Notebook manufacturer and vendor Lenovo has announced that it will start the first online auction for limited-edition laptops wearing the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch logo. The auction will be held tomorrow in the United kingdom and features the special "Cloud of Promise"-themed notebook PCs.

The computers to be auctioned come with an impressive design that took more than 10 months for completion. The project was managed by 30 Lenovo design specialists from all over the world, including industrial designers from Germany, Singapore, US, Japan, New Zealand, Italy and China. The laptop's casing is made of a special aluminum-magnesium alloy with machine finishing.

The first auction marks the six-month countdown to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Each week, a new limited-edition notebook will be auctioned until the Olympic Games begin. The sold laptops will be autographed by Lenovo Champions (athlete ambassadors). There are 36 laptops available for the auctioning that will take place all over the world.

All the money gathered in these auctions will be distributed through the Lenovo Hope Fund to select philanthropies, including Right to Play. The program aims at micro-finance and bringing sports to children.

"We are thrilled to offer fans the unique opportunity to own these one-of-a-kind Olympic torch themed notebook PCs," said Deepak Advani, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Lenovo. "Just as our technology helps bridge the physical gaps among different parts of the world, Lenovo's goal is to do the same through social investments. In the Olympic spirit of internationalism and cooperation, it is fitting that these Olympic torch-themed notebook PCs should benefit worthy causes."

The auction will take place on the Lenovo Hope Foundation website. The computer configurations are not identical due to the fact that some units might not be approved for sale outside a specific market. Therefore, Lenovo has added the Lenovo Olympic Torch-themed design to notebook PCs on the markets for which they are configured. The default system will be the Lenovo 3000 V200 notebook, that will feature the special Olympic Torch theme on its lid.

"In addition to being able to contribute to charities around the world this is such a unique opportunity for fans to own a piece of Olympic history," stated Kerri Walsh.