NetbookTech

Lenovo announces a refresh of the ultra-portable IdeaPad U series with today’s introduction of the U160, U460, and U460s thin-and-lights. Features of the new models include the following:

• New “U” shaped outline inspired by a closed book lying on its side
• Textured aluminum top cover
• A measurement of less than one-inch thick and a weight of less than 3.8 pounds
• Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
• Ambient Light Sensor, Active Protection System, and data recovery tools

The U460 and U460s both feature a 14 inch display and can be configured with up to Core i7 processor. The U460 supports standard voltage processors while the U460s supports ultra-low voltage processors for longer battery life and lower power consumption.

The U160 supports ultra-low voltage processors, weighs a mere 2.9 pounds and, measures 0.9 inches at its thinnest point.

Lenovo IdeaPad U160 pic:

Lenovo IdeaPad U460 pic:

The new U series models will be available in June with prices starting at $699.

DNAIndia.com reports that both Samsung and Lenovo are readying new netbooks based on the VIA VX900 media system processor for a June timeframe launch.

If you’re not familiar with the VX900 MSP, head over to the product page over at VIA’s website. Here are some of the main features of the MSP:

• Hardware acceleration for MPEG-4/AVC, H.264, MPEG-2, VC-1, WMV-HD, AVS and Blu-ray – aka smooth 1080p playback without load on the CPU
• Support for Display Port, HDMI, DVI, and VGA connectors
• VIA Chrome9 HCM 3D integrated graphics core for full DX9 support and 128 bit 2D engine
• HD audio support
• DDR3 memory support
• Supports low-power device interfaces of SDIO, UART and SPI, LPC as well as up to 8 USB 2.0 ports.

On a side note, the premise of the DNAIndia article is how smaller chip manufacturers are coming up with faster alternatives to Intel’s Atom processor in the netbook market. To that end, the article cites AMD’s Congo processor advances and of course the above VIA processor. Problem is – the article completely ignores Intel’s own class of CULV processors which compete nicely with these third party processors. With the introduction of the Core i3 processor, one should expect even more powerful (and more expensive) thin-and-lights this year.

All this translates to plenty of options for the consumer – both in the netbook arena and in the thin-and-light arena.

[Check it out via Liliputing, Ubergizmo, Gizmos and Gadgets]

BTW, has anyone noticed that Lenovo has begun selling their new ThinkPad X100e thin-and-light notebook systems? Announced back at the beginning of January, the X100e features:

• 1.6 GHz AMD Athlon Neo single-core MV-40 processor
• ATO Radeon HD 3200 graphics
• Sub-3 pound weight
• 11.6 inch HD display
• ISO full-sized spill-resistant keyboard
• TrackPoint and multi-touch enabled touchpad
• Low-light sensitivity webcam
• 3 USB ports (1 powered)
• 4 in 1 media card reader
• HD audio
• 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Optional Bluetooth and WWAN
• 1 to 2GB of RAM
• 160GB or 250GB 5400RPM HDD
• 6 cell Lithium Ion battery

Prices for the X100e start at $584 (although it’s on sale now with a starting price of $449). You can save 5% more with the eCoupon code USPTHINKSALE which ends on March 3rd. The high end system (currently on sale for $649) comes with 2GB of RAM, a 250GB HDD, and integrated mobile broadband provided by the Gobi 2000 chipset.

[Check it out]

Lenovo introduced the new ThinkPad X201 notebook today, calling the system the “industry’s fastest ultraportable laptop”. What makes the X201 different from other thin-and-light systems is the use of normal voltage Intel Core processors vs the ubiquitous ultra-low-voltage processors commonly found on competing systems.

While exact specs are still scarce at this time, we do know the X201 will feature Intel Core i7-620M processors clocked at 2.66GHz. Amazingly enough, the X201 is capable of achieving up to 11 hours of battery life with the 9 cell battery.

If you want something a bit smaller than the X201, you might be interested in the new ThinkPad X201s – the thinnest and lightest ThinkPad yet. The X201s weighs at under 2.5 pounds and achieves 12 hours of battery life with a 9 cell battery.

Both models will be available beginning in March with starting prices for the X201 at $1199 and the X201s at $1599.

Read more about other new Lenovo Think-branded products over at Krunker.com.

[Check it out via Krunker.com]

Lenovo announced two new netbooks today – the IdeaPad S10-3t and S10-3 (above) – both of which feature Intel’s new Pine Trail platform. The S10-3t also happens to be the industry’s first multitouch capacitive convertible netbook tablet built with Lenovo’s NaturalTouch responsive fingertip touch-screen technology as opposed to pressure touch technology resulting in an “optimal netbook user touch experience.”

The IdeaPad S10-3t has a 10.1 inch display which can swivel 180 degrees and folded over, transforming the netbook into a multi-touch enabled tablet system.

Both the S10-3t and the S10-3 come with the newly announced Intel Atom N470 processor (which is clocked at 1.86Ghz vs the 1.66GHz clock speed of the previously announced N450 processor of the Pine Trail platform), 320GB HDD, built-in stereo speakers, Dolby headphone audio, and Quick Start 2.0 instant-on functionality which provides users a quick means to access applications and the web in a few seconds without needing to boot-up Windows. Also notice the S10-3 has a new island-style keyboard which I love!

As for pricing and availability, the S10-3t will start at $499.99 while the S10-3 starts at $349.99. Both netbooks will be available starting this month.

Here are additional pics of the S10-3:

and pictures of the S10-3t convertible tablet netbook

Lenovo unveiled a new thin-and-light notebook system today called the IdeaPad U150. This 11.6 inch ultra-portable notebook features the following:

• Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• Supports up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM
• Long battery life
• HD widescreen display
• Measures only 13.5 mm thick and weighs only 1.35 kg
• Choice of either textured red or black cover
• Active Protection System protects hard drive if the laptop is dropped or bumped into
• New version of OneKey Rescue System (v.7.0) which performs data backups up to twice as fast and includes more powerful antivirus scanning that can be run before OS is loaded

Prices for the IdeaPad U150 will begin at $585.

Oh and one last note. On the netbook front, Lenovo added several new textures and color patterns to the IdeaPad S10-2. The new patterns include pop art, violet floral, red floral, green floral, phoenix, garden, sailing and origami. Prices for the S10-2 start at $349.

Waiting for the new Lenovo IdeaPad S12? Well guess what? Several models of the new netbook are now available for pre-order over at the Lenovo website. Unfortunately this does not include the NVIDIA ION powered S12 which is supposedly delayed till around the Fall timeframe. The models currently available include an Atom powered S12 with Intel integrated graphics, and a VIA Nano-powered S12 with VIA Chrome9 HC3 graphics. The full details of the new S12 models include:

Lenovo IdeaPad S12-295954U and S12-295955U  for $499.00

• Intel ATOM N270 processor
• Windows XP Home Edition
• Intel GMA 950
• 1GB RAM
• 12.1 ” WXGA TFT 1280×800
• Touchpad
• 160GB 5400RPM HDD
• 6 cell lithium ion battery
• Broadcom 11b/g Wi-Fi wireless

Lenovo IdeaPad S12-295956U for $449.00

• VIA Nano ULV 2250 ( 1.30GHz 800MHz 1MB )
• Windows XP Home Edition
• VIA Integrated graphics – Chrome9 HC3
• 1GB RAM
• 12.1 ” WXGA TFT 1280×800
• Touchpad
• 160GB 5400RPM HDD
• 6 Cell Lithium-Ion
• Broadcom 11b/g Wi-Fi wireless

[Check it out via SlashGear]

Lenovo is set to announce their second generation netbook tomorrow – the IdeaPad S10-2. The follow-up to last fall’s IdeaPad S10, the latest netbook from Lenovo features optional embedded 3G connectivity (which will be available later this summer), Dolby headphone technology, a new top cover design, a thinner/lighter form factor, and of course, a longer battery life.

On the look and feel front, the S10-2 now weighs just over 2 pounds and measures less than an inch thick. In addition to losing some weight, the S10-2 features a revamped top cover with a “modern and sophisticated ring pattern” personalized in grey, pink, white, or black. Guess Lenovo was taking notes from HP?

The one area Lenovo decided to increase in size was in the area of keyboard size with the S10-2 featuring a 90% keyboard (compared to the S10’s 89% keyboard). It’s really not that much of an increase but every little bit helps on a netbook.  (We still prefer the Samsung NC10’s 93% keyboard). One nice touch – the S10-2 will feature identically sized and balanced shift keys on both sides of the keyboard (alright!).

Other touches to the S10-2 include:

• Larger touchpad
• Three USB 2.0 ports
• 4 in 1 card reader
• Up to six hours of battery life

Now on the sound side of the equation, Lenovo equipped the S10-2 with Dolby Headphone technology which will allow users with any set of headphones to hear surround sound audio from 5.1 channels of sound. Nice .. but I wonder how the built-in speakers are?

The S10-2 also features Lenovo’s new QuickStart OS which allows users to listen to music, view photos, send IMs or make Skype phone calls without waiting for the OS to boot.

And finally, here are the general specs to the IdeaPad S10-2:

• Intel Atom N270 processor
• 10.1 inch LED display
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• 3 – USB 2.0 ports
• 4 in 1 memory card reader
• VGA port
• Windows XP Home Edition
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• 6 cell battery
• Available in black, white, grey, and pink
• EnergyStar 5.0 and RoHS compliant

The IdeaPad S10-2 will be available starting at the end of May on the Lenovo website and through business partners at the end of June. Prices start at $349.

The story behind the “Lenovo Pocket Yoga” has finally surfaced courtesy of a blog posting by Johnson Li, Director of Lenovo’s Beijing Innovation Center and .. we’re sorry to say that the system was in fact a  2 year design concept that never saw the light of day from a production standpoint.

Boo.. Hiss….

According to the posting, the “Yoga notebook experiment is finished". A real shame…

However the rest of the posting is certainly interesting if you’re into the design characteristics of the Pocket Yoga. There’s even a brief mention of a “similar form factor by one of [Lenovo’s] competitors” (ahem.. Sony VAIO P Lifestyle PC).

Here are some tidbits from the posting for your edification:

• Called the “Pocket Yoga” because it was an extension of their other folding concept design which was inspired by the practice of yoga. The design came from one of their New Zealand –based designers
• Shaped liked a large wallet – the system could be placed in your pocket
• Surfaced is covered with wallet leather which is designed to be soft and comfortable
• 360 degree soft hinge design. Supports three modes – which each mode lockable.
• One mode was to use it in “normal angle” similar to how you might use a laptop
• Second mode was to open it “360 degrees” – folding the top cover back on itself thereby converting the system into a tablet PC
• Full function keyboard
• Elegant belt which wrapped the system AND can be used as a mouse

Make sure to read the rest of the Lenovo blog posting to understand the nuances of the design. Unfortunately, the “Yoga” experiment, as we said in the beginning, is “finished”.

[Check it out via SlashGear]

[Check out the complete Flickr feed]

Here’s a little teaser to start your week off just right.

No you’re not looking at the next version of the Sony VAIO P – you are in fact looking at some concoction developed by the minds over at Lenovo. Little is known about the device thus far except for it’s supposed name which currently is the “Lenovo Pocket Yoga”.  Here’s hoping Lenovo doesn’t pull the same pricing model as the Sony VAIO P.

[Check it out via GadgetHeat]