Lenovo Launches Updated ThinkPad X1 Extreme, Business Systems
Lenovo Updates ThinkPad X1 Extreme, Intros Business-Focused ThinkBook and ThinkCentre Nano Lines
Today at its annual Accelerate conference in Orlando, Lenovo unveiled several new and updated laptops and small form factor PCs, including the ThinkCentre Nano, ThinkBook, and ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2.
ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2
An update to the company’s popular first-gen ThinkPad X1 Extreme, this new second-generation model adds support for the recently-launched 9th Gen Intel Core mobile processors and GTX 1650 GPU with Max-Q design, as well as ups the maximum storage to 4TB. System memory can be configured up to 64GB of DDR4.
While retaining the same basic design as its predecessor, the new ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2 also adds new options for a 15.6-inch 4K OLED display and Dolby Atmos audio. The laptop weighs in at 1.07kg (3.76lbs).
Made for advanced business users, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2 is the perfect thin and light Windows® 10 laptop that suits their mobile lifestyle as well as high performance computing needs. With boosted entertainment features including a brighter optional 4K OLED touch display and Dolby Atmos® Speaker System, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2 is a 15-inch powerhouse laptop engineered for data intensive workloads from video and photo editing to graphics rendering, AR/VR applications and more.
The ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 2 starts at $1,499.99 and is expected to ship in July.
ThinkBook 14s and 13s
The Lenovo ThinkBook line is a new brand targeted at small and medium-sized businesses. The first two models — ThinkBook 14s and ThinkBook 13s — are thin-and-light designs intended for on-the-go productivity work.
Powered by up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processors with AMD Radeon 540X discrete graphics, the ThinkBook models support up to 16GB of DDR4 memory and up to 512GB of PCIe flash storage. Both models include a 45Whr battery good for up to 11 hours on the 13s and 10 hours on the 14s. I/O includes USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C (both charging and data), USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, HDMI 1.4b, and a 3.5mm combo audio port.
With aluminum exteriors and business-grade ThinkShield security features, Lenovo advertises that the new ThinkBook designs are meant to allow "growing firms to keep a competitive edge in attracting today's young tech-savvy execs with cool looking yet cost-effective devices." The laptops will be compatible with a range of existing and upcoming accessories, including the ThinkPad USB-C Dock, upcoming Pro Stereo USB Headset, and 360-degree VOIP Camera Speaker.
The 13.3-inch ThinkBook 13s and 14-inch ThinkBook 14s start at $729 and $749, respectively, and will both be available later this month.
ThinkCentre Nano & ThinkCentre Nano IoT
Sporting an even smaller form factor than the company's ThinkCentre "Tiny" PCs, the new ThinkCentre Nano line aims to deliver high performance in an ultra-portable size. Lenovo says the new ThinkCentre M90n is the "most compact commercial desktop series in the world" measuring in at 179 x 88 x 22mm and weighing 505g (about 1.1lbs).
It is available with up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processors, 16GB of DDR4 memory, and dual PCIe SSDs. The M90n also sports USB Type-C and Type-A ports, DisplayPort 1.2, RJ-45 Ethernet, and an M.2 expansion slot for adding Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity.
Its small size makes the ThinkCentre Nano easy to deploy for office and task workers, allowing for mounting under or on the back of monitors, under a desk, on a wall, or unobtrusively on a bookshelf.
The ThinkCentre Nano IoT is a specially designed ThinkCentre Nano with a broader thermal range (0-50°C) and greater vibration resistance. It also touts a sealed, fanless design (utilizing the body as a heatsink) for added dust and debris protection. They’re intended for more extreme environments such as manufacturing floors and other industrial areas.
The lack of active cooling limits component options over its non-IoT counterpart, however, with CPUs up to an 8th Gen Core i3 or Celeron, 8GB of DDR4, and a single PCIe SSD up to 512GB. Since one of its potential roles is to operate connectivity or automation software, the Nano IoT also adds two RS232 ports to its I/O lineup.
The ThinkCentre M90n Nano starts at $639 while the Nano IoT version starts at $539. Both models are expected to ship this August.
