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Lenovo's Windows 7 Powered IdeaPad and IdeaCentre Systems Hit the Streets

Paul Lilly — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:44:05 -0500

Lenovo continues to flesh out its line of Windows 7 powered PCs, this time by adding a handful of IdeaPad laptops and IdeaCentre desktops built around the newly released OS.

On the mobile front, Lenovo unveiled a trio of laptops -- IdeaPad Y550P, U150, and U550 -- with the Y550P probably being the most appealing to power users. Why? Because it's the only one of the bunch to use Intel's Core i7 platform. Like the Y550, the U550 also comes in a 15.6-inch form factor, but drops things down a notch with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. And the U150 is aimed at the ultra-portable crowd. As such, it measures just 13.5mm thick and weighs a little under 3 pounds.

None of the new desktops sports Intel's Nehalem architecture, but the Lenovo H230 does make a strong pitch to penny pinchers. Starting at $300, Lenovo says consumers will have a range of HDD and DDR3 configurations to choose from. Those looking for a bit more oomph can step up to the K300, which is built around Intel's Core 2 Quad platform and includes an option for RAID. Rounding out the desktop solutions is the B500 all-in-one, which is also built around Intel's Core 2 Quad line.

Press Release

Image Credit: Lenovo via HotHardware.com

"Thin is In," Says Lenovo with its New "Y" Series IdeaPads

Mark Edward Soper — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:28:19 -0600

Don't want to trade power and and versatility for light, thin, portability? Lenovo says, 'Why should you?' with its new Y-series IdeaPad laptops. The new IdeaPad Y series features three different models, all of which include:

16x9 HD screens
Up to 500GB hard disks
Lenovo OneKey Theater display and sound effects settings to optimize gameplay or movie watching
Intel processors
Up to 4GB of DDR3 memory
VeriFace facial recognition technology
OneKey Rescue system recovery
Multi-touch touchpad

Optional features include NVIDIA GFX graphics and Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

The IdeaPad Y650 features a 16-inch screen, is one inch thick at its thinnest point, and weighs only 5.6 lbs. It includes JBL speakers and an ambient light sensor to adjust screen brightness. Smaller models include the Y550 (15.6-inch screen) and the Y450 (14-inch screen).

These PCs will hit the market in March, with the Y650's starting price coming in at $1,199, and the other models starting at $829.

Lenovo's IdeaPad S10e Gets Splashtop Instant-On Linux OS

Paul Lilly — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:01:05 -0500

While Microsoft ponders the future of instant-on technology, notebook vendors aren't waiting for a Windows-based solution. The newest entry is Lenovo who, in a joint collaboration with DeviceFM, has started shipping IdeaPad S10e netbooks with the quick starting Splashtop instant-on OS.

"We are thrilled to partner with Lenovo to bring instant-on capabilities to netbook users," says Mark Lee, CEO and co-founder of DeviceVM. "Netbook users want an instant-on, instant-off, efficient and secure way to get online, and Splashtop is the perfect solution."

Splashtop isn't a new concept and can already be found on several motherboards, desktops, and notebooks, but this marks the first time the instant-on OS will make an appearance on an ultraportable netbook. With the Splashtop OS, users can access applications like Firefox, Skype, and Picasa in just a few seconds rather than waiting for Windows to load.

Image Credit: DeviceVM

Hands-On with Lenovo's Shiny (and Tiny) IdeaPad S10

Norman Chan — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:40:27 -0500

We met with Lenovo this afternoon to talk about some of their upcoming products (to be revealed in the coming weeks and months), and they brought along a pre-production sample of their recently announced IdeaPad S10 netbook. We couldn’t help but resist getting some hands-on time with this tiny portable, including snapping up a dozen photos for you to enjoy. The S10 we saw was a red 9” version that will ship in international markets, while the US edition will offer a 10.2” glossy screen and come in 3 color options (red, white, or black). All variations of the S10 will run Intel’s 1.6GHz Atom processor (45nm, 533MHz FSB, 512k L2 Cache), though the best thing about the IdeaPad has to be its $399 price point.

The $399 unit will come with 512MB Ram and an 80GB Hard Drive, while for $449, the memory and disk space are doubled to 1GB and 160GB, respectively. Both will ship with Windows XP (the 9" international version will come with an Linux option).

It's 10.2" LED backlit screen maxes out at 1024x600 WSVGA resolution, and is powered by the Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics chip. On the top of the display is an integrated 1.3 MP camera.

Other features: Multi-touch touchpad, stereo speakers, integrated wifi, ethernet, and bluetooth, express card slot, and 4-in-1 memory reader.

The S10 will ship next month.

Lenovo IdeaCentre K210 Sports Stylish Design and Fights Germs

Paul Lilly — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:26:54 -0500

Buying an OEM computer used to mean being tied down to proprietary parts, paying too much for too little, and having to find a place to hide an unsightly beige box so as not to offend guests. Or scare the cat. And while proprietary restrictions are still the norm rather than the exception, OEM systems continue to drop in price and look good doing it. We can now add Lenovo to the list of system builders following this trend of affordable sex appeal.

Lenovo, who feels comfortable concentrating on the Chinese market, first began having global inspirations with its IdeaPad series of notebooks released earlier this year. Sensing the grass might very well be greener on the other side, or at least pull in more green, the once sheltered OEM now looks to march into the global consumer desktop market with its newly announced IdeaCentre K210. And the timing couldn't be better. As Lenovo points out in its press release, demand for worldwide consumer PCs is up, and according to the IDC, will show a 10 percent increase from 2007 to 2011. Even still, the global market remains crowded, and Lenovo hopes a few key technologies will separate itself from the pack.

Facial Recognition Technology

Facial recognition software isn't new, but it's not too often, if ever, that you'll find it bundled onto a low cost OEM system. That changes with the IdeaCentre K210, which integrates VeriFace's facial recognition technology allowing users to log in by peering at the webcam.

Antivirus Keyboard

In a nod toward slobs or anyone that never leaves home without a vial of Purell, the Lenovo "features an anti-microbial keyboard that uses special material to inhibit bacterial growth." Consider it an anti-virus system for your keyboard, or use it as an excuse not to clean up those stray Pizza Pocket crumbs. Either way, it's hard not to snicker at this marketing bullet.

Specs and Price

Pricing will start at $379 after mail-in-rebate sans monitor, with price-hiking upgrades available that include an Intel Core 2 Quad processor, Blu-ray/HD-DVD combo drive, add-in videocard, and other options. Lenovo will have its work cut out for them facing off against the likes of HP and Dell, both of whom already have a global consumer desktop presence, along with frequent coupon codes to entice new buyers. But if a large portion of PC buyers prove to be hypochondriacs, Lenovo should be a shoe-in.

Image Credit: Lenovo