Lenovo Ahead of the Curve on Energy Efficient Technologies

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lenovo today announced that its latest ThinkVision monitors already meet or exceed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star 5.0 proposed criteria now, nine months before the monitor criteria take effect in October 2009. EPA released final criteria for computers in mid-November 2008 and announced in mid-December that criteria for monitors would be completely finalized in March 2009.

“Saving energy and money are critically important during a downturn in the global economy”

Twelve ThinkPad laptops, several Ideapad laptops, and two desktop PCs - the ThinkCentre M58 and M58p - already meet or exceed the new energy efficiency criteria for computers, six months before the computing criteria take effect in July 2009. Lenovo also expects additional ThinkCentre desktops and ThinkStation workstations to comply with the new computer criteria by spring 2009.

All ten of Lenovo ThinkVision new monitors, a full line-up from 17 to-24-inches wide, satisfy the anticipated final Energy Star 5.0 criteria and carry an Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool ^[1](EPEAT) Gold rating. ThinkVision L174, L1700p, L1900, L1900p, L197 Wide, L1940 Wide, L1940p Wide, L2240p Wide, L2440p Wide and L2440x Wide monitors use 30 to 60 percent less energy than previous ThinkVision models.^[2]

In addition, Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M58/58p Small Form ^[3] and “Eco”^[4] ultra small form desktop computers also meet Energy Star 5.0 criteria now and have earned Gold ratings from the EPEAT system as well. Lenovo has a total of 18 ThinkVision monitors and 24 ThinkCentre desktops that are EPEAT Gold-rated.

Together, a ThinkCentre M58 Small Form Factor desktop and a ThinkVision L1940p monitor provide an extraordinarily energy efficient combination for use in large organizations or in a home-based business, using only 193 kilowatts per year^[5], compared to a baseline PC and CRT monitor at 635 KWH. By comparison, a refrigerator consumes an estimated 529 KWH.

ThinkPad laptops have long been leaders in environmental design. Many ThinkPad laptops integrate a number of energy-saving technologies like solid-state drives, LED backlit displays, and low-power processors. Lenovo's exceptional Power Management helps users monitor their energy usage and conserve battery life.

Twelve ThinkPad laptops in the R, S, T, W, and X series are configurable to meet Energy Star 5.0 compliance now. They are: ThinkPad X200, X200s, X200 Tablet, X301, T400, T500,R400, R500, SL300, SL400, SL500, and W700.

IdeaPad, Lenovo’s laptop and netbook line for consumers, include in-market IdeaPad U330 and Y430 that meet the new Energy Star 5.0 criteria today. The company expects to introduce more IdeaPad laptops that meet 5.0 criteria in 2009.

“Saving energy and money are critically important during a downturn in the global economy,” said Fran O’Sullivan, Lenovo senior vice president of Product Group. “As a champion for environmental sustainability, Lenovo continually improves its product design for the environment. As all businesses are finding out, greener is good for the earth and their wallets.”

Technical specifications of Energy Star 5.0 criteria are found at www.energystar.gov.

All Lenovo desktop PCs, laptops, and monitors have models that qualify for Energy Star 4.0 criteria, currently in effect since July 2007. A majority of Lenovo products released in 2008 reduced power consumption by at least 25 percent over their previous generation. Customers can access online calculators at www.lenovo.com/environment to compare configurations side by side to determine annual cost savings and CO₂ emissions avoided through the use of Lenovo personal computers.

About Lenovo

Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building exceptionally 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.

About Energy Star

ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping businesses and consumers save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. The program started in 1992 and has 12,000 private and public sector organizations. The Energy Star program estimates that it has saved consumers $16 billion in 2007 alone.

[1] EPEAT, a standardized set of performance criteria for the design of products, is used by large enterprise purchasers to evaluate and compare technologies.

[2] Compared to previous ThinkVision models such as the ThinkVision L171p, L194 Wide and D221 monitors.

[3] M58/M58p SFF with 85% PSU (optional)

[4] M58/M58p Eco USFF with 87% adapter (standard configuration)

[5] PC energy usage estimated using the Typical Energy Consumption calculation methodology from Energy Star 5.0, and Lenovo measured energy values for Energy Star 5.0 defined energy usage states.