CES 2009: Lenovo Debuts W700ds Dual-Screen Laptop and Wiimote-ish A600 All In One Desktop
Lenovo has been making waves at CES with its two new breakout computers: the Thinkpad W700ds dual-screen laptop and IdeaCenter A600 All-in-One Desktop. I got a chance to check out both today, and found that the buzz is well deserved.
The Thinkpad W700ds is an update to the older W700 model. While most manufacturers refresh their product lines by adding faster processors and more storage, Lenovo has upped the ante by adding a second screen that slides out from the right side of the 17" (1920 x 1200 resolution) main display. This secondary display measures 10.6" diagonally (768 x 1280 resolution) and is attached to an adjustable hinge that allows it to swing forward. The W700ds also includes an integrated Wacom drawing tablet that is separate from the traditional trackpad. This tablet is mappable to either display, and can also be set to correspond on a 1-to-1 basis to a user-defined area. Also of note, the W700ds comes with a built-in color calibrator. When taken together, these features make this laptop a solid pick for anyone who spends a lot of time with Adobe products.
Lenovo offers various configurations for the W700ds. Buyers can choose between Intel Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Extreme, and Core 2 Quad Core processors, as well as various configurations of solid state and traditional hard drive storage options. Nvidia Quadro FX cards will power the displays, and up to 8GB of RAM can be included. The sheer size of this laptop lets Lenovo pack in some more bells and whistles, like a 7-in-1 card reader that accepts Compact Flash cards, ExpressCard and SmartCard support, VGA, Dual Link DVI and DisplayPort outputs, optional WiMAX, and two ThinkLights to illuminate the keyboard in dark areas. The W700ds weighs a hair under 11 pounds, and battery life is between 1.5 and 2 hours under real-life circumstances--understandable for a beast this size. The W700ds is available now and units start at $3,663.
Lenovo's other hot new product is the IdeaCenter A600 All-in-One Desktop. Built specifically as an entertainment PC, its 21.5" (1920 x 1080 HD resolution) screen, on-board home theater sound system, and optional TV tuner make it a good choice for those looking to add or replace an actual television. It includes a wireless keyboard with on-board trackpad, as well as a wireless mouse with adjustable DPI settings. However, it's the optional multifunction remote that sets this entertainment PC apart from others. Not only does it perform traditional tasks like volume adjustment and Windows Media Center control, but it also packs an accelerometer that allows for air-mouse functionality as well as a Wii-like gaming experience. The remote also has VOIP functionality, enabling it to be used much like a cordless telephone. Look for the IdeaCenter A600 to arrive in April and start at $999.
--Jon D.
Ron on January 10, 2009 at 02:23 PM
I.ve had lenovo shuch a waste of my money
Che on July 24, 2009 at 12:29 PM
I can't wait for my w700ds to arrive. I love my T61p but this one has it all. Great work Lenovo!
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