Lenovo

More netbooks sold in Q3 than iPhones

Paul Mah — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:31:00 -0500

I came across an interesting comparison pitting the sale of netbooks against that of iPhones. The raw numbers come from Gartner and DisplaySearch, which pegged the number of iPhones that have shipped at 4.7 million against 5.6 million units of netbook units sold. One reason behind such a comparison is the thinking, by some in the industry, that perhaps the iPhone can replace the role of a portable computer.

In a way, this is no surprise, given that big brand names such as HP and Lenovo have joined Asus in this niche market. Still, the really interesting question has to do with how the netbook managed to garner a bigger sales volume, despite coming out later than the first iPhone, and in spite of the iPhone's cult popularity. So do you think apple will come out with a netbook to compete in the lucrative netbook segment?

To read more about this story:
- check out this article from jkOnTheRun
- check out this article from InformationWeek Blog
- figures from Gartner and DisplaySearch

Lenovo to launch ThinkPad laptops with Intel's anti-theft technology

Paul Mah — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:23:26 -0500

Anti-theft technology is all the rage now, not surprising given high profile data breach cases involving the loss of laptops. Add to that the fact that the shipment of laptops has now surpassed that of desktops, and the reason is obvious.

This week brings news that Lenovo's ThinkPad T400 laptop will be the first to ship with Intel Anti-Theft PC Protection, an unimaginatively named implementation of Intel's anti-theft technology. In conjunction with Absolute Software Computrace, the two technologies are designed to enable laptops to detect and respond to theft.

The Intel anti-theft component comes in tandem with Intel's Centrino 2 platform and vPro technology, and with the technology built into the vPro chip itself. Absolute Software's Computrace tracking and anti-theft software are stored in the laptop's firmware, adding the ability for an IT department to track the physical location of a laptop.

Upon report of theft or loss, an IT technician can immediately and remotely render the T400 inoperable. Once turned on, the laptop will automatically sync with the preconfigured home base, where engineers can even go as far as performing a remote wipe of the on-board data. An inability to connect to the central server for a long period of time could see it being set to shut down.

If you recall, this is the second time in as many weeks where Lenovo has unveiled a new technology designed to thwart theft. Just last week, Lenovo unveiled a system in which SMS, or text messaging technology, can be used to remotely disable a laptop that has been stolen or lost. Unlike this scenario though, it only worked through a WWAN (wireless WAN) card, which also required a mobile data subscription.

For more:
- check out the eWeek article

Editor's Note: Changes have been made so that this article no longer insinuates that Computrace cannot work through a WWAN card. Computrace is able to work through any type of Internet connection.

Using text messages to remotely disable Lenovo ThinkPads

Paul Mah — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:08:43 -0500

Lenovo will be building an additional layer of security into the company's ThinkPad laptop range, by leveraging the popularity of text messaging. Available in 2009, users who have either lost or had their laptops stolen, can send a text message to remotely shut it down. Called Lenovo Constant Secure Remote Disable, this new feature is contained within the laptop's BIOS and was developed together with BIOS maker Phoenix Technologies.

For obvious reasons, Constant Secure Remote Disable technology will only be available for laptops with embedded cellular WWAN (wireless wide-area network) data cards for Internet access. Cellular subscription and coverage are also prerequisites for it to work. The beauty lies in the feature's simplicity of use.

According to Stacy Cannady, Lenovo's product manager of security, the lost or stolen ThinkPad is either disabled immediately or disabled after the laptop has been turned back on. The reason is to allow hard disk encryption to properly engage--since it doesn't work properly when a laptop is either running or in hibernation mode. Users who get their ThinkPads back are able to restore disabled laptops back to their original state by entering a password.

It is not known whether the laptop will be usable after swapping out the existing hard disk or WWAN card.

To read more:
- check out this article from eWeek

Related Article:
Lenovo takes aim at the MacBook Air

Intel shows off new cooling technology for ultra-thin laptops

Paul Mah — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:59:18 -0400

In anticipation of a rush of ultra-thin laptops from PC makers, Intel unveiled new cooling technology that will help ensure that these thinner models stay cool. According to the general manager of Intel's Mobile Platforms Group, Mooly Eden, current thermal design technology only focuses on keeping internal component temperature down, and pays little attention to the outside of the computer. This results in laptop hot spots that can be uncomfortably hot. By using a system of laminar air-flow technology however, it is possible to move heat off a laptop's skin. This is akin to that of a jet engine where its wall is kept cool despite heat of 1,000 degrees centigrade on the inside. As it doesn't make actual laptops, Intel will license this technology to customers so that they can make thinner laptops like the Apple MacBook Air and the Lenovo ThinkPad X300.

To read more about Intel's new cooling technology:
- check out this article from CNET News.com

Lenovo joins netbook fray with Ideapad S10

Paul Mah — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:27:03 -0400

Lenovo has announced its entry into the increasing popular netbook market with the Ideapad S10. This new netbook will sport a 10.2-inch screen and a keyboard that is 85 percent of full size. More interestingly, it will run Intel's new Atom N270 processor, as well as packing 2GB of RAM and a standard 5,400 rpm hard disk under its hood. In addition, it will have an ExpressCard slot for WAN connectivity, two USB ports, a built-in webcam, a headphone jack, and a 4-in-1 card reader. Battery will come in the form of either a 3-cell or a 6-cell pack. Running on Windows XP, the Ideapad S10 is expected to be available in October and will be priced at $399 and $499 depending on size of hard drive.

For more on the Lenovo Ideapad S10:
- check out the article from The Inquirer

Wireless USB is here

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 06:59:58 -0400

Wireless communications just get faster and faster. Now, they've hit true USB speeds as the first products from D-Link, Dell, Lenovo and IO-Gear have been certified for wireless USB 1.0 performance. Certified Wireless USB can move data across a 3-meter gap at 480 Mbps, and will cover 10 meters at 110 Mbps. Initial products include wireless USB adapters and 4-port wireless USB hubs, with computers from Dell and Lenovo featuring native Wireless USB.

For more on Wireless USB:
- see this DailyTechRag story
- and read this news story at Newsfactor