Research Triangle Park, N.C. — Lenovo is adding to its lineup of business-targeted notebooks with two new ThinkPads designed to meet the needs of mobile computer users.
According to the company, the models can be as light as 2.4 pounds, with some offering maximum battery lives of up to 13 hours.
ThinkPad X200s notebook, said to be the company’s lightest notebook to date, is powered by Intel Centrino 2 processor technology. Select models will feature the top-cover roll cage originally featured in the ThinkPad X300 notebook, engineered to make the model both lighter and stronger.
The device comes standard with an LED back-lit display that’s brighter than previous models, according to the company.
An optional nine-cell battery allows up to 13 hours of continuous use, Lenovo said, and the device is also compatible with the company’s new optional ThinkPad X200 Ultrabase, where users can charge a second battery and swap it out for uninterrupted mobile computing. For added functionality, they can also choose to include a Blu-ray DVD player and additional hard drive on the Ultrabase.
ThinkPad X200 tablet models weigh about 3.5 pounds and give users the option of taking notes digitally in a way that resembles using pen and paper.
This is the company’s first widescreen tablet PC. It is said to offer 10 hours or more of battery life, depending on the configuration.
The tablet PC is also equipped with Intel Centrino 2 processor technology and offers an LED back-lit display.
New features in the tablet PCs include a full-size keyboard; a dual-swivel screen; panels with increased touch sensitivity that recognize a lighter pen or finger touch; and improved multimedia options such as dual-array digital microphones with noise-canceling software, a built-in camera and stereo speakers.
Customers ordering either the X200s notebook or the tablet PC will have the option of ordering models featuring traditional higher-capacity hard drives or with solid-state drives with up to 128GB of space in order to speed up the machine.
Both also offer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, gigabit Ethernet, WLAN and other connectivity options. WiMAX models are expected to be available later this year.
Both devices are said to be more 20 percent more energy efficient than previous Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks. Certain ThinkPad notebook and tablet PC models are also certified as Gold by the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool.
The notebook will start at a tentative price of $2,242 and the tablet will start at a tentative $2,323 and will be available in September and October, respectively. The products will be available through Lenovo business partners and www.lenovo.com.
