Lenovo-branded computers to launch Thursday in US

[K. Eng]

link

The launch starts with desktops, but notebooks are expected in the next few months:

The 3000 series notebooks will use Intel's processors only and come in three categories. The C series is designed for bargain hunters at a starting price of around $599, while the N series and V series are widescreen notebooks with more features and performance. All the systems will launch during the next few months, according to sources.

[notebooknewbie]

Here's some specs/pics/further details:

>> http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2781

[SpaRood]

These will compete with the Dells....and Dell better worry.

[jdhurst]

These will compete with the Dells....and Dell better worry.

It depends. A lot of people (in my estimation more than 75 percent of users including buyers) think that quality is the same regardless of price level and that a $400 Dell is as good as an $800 IBM Commercial Desktop. How naive they are.

Cheap Lenovo's will probably be the same quality as cheap Dell's, break as readily, and have as many problems.

... JD Hurst

[smek]

I think it will have a run for its money, and quality will proably range between dell and thinkpads. Im sure there will be more imperfections, more use of cheap plastic, wobly screen but things like the thinkpad keyboard will still be there. On outside they look like the Dell 1xxx.

[icantux]

This may be a bit of a gamble for Lenovo. As JD mentioned, most consumers unfortunately do not distinguish quality and price. Regardless, if Lenovo does produce a somewhat cheaper product that may break more quickly, the company may gain a reputation of manufacturing inferior products, hence create a bad name for itself. IF that's the case then consumers may eventually and inappropriately associate the Thinkpad line with inferior quality workmanship as well.

[K. Eng]

This product looks like it's designed to compete squarely with the Dell B series of Inspirons. A no-frills, simple design with inexpensive components.

I found it interesting though that the notebookreview editor seemed to think that the keyboard quality was excellent...

[christopher_wolf]

Also, it will have a big advantage when it comes to the screen; since, if I am thinking correctly here, I see the titanium hinges on that laptop.

[AIX]

It looks like a cheap laptop; I don't think there are any titanium hinges on that thing..

[christopher_wolf]

On other shots I have seen of it, the hinges certainly did look like titanium; although I can't be sure without the spec sheet.

[beeblebrox]

When reading the notebookreview.com review, it seems to me that those lenovo things are from the same designers and probably the same production line as the ThinkPads. Even the ThinkVantage stuff is there...

AND: They finally have everything included, what I have been missing on ThinkPads for a long time. Positive: Solid metal hinges, silver (Titanium/Plastic) cover, fingerprint reader. 12.1" widescreen with DVD drive... perfect!

IF they potentially offer a keyboard option with the TrackPoint I might be very tempted to switch. (hmmm.... the Thinkpad keyboard might be compatible??!?)

[christopher_wolf]

I don't know if the Thinkpad keyboards might be compatible, but maybe since, to keep costs down, they would use the same form and layout for the keyboard so it could very well be possible. Again, I would like to see the HMM and spec sheets for those models to see if that is even remotely possible.

Although, if they play their cards right, these new laptops could be quite the threat to Dell.

[JoeJMCO]

I wonder if Lenovo will be releasing a TABOOK equivalent for the 3000C series ....

[The Insider]

Does this mean we need a forum dedicate to non "Think" related Lenovo products?

[SpaRood]

I would second that idea!

[beeblebrox]

I am sure those Lenovos could make a big splash in the market, since those guys are quite clever. apart from the major part of employees being ex-IBM folks, the Chinese have succeeded to copy the German magentic train with a short time and build an improved and cheaper version.

Now they got the ThinkPads, copy them, improve them and sell them way cheaper for the consumer market, just with a few details missing to distinguish the two lines.

Any business major knows, that synergies and common products parts drastically reduce unneccessary high prices. Starting from the same proven raw material (black plastics), reliable design (Thinkpad keyboards) and commonly known design (metal hinges, black design, with a potential (Titanium = Plastic for consumers) silver cover to professional software (ThinkVantage tools).

In my opinion, Lenovo is doing everything right. We'll see in a few months were they have cut corners to crush the manufacturing price for consumers.

I am not too worried, since they provide the same IBM service.

It seems to me that Lenovo is trying to get rid of the past with junk computers and is establishing itself as a leading producer with good products.

Future will tell us...
I am still curious about that 12.1" Widescreen Lenovo with the DVD burner. This will be a sure Sony killer.

[JoeJMCO]

I wonder if Lenovo will be releasing a TABOOK equivalent for the 3000C series ....

Looks like it's called the 3book: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pcinstitu ... /3book.pdf

[Likvid]

How uncool is it to have a notebook called Lenovo?

Sounds cheap, probably something you bought at Wal-Mart.

Thinkpad is dead to me by the takeover by Lenovo, too bad.

Only way is downhill now like most Chinese owned companies focusing only on quantity and not quality.

[icantux]

Does this mean we need a forum dedicate to non "Think" related Lenovo products?

Absolutely not (imo)! that's blasphemy!

A non-think can never be a think regardless of what you think about it. The thinks bore a thoughtful name, one that was well thought of. Furthermore I don't think that think can or should be transfered thoughtlessly.

my two cents.

[rleo25]

Ok fellas, in my opinion, the chinese move is on, and well "oriented". As I said in former posts don't worry about Thinkpads, the launch of this week's new Lenovo's notebooks proves my asessment. There will be two product lines: the cutting edge for conoisseurs, (arround $2500) and the inexpensive entry level ones (arround $400), as you may suppose the earlier are the THINKPAD'S and the former -its cousins- LENOVO'S 3000 C100 et al. In about 4 years or before, when the Thinkpad and IBM brand use clause expires they will adopt a Lenovo's line name, but the quality and excellence will be kept, they are learning fast, and are advanced copiers you know... it sounds strange but two very differenciated brands are a wiser marketing idea than a mixture of the two families... and I suspect IBM is still behind this bussiness.

[K. Eng]

rleo25 couldn't have said it better. ThinkPads for the business and high end, Lenovo for the consumer and retail end. No different than Dell bifurcating Inspiron and Latitude lines, and HP doing the same with its consumer and business machines.

IBM owns 13% of Lenovo, and would probably raise hell if Lenovo's management started messing up.

[bhtooefr]

Go watch the Flash tour of the Lenovo 3000C series.

They screwed with the keyboard. Sounds like they're using the same manufacturers and production specs as the ThinkPads, but they screwed with the layout.

Also, note what's missing.

And, they put a cheap touchpad on there.

I'll stick with the TPR for budget, thank you very much.