Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2
It’s been a big week for Lenovo. Amid celebrating 20 years since the release of the first ThinkPad laptop, the company has introduced two new ultrabooks and the second-generation ThinkPad Tablet.
IBM released the first ThinkPad in 1992 and a lot has changed in the two decades since, including the acquisition of the brand by Lenovo in 2005. Now the ThinkPad name applies to tablets as well as laptops, and the ThinkPad Tablet 2 is set for release at the end of October.
The release will coincide with the launch of Windows 8 and the ThinkPad Tablet 2 will run on Windows 8 Pro, which means it will be able to run all older Windows applications as well as the new breed.
Featuring a 10.1-inch HD display and weighing 600g, the 9.8mm thick tablet is powered by an Intel Atom processor and comes with USB and HDMI ports, front and rear-facing cameras, wireless video streaming, and noise-cancelling microphones.
The ThinkPad Tablet 2 can be operated using the touchscreen or a stylus, while a keyboard and dock are sold separately. There will be 3G and 4G models available, and for security the device comes equipped with a fingerprint reader and encrypted internal and external storage.
New ThinkPad ultrabooks
While consumers will have to wait until October for the tablet, Lenovo will also release two new ultrabooks this month.
ThinkPad Carbon X1
The ThinkPad Carbon X1 takes its name from its carbon fibre casing and is perhaps the lightest 14-inch laptop on the market, weighing a little more than 1kg. Features include a high-resolution display, backlit keyboard, multi-gesture glass surface touchpad, HD face-tracking camera, Dolby-tuned audio, dual array microphones, and eight hours of battery life with RapidCharge technology. Powered by third-generation Intel Core processors, the Carbon X1 will ship with Windows 7 but is built to be Windows 8-ready.
Finally, the ThinkPad T430u ultrabook is a cheaper model for small business and personal use, configurable with NVIDIA GeForce graphics and 1TB storage.
