14 DAY TRIAL // Besides the professional, ultraportable ThinkPad X100e and the high-end, business-aimed laptops just released, Lenovo has also revealed a mobile computer product line aimed at the smaller and medium businesses. The new ThinkPad Edge laptops are touted as the models that “push ThinkPad design and innovation to the edge” and are built as reliable, durable and capable, while still being accessible even for budget-conscious business users.
“Small to medium business customers tell us they want PCs with bold yet professional designs, uncompromising durability and reliability with the latest technologies that meets their budgets,” Fran O’Sullivan, senior vice president, Think Product Group, Lenovo, said. “Our answer is the new ThinkPad Edge family of laptops. They deliver stunning technology and powerful performance at an unprecedented value.”
The products will measure 13, 14 and 15 inches, with the 13-inch model being the first ThinkPad to make use of AMD dual-core processors (AMD’s Turion or Athlon Neo) and the AMD VISION Pro technology. While the individual configurations may vary per purchaser request, all models will feature certain design and support advantages compared with the previous products.
“Expanding our relationship with Lenovo to include ThinkPad laptops represents a turning point for AMD’s commercial client business and creates enormous opportunity for both companies,” Leslie Sobon, vice president, Product Marketing, AMD, added. “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.”
Besides the aforementioned AMD Turion and Athlon Neo dual core processors, the line will also have models based on the Intel Core 2 Duo ultra low voltage and standard processors. All laptops have an Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool gold rating and meet the Energy Star 5.0 specifications. As such, the configurations will feature a battery life of over eight hours, even while offering the full spectrum of connectivity capabilities, namely WiFi and optional Bluetooth, 3G and WiMAX.
The design upsides also deserve a special mention. The laptops employ a spill-resistant contemporary keyboard that not only gives the product more appeal, but does away with unnecessary keys (such as System Request) and the embedded number pad in order to improve accessibility. In addition, select models may boast an illuminated keyboard for a low-light visibility and elegance. The laptops will also be outfitted with a large, multitouch touchpad with an oversized landing pad for an easy pinching, zooming and scrolling.
All models will make use of the ThinkVantage technologies and will be capable of high-quality voice transmissions over the Internet via the Skype software, high-definition speakers and high-resolution, low-light cameras.
Lenovo will be expanding its retail sales channel in order to offer certain ThinkPad Edge models through Best Buy stores. The 13-inch model will become available on January 5 at the price of $549, with the 14- and 15-inch versions set for Q2. Orders will be placeable through the company's business partners and Lenovo's own website.