RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – October 4, 2007 – Lenovo today celebrates the 15th anniversary of the ThinkPad notebook PC – one of the most distinguished personal computing devices of the past two decades. Since its inception in 1992, ThinkPad has built a tradition of excellence, and is trusted by the world’s most demanding professionals for its advanced capability, rugged durability and thoughtful design. “This anniversary is not only a testament to the unparalleled design and craftsmanship of the ThinkPad but it also speaks volumes to the legions of ThinkPad enthusiasts that have been with us for so many years,” said Fran O’Sullivan, senior vice president, Lenovo Product Group. “The ThinkPad notebook is our flagship product, but more importantly, it’s also a proven personal tool for millions of customers that depend on their ThinkPad to achieve great things.” The ThinkPad was first brought to life by a group of ten leading designers and engineers from around the world, each inspired by the challenge of creating a truly usable notebook PC, and influenced by the unlikely pairing of the Shokado bento — a traditional black-lacquered Japanese lunch box — and an IBM-issued employee pocket notebook with the corporate motto ‘Think’ imprinted on the cover. The ThinkPad’s black exterior, red TrackPoint, distinctive key-board, and reputation for quality, has solidified its place in personal computing history as the must-have business notebook PC. Today, more than 30 million ThinkPad notebooks have been sold in more than 160 countries worldwide. The ThinkPad has won over 1000 design and engineering awards, more than any other notebook brand in the world. In 2006, the ThinkPad earned over 100 industry awards in the US alone.
“Over the past 15 years, the ThinkPad notebook PC has been the industry leader in innovative design with a track record of productivity enhancements that set the standard business customers have come to expect worldwide,” said Scott Di Valerio, corporate vice president, OEM division at Microsoft. “Since its inception, the ThinkPad has taken advantage of the Windows operating system and we are committed to continue our work with Lenovo to deliver innovations to customers by optimizing both Windows and the Office productivity suite of software.”
“Congratulations to Lenovo on making the ThinkPad a prominent fixture in offices worldwide and for being a major force in driving the mobile revolution,” said Sean Maloney, Intel executive vice president, and general manager, Sales and Marketing Group, and chief sales and marketing officer. “It’s an honor to have played a role in the ThinkPad’s success since its inception. We’ve participated in its growth both in evolving the mobile technology at its core and in making ThinkPads the “mobile offices” for millions of workers.”
The introduction of the first ThinkPad — the ThinkPad 700C — marked the first notebook with a 10.4″ color TFT screen and a new TrackPoint (red ball) pointing device. The ThinkPad would go on to include many pioneering technologies that would eventually pave the way for competitor notebooks. For example, the ThinkPad was the first notebook PC to feature an integrated biometric slide fingerprint reader combined with hard drive encryption for greater security. To date, Lenovo has shipped more than six million ThinkPad notebooks with this industry-leading security solution. The PC industry adapted many of these technologies to make them standard features for mobile computing users everywhere.
Some notable ThinkPad firsts include:
- First notebook PC with integrated CD-ROM/DVD ROM
- First ThinkLight, a “nighttime” light to illuminate the keyboard
- First notebook PC with integrated Wi-Fi certified wireless LAN
- First sub-three pound notebook PC with full-sized keyboard
- First notebook PC with an embedded security chip
- First notebook PC with hard drive “‘air-bag” protection
- First notebook PC with protective roll cage
- First notebook PC to feature an integrated biometric slide fingerprint reader combined with hard drive encryption
- First notebook PC with an extended battery life of up to 11 hours
About Lenovo Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building the world’s best engineered personal computers. Lenovo’s business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com .
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