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Lenovo, the world’s second-largest PC companythough according to enthusiastic Lenovo staff, much of the world thinks it’s a pharmaceutical company, if they think of it at allis planning to roll out new ThinkCentre and Edge Series PCs later this year that take advantage of Intel’s recently released Ivy Bridge processors.
Small-business owners and IT managers, both likely to know the Lenovo name, are also likely to appreciate these machines’ third-generation Intel Core processors, 15-second boot-up times, multiscreen functionality and smarter cooling methods.
The ThinkCentre Edge 92z is Lenovo’s thinnest commercial all-in-one (AIO) to date. Looking more like a monitor than a whole computer, it measures 2 inches thick and features an Infinity Glass front panel covering a 21.5-inch high-definition IPS LED display. Processor options include up to Core i7, and the machine comes equipped with the Lenovo Solution Center powered by Intel Small Business Advantagetools for remotely managing things like updates and energy settings.
The 92z can be wirelessly connected to an HDTV or other business display, using Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) technology. Also included are a high-definition camera, array microphone, and voice and video conferencing capabilities.
The ThinkCentre Edge 72 is a desktop, also with Intel Core processor options up to a Core i7, Lenovo Enhanced Experience 3 (EE3)Lenovo’s trick for such speedy boot-up timesand a “full package” of productivity tools and features that includes the ability to support two independent displays with VGA and DVI ports, so users can work separately on two monitors, according to a May 7 statement.
Another all-in-one, the ThinkCentre M72z, features a 20-inch LED backlit LCD panel with an optional touch screen and Lenovo’s View Management Utility for multiple screen displays. The slim M72z was designed to take up 65 percent less space than a traditional desktop, comes with EE3, and a choice of i3, i5 or i7 processors.
Plus, designed for markets such as health care and education, it includes security features such as a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security chip, a self-encrypting hard disk drive and Lenovo PC Auto Lock technology. The latter uses the computer’s camera to detect when the computer is unattendedSamsung’s Galaxy S III won’t be the only device looking at usersand, if it is, locks it.
The ThinkCentre M72e was instead designed with large business and state government users in mind and can come in three form factorsthe traditional tower, a smaller form factor and a new “tiny,” 1-liter desktop.
Again, users have third-generation Intel options and EE3, plus up to 16GB of memory and optional WiFi and Bluetooth.
The ThinkCentre M82, not far off the M72e, is for “mainstream business users” and comes in micro tower and small form factor options. EE3 is included, as is the TPM security chip and a more efficient cooling design.
The M72e, M72z and M82 desktopsand if you can remember which those are, by God Lenovo should give you one of these for free; perhaps there’s a good reason the brand doesn’t stick in people’s headshave been awarded multiple certifications for energy efficiency and environmental goodness.
As for pricing and availability, the ThinkCentre M72e will arrive in June starting at $499, while the ThinkCentre M82 and M72z AIO, both arriving the same month, will each start at $599.
Arriving in July, the ThinkCentre Edge 92z will start at $699, while the Edge 72, starting at $439, will arrive with the sharpened pencils in September.
Follow me on Twitter at @eWEEK_Michelle.
