Lenovo’s got three new slates today, and they’re going for a scattershot. The IdeaPad K1 is the first Android tablet “certified for Netflix”; the ThinkPad offers a biz-oriented dock (also, Netflix); and the IdeaPad P1. Which, uh, runs Windows 7.
The 10.1-inch screened, half-inch thick K1, available today, looks capable enough for those who want muscle in a slate: dual-core Tegra 2 guts, Honeycomb 3.1, 1280×800 resolution, 2 MP front and 5 MP back cameras, and—hey now!—an SD Card slot. Like any other Android tablet. But it and the ThinkPad offer something no one else does: They’re the first Android tablets pre-loaded with Netflix. Thank Christ.
The ThinkPad otherwise is essentially the K1 in business attire—same Tegra 2 innards, same Android Honeycomb 3.1 soul—only pumped up with some enterprise security features, IT manager functionality, and eventually, 3G data. The ThinkPad also plugs into an optional port dock and keyboard, if you’re down with the whole laptop lite thing.
And then, there’s the IdeaPad P1, arriving at the end of the year. Again, virtually the same internals (though it swaps out the Tegra 2 for an Intel CPU of unspecified provenance), but driven by Windows 7 Premium instead of Android. Windows 7 is totally fine! On a desktop or laptop. A desktop OS isn’t made for a touch tablet just in the way that a phone OS isn’t made for a touch tablet.
Full releases for the trifecta, below.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – July 20, 2011: Lenovo today announced its first family of tablets – the
IdeaPad Tablet K1 for consumers, the ThinkPad Tablet for business customers, and the IdeaPad Tablet P1 for
home and office use. The new Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet K1 and ThinkPad Tablets are the Company’s first
mobile internet devices featuring Google’s Android* 3.1 operating system, and the industry’s first tablets
certified to deliver Netflix* video streaming. The Lenovo Android tablets also provide access to thousands of
apps in the Android Market as well as apps tested for the Lenovo device in the Lenovo App Shop.
“Tablets are extremely personal technology devices. That’s why we’ve created a family of tablets that has
something for everyone, including entertainment-friendly features and content for consumers, or businessfriendly features to enhance productivity for professionals as well as security and manageability for IT Managers,” said Liu Jun, senior vice president and president, Mobile Internet Digital Home business group,
Lenovo. “So whether it’s the IdeaPad for entertainment or the ThinkPad for business, we have listened to our
customers and are delivering Android tablets designed to meet their particular needs.”
Netflix Anyone?
As the first Android-Honeycomb tablets certified for Netflix, Lenovo tablets can help turn every night into
“movie night.” With a full 1080p HDMI output coupled with Digital Rights Management (DRM) built directly into the IdeaPad and ThinkPad tablets, Netflix members can instantly watch movies and TV shows streaming from Netflix directly to a big screen TV, “We’re very excited to see that TV shows and movies streaming from Netflix, will be available on Lenovo’s family of Android tablets,” said Bill Holmes, Netflix vice president of Business Development. “This is not only an important development for our company as we seek to expand the benefits of our services to more people, it also means that consumers now have greater choice in selecting a tablet device that best fits their entertainment needs.”
NVIDIA Anyone?
Building on Lenovo’s heritage of innovation, quality and reliability in PCs, Lenovo’s new tablets deliver an
accelerated mobile experience. The IdeaPad and ThinkPad tablets feature NVIDIA* Tegra* 2 dual-core mobile
processors that offer extreme multitasking, noticeably faster web browsing with build-in Flash, console-quality gaming and low power consumption for improved battery life. “The Tegra 2 dual core processor is the perfect fit for Lenovo’s tablets,” said Michael Rayfield, general manager, Mobile Business, NVIDIA. “Consumers can now enjoy the whole web with Flash*, console quality
gaming, high definition video, and streaming Netflix. These are a must have for today’s tablets.” IdeaPad K1 Tablet: Open the Box and Play Weighing just 1.6 lbs, the highly mobile IdeaPad K1 tablet offers integrated Bluetooth* and 802.11 Wi-Fi connectivity. The IdeaPad Tablet offers several key features and tools as standard, for flexibility, power and security to enjoy digital content anywhere. Simply put, the Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet helps users who want:
More out of the box: Lenovo’s Android 3.1 tablet is preloaded with more 40 apps from partners like
Netflix, Amazon*, Adobe*, Electronic Arts*, Rovio*, Zinio*, Dataviz*, and others (over $50 in value),
including favorites like Angry Birds*, Kindle* E-book Reader and Documents to Go*, gives users more
right away:
More entertainment: Users can browse all websites and watch online videos with ease thanks to
Flash 10.3> Plus, with DRM, they can rent movies in every available format. At a later date shortly
after launch, users will also be able to buy movies via an Over-the-Air update.
More social networking: Users can access an entire network of friends and social sites all in one
place, with Lenovo’s exclusive SocialTouch* app, which effectively creates a one-stop social
connection. And since one picture is still worth a thousand words, the Lenovo IdeaPad K1 tablet
comes with a two-megapixel front-facing and a five-megapixel rear-facing webcam.
More true HD: Users can watch movies and videos in breathtaking HD on a 1280 X 800 resolution
screen. The mini HDMI connection allows full 1080p HD viewing when connected to an HDTV or
monitor, resulting in a powerful visual experience.
More cloud sharing: Users can sync, store and share files, music and photos with more integrated
cloud storage, and less reliance on their hard drive.
More Apps: Users can access thousands of apps in the Android Market and apps tested exclusively
for premium function on the IdeaPad Tablet in the Lenovo App Shop.
ThinkPad Tablet Brings Android to Business
The ThinkPad Tablet combines the superior media and entertainment experience of the IdeaPad Tablet K1
with the security, reliability and manageability features ThinkPad is known for, to create the first true businessclass tablet. Designed as a companion computing device for professionals on the go, the ThinkPad Tablet includes an optional digitizer pen, a full-size USB port, full-size SD card slot, and mini-HDMI for connecting to external projectors and displays, as well as an optional ThinkPad quality Keyboard Folio Case with optical TrackPoint.
Data remains safe on the ThinkPad Tablet with layered data security, and the device is easily supported by IT
managers thanks to a suite of business partner solutions that include anti-theft software and the ability to
disable the tablet if the device is lost or stolen with Computrace*. Additional security features include virtual
application support with Citrix*, simple zero-touch deployment with LanDesk* and secure email support
available from Good Technology*.
Offering a 10.1″ WXGA (1280×800) display weighing a mere 1.6 lbs, the ThinkPad Tablet also comes with an
IPS display for a 178-degree viewing angle and scratch-resistant Corning* Gorilla* Glass. This business-class device keeps professionals connected, productive and entertained while they’re away from the office and their home. Simply put, Lenovo’s ThinkPad Tablet helps business professionals get things done:
Get more on the go: When work happens on the go, ThinkPad Tablet allows users to view and edit
Microsoft Office documents with the preloaded Documents to Go app by DataViz. Or they can jot
down notes that automatically convert to handwritten text with the optional ThinkPad Tablet Pen.
When even more versatility is required, users can plug in the Keyboard Folio for fast, comfortable and
accurate typing and mouse control.
Get better connected: With WiFi connectivity, 2GB of free cloud storage, a standard size USB port
and SD Card Reader, and Lenovo’s unique file copy utility, sharing media files and documents with
other people and electronic devices is easy. Presentations may look even better when connecting to
an external monitor via the built-in mini-HDMI port. Users can conveniently sync key files and folders
with their tablet every time they plug into their Windows 7 PC. When paired with Apps like ooVoo, dual
HD cameras allow for crystal clear video conferencing. Users can keep in touch with friends and
business contacts using Lenovo’s exclusive SocialTouch app, which puts social networks, email, and
calendar notices all in one easy-to-use interface.
Get down to business: ThinkPad Tablet can connect to a range of devices and networks without
hands-on help from IT administrators. Users can utilize corporate network passwords to access their
device and connect to corporate email; with the specially certified app, Good for Enterprise. IT
managers can easily create access unique corporate preloads from the Lenovo Image Technology
Center as well as share and distribute company purchased or developed apps to numerous devices
through a custom, corporate-controlled app store. Most importantly, users will have the ability to
protect confidential data with robust security features including SD card encryption, lost device
disablement and anti-theft software.
Get solid protection: ThinkPad Tablet customers will have access to Lenovo’s full portfolio of
enterprise-level services, such as ThinkPlus Support, which provides business customers direct
access to advanced technicians with tablet and Android specific experience, and Tablet Protection,
which gives business customers coverage for non-warranted damage from operational and structural
damage due to drops, minor spills, electrical surges and other accidental damage incurred under
normal operating conditions. In addition, Lenovo’s Imaging Services help save IT departments from
having to do custom images for each machine, and ensures that even with flash images, the warranty
is protected and the tablet is ready-to-go right out-of-the-box.
IdeaPad Tablet P1 with Windows 7 Does Double Duty in the Office and on the Couch
Lenovo’s 10.1″ IdeaPad Tablet P1 with Microsoft Windows* 7 features a 1.5GHz Intel* processor so users can
be more productive with Office* documents, or get creative with photos while on the move.
The IdeaPad Tablet P1 boasts a multitouch touchscreen display and optional stylus pen for added flexibility,
easy access to Web content thanks to full Flash support and HD playback, and Microsoft Security Essentials
for an extra layer of security. At just 14.5mm thin and weighing less than 2lbs, the IdeaPad Tablet P1 with
Windows 7 offers portability, power and versatility for the office, in the home and on-the-go. Lenovo App Shop — Premium Ecosystem of Apps and Content Services
In addition to the thousands of apps available at the Android Market, Lenovo tablet users have access to apps in the Lenovo App Shop — a unique app marketplace, which features popular applications that have been tested specifically for Lenovo IdeaPad and ThinkPad Tablets. The Lenovo App Shop offers apps within a
broad range of categories including music, movies, books, productivity, social networking, weather, printing
and more.
The Lenovo App Shop will also support enterprise applications and a private corporate application store to
help businesses more easily integrate tablets into their daily operations. In addition, Lenovo will offer countryspecific applications, currency, and languages.
Pricing and Availability
The 32GB model IdeaPad Tablet K1 is priced at $499, and can be ordered in the U.S. starting July 20, 2011,
through select business partners and retail stores nationwide, or via lenovo.com. The product will be generally available in the U.S. in August 2011 and generally available worldwide during the third quarter 2011.
The 16GB ThinkPad Tablet is priced at $499 without the digitizer pen, and at $529 including the digitizer pen, for Wi-Fi models. There is also an optional keyboard portfolio carrying case available for $99. At a later date, shortly after launch, ThinkPad Tablets with 3G will become available.ThinkPad Tablet can be ordered in the U.S. starting July 20, 2011, online at lenovo.com or through business partners nationwide. The product will be generally available in the U.S. in August 2011 and generally available worldwide during the third quarter 2011.
The IdeaPad Tablet P1 will be available in the fourth quarter 2011.
All Lenovo tablets come with a one-year warranty. Lenovo also offers warranty upgrade options that can
extend the IdeaPad product warranty for one additional year, and the ThinkPad Tablet for two additional years.
