet professional designs, uncompromising durability and reliability with the latest technologies that meet their budgets,” said Chris Kelly, Product and Marketing Director, Lenovo, Australia and New Zealand. “Our answer is the new ThinkPad Edge family of laptops. They deliver stunning technology and powerful performance at unprecedented value.”

Click here to watch a video introduction to the ThinkPad Edge laptops.

Sophisticated and Simple Design

The ThinkPad Edge Series laptops reflect a new progressive and strikingly clean appearance while retaining ThinkPad durability and reliability. For example, the laptops include spill-resistant keyboards and value-added ThinkVantage Technologies like the Active Protection System and Rescue and Recovery.

However, the new laptops blend expressive design and ease of use in several new ways:

• Contemporary Keyboard – A new contemporary keyboard gives the laptop a clean and inviting look. Uniform black keys and removal of the embedded number pad also help create a modern design. The Function keys have even been re-designed so that users only need to use one finger to access multimedia functions and more. Other rarely used keys like System Request have been removed. Additionally, select models of the ThinkPad Edge 14 and 15 inch versions will come with illuminated keyboards for visibility in low light conditions while adding a touch of elegance to the keyboard.
• Expanded Touchpad – A large multitouch touchpad provides an oversized landing pad for fingers to pinch, zoom and scroll.
• Expressive, Colourful Palette – Midnight glossy or midnight soft black remain the traditional colour for business, but for those who want to make a statement, ThinkPad Edge laptops come in heatwave red too. Additionally, a sleek silver band frames the exterior of the laptop.

SMB Performance Gets New Edge

Lenovo designed the ThinkPad Edge Series to give SMB customers stylish and eye-catching designs with high performance, reliability and the latest technologies including:

• Great performance with choices of AMD Athlon Neo dual core processors or Intel Core 2 Duo ultra low voltage processors¹
• Optimised for Windows 7 under Lenovo’s Enhanced Experience program
• Long battery life of up to eight hours²
• Wireless connectivity technologies including WiFi and optional Bluetooth and  3G
• Crisp and clear voice over Internet protocol with Skype™ software, high definition speakers, low light sensitivity cameras and microphone and camera mute keys
• Commitment to green technology. The laptops meet Energy Star 5.0 criteria. The Edge laptops contain no foam and use many materials which are derived from 100 percent recycled content, such as thermoplastic, sugarcane or sorghum

“AMD energy efficient desktop PCs have proven successful for Lenovo in Australia. Now our partnership extends to a new level with AMD VISION Pro Technology in the Lenovo ThinkPad notebook range. These new products represent a great opportunity for both of our companies, especially with SMB, Education, and Government customers,” said Caleb Leung, Country Manager, AMD Australia. “By basing these laptops on VISION Pro Technology, Lenovo is enabling customers to gain a competitive advantage with performance you can see on today’s collaboration and visual productivity applications, unbeatable value at every price point and a means of eliminating IT headaches through open standards manageability and security features.”

Total Service and Support

Lenovo also offers a full suite of flexible service and support solutions for the new ThinkPad Edge Series.  Lenovo-branded services give customers and business partners a single source solution that helps minimise risks and increases protection and productivity.

These services include:

• ThinkPad Protection to protect from unexpected repair costs in case of accidents or spills
• Priority Support for 24/7 tech-to-tech support
• Hard Disk Drive Retention that lets customers keep their failed or damaged hard drive to ensure data remains safely in their hands

Pricing and Availability³

The ThinkPad Edge 13 inch version will be available now with models starting at approximately $999.00 through Lenovo Business Partners and www.lenovo.com.au.  The 14 and 15 inch versions will be available starting in mid April. All prices quoted include GST.

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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.

¹Available on 13 inch ThinkPad Edge models.

²Select models including the ThinkPad Edge 13 inch with Intel SU7300 and 6-cell battery and ThinkPad Edge 14 and 15 inch with 9-cell battery.

³Prices do not include 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.