LENOVO IDEAPAD U1 TABLET WITH A DETACHABLE SCREEN

Tablet PCs usually have a display that you can swivel and fold down over the keyboard. But the Lenovo IdeaPad U1 tablet is different. It comes with an 11.6 inch detachable screen. Another interesting feature is that the tablet portion of U1 has a secondary processor in it.

The IdeaPad U1 can function as both a notebook and a tablet. In the laptop mode the device has a CULV processor and runs Windows 7. Other features include 4 GB of RAM, 2 USB ports, HDMI and VGA. Up to 128GB of SSD is also available for storage. Now what if you want to use the device in the tablet mode? Well, just detach the screen and you will have a fully functional touch-screen tablet PC powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon ARM-based processor, 512MB of RAM and a 16GB of flash memory. The tablet version runs Skylight Linux, a custom OS developed by Linux.

The IdeaPad U1 weighs around 3.8 pounds. The detachable tablet alone weighs 1.6 pounds. The battery, WiFi, 3G and Bluetooth are all tucked away in the tablet. In the laptop mode you will get around 6 hours of uptime and in the slate mode you will get more. Prices start at $999.

LENOVO ANNOUNCES THINKPAD X100E THIN AND LIGHT NOTEBOOK

Lenovo has finally announced its business minded budget notebook called ThinkPad X100e. The device is powered by an AMD Neo processor.

The ThinkPad X100e has an 11.6 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels. The notebook is available with all the three processors in the AMD Neo line. Lenovo, however, has no intention to offer the laptop with an Intel processor.

The X100e supports a variety of connectivity options including Wi-Fi, 3G and WiMAX wireless. Bluetooth is also offered as an optional feature. There are 3 USB ports, a 4-in-1 card reader and VGA. There is no HDMI. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures. There is also a touchpoint pointing stick. Lenovo offers Windows 7 Pro/Home Premium or Windows XP Pro with the notebook. The base version starts at $449.

LENOVO INTRODUCES IDEAPAD S10-3 AND S10-3T NETBOOKS

Lenovo has released two consumer-oriented 10 inch netbooks. One of the devices called IdeaPad S10-3 can be configured with either an Intel Atom N450 or N470 processor. The machine sports a different design from its predecessor the S10-2.

The other model, the IdeaPad S10-3t, has a 10 inch multi-touch touch-screen (capacitative) display. The display can be rotated in either direction. It can also be folded down over the keyboard for using the device in the tablet mode. Clearly, Lenovo wants this machine to compete with the 9 inch Asus Eee PC T91MT and 10 inch Gigabyte TouchNote T1028X.

Both netbooks feature the Lenovo QuickStart 2.0 instant-on software which allows a user to access the web within seconds after switching the PC on.

Pricing
The Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3 starts at $349.99. The S10-3t has a starting price of $499.99. A higher-end configuration will set you back $599.

LENOVO IS PLANNING NOT ONE BUT THREE NETBOOKS

We have already heard about the ThinkPad X100e, Lenovo’s first ThinkPad-branded netbook. Now an FCC filing by Realtek indicates that Lenovo may be launching three, and not one, netbooks named ThinkPad X100e, ThinkPad Mini 11, and ThinkPad Mini10. No further details are available, but the Mini 10 is likely to have 10 inch display and the Mini 11 an 11.1 or 11.6 inch display.

Earlier reports suggest that the ThinkPad X100e will have an 11.6 inch display. It will be powered by an AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 processor and will run Windows 7. Prices may start at $449.

The Thinkpad notebooks are aimed at businesses and feature a professional design. The company also has a consumer-oriented IdeaPad S-series notebooks. But Lenovo is yet to release a netbook which is a small laptop with entry-level specifications and an affordable price tag.

LENOVO LAUNCHES ITS NEW MODEL IDEAPAD Y550

Lenovo IdeaPad Y550 is the latest laptop model launched by Lenovo, which they claim is the best fit for all type of users whether it is official or personal work this is the Notebook which suits you all. Lenovo IdeaPad Y550 has a 15.6 inch LED display and can support high end things which the other notebooks couldn’t offer. This has list of system options which has an Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GT 240M for high end graphics whereas normal affordable configuration has a standard Intel Core 2 Duo processors and integrated graphics.

The most common specifications of this model is the following

Operating system: Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 2 or Windows 7 with 64-bit processor

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 2.0GHz (2MB Cache, 800MHz FSB)

Max RAM Supported: 4GB DDR3 SDRAM (1066MHz)

Hard Disk: 320GB 5400 rpm SATA HDD

Monitor: 15.6-inch LED-backlit WXGA display (glossy, 1366x768)

Graphics card: Intel X4500MHD integrated graphics

The following are the specifications of Ports and Connectors: Two USB 2.0 ports, One eSATA/USB Combo, One VGA, One HDMI, One SDHC-Card reader, One RJ-45/Ethernet (Gigabit), One Stereo Headphone/line out, One stereo microphone in and it also has a 1.3 megapixel web camera.

Dimensions: (Length x Width x Height) 15.2 inch x 10.0 inch x 1.02 inch to 1.5 inch

Weight: 5 lbs 13.5 oz

Battery Specifications: 11.1 Volts 56Watt hour 6-cell battery

It also has One-year standard warranty across the globe.

The Design of Lenovo IdeaPad Y550 looks robust and stylish, the exterior view is more stylish when it is compared with its other competitors, this looks so modern, which makes it more stylish with the contrasting color texture, and also its slight weight, thin and flat. The LED monitor adds the advantage over the other brands and the previous models from Lenovo itself since they had LCD monitor. The finishing is also good with smooth edges and sharp curves. The speakers are really good and they give such an immense feel which makes you think that these are not just ordinary stereo speakers. The drivers are available over the internet incase you don’t want to buy it with OS and later if you want to install it on your own it is simple and easy. And the best supported screen configuration which makes it look ultra digital is 1366 x 768. There are other resolutions also, the HD resolutions are as good as an LCD TV and it is sure worth the cost it is spent for the same.

Then about the usage and battery backup as the previous models it is easy and has a very good battery back up of two hours and above. The graphics support is ultimate. The advantage of this product is that it is good and can stand the best for years to come and the disadvantage is that its bit expensive but when you compare its cost with the performance it definitely is a best buy. This is so far the best laptop I ever came across, you can also checkout the reviews over the net and everyone I believe will feel the same.

LENOVO SMARTBOOK MORE DETAILS EMERGE

Qualcomm has leaked more details regarding the Lenovo smartbook which would be powered by one of its processors.

A smartbook shares the same form factor as a netbook. But unlike netbooks, smartbooks are typically sold with a cell contract which allows it to stay connected to the internet through a cellular network. In other words a smartbook combines the features of a netbook and a smartphone.

The Lenovo smartbook will be powered by Qualcomm’s fast 1 GHz Snapdragon processor. It is said that the device would offer ‘all day’ battery life which can’t be more than 8 hours in this case. It will run Google’s Android operating system which is kind of surprising because Lenovo could have used Google’s Chrome OS instead. While Android has got much better recently, it is still a cell-phone oriented operating system whereas Chrome is better suited for a computer.

Nothing on pricing or availability has been announced as yet. But more information should emerge at CES 2010.

LENOVO THINKPAD X100e LEAKED

Details regarding Lenovo’s latest notebook, the ThinkPad X100e, have leaked. This is an entry-level ultraportable notebook aimed at small and medium businesses. It will have an 11.6 inch high resolution display with 1366 x 768 pixels.

The ThinkPad X100e will be based on AMD RS780 chipset and will run on Athlon MV40 processor. Up to 4GB of RAM can be installed. The maximum available storage space is 500 GB. The machine will come pre-installed with Windows 7 Home Premium and will also have WWAN wireless options.

The keyboard will be a chiclet style model but sources claim that it will still offer the ‘legendary ThinkPad keyboard feel’. The touchpad will support multi-touch gestures. The machine will also have a Trackpoint.

The notebook will be available with either 3-cell or 6-cell batteries. The 6-cell version will weigh around 3.3 lbs and is expected to provide up to 5.1 hours of uptime. The X100e will be available in black, white or red colors. Prices may start at $449.

LENOVO IDEAPAD U150 NOW AVAILABLE IN THE US

Lenovo has finally brought its IdeaPad U150 to the US shores. Two models of the device are now available for purchase. But the US version of U150 seems a bit overpriced especially when you compare it with similar devices from Acer and Asus.

The IdeaPad U150 has an 11.6 inch display. It is powered by a dual core 1.3GHz Intel Pentium SU4100 CULV processor with integrated Intel X4500 graphics. The device run Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS. Up to 3GB of RAM can be installed. The storage capacity is 250GB. Other notable features include 802.11b/g WiFi. The notebook now retails for $699 in the US. If you need a cheaper model with identical specs, the Acer Aspire 1810TZ is a good option and it retails for just $550.

A faster and costlier model of U150 with a dual core Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 320Gb hard drive, and a 6 cell battery is also available for $849. This model supports WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n. But as with the cheaper model the pricier model also has a cheaper alternative in the Acer Aspire 1810T which is available with identical specifications for $600.

LENOVO TO PRODUCE QUALCOMM'S FIRST SMARTBOOK

Qualcomm has unveiled its first Smartbook. The Snapdragon-powered device will be produced by Lenovo and sold by AT&T in the US market.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon platform combines a low power ARM-based processor with integrated graphics and wireless features. Smartbooks using this chipset can decode 720p HD video fluently. The Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset can be used in smartphones and smartbooks and it offers always-on wireless internet connectivity with a long battery life.

No official pictures of the device are available yet but sources claim that the Lenovo smartbook ‘looks much like a thin notebook’. No information regarding pricing is available at the moment. It is also not known whether the device would be available exclusively from AT&T.

LENOVO THINKPAD X100E DETAILS LEAKED

Details of Lenovo’s upcoming ThinkPad X100e have been leaked. The ThinkPad X100e is being classified as a business netbook. It is thin and light, but it will be larger than a typical netbook.

While Lenovo hasn’t officially confirmed these details, the notebook is expected to have the following specifications.

The ThinkPad X100e will have an 11.6 inch display with 1366 x 768 pixels. It will be powered by an AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 processor. The notebook can be configured with various versions of windows 7 ranging from Starter to Pro (32 bit or 64 bit).

Up to 4GB of RAM can be installed. The hard drive spins at 5400 rpm and is available in 160GB, 250GB or 320Gb capacities. There will be 3 USB ports, VGA output port, 0.3 mega pixel webcam and a 4-in-1 card reader. Other features include 802.11b/g/n, optional Bluetooth and 3G. 3 and 6 cell battery options are available. The 3 cell battery is expected to give 2.2 hours of up time whereas the 6-cell battery may run for 5 hours. Prices may start at $449.

LENOVO NETBOOK WITH ATOM N450 REACHES FCC

2010 is just around the corner and netbooks running Intel Atom N450 processors have already started appearing. These processors are part of the new Pine Trail platform which is expected to improve the performance of netbooks.

It now seems that one of the first Atom N450 netbook to hit the market would be from Lenovo. Actually, a Lenovo netbook with Atom N450 has reached the FCC. The netbook has a 10.1 inch display with 1024 x 600 pixels. Up to 2GB of RAM can be installed. The hard disk is available in 250GB capacity. Other notable features include WiFi 802.11 b/g/n.

The couple of images published by FCC indicate that the netbook has the standard Lenovo keyboard layout. The left and right touchpad buttons also appear to be missing.

Lenovo it seems is keen on claiming its share in the MID and netbook market. The company is presently manufacturing its first smartbook with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. More netbooks are also on the anvil.

LENOVO THINKPAD USB EXTERNAL KEYBOARD REVIEW

Lenovo has released a new version of its ThinkPad USB external keyboard. It is aimed at desktop and notebook users who don’t own a ThinkPad but want the same typing experience.

Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards are well known for their ease of use so much so that they are considered the best laptop keyboards in the world.

Lenovo ThinkPad USB Keyboard Features

Integrated TrackPoint
Spill resistant
Good ergonomic design
Access to variety of ThinkPad features through the Function Key
Volume up and down arrow keys

The Lenovo ThinkPad USB keyboard comes with a 3-year warranty. It is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Build and Design
In layout the new ThinkPad USB keyboard is very similar to the keyboards on some newer ThinkPad laptops. The keyboard features a low profile design with a thin frame and a large fixed palm rest surrounding it. Lenovo has removed the integrated touchpad which used to feature on older models.

The keyboard is very sturdy and shows minimal flex. Lenovo has also made use of rubber pads to keep the keyboard firmly on your desk.

In Use
The keyboard is very comfortable to type on. The key layout is identical to the keyboard on the T400s. Individual key action is smooth and quiet. The top edge of the keyboard comes with quick access keys with which you can perform a number of tasks including volume adjustment. These buttons don’t seem to require additional drivers to work on different laptop models running Vista or Windows 7. If you are using this keyboard on a ThinkPad notebook you will also be able to launch the ThinkVantage software suite by pressing its key.

The new ThinkPad USB keyboard doesn’t have an integrated touchpad. There is only a pointing stick which works reasonably well.

The new keyboard also doesn’t feature the onboard USB port which was present on the previous models. Lenovo may have removed it to cut costs or make the keyboard thinner, but this is a feature may people will miss.

Conclusion
The new Lenovo ThinkPad USB keyboard offers value for the money. The typing experience is nearly identical to what you would get from typing on the laptop itself. If you already own one of the old models of the keyboard you may miss the touchpad and the onboard USB hub. But at $59, the new model is also cheaper than the old models.

LENOVO UNVEILS IDEAPAD Y550P, U150 AND U550 NOTEBOOKS

Lenovo has unveiled three new IdeaPad notebooks featuring Windows 7. The machines are dubbed Y550P, U150 and U550 and are presently available for customization on Lenovo’s website.

The Y550P has a 15.6 inch display. It is the first Lenovo laptop to be powered by the Core i7 processor. The machine is aimed at multimedia enthusiasts and is equipped with a discrete GPU from Nvidia. It will also feature ‘unique Lenovo tools’ such as SlideNav.

The U150 is a thin and light laptop with an 11.6 inch display. It measures just .53 inches in thickness and weighs under 3 lbs. The U150 will run on an Intel CULV Core 2 Duo processor with up to 8GB of RAM. The U550 is aimed at businesses. It has a 15.6 inch display and sports an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Other features include switchable graphics and VeriFace facial recognition software.

All laptops

LENOVO IDEAPAD S12 NOW AVAILABLE WITH NVIDIA ION AND WINDOWS 7

Lenovo has equipped its IdeaPad S12 with Nvidia ION chipset. The new and improved S12 can handle full 1080p HD video. The machine is now available for purchase.

The ION-equipped S12 was supposed to be the first NVIDIA ION netbook in the US, but that distinction ultimately went to HP Mini 311. Lenovo delayed the device because it wanted to release it with Windows 7. Now Windows 7 is here, so is S12.

The IdeaPad S12 is powered by an Intel Atom N270 processor with 2GB of DDR2 RAM and a 250GB hard disk drive. The 12.1 inch display has a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. Other notable features include 3 USB 2.0 ports, WiFi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, HDMI, multi-card reader and integrated webcam. It runs on the Windows 7 Home Premium operating system.

The above version of the S12 retails for $599. A higher end model with 3GB RAM and a 320GB HDD is available for $649.

LENOVO UNVEILS 11.6 INCH U150 LAPTOP

Lenovo has unveiled its 11.6 inch Ideapad U150 at the CEATEC show in Japan. The device isn’t quite a netbook. It is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo Ultra Low Voltage SU4100 processor with 2GB of RAM and integrated Intel GMA X4500 graphics.

The Ideapad U150 has an attractive design with textures tattooed on its exterior. The laptop is thin and light. It measures just 13.5 mm in thickness and weighs around 1.35 kg.

Performance
Detailed specifications of the device are not yet known, but it is expected to deliver better performance than other similar sized PCs running on Intel Atom processors. And if Lenovo manages to price it right, the U150 could prove a winner.

LENOVO IDEAPAD U150 DETAILED SPECS EMERGE

Lenovo is yet to officially announce its 11.6 inch U150 netbook, but its detailed specifications have emerged.

The User Manual posted by Lenovo on its website state that the U150 will run on a dual core Intel SU4100 CULV processor with integrated Intel GMA X4500 graphics.

Ports and Slots
Port selection seems adequate. There are 2 USB 2.0 ports plus an eSATA/USB combo port, Ethernet, 4-in-1 card reader, HDMI, VGA, D-sub, headphone and microphone jacks. Both 3-cell and 6-cell battery options are available.

U150 specifications
The U150 can be configured in a number of ways.
Display: 11.6″ HD LCD or 11.1″ HD LCD
Storage: 2.5″ SATA 160/250/320GB 5400rpm hard drive or 16GB/32GB Mini-PCIe SSD
RAM: DDR3

Selected models will also feature Bluetooth and 3G. All models will have 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi. The touchpad supports multi-touch gestures such as pinching and two finger scrolling. The machine will weigh 3.3 pounds with the 6-cell battery.

LENOVO ANNOUNCES LOST & FOUND SERVICE FOR THINKPAD OWNERS

Lenovo has announced a Lenovo Lost & Found service. As the name itself suggests this is a service that helps people return lost Lenovo notebooks to their owners. Presently the service is only available for ThinkPad notebooks that have Absolute Software's Computrace. Here is how the Lost & Found service works.

Owners who have lost their PC need to flag it with Absolute so that the device will automatically be locked. When the PC is turned on the screen will display a message indicating that the laptop is a lost one and will give a toll-free number for the finder to contact Lenovo. The toll-free number found on a sticker on the outside of the laptop can also be used for the purpose.

Upon receiving the call, Lenovo will register the laptop for Lost & Found and send a pre-paid shipping box to the finder. The finder will then send the notebook to Lenovo. Lenovo will then ship the notebook to its owner. The owner can then unlock the ThinkPad through Absolute after turning the PC on.

ThinkPad owners who bought the notebook with Absolute Software’s Computrace can avail of the service at no additional cost.

LENOVO THINKPAD T400S TOUCH REVIEW

The new Lenovo ThinkPad T400s Touch is the first standard notebook to feature a touchscreen panel. It doesn’t come cheap: buyers have to shell out an additional $400 to buy the touchscreen version.

Specifications
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional
Display: 1440 x 900 WXGA+ with MultiTouch LED Backlit (Matte finish)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo SP9600 (2.53GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 6MB Cache)
Memory: 4GB DDR3 RAM (2GB x 2)
Storage: 128GB Toshiba SSD

Build and Design
The new ThinkPad T400s is slimmer and lighter than the original T400. Lenovo has coated the exterior of the notebook with a rubberized black paint. Build quality is excellent. The chassis shows absolutely no sign of flex at all.

The hard drive is now 1.8 inch instead of the 2.5 inch found on T400. Upgrading this notebook is really easy, as the chassis provides easy access panels to all user-replaceable components.

Screen and Speakers
The T400s Touch has more or less the same panel as the regular T400s with the only difference being the addition of a multi-touch surface. The touch surface allows you to manipulate screen objects without using a mouse or a touchpad. The display is OK, but it does have those minor flaws associated with all touch-screens. For instance touch-screens appear to be hazy, but the problem is not that apparent on T400s Touch.

The display itself is good. Colors are bright and vivid. Contrast is also good. Viewing angles are average. Lenovo has also added new software to take advantage of the multi-touch features. Speaker performance was far from being perfect, but this is a problem with most business notebooks.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard on this notebook looks and feels different from the keyboards on previous models. But the changes are mostly for the better. The T400s Touch has relatively larger ‘escape’ and ‘delete’ keys. The keyboard is comfortable to type on.

The touchpad is different too. The T400s Touch has a raised touchpad with a softer texture. It seems less sensitive than the touchpad on T400s.

Ports and Features
Port selection is good. There are 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 eSATA/USB combo port, VGA port, DisplayPort out, built-in web camera, Bluetooth, DVD+/-RW

Performance
Performance is quite satisfactory. Boot times and application load times are fast. The machine can handle most tasks. Despite this being a business notebook with no discrete GPUs, it can easily decode HD movies.

Battery Life
At about 6 hours, the battery life is quite good.

Conclusion
With T400s Lenovo has brought a Touch-screen interface to a standard notebook. The notebook performs reasonably well with its touch interface. The only problem is its prize. The T400s Touch starts at around $2000.

Pros:
First standard notebook to feature a multi-touch screen
Good battery life

Cons:
Pricey

LENOVO G350

The Lenovo G530 is a 15.4 inch notebook featuring either an Intel Pentium dual-core or Core 2 Duo processor and Intel integrated graphics. This is the only laptop in the Lenovo ‘Value Line’ series.

Lenovo Value line G530 Specifications:
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual-Core T3400 (2.16GHz, 1MB L2 cache, 667MHz FSB)
Operating System: Microsoft Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (w/ SP1)
Display: 15.4-inch glossy 16:10 display (1280x800)
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Memory: 3GB DDR2 667MHz RAM
HDD: 250GB 5400RPM HDD
Weight: 5lbs 13.9oz

Price as configured: $499

Build and Design
The Lenovo G530 has a simple but stylish design. The chassis is made entirely of plastic, but still it feels very sturdy. At the base of the notebook there easy access panels to the memory, CPU, wireless card and hard drive.

Display
The 15.4 inch glossy display is good. Colors are bright and vibrant. Viewing angles are also good.

Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard is easy to type on. It is very firm and shows no sign of flex. The Synaptics touchpad has good sensitivity. The keyboard has a function key with which you can disable the touchpad if you prefer to use an external mouse.

Ports and Slots
Port selection is average. There are four USB ports, ExpressCard/54 slot, optical drive, modem, VGA-out and audio jacks, but no eSATA and HDMI.

Speakers and Audio
Audio quality isn’t very impressive. A pair of headphones is a must if you want to enjoy a film or listen to music.

Heat and Noise
Heat and noise levels are well within normal limits.

Performance
The G530 comes with Intel Pentium T3400 and offers reasonably good performance. This notebook will work fine for basic business or student use. External video connections are limited, but you can play HD movies on this notebook. There is no discrete graphic card, so gaming is out of question.

Battery
At 3.5 hours, the battery live is average.

Conclusion
This is a well-built budget notebook that delivers good performance at an affordable price. It is ideal for small and medium businesses.

Pros:
Good build quality
Nice keyboard
Good looks

Cons:
Limited external video connections

LENOVO TO RELEASE ITS IDEACENTER C100 TOUCHSCREEN NETTOP

Lenovo will release its IdeaCenter C100 in a few weeks. This is an all-in-one nettop with optional touch screen. The machine will have a large 20 inches display and includes a DVD burner.

Configuration
Processor: Intel Atom N270 1.60 GHz CPU
Memory: 2 GB RAM
HDD: 80GB/160GB
Operating System: Windows Vista

Optional features include Wi-Fi and camera. The basic configuration without the touch screen will cost around $400. Lenovo plans to release it by August end. The touchscreen version will cost more. It will include the Windows 7 upgrade and is expected to be released in October.

A nettop is a type of mini desktop computer designed for performing basic tasks like web surfing.