Lenovo Brings New Ideas to Consumer Market

Lenovo is looking to shake things up with their consumer products. From a newly redesigned All-In-One IdeaCentre to some notebooks and a Linux netbook, Lenovo is looking to steal the spotlight at CES 2010. But similar to their business brand counterparts, one can’t help but wonder if Lenovo is taking cues from Apple. Here’s the latest on the snazzy new introductions from Lenovo…

In a recent webcast, Lenovo was almost beaming with pride introducing the IdeaCentre A300 (pictured). Dubbed as “the industry’s thinnest all-in-one with a screen depth of just 18.5mm” the IdeaCenter is purposely asymmetrical with the entire computer contents inside its base. It shines with an LED screen at 21.5 inches, and comes with the patented Lenovo Windows 7 “Enhanced Experience”  It’s something fun to look at, and certainly a departure from generic looking all-in-ones that Lenovo previously put out.

But after a cursory glance at the shiny new toy, you might be wondering what Lenovo is doing with this. Sure, they’ve given it a 16:9 aspect ratio — a-la the new iMacs — but they’ve emulated an old iMac design: the G4 iMac and its distinctive “lampshade” look with the guts in the base.

Lenovo gave us a super-thin screen by putting all the circuitry in the base of the machine. Ironically, this comes at a time when everyone is trying to cram things behind the screen to make use of VESA mounts. Which will approach will users prefer? We’ll be watching…

Touch and Go: Mobile Moves

Meanwhile, Lenovo is introducing the IdeaPad S10-3t and S10-3. Lenovo’s S10-3t is at tablet notebook and an industry first, featuring a capacitive multitouch screen. That means a more iPhone like experience, where fingers work and a stylus doesn’t. Both models come with  something cool, original and innovative, too; Quick Start 2.0. It’s an ‘instant on’ function so you can get at specific applications and the Web without starting Windows. In a post-Google Chrome OS world, it’s good to see that Lenovo is acknowledging this idea.

Lastly, we have the Lenovo Skylight. Lenovo calls it their first ‘smartbook’ and a “netbook killer.” It’s aim is to be always on, always connected, and provide all day use. But it’s not running Windows. It’s running Linux with a Web optimized GUI built in-house at Lenovo. There’s a sort of odd-clamshell shape (iBook G3?) to the whole package, but it seems to work.

Skylight runs on a 1GHz ARM processor with WiFi and 3G integrated. It’s provided by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor. At just under 11 inches, it’s sporting a full sized keyboard. Lenovo said that they’re looking to put this guy at a $499 price point, but they might be subsidizing it with a cellular company. Keep it locked into the The VAR Guy for more details regarding the flavor of Linux powering this little netbook, but Lenovo says it’s their own custom version.

Meanwhile, we’ll be keeping tabs on the CES 2010 reception. the Skylight seems like it’s either going to fly or flop, especially with Google Chrome looming.