Lenovo Dives into Sub-Notebook Computing with its First Consumer “Netbook”

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lenovo today announced it is entering the “netbook” PC market with the new IdeaPad S10 netbook PC. Lenovo designed the super-slim, super-small IdeaPad S10 to complement a customer’s primary PC or as a first-time, introductory PC purchase. The IdeaPad S10 allows users to perform simple activities such as dive the Internet, check and write emails, listen to music and run basic applications. Lenovo also plans to introduce netbook models designed specifically for students and educators. Approximately one-inch thin with models weighing just over two pounds, the IdeaPad S10 netbook typifies thin and light design.

“IdeaPad netbooks are the latest in a string of recently announced Lenovo products, designed specifically for consumers worldwide and developed through our heritage of technological innovation and exceptional engineering,” said Liu Jun, senior vice president, Consumer Business Group, Lenovo. “As rapidly as the technology changes, today’s consumers are looking for mobile products that feature the best of basic computing functions in an extremely compact and affordable form, and Lenovo designed the IdeaPad netbooks for that purpose.”

Consumer demand for netbooks is growing rapidly around the world. IDC forecasts worldwide shipments of ultra-low cost notebooks rising from just 430,000 units in 2007 to 9.2 million in 2012¹. Additionally, analysts are predicting that one of the fastest growing areas for netbooks is the education market.

A Palette Full of Style, Color and Convenience

The 10.2-inch screen IdeaPad S10 netbook comes in flavors of classic white and bold black as well as a glossy ruby red. For a comfortable, more natural computing experience, Lenovo designed the keyboard to be 85 percent of the size of a full-function notebook PC’s keyboard, and an energy-efficient LED backlit display helps provide longer battery life than traditional displays.

For easy connection to the Internet, the IdeaPad S10 netbook includes WiFi and also has an Express Card slot so users can enable the IdeaPad S10 for optional high speed mobile broadband² connectivity. To optimize the social networking experience, the IdeaPad S10 comes with tools such as a built-in web camera for video messaging, and its two USB ports and a 4-in-1 multicard reader make connecting other devices and transferring photos, music and videos simple. The IdeaPad S10 netbook comes equipped with Microsoft Windows XP.

Using the Intel® Atom™ processor, the IdeaPad S10 netbook provides basic notebook functionality as a user’s secondary PC. Lenovo offers the IdeaPad S10 in two configurations, with one having 512 MB of memory and an 80 GB hard drive and the second configuration having 1 GB of memory and a 160 GB hard drive. The processing performance and storage make the IdeaPad S10 ideal for accommodating a variety of data, from a user’s digital music inventory to a student’s homework assignments and more. Lenovo engineered the IdeaPad S10 netbook to reduce the heat emitted on key contact areas such as the bottom of the PC, the palm rest and the keyboard. Additionally, Lenovo’s OneKey™ Rescue System³ helps users recover data at the touch of a button should a system error or virus occur.

Pricing and Availability⁴

The IdeaPad S10 netbook PC will be available beginning in early October, and prices start at $399. The IdeaPad S10 netbook will be available through leading retailers, Lenovo business partners and www.lenovo.com.

About Lenovo

Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) develops, manufactures and markets high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide and is dedicated to building the world’s most innovative personal computers. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, Lenovo’s heritage in both emerging and developed markets has resulted in a New World Company business model where ideas, operations and resources are borderless and mobile. With four operational hubs in Beijing, Raleigh, Singapore and Paris, Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information, see www.lenovo.com.

¹IDC. Worldwide Ultra-Low Cost Notebook 2008-2012 Forecast, Doc #212030, May 2008.

²WWAN Service: Requires user to purchase mobile broadband card. Requires separate agreement with select third party service provider, and is subject to credit approval and applicable service agreement/terms, rate plan and coverage maps of the provider. Service is available in select metropolitan markets, not available in all areas. Service provider, not Lenovo, is solely responsible for service. Lenovo customers may be contacted after purchase to activate service. Special credit and tenure restrictions and additional charges may apply to international roaming. A network connection, third-party software, additional hardware, and/or subscription to a third-party service may be required for certain solutions/applications. Additional restrictions apply. Offer subject to change.

³One Key™ Rescue System requires Windows XP and recovers to factory default settings unless user enables recovery to when last data saved. AnitVirus requires a minimum of 1 GB of memory.

⁴Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice and is tied to specific terms and conditions. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.