Lenovo News - ThinkPad Z61 and R60 Series Unveiled

Lenovo unveiled its new ThinkPad Z61 series and ThinkPad R60 series, both combining the power of Intel’s Core™ Duo processors with newly enhanced multimedia and wireless connectivity options. The new ThinkPads are designed and custom-built for users who want enterprise-class power, durability, data protection and ease-of-use.

The new Z61 series is also optimal for today’s business professionals seeking more flexibility in advanced multimedia and connectivity options in a widescreen format. Available in 14.1-inch (Z61t) and 15.4-inch (Z61m), the new models feature a choice of integrated or discrete graphics and up to 4 GB DDR-SDRAM for optimal viewing. The Z61t offers a WXGA/185-nit or WXGA /200-nit display, while the Z61m also adds a WXGA MaxBright option, enabling users to reap the benefits of clearer, brighter images.

“The ThinkPad Z61 series merges the power and performance of our top systems with the work-life usability of a widescreen display,” said Marc Godin, Lenovo’s vice president of notebook marketing. “In addition to building some of the industry’s thinnest and lightest notebooks, we have designed the ThinkPad Z61 to accommodate the wide array of needs business travelers have for their notebook PC.”

Both Z61 models feature an integrated camera and stereo microphone for videoconferencing, and are equipped with 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi capability, as well as integrated wireless WAN (WWAN) for connecting to Verizon Wireless’ high-speed nationwide network in the U.S. Lenovo was the first PC manufacturer to integrate a WWAN antenna for wireless internet access via evolution data only (EvDO) technology in standard notebooks, beginning with the ThinkPad Z60 series in September 2005.

Lenovo also announced its new ThinkPad R60 series, a lower-cost, mainstream system packed with performance-enhancing features. It continues to be an excellent choice for business and education users who value performance and value on a mainstream system. The new R60 offers better battery life, more connectivity options, and a new 14″ SXGA graphics choice. In addition, the R60 series enhances its value proposition with ThinkPad innovations such as the ThinkPad Roll Cage – a magnesium-alloy shell that helps protect the hard drive and other internal components - the ThinkPad Shock Mounted Hard Drive, a hardware switch for wireless shutoff, and integrated WWAN.

ThinkVantage Technologies Drive Performance

The R60 and Z61 series include new ThinkVantage Technologies by Lenovo that provide more powerful features in a centralized dashboard, making PC security quick and simple. The new ThinkPads come equipped with the latest version of the ThinkVantage Client Security Solution, which enables users to recover logon passwords themselves. It also features easy and powerful disk encryption, updated password manager software, and a System Security Audit to ensure users are properly securing their system.

Capitalizing on the new WWAN capability, the newest version of Access Connections allows for mobile users to change environments while the ThinkPad automatically adjusts by turning on and off the right connections.

A Year of ThinkPad Innovation

In the past 12 months, Lenovo has introduced a number of innovative products and technologies that have been praised by customers and analysts, including:

* The first ThinkPad Tablet PC: the ThinkPad X41 Tablet.
* The first widescreen ThinkPad with embedded wireless WAN, the ThinkPad Z60, available for the first time with a titanium cover.
* The first dual-core ThinkPad notebook PCs, improving productivity and extending battery life for up to 11 hours.(3)
* The ThinkPad Roll Cage, a magnesium-alloy frame that protects the hard drive and other internal components.
* Lenovo became the world’s largest provider of biometric-enabled PCs by selling its one-millionth PC with an integrated fingerprint reader.

Pricing and Availability

The ThinkPad R60 series can be purchased beginning today on www.lenovo.com, with availability beginning in June. Select models of Z61 series are also available for pre-order beginning today, with availability beginning in late June. Lenovo personal computers are also available through select business partners. Prices for these new ThinkPads will start at $699.