Core i7 Boost For Lenovo ThinkPad X201, X201s, X201t, W701 And W701ds Notebooks

We've been expecting a Lenovo refresh for a while now, and the company haven't disappointed.  Today they've announced new models at both ends of the portability spectrum, squeezing Intel Core i7 processors into the ThinkPad W701 and W701ds (dual-screen) 17-inch mobile workstations, as well as into the ThinkPad X201, X201s and X201t ultraportables.

The X201 is apparently "the fastest ultraportable laptop" (when in 2.66GHz Core i7-620M form with Turbo Boost switched on), using regular voltage Core i5 and Core i7 processors rather than the low-voltage chips in rival systems.  Both it and its "featherweight" X201s sibling are lightweight, too: the X201 is under 3 pounds and the X201s shaves that down to under 2.5 pounds.  Battery life is up to 11hrs on the X201 and over 12hrs on the X201s, assuming you've gone for the biggest, 9-cell battery.

As for the Lenovo ThinkPad X201t, that's the Core i7 convertible tablet model, which has a dual-function Wacom pen-enabled and multitouch display. No word on battery life, but like the other two X200 range models there's Intel HD graphics inside.  Lenovo also offer optional 3G/WiMAX connectivity, Bluetooth, outdoor-viewable displays and more.

Since you'll likely be replacing a desktop machine with the Lenovo ThinkPad W701 and its dual-display W701ds cousin, Lenovo have offered some pretty much desktop class processors.  Both Intel's Core i7-820QM and Core i7-920 Extreme are on offer here, and you can pair them with NVIDIA's Quadro FX 2800 and 3800 Series GPUs along with dual-SSD RAID arrays like before.

Pricing for models of the X201, X201s, X201 tablet, W701 and W701ds start at approximately $1,199, $1,599, $1,549, $2,199 and $3,799, and they'll go on sale from March 2010.

Press Release:

Performance Matters: Lenovo Designs Fastest Ultraportable Laptop and Smart Business Tablet PC

Six New Think-branded Products Push Envelope on Value

The News

• The fastest ultraportable laptop1 – the ThinkPad X201
• Most powerful ThinkPads with W701 and W701ds mobile workstation
• ThinkPad X201 tablet – the smart tablet choice for business
• Industry's first server with remote management using Intel® AMT,2 and Lenovo's first value server with models starting under $500

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – February 23, 2010: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today is breaking barriers for thin and light performance with the new ThinkPad X201 laptop, the industry's fastest ultraportable laptop1. Lenovo is also introducing five new Think-branded products to give customers a new level of value with more choice, unparalleled performance and greater productivity. These include the ThinkPad X201s laptop, the thinnest and lightest ThinkPad, the X201 tablet, the smart tablet for business users, the powerful W701 and W701ds mobile workstations, the most powerful ThinkPads, and the ThinkServer TS200v tower, Lenovo's first server with unprecedented management capabilities and solid reliability at a desktop price.

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"We're continuing to push the envelope on innovation to give our mobile customers faster, more powerful and smarter ThinkPad laptops," said Dilip Bhatia, executive director, ThinkPad Product Marketing, Lenovo. "These PCs incorporate the latest computing technologies and extra Lenovo features to make the PC experience more simple and productive."

Ultralight Performance Matters.

At "over three gigahertz and under three pounds1," the ThinkPad X201 packs heavyweight performance into an extremely thin and light design. Unlike competitors that compromise on size, weight, performance or cooling, Lenovo has optimized the X201 for a no compromise experience between mobility and performance. The X201 outclocks competitors in its class by 25 percent1 and includes Intel's® normal volt Core™ Processors while competitors offer low volt processors. The X201 also gets extremely long battery life with up to 11 hours.3 The new ThinkPad X201s, the X Series' featherweight fighter, weighs in at under 2.5 pounds4 and now achieves over 12 hours5 of battery life.

Mobile Workstation Power and Productivity.

For those who need extreme performance and productivity, the new W Series mobile workstations are Lenovo's most powerful ThinkPads yet. They pair Intel® Core™ i7 Series processors (with Intel® Turbo Boost and Intel® Hyperthreading technologies) with NVIDIA Quadro FX 2800 and 3800 Series GPUs. These technologies help deliver the responsiveness of a workstation in a 17 inch mobile design. The W701 and W701ds are the only 17 inch mobile workstations to feature an optional built-in color calibrator to help professionals in computer aided design and digital content creation ensure accurate colors are displayed. They are also the only mobile workstations to feature an optional built-in WACOM digitizer and pen to manipulate fine details. The W701 and W701ds are certified to run the most popular applications from independent software vendors, Dassault Systemes CATIA®, SolidWorks, PTC Pro/E and more.

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"Lenovo's ThinkPad mobile workstations have helped us increase our productivity by 20 percent," said Alan Duerden, lead systems engineer, McLaren Racing. "We rely on these mobile workstations for determining computational fluid dynamics and rendering high performance graphics to improve the car's design as well as to support our drivers on the track."

A Smart Tablet for Business.

Lenovo optimized the ThinkPad X201 tablet for a smart business computing experience. Unlike slate devices designed for consumers, the X201 tablet features:

More than Fingers:

· 12.1 inch capacitive multitouch screen with a touch-based hardware interface and Lenovo SimpleTap navigation application

· Dual functionality as a pen or finger-based slate and a full-size laptop with keyboard

Functionality and Productivity

· Microsoft® Windows™ 7 business operating system optimized for touch

· Multitasking capability with Flash and Java support

· The latest Intel® Core™ processors

· Wide-viewing angle screen for viewing up to 185 degrees

· Optional superbright outdoor screen

· Security tools including fingerprint reader, anti-theft technologies, self encrypting hard drives and more

Multimedia and Expandability

· Noise cancelling microphones, stereo speakers, 2.0 MP camera, 54mm ExpressCard slot for smart card reader, TV Tuner, firewire and other devices

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· WiMAX, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity

· Optional DVD drive connection through ultrabase or USB port for watching multimedia

· Expandability with up to 8GB memory, multiple USB ports, 54mm Express Card Slot and more

Click here to watch a video on the story behind the first ThinkPad, which was a tablet.

Big Server Features, Small Server Price for the Small Office and MSP

The ThinkServer TS200v goes big on features and performance at an unbelievably affordable price. Designed as an entry single processor server with models starting under $500 for small businesses, corporate branch offices and managed service providers (MSP), the ThinkServer TS200v provides a reliable, easy to set up and manage, energy-efficient solution. As the first server with Intel ® Active Management Technology, it makes remote management easy for customers who may not have a dedicated IT staff. It also includes enterprise-class reliability features like memory error correction and built-in RAID protection.

"As a managed service provider, our ability to remotely monitor and maintain server hardware is key to our success, said Greg Donovan, president and CEO, Alpheon. "Lenovo's new ThinkServer TS200v sets the stage for dramatic cost savings, improved response time and new services."

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"Lenovo and Intel are delivering intelligent performance with new levels of manageability in servers for small business," said Dylan Larson, director, Technology Initiatives, Intel. "Intel® Active Management Technology on the Lenovo ThinkServer TS200v will enable consistent management for small business servers with existing AMT-enabled management consoles."

Unexpected Features. Unprecedented Value.

Lenovo PCs are engineered with the unexpected, extra features that make a difference. These features are practical and simple solutions that make everyday computing more convenient. For example, now the fingerprint reader on the ThinkPad X Series laptops works as conveniently as using an electronic pas for a car going through a toll booth. Users can power on their laptop just by swiping their finger on the fingerprint reader without having to press the power button.

Lenovo is also taking the hassle out of replacing laptop batteries by offering a new three year warranty on the X Series laptops for more up and running time. Strong design and performance go hand in hand, and Think PCs are designed to last. Roll cages on the W701 and W701ds, carbon glass fiber on the X201s and the Active Protection System in all the laptops helps them meet up to eight military specifications for burning and blistery temperatures, shock, high altitude and dust.

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Because costs add up, it's also important to remember the hidden savings energy efficient technology can provide. The new products meet Energy Star 5.0 and Energy Star Server 1.0. Many of the laptop models are EPEAT Gold-rated for their environmental attributes, including high amounts of post consumer recycled plastics.

Pricing and Availability6

The ThinkPad X201, X201s, X201 tablet, W701, W701ds and ThinkServer TS200v are available beginning in March through business partners and www.lenovo.com. Pricing for models of the X201, X201s, X201 tablet, W701 and W701ds start at approximately $1,199, $1,599, $1,549, $2,199 and $3,799.