Lenovo Announces New ThinkPad Tablet 2 for Windows 8

[btarunr]

Lenovo today unveiled its first tablet specifically designed for Windows 8, the ThinkPad Tablet 2. The multi-use tablet boasts differentiators that matter, including an optional digitizer and pen for precision input, 3G wireless with Lenovo Mobile Access pay-as-you-go plans and 4G models, along with security features like a Fingerprint Reader, IT manageability technologies, and corporate-level service and support.

“Customers want a versatile device that fits their lifestyle and the many ways they use technology,” said Dilip Bhatia, vice president and general manager, ThinkPad Business Unit. “Our new ThinkPad Tablet 2 marries incredible hardware and software to give consumers a great device for office, home or travel while also offering companies and IT managers the oversight they need to help secure and manage their company’s networks and data. “For the next generation of Lenovo PCs, designed to be great with Windows 8, we’re working closer than ever with Microsoft Corp. and our silicon partners. Today we are excited to reveal the fruit of this collaborative co-engineering, the ThinkPad Tablet 2, a joint effort between Lenovo, Microsoft and Intel.”



ThinkPad Tablet 2: New Power to Create
Technology like the multi-use ThinkPad Tablet 2 helps manage the increasing overlap between personal and work life today. Based on the upcoming Intel Atom Processor-based mobile platform and Windows 8 Pro, the ThinkPad Tablet 2 works the way users do across their varied environments. It has an exceptionally thin and light design measuring 9.8 mm thin and weighing less than 600 grams (1.3 pounds), all in a 10.1-inch screen. The versatile tablet supports multiple input methods: multi-finger touch and an optional digitizer and pen, especially good for note taking, capturing signatures and completing forms. The optional ThinkPad Tablet 2 keyboard and dock can be paired with the tablet for more PC-like computing in the office. With an array of ports including a full-size USB port, workers easily can attach existing devices like monitors and printers.

Suited for commuting and in field scenarios, the tablet offers virtually anywhere connectivity and productivity with 3G and 4G wireless models. The tablet serves lifestyle computing uses just as well as business tasks with its package of communications and entertainment features: HD display, front and rear-facing cameras for video conferencing and uploading photos, noise canceling microphones, HDMI port and wireless video streaming.

While users will like the tablet for its aesthetics and powerful features, IT managers will particularly enjoy its security-enhanced and manageability technologies. With the optional Fingerprint Reader, passwords are biometrically stored. The encrypted internal and external storage meet the highest levels of security requirements. Using Windows 8 Pro and the Intel x86 architecture, IT managers can provide for VPN access, utilize existing Windows management tools, manage application deployment and block users from installing certain apps. In addition, Lenovo Services offer a complete suite of packages, including sealed battery warranties, accidental damage protection and custom imaging.

Availability
The ThinkPad Tablet 2 is intended to be available when Windows 8 launches in October.

[Shinshin]

Get ready for action as I see a lot of companies and OEMs will have many of those Windows 8 devices.
This is good to see, because unlike Windows Vista, hardware is ready for Windows 8!

[Frick]

Moar x86 tablets!

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by Frick

Moar x86 tablets!

Originally Posted by btarunr

Based on the upcoming Intel Atom Processor-based mobile platform and Windows 8 Pro ...

Uhhh, I somehow don't share the same enthusiasm as you. Wonder how much Intel and Windows have improved since the first few generations of netbook came to being.

[Aleksander]

When you buy the tablet, you get full windows 8, or just a tablet version, which lacks some programs?

[Frick]

Originally Posted by Aleksander Dishnica

When you buy the tablet, you get full windows 8, or just a tablet version, which lacks some programs?

I assume it's the normal version. There's the WIndows RT, but that's for ARM.

[Octavean]

Atom processor,....

I'll stick with my Core i5 based ASUS Eee Slate EP121 Windows 7 PC tablet and just upgrade the OS to Windows 8.

[tacosRcool]

Its good to see that Lenovo is not put off by Micosoft's surface

[Frick]

Originally Posted by Octavean

Atom processor,....

I'll stick with my Core i5 based ASUS Eee Slate EP121 Windows 7 PC tablet and just upgrade the OS to Windows 8.

That is a good one, but it's quite expensive (about €1000 here). I want something cheaper and I wouldn't mind modern Atoms if the price is right.

[Hilux SSRG]

Originally Posted by tacosRcool

Its good to see that Lenovo is not put off by Micosoft's surface

Indeed, what's the deal with ACER?

It departments for large to medium sized companies will snap these Lenove up.

[de.das.dude]

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

Uhhh, I somehow don't share the same enthusiasm as you. Wonder how much Intel and Windows have improved since the first few generations of netbook came to being.

roger that.

i pretty much expect android ones to perform better. infact i think the acer iconia c-50 having tab will be better.

[Breathless]

I think it needs to be longer and thinner, more like a 2 X 4

[Frick]

Originally Posted by de.das.dude

roger that.

i pretty much expect android ones to perform better. infact i think the acer iconia c-50 having tab will be better.

Naah, Win7 runs smooth on an old Pentium M with 2GB RAM, I can't see how Win8 will run badly on something faster.

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by de.das.dude

infact i think the acer iconia c-50 having tab will be better.

Not too sure about that either, since the next Atom will have at least Sandy Bridge class graphics. Should outgun the C-50 by a good margin if they are using the new Atom.

[rvalencia]

Originally Posted by Breathless

infact i think the acer iconia c-50 having tab will be better.

Note that currrent Acer Iconia W50x has C-60 APU.

Also, Acer's Iconia W50x case was recycled for AMD Trinity APU based tablet. http://www.slashgear.com/acers-trini...s-on-06232483/

[rvalencia]

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

Not too sure about that either, since the next Atom will have at least Sandy Bridge class graphics. Should outgun the C-50 by a good margin if they are using the new Atom.

It wouldn't outgun AMD C-50 APU let alone C-60 APU or it's replacement i.e. AMD Hondo APU.

On Thinkpad 2's specs, refer to http://www.zdnet.com/lenovo-takes-on...-2-7000001972/

Thinkpad 2 is powered by dual-core Intel Clover Trail SoC and according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atom_(system_on_chip)

Intel Clover Trail's IGP uses PowerVR 544MP2(four GPUs) @ 533 MHz

Intel GMA 3650 already uses PowerVR 545 @ 640MHz. http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-G...0.60195.0.html

AMD C-50's Radeon HD 6250M's benchmarks http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Rad...0.40958.0.html

It may take PowerVR 544MP4 (two GPUs) @ 533 MHz to rival AMD C-50's Radeon HD 6250M.

[slybunda]

even the single core atom with hyper threadding in the new orange san-diego phone is on par with performance of the galaxy s3's quad core arm a9.

thing is intel is having a 30% hit in performance due to binary translation. but the next incarnation of atom is said to have a hardware based binary translator engine.
can see arm being a thing of the past once the next generation atom cpu comes to light early next year.

[Dos101]

I've been debating if I should pick up a Samsung Series 7 Slate and put Windows 8 on it, and seeing all the news about these OEM's ARM tablets pushes me more and more towards getting the Samsung, especially considering it was the tablet MS was demoing Windows 8 on at BUILD.

[Aleksander]

After watching visual studio 2012, it changed my mind.
I think windows 8 is cute!